I’ve been making music with my friend and co-conspirator Ben Cosgrove for 15 years. This month we’re releasing two new songs as 90-Mile Portage. And on Friday, July 25, we’re also doing a proper listening room concert at the Lilypad in Inman Square, Cambridge. Get your tickets now! Doors at 7 PM, show at 8 PM.
“Wolf” by 90-Mile Portage
90-Mile Portage is the name of my two-man band/collab. with pianist/composer Ben Cosgrove. This past winter, we recorded two new songs at my house. I wrote them as a pair. Ben brought the songs into relief playing a small, borrowed piano dampened with tea towels and handkerchiefs. Here’s the first song, Wolf:
“Wolf” is also on Spotify, Apple Music, and all the rest of the streaming services. The second song, The Heart of the Land, will be available July 25. That night, 8 PM, Ben and I are playing a show at The Lilypad in Cambridge! Get your tickets now.
Secret Purpose
New EP! Secret Purpose is an album of lullabies I wrote between December 6, 2020 and springtime 2023. In those years, I was busy raising a kid and not playing many live shows. When I played guitar, it was always late at night or early in the morning, and always, very quietly. This is the musical result of that special time. You can listen to it here or on Spotify, Apple Music, and pretty much all of the streaming services out there.
Thank you to my incredible collaborators and friends, who helped me make this EP. Credits:
Vocals, guitar, harmonica by Jamie Kallestad
Piano, keyboards by Ben Cosgrove
Banjo, slide guitar by Tony Petersen
Double bass by Zachariah Hickman
Mastered by Jeff Lipton at Peerless Mastering, Boston, MA Assistant Mastering Engineer: Costanza Tinti
And thank you to my family. Malia Chan provided creative counsel and first listens throughout. K.L.K.C. was a source of comic relief, stories, sleeplessness, and inspiration.
I hope you enjoy Secret Purpose!
New Single // EP Release on 9.5!
The first and only single from my new EP, Secret Purpose, is out now. You can listen to it here or on Spotify, Apple Music, etc…
Next week, I’m celebrating the full EP release with a show at Arsenal Yards in Watertown. It’s free! There will be a biergarten! The WFPL Bookmobile will be there!
9/5/24: Watertown, MA - Arsenal Yards, 4:30 PM
(Secret Purpose EP Release with Ben Cosgrove and Elana Snow)
Shows!
I’m playing shows again! Come see me in Watertown:
7/20/24: Watertown, MA - Revival Cafe, 10 AM
7/31/24: Watertown, MA - Summer Concert Series, 6:30 PM
8/10/24: Watertown, MA - Revival Cafe, 10 AM
9/5/24: Watertown, MA - Arsenal Yards Picnic in the Park, 5:30 PM
This Could Be Our Banner Year
My previous albums were inspired by places, but this album is mostly inspired by time. I hope you enjoy Banner Year!
I didn't make this album alone. Tony Petersen played banjo, slide and electric guitars. Ben Cosgrove played keyboard, piano, accordion and melodica. Malia Chan supplied watercolor paintings and general creative counsel throughout. Thank you!
Lyric Book
I miss the days when people would buy CDs — I loved designing the packaging and it was nice to have something tangible to sell. This is my replacement! I created a lyric book zine to accompany Banner Year. It includes full-color photos, album credits, and, of course, song lyrics. I’ll gladly mail one to you!
Zoom Concert!
Join me for a virtual album release party, live from my living room to yours, on Thursday evening, 1/27/22, at 8 PM. I’ll play new songs and old, and share some of the stories behind Banner Year. Sign up for my email list to get the Zoom link on 1/27.