Samantha

Weekend Cat Blogging with Sam Sam: Exploring the Modular and Roland JP-08

Sometimes Sam Sam ends up in CatSynth pics of her own, as when she recently got up to explore the redesigned studio space. She is fascinated by the new decorative shelves as well as the narrow band between the video/office corner and the modular synth.

Perhaps she is picking up some scents on the modular case from our recent live performances.

I have been having a lot of fun in the studio lately, especially making videos and exploring our synthesizer collection in greater depth. I really should be working on some more formal compositions, but it seems I am in more of experimenting and exploratory mood at the moment. I have also, unfortunately, been battling insomnia. It ebbs and flows, and on the worst night (about a week ago), I decided to sit up for a while and play with the Roland JP-08 boutique synth.

The size is actually ideal for playing in bed late at night. I spent some time exploring the architecture (it’s basically a Jupiter 8 with a few extensions) and came up with some new and unusual patches. We hope to share them with you in an upcoming CatSynth TV.

Weekend Cat Blogging with Sam Sam: Geometry Studies

After several days of cold, wet, dreary weather, we finally have sunshine again. Not that we can really complain compared to our friends on the east coast after the recent storm. Sam Sam enjoys looking out the windows, though she hasn’t shown the same interest in venturing outside as Luna did.

I like the contrast of angular lines against Sam Sam’s natural shape in this one. One can see more of this geometric contrast in this pose on the stairs.

It’s a treat to capture such an image. But we also enjoy the everyday antics, such as Sam Sam’s patented “Scratch and roll.” It’s her way of currying favor.

It’s always a good day with Sam Sam. We hope you have a wonderful day, too.

Weekend Cat Blogging with Sam Sam: Play with Me!

Sam Sam wants to play! And who can resist such an entreaty 😻

Sam Sam is a rather gregarious and playful cat, so this ritual plays out several times a day. And I am happy to indulge. The rug in the middle of the main section of CatSynth HQ is one of her favorite spots overall, and she spends a lot of time here rolling around, playing with her favorite toys, and getting brushed. Clearly, this pose in the photo below suggests she wants to be brushed (again).

On her back, you can see some of her many unique black patches, including on her paws, the back of her legs, and her “goatee” on her chin.

We hope you are enjoying your Sunday as much as Sam Sam is.

An Afternoon with Sam Sam

Sam Sam stars in our latest CatSynth TV video.

You can hear her sweet but demanding voice, and see how our little girl spends a typical afternoon. It’s a pretty envious existence if I say so myself 😺. One can also see her rather unique way of walking up and down stairs.

Sick Days, Sam Sam, Studio, and Superb Owl

It’s been a slow recovery from our latest bout of this year’s influenza and “NAMMthrax,” but we are getting there slowly. Indeed, I have been well enough to spend more time working in the studio again. Of course, if I am in the studio there is a good chance Sam Sam will be there, too.

It’s always a delight to have her around. I think she is getting used to all the weird electronic sounds just as Luna did. As a more social cat, I think she mostly just enjoys being near the action. I do sometimes feel guilty when she gets comfy under the main console and I want to use the Nord. It’s a studio musician’s version of the cat-in-lap dilemma.

We are going to move forward with some video and music work today, as body and energy permit. We are also doing our part for today’s mass ritual here in the United States with our Superb Owl.

We hope you all have an enjoyable day, however you chose to fill it!

Weekend Cat Blogging with Sam Sam: Sick Days and Introspection

The new year has brought plague and pestilence to CatSynth HQ, as I succumbed to the current vaccine-resistant strain of the flu. It’s been mostly bed rest since Wednesday, but fortunately, I have Sam Sam nearby.

She has been affectionate and attentive, more so than usual. I suspect that is also due to my having started working in an office again after being home with her for most of December. That’s a story for another time. In the meantime, we are enjoying one another’s company, even if I am low on energy and sometimes a bit delirious. Here is a closeup of her.

In a way, the illness and rest have extended the period of solitude and introspection from the last weeks of 2017, which I do not mind at all. It’s given me more time to think about the vague ideas and plans that I have for this year, though it postpones getting started on any execution. On the negative side, I had to cancel a gig today in Sacramento, extending what I call the “Sacramento Curse” where every planned show in that city since the beginning of 2014 has been missed for one reason or another (the first and most dramatic being one that was canceled due to a massive fire near the venue – fortunately, no one was hurt and the venue was fine afterwards). It has also slowed down activity that requires looking at screens for prolonged periods. I made an exception to get this post out.

Lying down and letting one’s mind wander with a slight fever does lead to interesting thoughts. A different experience from The Disintegration of Thought during periods of health, but interesting nonetheless. Some are complete nonsense, but others are consistent with introspection and what it takes to try and be happy and healthy in these challenging times. The roles of fear and caution are part of that internal dialog, as well as creativity in general. Perhaps I will have more to say about them as I return to health, perhaps not.

Farewell to 2017

Once again, it is time for our end-of-year collage and review. So many images to choose from in such a busy 2017 that took us in so many directions at once, both outward and inward.

At the end of 2016, I was still reeling from the loss of Luna and the election. But I did welcome Sam Sam into my life and also promised myself that I would prosper and thrive in the new terrifying Trump era. And we did, focusing on moving forward with the things from 2016 that did go well. Lots of new music as a solo performer, with my new band CDP, and with Vacuum Tree Head. There are now three CatSynth-branded apps for both iOS and Android, and a fourth on the way. We launched CatSynth TV, with 22 videos under our belt since October. And Sam Sam has blossomed into a sassy and thoroughly spoiled cat whom we love dearly.

If there is a word of caution on the personal and professional fronts, it is perhaps that 2017 was too much. After a strong first half of the year through July, I scaled back on live performance to focus on other priorities. I regret that, but it was also the reality of the many things going on. I wish the apps, blog, and video channels were progressing faster, but it’s as fast as we can go with our myriad other responsibilities. The last couple months, while still rich with experience, have been an exercise in paring back and trying to focus on the highest priorities; and also focus on health, self-care, and well being. These are all very challenging, but I’m grateful to have the help of loved ones.

We cannot ignore the fact that our rebound in 2017 after two difficult years took place amidst a dark pall over the country and world. Many friends have suffered amidst the monumental forces of hurricanes, flooding, fires, and human foolishness. The latter is most visible in the face of the current regime that continues to embarrass and threaten us. These are things we have to be vigilant about as we move in 2018. I do feel personally in the cross-hairs on multiple fronts, so I hope we can continue to survive and prosper as well as we did in 2017, and maybe at the end of 2018 we will look back and saw how the world became at least a slightly better place.

It is also interesting to look back to our end-of-year post from 2007, ten years ago. It was a dark, cold time amidst major life changes – I couldn’t have imagined then what life would be like now. Will we feel the same way in 2027? And will there still be a CatSynth then? Only time will tell…

Happy Boxing Day from Sam Sam!

It’s Boxing Day. And Sam Sam wants to celebrate with one of her favorite activities: boxing!

While our friends in the UK, Canada and elsewhere in the former British Empire actually celebrate the holiday, we at CatSynth in the United States just love the name. But we have long been curious about its significance and origin. From Wikipedia:

There are competing theories for the origins of the term, none of which are definitive.[5] The Oxford English Dictionary gives the earliest attestations from Britain in the 1830s, defining it as “the first week-day after Christmas-day, observed as a holiday on which post-men, errand-boys, and servants of various kinds expect to receive a Christmas-box”.[6]

The term “Christmas-box” dates back to the 17th century, and among other things meant:

A present or gratuity given at Christmas: in Great Britain, usually confined to gratuities given to those who are supposed to have a vague claim upon the donor for services rendered to him as one of the general public by whom they are employed and paid, or as a customer of their legal employer; the undefined theory being that as they have done offices for this person, for which he has not directly paid them, some direct acknowledgement is becoming at Christmas.[7]

Seasons Greetings from CatSynth!

We at CatSynth with everyone a very happy winter holiday season, whichever holidays you celebrate! Sam Sam likes to celebrate the holidays relaxing with her favorite Christmas-themed toy.

For us, Hannukah ended a little less than a week ago. Here is our eighth-night photo with our musically themed menorah.

On the winter solstice, we were out at a show that is featured in our latest CatSynth TV – more on that later. As for today, Christmas, we are going to make like Sam Sam and relax. And later maybe have Chinese food and watch a movie 😺

Weekend Cat Blogging with Sam Sam : In the Studio

Sam Sam has decided that the space under the studio console is an excellent napping spot.

This is where the Nord Stage lives when not gigging, and my main Pro Tools HDX station for music recording and CatSynth TV post-production. I am loath to move her when I find her there, so I usually just wait a little bit. After all, even napping cats rarely stay in one place for long.

If the studio looks a bit messy and chaotic, that is because it is. Between gigging, travel, and probably too much gear, it has been hard to keep in order during the second half of the year. The latest dismantling was for my recent performance at VAMP, which came before I had replaced everything from my New York trip. The Nord keyboard usually makes it back in place quickly, sometimes it takes the ever-expanding collection of synths a little while longer. Hopefully in the next few quieter weeks will get it organized and better than ever…