Stormcellar Band Home Page

It's been a rainy period in Sydney, we're still working on the Video for this but felt like sharing it.

Brother Bill, Mr Wizard and The Quartermaster were seen down by the bay, Excel spreadsheets in hand.

Bits of tart with pear, an unusually hot spring day and the blue washed light of the bay.

It's been a big year, here aboard the stormcellar (yeah I'm mixing my metaphors again...also I borrowed this pic from Southern Swan cruises...what a shot huh?)

Ahem. To continue with said metaphor...

Safe Harbour, Rogue State :-)

Managing these long voyages take a lot of thought.

Finding a balance takes effort. Setting boundaries, making choices about who we engage with.

It's a big sea, filled with all sorts of creatures.

Thanks to the very regular and hard work of the crew, the ship is in good order, albums are finished, next projects are in development and a reasonable schedule for the completion of work considered.

Bravo to Brother Bill, Mr Wizard, Rosie and Theo for sustained effort. As the world Down Under winds down to close of year, we're travelling at a good, comfortable pace. 

Shout outs to NP 

I had the pleasure of some solid philosophy discussions this week with cellar dwellers. I'm doing a little Youtube watching right now.

We continue to make an effort on the blog, at the shows, to give you a breather, some calm company.

I liked this video, thanks to Noel P. for pointing me in the direction. I'm sharing it here as part of that continued effort. 

That was a big weekend of playing.

Both Rosie and Bill are playing so well I feel like I am standing next to them playing a triangle.

It appears I need to go on a spirit quest for some new harp action.

Mean while, the final proof art for the retail pressing is coming in, thank you to Mark S for arranging the run.

You know where to find'em. (hint: come to a show)

With the art done and a busy weekend behind us, it was Tidal Downtime.

We're coming into that part of the year, down here in Oz, and after Melbourne Cup (next week) the thoughts of the nation turn to Christmas Holidays and Cricket.

Yeah, you heard me, Cricket.

We still have a few things ahead of us this year. For example, the Cooma C.R.A.B festival.

Plus we're still in production on videos for the Sydney Identity Project.

Oh.

And planning for 2019.

So yeah.

To be fair, we're not doing this all at once. we're moving at a steady pace with the benefit of regular rests.

Tide comes in, tide goes out.

Following pace with these rhythms is why, 11 years on, we're still at it.

A choice to be a calmer place

We often say 'we don't judge here in the stormcellar' because in a way, it's part of the ethos of a place of safety.

When we see the killings in Pittsburgh, the emergence of what can only be described as the American Cold Civil War, when we regret and watch our own wars of choice these last 18 years, it's a bit overwhelming.

If we don't write about it too much here, it's because we're choosing, for you Dear Reader, to try and offer a respite from all that stuff.

We can acknowledge the sadness and perhaps even the banal, ridiculous, incomprehensible actions of our species, of our kind, against what is really now, one large family of humans.

But how can we help? What difference can we make?

When we started this blog, 11 years ago, it was because Big D and X and (REDACTED) were overseas, far from home.

The simple things we did - going to a gig. Arranging a PA. Looking out the window on a trip.

These were moments of comfort we could offer, like a letter sent to Vietnam.

That's what Big D taught me. that it was the simple things from a calmer place that they missed.

So that's what we concentrate on here.

The things that go on in the whirlwinds are still there, the battle rages.

Yet there's more to the world than just its tempests.

More than just fury and ignorance.

You are honoring the thought of those people who have passed, forming it in your mind even as you read.

We stop to remember and think of those who were killed in Pittsburgh, to extend our heartfelt empathy to the members of the L'simcha Congregation.

For want of better, we light a candle, in thought.

After what seems like an eternity of grey, Sun shone on Sydney today.

Down at the Kirribilli Market, everyone was in love.

People were getting their photo's taken down by the harbour, parking was as precious as gold, some Driving was observed.

Pleasant Aspects of the Day were encountered.

I had a grand afternoon.

I think coffee is the secret.

Maybe, coffee is the answer. Wherever the coffee is good, or sometimes the tea, good things follow.

Maybe it's me.

No, it's coffee.

The age of going to see bands and being completely boozled is passing. It's harder.

But coffee? and snacks?

Guys?

Ah. Parking meter.

Respects to Brother Bill for excellent organisation.

Thanks to all the folks who bought CD's, that'll come in handy as we press the next batch.

BTW Dear Reader, if you're not out and about, you might be missing out on some very excellent moments.

While the rest of the planet seems to have gone just a little...well...crazy, there's some sunshine and spirit out there in your backyard.