You’ve got a lot to give the world. Open up to see.
It’s all right there for you right now – the possibilities.

You’ve got a lot to give the world, it’s plain to see.
All you really need to do – set your mind free.

All the world is in a rush
Years go by and never touch
On anything or anyone, or any meaning
We’ve just lost our feelings
Until I’m not me any more.

You’ve got a lot to give the world.

Listen hear: RS-17.mp3

Listen hear: RS-05.mp3

Listen hear: RS-06.mp3

Listen hear: RS-16.mp3

California is a song I wrote in 1997 after I moved from the Bay Area to New York City. I missed California, and it was getting to me. I only lived in NY for a few years, and returned to CA, my adopted home. This place just has a vibe I jive with.

Here’s the latest tune: RS-11.mp3

I was going to watch American Idol, but instead, I wrote and recorded this silly little song: RS-15.mp3

It’s been nearly 8 years since Mark and I have recorded, but it’s been eons since we’ve recorded on my gear. After our first 4 track recording, Criminal Goat (original release date: May 3rd, 1837), all other recordings were on Mark’s gear. When he asked last week to come jam on my Mac I was surprised, and wasn’t sure I was ready. I still don’t feel ready, and he’s already come and gone. However there is nothing I want more than a project right now, so it’s heaven sent. This little project is saving my life. Otherwise I would fall more and more away from being a weirdo musician.

I’m a little caught up in a thing called life right now. My kid is nearly the age to start Kindergarten, I own a business that is nearly 10 years old, and art, music, and free time all took a back seat. Art is strange stuff. It doesn’t exist until you make it. It’s hard to prioritize an invisible thing that doesn’t exist yet over a wee one yelling “Daddy! Where are you?” or “One of our vendors shipped $6000 worth of product to a wrong address, we’re out of stock for at least two weeks…” What happened to days of $350/month rent in bad neighborhoods, obnoxious arty room mates, and lots and lots of time to make bad art?

I love to make music, but I’ve never pursued it as a career. It’s too personal and spiritual for me to push it commercially or something, even though I hate that kind of arty sentiment. I guess I like the fun part, and don’t even bother with the work of getting it “out there”. Rain Station doesn’t play live very often, and when we have, it’s usually just the two of us with acoustic guitars in a living room or basement. Our recordings are unique in that we both play multiple instruments, so we’d have to grow extra arms to play out. Why turn fun into work? We like to get together and record tunes for the love of doing it.

I’m hoping Mark can get over here often, because I can’t stop fooling around with the tracks. I say keep adding tracks, creating different versions until they really pop and come to life. To be honest I already find myself thinking and writing in a “Rain Station” mind set, whatever that is. We’ve always been dark, moody, and introspective. When I record solo, I tend to be very silly and record humorous stuff like: Mitchell Vaillant’s Toe Nails, but when I hear any music Mark and I work on together, it sounds so… Rain Stationy.

I had a drum track that didn’t work out so well, but I used it to record guitar to, and then just got rid of the bum drum track. I can’t wait to hear what Mark does to this: RS-14.mp3