You agree to standin the light. They agree to sitin the dark. Alreadythere is something suspiciousabout the arrangement. You bring them songsmade from the remainsof former versions of yourself: the […]

The map saysSudbury, Regina, Winnipeg. To me they mean: Someone there said yes. Yes, come.Yes, play.Yes, there is a piano. The last yesis frequently fictional. At 7pmpeople arrive. They could […]

First, sit down. This is already dangerous. There are eighty-eight keysand eachhas an attorney. Do not begin with C. C has been expecting you. Hit an F-sharpand see who complains. […]

A man walks onto a stagebecause several peoplepurchased ticketsto watch him pretendhe knows what he is doing. This is calleda career. There is a lightpointed at his face. There are […]

Kanye looked at collegeand saw a buildingselling permission. Stand here. Read this. Pass that. He called the first recordThe College Dropout and made leaving schoolsound like a kindof enrolment. Professors […]

Howlin’ Wolf opened a doorin his chestand something enormoussaid hi. A bear informedthat rentwas due Tuesday. Microphone should have beenwearing protective clothing. Years laterCaptain Beefheartheard the door. He didn’t knock. […]

I drove south with a guitar,three shirts,two boxes of CDs,a half-eaten appleand the dangerous intentionof playing music. At the bordera man in a uniform asked, Purpose of your visit? Music, […]

I tune the guitar before every show. Then again after the second song. Sometimes after the first. It has become part of the evening, almost as dependable as introducing the […]

At first it was only one note, a familiar keythat seemed to have movedduring the night. He blamed the piano. Then the humidity. Then his glasses. Then the audience. Then, […]

There are concertsno audienceever sees. The morningyou manageone page. The afternoonyou stopbefore forcing it. The eveningyou deciderestis not surrender. I used to thinkpracticemeant repeatinguntil mastery. Nowit sometimes meansreturning tomorrow. The […]