Chad Bush

On the Sofa

Chad Bush — Sun, 24 Jul 2011 01:19:10 +0000

It’s easy to imagine doing all sorts of wonderful and exciting things while sitting on the sofa.

Sax on the Beach

Chad Bush — Wed, 11 May 2011 08:20:11 +0000

On a visit to southern California last month, I played some improvised saxophone music across the water at twilight.

Sax on the Beach

Southern California

Chad Bush — Sat, 02 Apr 2011 23:31:44 +0000

Here’s a selection of photos taken during two recent journeys with my partner Becca Weinstein to southern California.

We traveled to San Diego, Cardiff by the Sea, San Clemente and across the desert with stops in Phoenix and Quartzsite. All the photos were taken by me except for the ones of me, which were taken by Becca Weinstein.

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eiffel tower stairs

quartzsite brunch

behind us

truckstop angel

truckstop pigs

windmills

dunes

pointing up

felicity chapel

railroad station

snail

watching

pawn

stairway

beachside garden

feet in surf

sunset

sax on the beach

super moon

beach stones

mirror maze

merry-go-round

giraffes in phoenix

bee at the zoo

creature

baboon

ride the dragon

governor's tomb

Household Items

Chad Bush — Tue, 29 Mar 2011 00:56:54 +0000

These are photos I’ve taken recently of “ordinary” stuff around the house. The only thing I can think of that’s related among these items is that I found them interesting enough visually to take photos.

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monsoon clouds

therapy ball

monsoon clouds

twin pickles

squash on chair

cherry tomatoes

bird on cage

colored lights

desert sky

knife and switch

desert sky

Vroom

Chad Bush — Mon, 22 Nov 2010 08:21:12 +0000

There’s a tension, a maddening pull between my desire to do more, make dreams come true, and my acknowledgment of a natural flow of things that I do not control.

This song, an exploration of that exquisite tension, is crafted specifically for dancing or other frenetic movement. It features vocal sparkles by Becca Weinstein.

Waiting for What

Chad Bush — Wed, 10 Nov 2010 20:44:18 +0000

This is just me, alone in a room with a piano. I improvised this entire piece a few minutes ago in my living room.

Since I was a teenager, playing piano alone has been one of my greatest comfort zones. This is the first time I’ve captured it with a fairly decent recording studio.

In the Night

Chad Bush — Mon, 31 May 2010 06:29:40 +0000

This song is inspired by the feeling of mystery and freedom that can come from solitude in city streets late at night, when it’s obvious that nothing is what it seems.

I’ve always deeply enjoyed riding my bicycle through the streets in the wee hours, and this song came to me when I was doing just that.

Horrific Old Toys

Chad Bush — Sun, 30 May 2010 19:51:39 +0000

I spent much of my 40th birthday in Bisbee visiting crusty antique stores and photographing these dolls, animals and mysterious monstrosities. I find them delightful.

If you’re squeamish about haunted old dollies, this gallery probably isn’t for you.

I’m amazed at what people have created for children to play with over the years, and equally amazed that people want to buy and collect this stuff today. The world is truly weird and wondrous.

Please click the thumbnail images for enlarged views.

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Smiley

Salt and pepper

Bottle opener

Happy critters

Tea party

Rabbit?

Painted eyes

Clown figurine

Marilyn

Pig and thing

Hologram eyes

Demon kitty

Nice bone structure

Carriage party

Blowing horn

Smiles for you

Darling

Happy kids

Convention

Crumbly eyes

Surprise!

Cookie jar

Boar on wheels

Teapot rage

Bunny backpack

Curious baby

Baby eye

Monkey fun

Downward Bird

Chad Bush — Mon, 05 Apr 2010 06:00:03 +0000

This tune is a celebration of springtime and all the fluttering, chirping activity in our trees, rooftops and windowsills. It features the lovely voice of Becca Weinstein, time-shifted and manipulated but clear as a bell nonetheless.

Here’s to all the birds singing, dancing and strutting about till they meet their mates, lay their eggs, and bring ever more musical beaks into the world!

Candied Angst

Chad Bush — Sun, 14 Mar 2010 22:11:31 +0000

Down at the dime store, as a boy I’d often buy big bags of candy to devour. I didn’t realize it at the time, but I’d discovered the age-old trick of burying vast amounts of angst under a sugar-induced brain haze. Join me for something sweet, if you like. Light some fire, paste on a smile, and enjoy this little ditty.

Rabbit Teeth

Chad Bush — Sun, 07 Mar 2010 09:30:23 +0000

They deliver eggs at Easter, they figure prominently in myths and faerie tales, and they’re often portrayed as the ultimate victims, prey to carnivores everywhere, every bunny a non-murderous vegan.

Most of us have been enticed by rabbits, fuzzy, cute and gentle on the surface. Most of us also are unaware of the arcane perils of a rabbit’s teeth and of its hypnotic stare…

Time Machine

Chad Bush — Fri, 26 Feb 2010 09:18:26 +0000

If you had a time machine, would you travel about? Where would you go, if you had a choice?

One of my favorite early childhood toys was a Micronaut®, a little plastic man with removable hands, head and feet, named Time Traveler. I’ve always been fascinated with fiction and physics pertaining to defying the laws of time that we tend to obey.

Make An Egg

Chad Bush — Fri, 19 Feb 2010 10:51:06 +0000

Here’s a fresh song inspired by breakfast. After a long night of surreal adventures, blackout time and nightmares, there’s nothing quite so comforting as a plate of hot, fresh eggs on toast. Except, perhaps, a pot of delicious, hot gourmet coffee.

Warning: Listening to this might induce hunger and craving for eggs.

Anticipation

Chad Bush — Mon, 15 Feb 2010 20:33:14 +0000

Sitting around waiting for stuff to happen is a dreary drag. This tune arose from my feelings about some of the things I’ve passively been waiting for: a revamped career, age-old personal issues to evaporate, healthier fitness habits, blah blah blah.

Just by making a song about all that anticipation, I’ve suddenly begun taking a more active role. Funny.

Creepy Bisbee Dolls

Chad Bush — Fri, 04 Dec 2009 20:21:49 +0000

The antique stores in Bisbee possess a remarkable collection of wretched old dolls and toys. These photos are from my December, 2009 visit.

I’ve always loved Bisbee, with all its surreal energy and creative folk. I’m not surprised that these particular dolls have chosen to gather there.

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Dolly

Dolly head

Dolly in repose

Dolly head

Mannequin head

Clowns on sale

New Tenor Sax

Chad Bush — Fri, 16 Oct 2009 04:18:07 +0000

This is an impromptu video of me playing my new Phil Barone silver tenor sax the day it arrived.

Whatever Tickles

Chad Bush — Sun, 31 May 2009 20:20:57 +0000

I asked my friend Jewels Ramsey, “What should we make a song about?”

She replied, “Whatever tickles your pickle.”

Three hours later, this song was complete. It’s purely improvised, and features Jewels on chicken and background vocals. Well, as much as chicken sounds can be called “vocals,” anyway. Bawk!

What Computers Do

Chad Bush — Fri, 09 Jan 2009 09:01:28 +0000

Improvising in the recording studio often produces stuff that ends up in the digital wastebasket, but every now and then a gem is born.

This song, featuring the lovely voice of Becca Weinstein and the Celtic harpwork of Kephart Taiz, is an eerie, pretty, strange creation that brings some real magic into the room.

Toad in the Road

Chad Bush — Fri, 15 Aug 2008 17:54:05 +0000

In the late summer, the monsoon rains arrive and toads all across the desert dig their way out of the ground, where they’ve been hibernating for most of the year. On a rainy night I often see toads of all sizes hopping across city streets and rural highways.

Please be careful not to run over these rare and amazing creatures. This song is in honor of the toads. It features toad vocals by Kephart Taiz.