erik friedlander

New LP from Erik Friedlander with Deluxe Poster

Hi Everyone,

Photographer Mitch Epstein and I have collaborated on a new limited
edition LP entitled, American Power. The 500 hand-numbered albums are
signed by both of us, and feature 6 new solo cello compositions,
gate-fold artwork by Mitch Epstein, as well as a two-sided, 24x36 inch
poster of Epstein’s photographs and my handwritten score. Purchase of
the 180-gram, audiophile LP is accompanied by a free digital download
of the music. You can get your copy here

(http://erikf.hosted.phplist.com/lists/lt.php?id=N0gIBUVRSA5cBQ%3D%3D
)

Here is some background of the project:

In 2011, Mitch Epstein was awarded the Prix Pictet Photography Prize,
and was asked to create a presentation to celebrate the award in
Arles, France, in early July. In a Roman amphitheater in the center of
Arles, Friedlander and Epstein collaborated on a presentation of
music, narration, and photography. The success of the evening led to
the creation of this beautiful LP, a special chronicle of their
performance in Arles.

Mitch Epstein began work on American Power in 2003. The project was a
five-year long, twenty-five state investigation of energy production
and consumption in the United States, and how they had become manifest
in the country’s landscape and culture. The book was published in 2009
(Steidl).

The American Power LP

Suggested Retail: $45.00 USD

www.americanpowermusic.com
»

Getting My “Motor” Back

I’ve been watching a whole lot of Battlestar Galactica and I’d just like to pause and say..what a cool show! However, watching 19 episodes in 12 days does not contribute (at least doesn’t directly contribute) to my getting my motor back. (speaking of getting nothing done because of BG, check out Portlandia on this topic: http://youtu.be/yYjLrJRuMnY) 

If you watch a little football, which I’ve also been doing thanks to the Giants (a pattern developing here?), you may hear sportscaster or analysts talking of a particular players motor. It’s a term used to describe will power and persistence. A player with a good motor plays at a high level play after play, despite fatigue. I like this terminology, and it hit me the other day, I don’t have my motor back..and then I wondered for how long has it been…idling or stuck in park? 

It occurred to me that I have been spending my energies for weeks leading up to my wife’s death, first attempting to keep the inevitable at bay while trying to maintain my wife’s spirits, my own sanity and my daughter’s outlook . Then I was managing the doctors, nurses, insurance, specialists, appointments as Lynn’s complications grew more severe, it’s a big undertaking. Then there was Lynn’s dying which is all so new and difficult. So, I suppose it’s no surprise I’m feeling like my motor isn’t running yet on all cylinders. 

But slowly things are improving. A few days I ago I performed for the first time in 2 or 3 months and it felt good. Performing with Lucia Pulido was a blast - her singing comes from all the right places (heart and soul), and a duo we performed was moving for me.  Then Saturday night, over at the Stone for an Improv Night, I had a few more glimmers of magic when I sat down with Ikue Mori and Anthony Coleman for an improv that was exceptional. Playing with these two amazing musicians, veterans of the Downtown scene was so much fun, and I felt again why I love music and why I’m so proud to be a part of the scene here in NYC.

Walking home from The Stone I was buzzed, feeling connected to spirit of the city. It was cold and slush was everywhere but people were out and being a part of just another Saturday night was kindling some optimism in me - I was feeling my motor.

Talking With My Wife

My wife left behind piles of notes: notes to herself, written in an illegible scrawl. Lynn was a writer and these notes pertain mostly to an unfinished memoir she was working on. I didn’t expect this, but looking over the notes, I find myself feeling that there is a possibility of discovery - almost like having new conversations with her.  I see my name or my daughter’s name on a page, it jumps out at me, luring me in. It’s like one of those Nickolas Cage movies where he’s figuring out a secret code that unlocks a new meaning to the Constitution. I press on, only to find myself in a thicket of scrapes and lines, curves and dots. The hand writing is so bad that I am frustrated at every turn. 

I’ve kept a bunch of notebooks, but have tossed a big pile. I’m thinking the pull to ‘continue’ our conversation might not be terribly healthy, at least in this way and over the long term. So, I’ll keep a few around in case I can figure out the code to unlock her handwriting, and let my other conversations with her be in my head and heart.

..looking back and looking ahead

As many of you know I lost my wife this past November. She died after a rough year of cancer treatments due to a recurrence of breast cancer. I started my mourning the day she died by heaving a huge breath, a sigh of relief, Lynn’s struggle was over. It’s not easy for a 54 year old person to die no matter how sick they are — dying is tough work and watching it happen can be brutal.

The day after her death I completely tore a ligament in the thumb of my left hand after falling off a bicycle - so I complicated an already difficult situation! The weeks that have followed have been odd. At first Lynn was everywhere, and yet nowhere, I couldn’t separate myself from her, and frankly, didn’t want to. Then there was the constant sensation that she would be calling any minute to let me know where she was and when she would be home.

Contrary to what seems to be conventional wisdom, I haven’t found the holidays to be particularly painful. There seems to be a constant flow of activities, family gatherings, sporting events, and general noise to distract my daughter and me. And, really, is everyone actually having such a great time now?! Rather, I’m dreading the return of January, with the long arm of winter just beginning and “normal” life taking over.

It hasn’t helped that I haven’t been able to play the cello. I’m already in a strange situation and to compound that, I can’t do what I usually do — something that defines me, at least partially. But I’m looking forward to getting out of this little hand cast I’ve been locked into for the last 2-3 weeks. I’m not sure what I’ll be able to do right away, but I’m sure I will at least get a start on the road to playing/performing again.

I will be back! There are two projects coming down the pike soon. I have an LP called “American Power” that is a collaboration with photographer Mitch Epstein. It will be shipping in mid January. Later, I’ll have an EP of remixes by Scott Solter who attacked 5 tracks from the original Broken Arm Trio CD and created a set of wild and beautiful electronic landscapes.

I look forward to 2012. Even with the pain I am carrying around right now there is opportunity to create. See you in ‘12 and Happy New Year!

Wednesday! Guy Klucevcek and The Bantam Orchestra

WEDNESDAY, OCT. 19, 8 PM at The Stone, Ave. C/2nd Street Guy
Klucevcek, accordion; Mary Rowell, violin; Erik Friedlander, cello;
with Pete Donovan on bass. Included will be music from _Flying
Veggies, Stolen Memories_ (Tzadik), and one piece from _Citrus, My
Love_ (recrec/swiss). GOINGS ON ABOUT TOWN: NIGHT LIFE

GUY KLUCEVSEK

Oct. 19: The Sui-Generis Accordionist And Composer GUY KLUCEVSEK
reprises Several Works From The Nineties That He Recorded For The
Experimental Labels Tzadik And Xi. Klucevsek, A Sensitive And Tasteful
Virtuoso, Grew Up In The Coal Country Of Western Pennsylvania And
First Heard And Fell In Love With The Accordion As A Five-Year-Old,
When He Saw The Italian-American Dick Contino Play The Instrument On
Television. His Compositions Are Both Whimsical (He Will Be Performing
Selections From His 1991 Album, “Flying Vegetables Of The
Apocalypse”) And Deeply Moving, Especially In His Lyrical And
Hypnotic, Slow-Paced Pieces. Joining Him Here Will Be A Reformed
Version Of His Nineties Band, The Bantam Orchestra, Which Includes The
Violinist MARY ROWELL and The Stellar Downtown Cellist ERIK
FRIEDLANDER.

THE STONE [1] Avenue C at 2nd St. , New York, N.Y.
www.thestonenyc.com [2] Read more [3]

Erik Friedlander’s Bonebridge 9/27 8p

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Warren Buffet & Michael Moore

There’s a convergence in Warren Buffet’s recent remarks about taxing the ultra-rich, and Michael Moore’s speech of March 11, “America is Not Broke!”  Both talk about America’s overall wealth (substantial), both talk about the rich getting richer, and both argue for some sharing of the recovery burden.

Michael Moore speech “America Is Not Broke”

Warren Buffet on Charlie Rose, NYTimes