Wednesday, August 5, 2026

Archive photo and other stuff.

 


Ann O'Rouke and me getting noisy at NorCal Noisefest 2015 or '16. I've written at length about Ann and needn't belabor the point of how interesting I found her to be during the years in which we ran together. I found this shot a few weeks ago and had some fond memories come rushing back. Hopefully Ann is doing well. The emails from Grux about Noise shows in The Bay still arrive at my inbox and I never see Ann listed. Wonder what she's up to these days. As for me this summer's musical portion was spent on a couple of different recording projects by a couple of different bands. These processes went well generally with perhaps a couple of missteps occurring but those are to be expected. I am older musician now, firmly, which is quite an interesting circumstance. It seems best within it to just play my parts, keep quiet generally and accept any type of scenario with gratitude. Older people end up just kind of disappearing for the most part, and that's fine because it's natural. Still it's hoped that my ability to perform actual music will continue for a while longer. That sentiment can't be helped at this point: playing music is still a kick and thrill for this person. Along with the end results from those recording projects the final third of 2026 and into 2027 will see me getting out and playing in public which feels cool and great. As stated: muchas gracias especially to the members of the Benson Highway Band and Zenzizenzo. And hi, Ann, if you're reading this. 

Sunday, August 2, 2026

Stills and shots from a couple of shows over the last weekend.

 


Real good times were had playing with Zenzizenzo and Benson Highway Band on 7/31 and 8/1 respectively. It's always cool to play to some kind of audience and it was the case that there were people at both of these shows, to enough of an extent. It seemed as though both groups played well. No bummers on my end anyway. The stills are screenshots from Instagram feeds. Things come and go so quickly on that platform and really the only way to achieve long term capture of so much of the information presented therein is by screenshot. Kinda sucky but work with what you've got. I'm including a few shots of the green room of The Dirty Drummer, a fantastic and welcoming place as regards musicians. What an honor to play there! I'm no less stoked on playing the Music Box Lounge, that spot is rad and cozy and hassle free. Benson Highway Band will play Tucson later this month, Zenzizenzo in September. Much gratitude to all of mis compadres actual. 









Wednesday, July 29, 2026

Playing some shows this weekend!

 


Fri. 7/31

Music Box Lounge

6951 E 22nd St.

Tucson 85710

9PM

Zenzizenzo

Room Tree (Phoenix)

Language Of Thieves

Free!



Sat. 8/1

The Dirty Drummer

2303 N 44th St.

Phoenix 85008

8PM

Sean Whalen & the Benson Highway Band

Jayden Secor

$

I look forward to playing out in public again! 

Thursday, July 9, 2026

More Cloud Shepherd music up at Archive.org!

 


A recording of Cloud Shepherd playing at the main library in Alameda, CA 2012. This show was part of a series called "Shh...Music", curated buy Das, the leader of Big City Orchestra. I recall having a great time and getting pretty tranced out. There were large curtains all over the building that shivered in the darkened space. Good times! 

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Monday, June 29, 2026

Some shots of Benson Highway Band at Che's Lounge Tucson, 6/27/26!

 




A great time was had. We were stoked to play with some great touring groups! 

Wednesday, June 24, 2026

Benson Highway Band plays this Saturday at Che's Lounge!

 


This flyer says 7PM but the show actually starts at 9PM. 

6/27/26

Che's Lounge

350 N 4th Ave.

Tucson 85705

Family Worship Center 

Smoker Dad

Sean Whalen & the Benson Highway Band

Free! 

Tuesday, June 23, 2026

A couple of shots of Zenzizenzo at Splinter Collective Tucson!

 



Many thanks to Steev Hise for taking and sharing these shots!