Forbes Graham

The first time I remember hearing about Black Friday was about 15 years ago. I used to attend a lot of animal rights protests and the biggest day for demonstrations was Fur Free Friday, which co-incided with Black Friday. This was the first time that I was even aware of the day after Thanksgiving being a big shopping day. Sometime around then I first heard of Buy Nothing Day. My thought on it at the time was somewhat cynical. I figured that people who had no money weren't going to buy anything anyway because they couldn't afford to. I guess that's what credit cards are for..

Over the last 5 years or so, it seems that Black Friday has gotten bigger, bigger, and bigger. Every year people get hurt or killed buying things and I can't decide honestly whether I should laugh or cry. Should I look down my nose at the ignorant "sheeple" or should I be sad because our society is so empty and mindless? Or hey, can I do both at the same time?

Isn't Black Friday just the same thing that we do everyday condensed into one insane moment? I wish people would buy my music, but they don't. I feel that given enough work and thought, that I could find my way out of this problem, the problem of there not being a market for my work. So we're back to the same old stuff, musicians complaining about their station in life and society. Shouldn't I have something aspirational to say?

I think that one of these days, I will figure it out and hopefully not just for myself but for at least a couple of my colleagues as well. I just needed to broadcast my thoughtstreams. I guess that's what this blog is for. At least no one will get stampeded trying to buy my cd's.

Here's a new video by Dr. T featuring images and sound from myself, Kevin Frenette, and Jacob William:

Is it wrong of me that I no longer like Kara Walker's work? Did I ever really like it? I feel like it I can't take it very seriously these days. The only reason I write about it here is because it pops in my head every now and then. Maybe I'll have to explore it deeper and then make a decision.

Hey everybody. It's cliche to say it, but lots different things have been going on lately. I started a compost pile a couple of months ago. I've been watching lots of Dave Chappelle on Youtube. I've been teaching Web Development at Center for Digital Imaging Arts at Boston University.

I'm working on uploading scores to the site. That's the next mini-project around here. I've also been debating whether I will ever bother with writing any type of vernacular music in the future. The truth is I could always change my mind one way or the other. I just find it hard to imagine writing another metal, hardcore, or dance song right now. Who knows though. I've always worn a lot of hats in music.

I'll write more about some of the things that I have been investigating in music and would like to explore, hopefully soon.

The kickstarter project to support my expenses for my residency at Better Art has met it's goal! Thank you to the backers!