music | Apothecary Shed

Nancy Griffith memorial

August 24, 2021

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During the 28th annual Oopstock, we spontaneously performed this version of Nanci Griffith’s song “Love at the Five and Dime” as a memorial. Nanci died the day before we performed this song.

Thanks for the music, Nanci.

john doe krisin hersh grant-lee phillips pittsburgh

February 11, 2020

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There were three of them. The setting was intimate at Club Cafe. Negronis were available. Seating was not.

Ye olde van carpool crew

Krisin opened up with an interesting guitar song that involved intentionally bending chords on an acoustic. After that song, all bets were off WRT tuning. Who needs tuning for an intimate acoustic set? EVERYONE. EVERYONE MUST TUNE.

(please tune)

Grant-lee joined in and tuning became mandatory. This also allowed for some breathing. Grant-lee is charismatic and fun to watch but about as deep as a puddle.

Duo to go

Picture picture for Em

John Doe was fantastic. Thank the stars for a poet singer like him.

John Doe

Hells yes on a great Pittsburgh Sunday night. So good to see Alisa and Greg!!

The Dead Bambis in Japan

November 30, 2019

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Best bass ever

Rock and Roll baby

WILCO C’ville Life -or- love is everywhere?!

November 12, 2019

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Yep. Thank goodness. Just in the nick of time. Bill and Em to the rescue.

Wilco, cville

box of wilco

before

tiny

Hinge

fin. commencer. we die to live another day.

House Concert in Fort Thomas with Ritt and Wilder Deitz (cincinnati)

October 22, 2019

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Here are some pictures taken by Tessa Killen during a magical evening performance in the house concert series known as Parlor and Patio held in greater Cincinnati. The location and sound are ideal for an intimate evening—impressive attention to detail, warm and inviting hosts, and post show music (not to mention bourbon).

Ritt Deitz

More about the musicians, Ritt and Wilder Deitz and me.

Wilder Deitz on the actual wooden baby grand piano

Gary McGraw on the fiddle

In the action

House Concert in Bloomington with Ritt and Wilder Deitz

October 19, 2019

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Yes please. Music with an old friend from the college days spurred into action by the seredipitous planet of ours. I was slated to be in Bloomington for a Dean’s Advisory Council meeting of the Luddy School of Informatics. Then a post card arrived with a request to “alert the Bloomington troops” scrawled across the front announcing a house concert on the very same day.

So a sideman on the fiddle was added to the bill. What a magical evening. Intimate, energetic, and filled with love.

Sound check in the light of day

A scrumptious spread

Concert at dusk.

Ritt Deitz

Set 1

Wilder Deitz

Ritt and Wilder

Back to the Eastside You Go

Ritt and Wilder

I swear I played the fiddle too.

The 2018 Solstice Fire

December 24, 2018

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The weather cooperated spectacularly for the 2018 solstice party. The rain cleared for a day or two. The moon was full. It was a crisp cold night with a beautiful sky.

Our ritual of gathering good friends from all walks of life every six months took place again without a hitch. Thanks to all who came to help us turn the sun.

Sunset before the party

This year, the fire lighting was cheered on by a rising full moon. The fire caught quickly and burned hard and fast.

Full moon and unlit pile

Lighting (time to run away)

Lots of people arrived for the lighting this year

Every solstice party is different in interesting ways. This year lots of people showed up for the lighting at 5:45. Then the BOILO got the party rocking. The lighting is always a sight to see.

The fire gets going

2018 solstice fire

The moon was incredible and lent a silver tinge to everything.

The barn was alight in party mode

This year the unplanned potluck food supply was great with chilli, meatballs, sloppy joes, fried chicken, and even krispy kreme donuts. The barn bar took a licking. Gonna need some serious restocking before summer!

Sorry about the terrible Christmas music in the barn. That’s just how it goes. At least there is a disco ball.

Marco. BOILO! There’s nothing quite like extremely local product.

A violin burns

Possibly the most ridiculous and surprising part of the evening was the violin sword fight instigated by Josh Henry (my trusty and talented violin and bow repair guy). Unbeknownst to everyone, Josh brought three dead rental violins to the party. So when we got them out and started sword fighting vigorously with them and then threw their remains into the fire, the 20 somethings who were already wondering just what those old people across the fire were all about, freaked out. They thought just for the smallest moment that I was destroying my actual violin.

LOL! Got you.

There was lots of music this year. It started early and went late. Thanks music makers! We love playing with you all.

Late night the music continues

Ember glow

I know, lets do it again this summer!!

Moonglow (picture by Amy Barley)

Hiroya Tsukamoto Plays the Barns of Rose Hill

October 20, 2018

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I first met Hiroya when he opened a sold out show for the Bitter Liberals in January 2018. We were frankly honored to have Hiro open for us. He was outstanding both in terms of technique and showmanship.

Hiro’s music tells a layered story soaked with emotional significance. Here are some pictures and videos from a recent show at the Barns of Rose Hill in Berryville, VA 10.19.18.

Visit Hiro’s website here.

The most remarkable piece of the evening was an improvisation that Hiro put together during the second set. Influences of Eno, Fripp, Japan, and banjo are all evident and are masterfully woven into a beautiful piece.

Gemini Bridge is a core piece of Hiro repertoire. If you like how this sounds, you should buy a copy of the CD Heartland.

Hiro plays one guitar with a set of electronics used for balancing and layering with a sampler. He is a master of his technology (more than can be said for most musicians), and his use of sampling is both subtle and seamless. Masterful.

This song about fire was inspired by peaceful campfires with family in Japan.

I am always in awe of musicians who perform and tour full time and are not associated with a huge corporate act with a small support army. Make sure to go see Hiroya play if you ever get a chance.

Mountain Cabin: The Fuck All Ya’ll House

July 9, 2018

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Lil cabin in the woods

Just bought a cabin on the Blue Ridge for the Bitter Liberals. It’s a little thing with a hilarious story available only in person. Suffice it to say that we’ll be calling it the “fuck all ya’ll” house. That’s meant only in the kindest way, of course.