Wow.  A lot is happening.

Here’s a list of recent activities:

I was interviewed Leo Reynders for his arts show for Radio Centraal in Belgium today.  Here’s a link to his site: http://www.leoreijnders.net/

I had a meeting with Kim Vermillion from Vermillion Lies.  She and I are touring the Northwest together in August.

I confirmed our show at Mississippi Studios in Portland for August 13.  I’ll also be leading a singing workshop at Mississippi Studios – date t.b.a.  I’m also planning on doing my Portland CD release party there this fall.

I’m looking for shows in Davis, Sacramento, Chico, Mendocino County, Humboldt County, Ashland, Eugene, Olympia, Seattle, Bellingham and Vancouver to round out the tour.  I’m going to be tapping all my connections in those areas tomorrow.

I think I may have found my P.R. person.  More on that later.

I took four years off from my music career.  I’ve just come back to it about a year ago.  The music industry has changed so much in this time.  It’s incredible.  I’m doing my best not to get overwhelmed.

I’ve decided to work with Will Chase http://www.willchase.com/ as the producer of my cd release party.  He and I are going to the Cowell Theater tomorrow morning with Isabella deMeulenaere (my muse and my major collaborator) to see if it’s the right place for this event.  At this point we’re considering The Cowell Theater, Theater Artaud, and the Victoria Theater.

I’ve sent advance copies of the new album to 3 different filmmakers whom I’ve worked with before.  Each is interested in making a film/video for a song.  The filmmakers are Thad Povey, Mike LaHood and Chad Adair.   I’m meeting with LaHood tomorrow.

Okay, I’m sleepy.

more soon.

I just finished filling out the report cards for the school where I’ve been teaching.  That was my last obligation for them.

Now it’s music full-time again.  I’m thrilled and a little bit nervous.  I have a number of private students and I teach my singing workshops.  Besides that, my focus is on finishing the packaging for my new album.  I also need to manufacture the cds.  I’m planning on making 3,000 copies to start.  I need to raise $10,000 to do this.

I’m considering taking on a business partner to do this.  I also want to hire a P.R. person.  There are lots of “start-up” costs.

That’s the nature of business I suppose.

I’m at a Y in the road and would appreciate feedback and or input.

Here’s my situation:
I’m currently living in a big, beautiful flat on Page street in the
Lower Haight near Alamo Square. It’s expensive (for me). $3,200 a
month. I can’t do it by myself. I’ve advertised for
progressive and openminded housemates and have only found one
serious candidate. And my gut tells me that he is not the right person. Everyone else who’s been interested has balked at the price – which if split evenly – is $1,066
per room with three residents.

I could continue to search for the right people to move in. But
that means spending the money I have raised to package my new album on
the full rent in order to keep the place afloat. I’d rather not do
this. I am deeply called to get my new album out to the world. I
think it’s very important work and I’ve seen it move people in a profound way.
It would be a shame for me to blow the money I have raised for the album
on basic living expenses.

Another factor is that when my new album comes out in the Fall, I’m
going to be on tour for most of the next year. If I want to
keep this house I’ll need to find someone to sublet while I’m away.

It also seems a shame that the only obstacle to keeping this place is
money. I try to live in abundance. At this time, living in abundance
seems to mean one of two things: Lowering expenses or making more
money. And there’s the rub: until my new album is out, my income is
fairly limited as I’m not touring and I’m gearing up to release my new
product.

Another option is to find more patrons. I have one patron now that sends me a $50 check every two weeks because she loves my work. I’ve had other patrons in the past who have been an incredible help. This is how artists in many disciplines have lived for centuries. I’m currently forming a non-profit to support my singing workshops, COVERT, and other public service art events I have in the works so that patrons can write off their donations.

But until then, I’m considering finding another place to live.

Besides any creative suggestions, intuitions, or insights – I suppose
that’s where you all come in.

Is anyone looking for a housemate or know of someone who is? Ideally
it would be inexpensive so I can focus on touring and getting my work
out to the world.

I have faith that this is all gonna work out just fine. It always does.

Once again, I appreciate any feedback or ideas.

with love,

Mark

I sang with the Lizz Roman Dancers the past two nights in their new piece “At Play”.

Alex Kelly (who plays cello with me) was one of the composers and they ended up using my song Everybody Holds a Piece of the Sun in the score.  I’m glad that I was able to sing in their last three performances of the piece.

Here’s a link: http://www.lizzromananddancers.com/play.html