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I am the Ghost in the Machine
As I prepare for touring as the electric harpist in Steve Vai’s “Story of Light” tour, I’m in a time machine. One minute I’m back at U.C. Berkeley, throwing myself on the floor during a practice session and sobbing “Why do I always have to work twice...
*The Story of Light* Tour
For those who haven’t been following my “Rock Harp Diaries,” I’ve joined a rock band with the legendary guitarist Steve Vai’s album for his “Story of Light” album tour in Fall of 2012. There are 5 musicians in the band,...
Where the heck are we???
Two things stick with me from Mark Twain’s “Diary of Adam and Eve”: that God created death to cure Adam’s existential depression and that Eve’s job was to name the animals. One of the biggest challenges in my rehearsals with Steve Vai is not knowing the names of the...
Field of Musical Landmines
Rehearsal started late today, which gave me a chance to work on some of my parts in the hotel. I still only have playable parts for a few of the tunes, but the list is growing. The way this works, Steve’s figuring out what I’ll play as we go along, I try to...
Building a Box Out of Fog
Monday June 4, 2012 It’s 10:30 pm. I just got back from rehearsal. Today we practiced Vai’s “I Would Love To” and “Ultra Zone.” In the 10-plus hours I was in the practice hall, there were 2 moments — two things — I was...
A B3 Boost & Father of Kiss
Rock Harp Diaries … Sunday, June 4, 2012 10AM -I emailed Larry Luddecke last night for an emergency Skype Hammond B3 lesson for one of the tunes I’m playing on tour with Steve Vai. I can play keyboard – but know nothing about various...
How to Prepare for the Unknown
The adventure begins!!!! This Sunday at 7AM I take off from Boston’s Logan airport and land in L.A. where even though I have no idea if how I’m preparing actually will prepare me. In fact, I’m sure it won’t, but for me, rehearsal preparation...
How I Met Steve Vai
Since people keep asking me – here’s how I met Steve Vai and ended up joining his band for this Fall’s tour. If you don’t know me, I play electric harp – in fact, I’ve worked with the French harp-builders CAMAC for the last 15 years...
A Moment with Maeve
‘I can’t believe that!’ said Alice. ‘Can’t you?’ the Queen said in a pitying tone. ‘Try again: draw a long breath, and shut your eyes.’ Alice laughed. ‘There’s no use trying,’ she said ‘one...
