May 2004
Wow, there is so much to talk about I don't know where to begin. The real story in my life is the sudden death of my father.

February 1 2004
Last night Anil, Patrick, Phil and I did a house concert at Svadeshs'. We had to turn a lot of people away...my apologies to anyone who couldn't get a spot...guess we need a bigger house! It went fantastic...there are always these moments that come out in an atmosphere like that, with no pressure, no time restraints...my voice opened up at times that just amazed me...what a delight that is, that's what I live for... "Dive" was over the top...we did this version of "Awadi" that turned into this intense trance piece that blew us all away...Anil's fingers were lightning...he amazed everyone...Patricks' gurdy piece was especially powerful with the combo of tablas and bass...ah, when the music takes you, there is nothing better...nothing. Ah, gush. This is what I live for, that moment.

Afterwards we all did the good old ritual of happy hour at Dragonfish...and life for a moment all makes sense, I have my friends gathered with me in celebration...thank you

Tomorrow I give notice on my day cook/prep job. It's time to put all the energy into the music and art...that's my business, creating the dream...back to the trenches!

January 24 2004
LOOKING BACK:
In the last year of 2003, I found myself once again on retreat on the Big Island of Hawaii, looking at my life and path of music. I came back to Seattle to connect with a few musicians I was interested in playing with. They were Keith Wright, Patrick Strole, and Terry Sterns, three different guitarists who I felt a connection with musically, three different styles and personalities. I had talked to them all separately about hooking up and everyone was game. When I returned, I found everyone wrapped up in winter life in the city and unavailable to get together. Two months went by and I wondered what I was doing in a cold grey Seattle winter with no job, and no band yet once again...thank the gods for a sweet women named Jeanette and two cute cats...without them, life would have been pretty desolate. I recorded a bunch of new songs and a couple of older, unrecorded songs at my friend Tom's little home studio, the same place I recorded all the solo songs on my last record. It was fun, I had some wild nights of drinking bourbon and messing around...bless Tom's good heart... I gave the recordings around and it was Keith who got really interested to hang out and work on songs...it was a good vibe and we were excited. After a while, we did a few acoustic shows and realized we really wanted to get a rhythm section. After a couple different combinations, we found ourselves Kris Rosentrater on drums and Rob Stewart on bass. We finally had a band! This crew did a series of shows from our first together at the Nine Pound Hammer (Rob learned the songs that week) to summer festivals and great gigs at the Tractor Tavern and Crocodile Cafe. The Croc gig was our last, Nov.26th, after that we had a parting of ways...life changes and we keep walking... I found myself with an upcoming big show headlining the Croc on a Sat. night and had no band. In the matter of a couple weeks and a week of rehearsals, I was able to put together a fantastic show with a little help from my friends...I was amazed...we pulled it off...now what? "Now what" is the trip. Now I get to play manager, booking agent, producer...somehow there is way to get the music to the next level...and I'm quitting my day job to try and get it there...smile. It's got to be back to painting, writing and recording music, putting together a fantastic band, both for acoustic shows and the larger love of the big show... It's a time to collaborate with friends, explore musical connections and ideas that we have talked about over the last few years...it's time to see if it can happen, and if not, time to move on and explore new horizons... Patrick and I proved we could put together a great show that night at the Croc. Now, with the help of Phil Georgas and an ever growing group, we are working on the collective vision... And there are other friends in the mix...I'm looking to see what the next 8 months develops.... So, here's to the journey...I'll keep writing here and giving some documentation along the way...such is my little life of music... rafe.

January 2004
Well hello again, long time no talk...now that I know how to do this on the computer myself, I can keep you all updated much more often.

We all made it through the Holidays, New Years, and a big 'ol snowstorm. Keeps winter life interesting at least!

I'd say some of my big news these days is that I am no longer working with the band I have been playing with over the summer and fall. All I can say is that I'm looking to explore new musical directions and horizens in this future year and not sure where it will all take me...finding your way as a musician (or human for that matter) is not always so clear...so please feel free to come along for the ride...it's much more fun with you.

Coming up is the Saturday Jan.10th Crocodile gig. I am excited and nervous to play with this group of friends I have assembled for the show. We've had all of 2 rehearsals...but the music is sounding sweet and exciting...I'm going to take this group and do a series of acoustic/non-club shows in the upcoming months, check the website calendar to know about those...this collective, which will most likely be slighlty different at different shows, will be lovingly named Rafe Pearlman and the Red Rose Thieves...it's not really a band, just friends and musicians getting together to make beautiful, moving music...stealing the moment as it breathes...

I do have a double live CD available of the East West Bookshop show. It comes in a hand printed (by me) box. It sells for $20. If you would like one, please email me at rafe@rafepearlman.com and we can make that happen. Please do stay in touch, the winter is still long...

love to you,
rafe.

November 2003
Well, we're heading through the fall and into wintertime; even more important to have the music to bring us together and keep our souls warm...

I'm working on as much music as possible these days. The band is going along strong, working on new material and exploring directions...We have an important show Nov.26th at the Crocodile Cafe that everyone in town has to come to!

I've been doing some solo shows, the last one was with David Brunn on tablas and Patrick Strole on hurdy gurdy/guitar at the East West Bookshop and it was an amazing night...we transported away somewhere else. We recorded it and in the next couple weeks are going to make a 2 cd bootleg of it available for purchase. I will be doing another show like this Dec. 6th as a house concert and a performance at the Seattle Unity Church Dec. 14th.

I am also working on some co-collaborations with old and new musical friends and will let you know when some new material is finished!

Please keep coming out and supporting your local unknowns!!!

cheers,
Rafe.

June 2003
Well, I'd say the biggest news is that I have finally found myself a kickass band!!! Keith Wright, Kris Rosentrater, Rob Stuart and myself have been working up my songs and making some great music together...yes yes yes. It's been a long time and it feels great. We have some cool shows coming up this summer, from clubs to festivals, so please go hit the calendar page to stay updated, sign my mailing list to recieve the show emails, and come out and support this new music!!! It doesn't go anywhere without you, so hope to see you soon!

P.S. I will also be doing some upcoming solo shows/house concerts, so please keep an eye out for the more intimate performances...

rafe.

March 2003
Hey friends and music lovers...here's the update...

I am currently back in Seattle, working as a cook at the Globe Cafe to make ends meet and working on new music.

I just did a show at the Rendevous' Jewel Box Theater with new magic man Keith Wright on guitar and Zeke Keeble on 'cajon' (gyspy box). It was a fantastic performance (our first together, all three) and it felt great to play again, all new songs...thanks so much to everyone who came out and supported us!

It's time to make a new demo for shows and get to work on the next album...Keith and I are looking to form a band together, hoping to keep Zeke on drums, and find a bass player...we're playing with the idea of a name...what can I say but that I'll keep you posted!