EPISODE 03 / THE DARK DAYS OF 9/11 IN NYC AND THE MAKING OF SHORT STORIES
Of Sound and Fury: The Music Behind the Madness
I'm excited to share this new weekly feature with you—a reflection of my 32 years of making music and the influences that have shaped my creativity.
Every Thursday, I’ll take you behind the scenes of my music, sharing insights into the creative process and the art that keeps me inspired.
EACH FEATURE WILL HAVE THREE SECTIONS:
FROM THE ARCHIVE: This Week’s Featured Track
A dive into a song from my catalog.
IN THE STUDIO: Odds and Sods
Studio insights, workflow tips, inspiration, and maybe a little humor from my creative space.
SOMETHING OLD / SOMETHING NEW:
A look at the art that has shaped my life—music, photography, film, painting, and more. "Something Old" (1961–1989) highlights works from my early years, while "Something New" (1990–present) showcases more recent creations that continue to inspire me.
This is a celebration of creativity, the joy of making things, and the art that makes life worth living. I can’t wait to share it with you!
now, on with the action…
FROM THE ARCHIVE: BURN
In the haunting months after 9/11, while New York City was still processing its collective trauma, I found myself crafting something different in my East Village apartment. It was such a surreal time – my friend Chris Grady had flown in from San Francisco literally the night before the towers fell, for a gig we'd planned that Thursday.
Short Stories emerged from those dark, uncertain days as I pushed into new territory, weaving spoken word through raw, garage-rock-inspired soundscapes. I gave Broadway actress Becca Ayers my handheld DAT recorder, and what she captured over those weeks was just what I was hoping for– intimate stories, poetic fragments, and raw reflections on a city forever changed. I kept her in the dark about the music, wanting her words to flow naturally, unfiltered.
In the studio, I found myself cutting up her narratives, interweaving phrases that resonated with my own brooding headspace. It was grittier than anything I'd done before – my first real exploration with vocals, embracing a beautifully imperfect, lo-fi sound.
Years later, I knew these songs deserved another moment. Short Stories Redux distills the original album to seven essential tracks, with mastering engineer extraordinaire Jessica Thompson (who also mastered Electric Verdeland Vol. 1 and EP01) bringing new clarity and life to the mix.
"Burn" remains one of the album's most powerful moments. Its dark, pulsing energy and haunting soundscape are amplified by the accompanying video – a hypnotic collage of kaleidoscopic imagery and disorienting media fragments that spiral and consume. The visuals capture that feeling of being overwhelmed by the endless churn of soul-crushing news and propaganda. Give it a listen and watch – it captures something about that moment in time that still resonates deeply, perhaps even more so today.
IN THE STUDIO: Odds and Sods
Images from Electric Verdeland Studio. From right to left: Brad Houser (RIP) (sax and bass), Francine Thirteen (vocals), Jessie Dayton (guitar) Jeff Johnston (saw) Jon Dee Graham (vocals) Brian Batch (violin) … the studio
SOMETHING OLD
HAL HARTLEY / Simple Men / Sonic Youth / Kool Thing / 1992
In Hal Hartley's 1992 film "Simple Men," there's an unforgettable scene set to Sonic Youth's "Kool Thing" that stands as a masterpiece of character development through movement. What makes this moment so special is how it emerges unexpectedly – Hartley spends time carefully establishing his characters through traditional storytelling, then suddenly breaks into this spontaneous dance sequence. The beauty lies in how each character's personality shines through their distinct ways of moving, creating a wordless story within the larger narrative. Their dance moves become an extension of who they are, adding layers of meaning to what could have been just a simple musical interlude.
SOMETHING NEW
DIJON / Big Mikes (Live) / Oct 13 2021
I saw this for the first time just the other day and I just can’t get it out of my mind. Thank you,
. Every band should try to make a video this damn cool. They allow us into their space, a private place where they create. It’s cool, it’s cooler than cool.RELATED STORIES I THINK YOU WILL ENJOY:
Life has a way of showing us who we really are. Music helps me make sense of it, and sharing these stories connects the dots.
If something here speaks to you, I'd love to hear about it. Hit the like button, leave a comment, or subscribe to join the conversation. Because every voice adds to the story.
Loving this collage of personal and external, old and new. Burn was so good, too. It has an edge to it that sort of reminded me of Portishead. It’s really cool to be able to recontextualize older pieces like it that drew so much energy and inspiration from the time and place they were born.
Glad you also enjoyed the Dijon video, that live performance really struck me. Appreciate the mention!