Dear all,
I hope this finds you well! Below is my end-of-year list for Geographic North. Please visit the link above to read the full list of contritions from the likes of Jefre Cantu-Ledesma, ARP, and Moon Diagrams, among others:
This year has been so many things … illuminating, heartbreaking, traumatizing, hopeful, empowering, inspiring, overwhelming … I’ve reached milestones on a personal level I never thought possible. I’ve witnessed and participated in the coming together of community in acts of solidarity, grief, and in protest. Close friend’s have had babies. Some found love. It has also been a year punctuated by absurdity, loss, and terror. Ghost Ship fire in Oakland, Aleppo, Trump, to name just a few. Through it all, however, music has remained a constant source of light. It has helped me filter through my deepest rage, sadness, and confusion. Going to shows, playing in Young Moon, and doing my solo thing has kept me grounded.
This represents only a partial list, in no particular order, of experiences and albums that did me right in 2016 …
Albums:
Ariel Kalma – An Evolutionary Music (Original Recordings 1972-1979) (RVNG Intl., 2014)
Idris Ackamoor & the Pyramids – We Be All Africans (Strut, 2016)
Ian William Craig – Centres (FatCat, 2016)
Joshua Abrams – Magnetoception (Eremite, 2016)
Andy Stott – Too Many Voices (Modern Love, 2016)
Solange – A Seat at the Table (Columbia, 2016)
Gimmer Nicholson – Chrisotpher Idylls (Light in the Attic reissue, 2016)
Laraaji – everthing!
Frank Ocean – Blonde (Def Jam, 2016)
75 Dollar Bill – Wood / Metal / Plastic / Pattern, Rhythm / Rock (Think Wrist, 2016)
Kikagaku Moyo – House in the Tall Grass (Guruguru Brain, 2016)
Alice Coltrane – everything!
Bing and Ruth – Tomorrow Was the Golden Age (RVNG Intl., 2014)
Cocteau Twins – Heaven or Las Vegas (4AD, 1990)
Imaginational Anthem – The Private Press (Tompkins Square, 2016)
Joanna Brouk – Hearing Music (Numero, 2016)
Harold Budd / Brian Eno / Daniel Lanois – The Pearl (Editions EG, 1984)
Experiences:
Getting a college degree.
Playing solo shows w/ Grouper, Chuck Johnson and the solstice event “Garden of Memories” at Chapel of Chimes.
Opening up for Beach House w/ Young Moon at the Fillmore
Endless cuddles with my cat Eli
The movie Moonlight
Nurturing relationships
Attending BLM rally in SF
Attending Ghost Ship vigil at Lake Merritt in Oakland
Staying honest, vulnerable, and curious
It also happens to be Winter Solstice! Wishing you all the best as we clear the way for another year. Here’s to connectedness, peace, and creativity in all its forms!
Love and Light,
DPG
danny paul grody 