Twenty nine days! Until the move to NYC. Actually technically its 25 days with the bulk of my things being moved and 28 days left being in Salem. This will be the 18th move in my life. Which is a lot until I compare it to how many times my parents moved which easily was probably double that. The sound of a tape gun being splayed over a cardboard box is one too familiar to me. I think I have been packing for moving since I was 7 years old.

I have never been so excited in my life about moving. A new city, a new place, and a soon-to-be wife. I have to be honest that it's hasn't sunk into me yet that I will be living in New York city.I am moving from a town of 60,000 to a town of 8.3 million which is unquestionably a difference in population. Although my observation of New York is that it's comprised of lots of small towns that are linked together with no borders. While there are a lot of people as a whole if you look at a population on one block it's about the size of a town. So where I will be living will still have a population of 60,000 people. Oh stop I know it's not true I am just trying to get myself to be less nervous :)

I have been watching the second season of "True Blood". I really like the character Eric played by Alexander Skarsgård. He plays his part with such a feeling of age and complexity it's fascinating.

Leonora & I at a party in New York Leonora and I were at party hosted by our friends Evan & Stacy. This was a paiting that was painted on a wall 5 minutes earlier. Photography by Gene Hale

So this past week I didn't do much but read and write. Next weekend I am starting back on the production of my album that has been delayed mostly because of the film soundtracks I have been working on.

Lucien painting? what?!?! I am contributing a very minor paint stroke to a group painting at a party last weekend. Photo by Gene Hale

I am typing this en route to NYC for the weekend to spend it with Leonora. I am so glad spring has returned.

Exciting news ! I finished the soundtrack for the film STIFF. If everything goes right during editing the film will debut by this summer. I'll have more information, including it's Hollywood debut, soon. This soundtrack is a departure from my previous soundtracks that it has a lot of guitar. Lots and lots of Spanish guitars and a little disco song for one scene.

I have come across 3 albums that are notable for different reasons you might like.

MELISSA AUF dER MAUR "Out of our Minds"
singer, songwriter, bass player for HOLE & Smashing Pumpkins this solo album mixes a complex sequence of beats and chords that does peak your interest while you listen to it. Unfortunately after listening to it for 5 times in a row I can't remember any of the songs. It is very complex though from a production and musical perspective. If you are a musician you might like it.

Jimmi Hendrix - "Valley of Neptune"
Yes the legendary Hendrix just released a new album with new songs. No he hasn't risen from the ashes like a zombie rock star (but we could wish that). A few months ago a recording engineer of his was cleaning a studio and went into a closet and discovered tapes that were unmarked and untouched since when they were recorded in the late 1960's. Upon listening to it he discovered it was Hendrix on the recordings and featuring alternate takes of famous songs. This album features these lost recordings as well as rare B sides that were featured except for in box sets. Usually an album by a musician that has passed is usually very boring and would only attract extreme fans. THIS album is amazing. Bloody brilliant. If you like Hendrix buy this now immediately. If you sort of like him buy it. i think this will be the album of the year. Most stores are selling it for $10 so it's a cheap form of entertainment.

White Stripes "Under Great White Northern Lights'
This is a live album by the "brother and sister" dynamic rock duo. I generally hate live albums because screaming fans on rock records are very distracting. This album was mixed well and the recording was straight from the mixing board and the versions of the songs are refreshingly innovative. If you are a White Stripes fan you will love this album. If you never heard of them before it's best to pass this one up and just buy any of their studio recordings instead. Actually no I will take that back it's pretty good as a greatest hits collection as well.

If you know of any NEW albums that you really like let me know.

So last week I got engaged. This week it's not as exciting but still fun.

I have been working on the soundtrack for the film STIFF produced by Cinema Epoch directed by Jim Towns and Mike McKown. I heard rumors it might debut in Los Angles possibly as early as June.

Several years ago I did the soundtrack for a Mindscape Pictures film called "Norma's Scent" directed by Jason Santo . The script, written by Yair Packer, of it was picked up by a theater company called Entity Theater in Germany. They needed music for it and they will be using the soundtrack for it on stage. So if you happen to be Kurfustenst Munich May 7-9 & 19-22 you can go to it. (information) . It's also going to be staged at a theater festival in Bad Homburg Germany May 13-16th (information).

In other news Leonora and I had seen "Shutter Island" and I thought it was amazing. Perhaps the best film I have seen this year. (On a side note one of my acting instructors Bates Wilder was in it)


Your composer in the studio last night

Chaise Connection Episode Four where we review THE AMERICAN CLASSIC ARCADE MUSEUM in Laconia NH. (and Kazoo playing)

Dear world,

Leonora and I are to be married! :)

A project Leonora & I started. If you have anything for us to review send it our way :)