Timothy Hicks: Guitar, Voice, Processing Chris Mahle: Engineering, Mastering, Processing. Recorded November 2011 in Broward County FL. Lent Keep is 25 minutes that represents more than a year of work developing a musical process with delay pedals in lieu of band members, and familiar charity and debt in lieu of substantial consistent employment. To this moment, a primary effects pedal I use for processing sound, a determiner of the end result, is still on loan from my brother-in-law, who being of sound mind and generosity, lent it to me in or around May 2010. In this time, the music that I have cultivated has become a more or less (often less) seamless wash of swollen guitar chords and wordless voice. I have taken the hard road to meditation music. In traditional chants and mantras, there is no need for complex cable chains, power strips, amplifiers, heavy lifting, or rock-and-roll-paced setup and load-out. I have learned more of the Protestant Work Ethic from rock and roll than any other attention. This music is in the unique position of being consistently, reliably steady and meditative, while at the same time no two takes will ever be alike. It is something like an aural color field painting. I deal in layers and subtle gestures and am forced to allow the musical motion to reveal itself gradually. After eighteen months of performing and recording this way, it became necessary to record professionally and to provide the cleanest possible recorded representation of the approach to anyone who might want to hear it. I have always relied on getting the most out of a single take, and in collaborating with engineer/producer Chris Mahle (Cb Media) I was able to take serious confidence in the judgement of the person behind the controls and pay closer attention to my performance. Chris has an understanding of ambient and downtempo music, not to mention the full range of what can be committed to tape (or hard drive in modern terms). I only needed to provide myself and two amps, and Mr. Mahle isolated the speakers, miked them appropriately, and applied good judgement when mixing and processing the final result. The whole program was recorded in a single long session. Additionally, I can't go without thanking Mr. Chris Horgan who provided a space for our session to take place, as well as years of trusted advice and good conversation. Finally, I have the musical and artistic traditions of my own family to thank. My father, Don Hicks (who taught me violin as a child) shares with me a middle name-that of his father and my grandfather, Gordon Adna Hicks. Gordon was a pianist, clock-maker and photographer... secular. My mother's side were protestant, water-colorists, barbers, and folk musicians. I hope that you will enjoy my 25 minutes. They will be released in compact disc and digital formats in the next month or so (release date pending). Thank you kindly. Namaste, y'all, Timothy Gordon Hicks Adna.
