Wood Grain Days

5th album made mostly in Grand Junction, Colorado in our tiny 700 sq ft apartment. The last track is the sole entry made in my current residence in Arkansas. The album is in part a reflection on our family life. My partner, daughter, our late forever feline pal Tortellini, and I can all be heard within. My daughter has many sound bytes in the early portion and Tortellini makes a notable addition in Rise to Face The Saturnine Sorceress which serves as the midpoint of the sonic tome and in my opinion where things truly take off. There is also a particular emphasis on insects, crustaceans, and the resounding noise of the wild and unwieldy. You'll hear the din of a day at Lincoln Park Playground, a reimagining of the classic Saria's Song from The Legend of Zelda the Ocarina of Time, the Magic School Bus, and Bluey. There is one track that I sing over called Certain-Department-Store-Wave by Doll Hospital which came to me via artist Shampoooty on instagram. The internet is a wild place. Most of the work was recorded with headphones while I had time to myself in the evening as the house slept or during the day on the rare occasion I was alone in the abode. I used a novation impulse MIDI piano, an electric yamaha piano, and a Gibson SG electric guitar. All audio recording was done on my phone as neither usb microphones I have would function on my aging but ever amazing 2015 Macbook Air. Maybe in the future a fancy mic will kick things into another gear but I find it works better to have grainy sounds for an album centered on connecting spirits through themes of nostalgia, family, and the inevitable imperfections that make life so intricate and sensational. I make music to heal people. The music changes from melodious reverberative tunes to sound collages that are relatable to anyone. Phone off the Hook was a fun one to make as many of us have spent countless hours waiting on the phone line or listening to the cacophony of rings only for it to merge into something my brother Kyle deemed "alien insects" singing about. Since I've found my family these annoyances of everyday like traffic, techie bs, and phone nonsense have grown into periods for kind meditation while the machines figure themselves out. Pareidolia dans Bois or Seeing Faces in the Wood was the essence of where this album came from and is a contender for my favorite work within. A single instrument melody that takes its time to find its rhythm is emblematic of my life and process which has always been mess around and find out what God is trying to communicate through me. I see faces in the wood and old popcorn ceilings all of the time but perhaps my favorite faces are in the foliage of trees. All reflect an eternity of peace and smiles when I am attuned with the now and well how can I not share these tender moments? They've Got to Dream was made for my Aunt Kathy and is reflective of the joy she brought me. An ecological tune with eternity and reincarnation in mind it is a deep prayer and appreciation of all the animal life around us. If there is one song I recommend you checking out it is There's More as it is simple and short but has remained powerfully calming since it came along. A rendition of it can be heard at the conclusion of the Saria's Song reimagination I love it so much. My friend on the web Cicadaeven (check him out on Instagram. His music is amazing) told me it helped him to sleep and this compliment was one of the kindest things I had ever heard. I have had insomnia much of my life and do right now as I type this near 4 am and to know I aided in such a delicate intricate endeavor in a world of noise gives me the courage to continue doing the weird and curious out here. I am here to be a friend. We are always growing in awareness and in our ability to listen until we ripen and are picked by God as a fruit when we finally fade away (and eternally return in better waves of understanding). I relish the idea of growing old laughing and crying all along the way. This album is dedicated to Tortellini, Aunt Kathy, and Grandma Alma all who passed away in a tearful 2023 but live on forever in their spirits of infinite curiosity and kindness. This album is dedicated to you as a patient seeker of life and connection I love you and hope this finds you well. -Toph Tracklist: Cracklin' Dawn 0:00 Hermit Crabs Building Sandcastles 2:28 Home of the Winds (Close Your Eyes) 5:05 Grass Hoppin' 8:15 Roly Polie Village 10:12 Ether Channel 14:10 Arcade Cosmos 15:15 You Can See the Magic 16:40 Mycelium Hands 18:00 Round and Round the Potion Shop 20:18 Rise to Face the Saturnine Sorceress 23:16 Clown World Cure 25:21 Phone's Off the Hook 27:22 Stars Through the Moon 29:05 Saria's Song Reimagined (The Days of Deepwood) 30:13 Nautical (Y)ears 33:22 YCSTM (There's a Way to Heaven Here) 35:51 There's More 37:09 Pareidolia Dans Bois 38:32 Super Organism 42:22 For They've Got a Dream 44:54 Recurring Tenderness 48:37