Working

I've been working on the new album for two months now, kinda racing to get everything  done by Christmas time.

In addition to recording music, I’ve also been organizing a booklet that will include song lyrics and stories from my time in Norway. I’m still messing around with the layout. The cover will look like one of these drafts…

Fortunately, my home studio comes with an in-house design team. Artwork by Malia Chan. Here’s an excerpt from one of the Norway stories:

Most days, I work in the forest at three to four hours at a go. Usually with Erik. In the morning, we bundle around the hearth, shoulder our axes, and commute four minutes up a seventy degree grade. Above Nordre Oppland, twin splitting stations flank a massive woodstack, and the view is unbeatable. All the way to Lillehammer, white parceled farmland unrolls with a detailed stitching of roads and fences. On clear mornings, the sun rises big and red across the valley, about thirty minutes into our effort. The slanting light inflames the countryside. More than once I think to myself that Pieter Bruegel the Elder should eat his heart out. Haha, very clever Jamie. But yes, if you want to comprehend the view from my splitting station, spend some time with Hunters in the Snow.

Geez this Norway project is big, and it has taken over my 2017. (I’m lucky for that.) When I laid it all out in my mind - two EPs, the crowdfunding video, the full length album, the lyric book, and all the custom songs - I wasn’t sure if I would actually get it all done. But now I’m close! Thank you for your support and thanks for tuning in. More coming soon.

Posted on October 28, 2017 .

Porkies Artist Residency

This October, I'll be heading to the Porcupine Mountains Wilderness in Michigan's Upper Peninsula. I'll spend two weeks there serving as artist-in-residence for the park. People who know me well have probably heard my stump speech about this place already. What's not to love about the UP? Sandy unbroken Superior lakeshore? Woods? Plenty of 1950s vintage motels and weird diners? I'm grateful to the Friends-Of-The-Porkies selection committe for asking me to write songs about one of my favorite corners of the United States. Stay tuned!

Porkies for Site.jpg
Posted on September 3, 2017 .

Songs From The North Country

In the fall of 2015 I felt compelled to find the small town of Kallestad on the west coast of Norway. I spent three months over there, working on farms and writing new music. This escape was necessary and lightening. I met some incredible people. I think that the songs I wrote in Norway are some of my best and now I want to tell this story. You can buy my EP In The Belly Of The Feast and back this new project right here.

Perks for backers include: A new EP recorded live in Kallestad, string-bound lyric books, custom songs, and house concerts, and...postcards.

Posted on February 23, 2017 .

I can't believe this exists...

A remarkable birthday present from Mr. Cosgrove. Track List: 1. Sweet Desolation, 2. Kitchen Light, 3. Santa Fe, 4. Charming River Towns, 5. Big Black Road, 6. Indigo City Blues, 7. Eternal Life, 8. This Is Not A Radio Test, 9. Meadowlark, 10. Amanda, 11. Paper Town

Posted on September 25, 2016 .

Goodnight River Songs

Thanks to all who listened while I sang my River Songs this summer. I had a terrific time hiking hills between shows in New England, and paddling lakes between shows in Minnesota. Routing one's own tour pays off in this way. I've enjoyed sharing the story of this EP, and I'd especially like to thank the Big River for all that it's done for me.

I'm also excited to turn to the next thing. Here's what the River Songs tour looked like:

Posted on September 22, 2016 .