closer to wild

a video snapshot to aid in the oft-asked question.. 'are you organic?'.



not being certified, we have no logo to display, and although basic principles such as no chemicals and soil-building are integrated into our practices, there is a level of being we ascribe to that goes beyond farming.



'being' your nature as a part of nature.. not laissez-faire, but playing your role, and acknowledging and respecting that all others are doing the same..



applying this being to all activities.. especially those of a creative nature.. cooking, music-making, writing.. acknowledging and respecting presence..



yes, organic.. but really closer to wild.

sensational experiences

just a friendly reminder.. searchlight popular voting ends this monday april 13th.

if I or my music activated any of your senses, you could vote with those senses and encourage more sensational experiences from 'man from jambican'

also, we'll be at market (aberdeen pavilion in lansdowne park) this sunday april 12th with more miso, some natto (new!), herb salt and beans of course.

man from jambican will offer musical treats from 12:30-2:30pm.

thank you for reading

next steps.. the future in the present

next steps.. the future in the present

i've been asked what i would get if i win this searchlight competition..

..and after some thought, it would appear that i would get pretty much what i already have...

..the challenges and benefits of being an accompanist.

for most of my working life i have been an accompanist.

i have played a supporting role.

an accompanist is engaged in participatory exercises

an accompanist is a supporter

an accompanist is a source of inspiration

an accompanist brings people closer to achieving their potential

and i will continue in this role, trodding on the road to possibility and capacity, with health and happiness being the substance beneath my feet

there are endless possibilities - in case you were wondering..

imagine - a farm school.. where children of all ages are encouraged to experience the processes of production on a farm specializing in health and happiness.. and to document some of these experiences in an audio format

a compilation of felt experiences expressed through a filter of sound..

adding to the tapestry of life..

to be continued..

creating refuge - if you vote for me..

if you vote for me..

i have one song / poem which contains this phrase :

"if you vote for me / i will show little mercy / i don't believe in democracy / for the companies loved by misery"

i will listen to misery.

i will hear misery.

but my focus is to turn it upside down, to look at it from another side, another vantage point.

sometimes that is difficult, especially while in the midst of something not so pleasant.

however, there is always a view from above - a view from the future - a view from the past...

everything happens in a broader context.

so whether through my music, my poetry, my farm, or my being, i have consistently focussed on creating a refuge.. a sanctuary of sorts.

a slower place.. a place to 'zone out'.. a place to rise above the current and see what comes before, and what comes after.. a place to see context.

so a vote for me

is a vote to be free

from the companies loved by misery

and we can put the totality of experience 

into a truer context.

www.cbcmusic.ca/searchlight .. and search for 'man from jambican'.

thank you

why searchlight?.. the path to here

so, anybody who knows me must be wondering.. why did this guy enter searchlight?? it's kind of out of character...

yes it is.

but it begins (in a circular sense.. having no true beginning) with my friend Bronwyn.

Bronwyn landed her dream job.  I was and am extremely happy for her and the culmination of many years of hard work and passionate focus.

and i thought to myself, 'what is my dream job?'

of course, i love what i currently do and have a wonderful loving family, but the question became nagging.. 'am i doing my dream work?'

and so, i revisited the passion of yesteryears - hopefully with open and honest eyes - and began (in a circular sense.. having no true beginning) the process of cultivating passion with the most terrifying  and steadfast friend - faith.

faith is that wonderful companion on all great journeys - physical, emotional, spiritual..

those great journeys into the unknown, where resources previously hidden suddenly become abundant.

where the seemingly impossible becomes possible, likely, and ultimately, real...

my current state, of course, seemed impossible at the time when i set out on this journey - and yet here i am, again in a state of preparation.

and is it all about searchlight?.. no, but it gives me a focal point for my energies.

similarly, i don't grow vegetables just to go to market.. there is a passion, a reason behind the growing.. but market gives me a focal point.. a reward.. something to work towards.. an end goal (in a circular sense.. having no true end)..

to be continued..