a motley looking crew

I’ve been jamming a lot with a group called Native Space -jam band/improv music mixed with some hip-hop stylings. I love it, but I’m more singer-songwriter than lead guitarist. The Refuge where the jams happen is an awesome community center and party place for expatriates. There’s always something going on there!

AAAAAAHHH!!! Merry Christmas!

This Christmas I learned about what happens if you’re naughty! You don’t just miss out on getting presents, you may get a visit from this foul creature - The Krampus! In many European nations this guy is the one parents use to keep their kids in line... This character goes back further than Saint Nick -So whatever you do be good!

Tainan Performance

Nirvana by Mike_Mudd

We went down to Tainan and performed at the Tainan Culture Center. It was a lot of fun. This song -The Silence- is a new one. We had some special guests -Jeffery on guitar and Jeremy on bass -so I think there are some intonation issues, it’s not an easy chord structure to just follow along without knowing the chords. 

I wish the mix was better, too much ukulele! the sound guys did a great job, but I put the camera in a bad spot. I also wish I knew how to get the right sizing when I put it on the web. It’s all stretched!  Tainan may be my favorite city in Taiwan -it has so much character! 

Hippies in Taiwan!?

Woohoo!!!! I never knew there were so many hippies in Taiwan! I can feel the love...

I just ate a veggie burrito! That brings back memories.

I played two sets at Taiwan’s Peace Fest 2009. It was the most amazing place! An awesome music festival with a ton of great musicians in a pristine valley with sheer cliffs, a sparkling stream, a refreshing mist! I can’t explain how cool it is to perform in that environment in one of the oldest continuously inhabited communities in the world.

WOW! 

October/Novermber Music!

this week a 9 day Jazz Fest in Taichung. Halloween -the first public gig by the new band at Hawaii 51 in Taichung. The Nov. 8th Mike Mudd solo at the Peace Fest in Hualien on the east coast!

Waste of Time -Jam Session Video

Waste of Time -Sound of Silence by Mike_Mudd
We jammed on one of my tunes 'Waste of Time' It's great to hear this tune with a full band! I'm sure it'll sound a lot better with some rehearsal.

Moon Festival 中秋節 (Mid Autumn Festival)

Moon Festival is one of the most important holidays in Taiwan (and other parts of east Asia)
We got lost on our way to a Moon Festival party with our new friends, which was a good thing because we ran into a religious procession in Taichung. Dancing/sparring, puppets, costumes, strange music, lost of fireworks -fascinating stuff. When we finally got to where we were going we had a great time BBQ-ing, hanging out, and jamming... Dang, we really need a new camera.

Jam Session at the Scooter Shop!

You can't live in Taiwan without owning a scooter. It's unfortunate after having lived without cars for close to 10 years (except the occasional rental), but it's pretty darned necessary in many places in Taiwan. Anyway I had my guitar with me when we bought one the other day and had a little jam session with the shop owner's daughter and brother! How cool is that? Well, maybe not, but I don't care 'cause it was fun.

They also made us impose on their dinner. It was tasty! People are pretty generous here, but after all they were making money off of us too. Still, they would have forced us to eat something anyway.

The Wind -Original Tune (8 minute version)

An 8 minute experiment with my tune called 'The Wind.' A bit of Eastern European and East Asian sounds, orchestrations, followed by an 'effected' version of my cowboy tune.

Random Taichung City

Here are some photos of Taichung city parks, sculpture, streets, temples, people etc...