When I picked up the guitar in the late nineties, nothing meant more to me than starting a band.

Never mind my lack of fundamentals. I had no interest in learning other people’s songs. I just wanted to learn enough to make it possible to create my own songs and form a band around them.

There’s a much longer account of this in my book, I Can’t Be The Only One Hearing This.+ For the sake of brevity, I’ll simply say this: things did not go well. I wound up giving up the guitar.

Fast-forward 15 years. After numerous attempts, my pilot light was reignited and I was interested in making music again.

This time, however, things are a little different. Granted, I still need a better grasp on the fundamentals, but at least I’m working on it. And I’m very enthused about learning the music of others. My own songs try to pop up here and there, and I give them their due attention. One never ignores the Muse when she offers a gift.

But what about a band?

Absolutely not.

Trying to get four or five adults in the same room at the same time on a consistent basis is like trying to nail Jell-O to the wall. It’s a path I simply do not want to walk again. Still, I have ideas, and I’d like to see where they can go.

I named my band The Sheltering Sky. We managed to record an album. I’m proud of the music. What it lacks in solid dynamics it makes up for in ambition. I had plans to take us beyond this, but one can herd cats for a limited time before insanity sets in.

Naming a project after myself doesn’t sit right with me. But there will be times when I will be a one-man band. Adrian Belew, Todd Rundgren, and Prince can make this kind of thing work under their own names, but not me.

There was only one logical solution: The Sheltering Sky must return.

When Trent Reznor records a Nine Inch Nails album, he starts with himself, then brings in whomever he needs to flesh out his recordings, song by song. Actually, more than a few artists do this. Why don’t I do the same thing?

So, that’s the plan.

I’m setting up a very tiny “studio” in one corner of my living room. It’s more of a desk with an eight-track recorder, an eight-track mixer, a direct interface box, and space for my computer. I don’t really need anything else. If I need someone to flesh out a tune, they can come over and make their contribution. Or we can exchange files. Minimal fuss.

There is no forthcoming album. Once I have a couple of tunes I like, I’ll post them on Bandcamp and other streaming services. The tracks will be free. This isn’t about money. It’s about expressing myself. Nothing more. There will be no band or concerts. I have zero interest.

Giving the music away also frees me up to cover a couple of tunes. In fact, I’ll strongly suggest going to the original artist and throwing a couple of bucks their way instead of mine. That’s only fair.

The pressure is off. I can just do me. I’ve got the makings of a couple of tunes, including a four-part suite. But there’s no rush. They’ll happen when they’re ready to happen. No need to hurry.

Stay tuned. I’m sure there will be updates.

+ I’m sorry to say that my book is currently out of print. I’m working toward fixing it.

#cirdecsongs

If you would like to have your music reviewed, contact me at cirdecsongs@gmail.com