Hello hello!

Writing to you from my backyard where my bees are hard at work. Spring nectar is beginning to flow, seeds are beginning to sprout, and my new ducklings have their feathers coming in. It’s my favorite time of year. I get to fall asleep to frogs, stick my hands in the dirt, forage mushrooms and ramps, and during this particular Spring, release a new album.

Seasons Turn Like Pages comes out 5/22/26 digitally via Window Sill Records and on tape via Aural Canyon. It’s an album about the slipperiness of time, told through sacred little natural vignettes. Music from the forest.

The first track off the album, Willow, is streaming now. It’s a song written from the perspective of my dog while she’s napping by the pond. Willow is a Great Pyrenees, constantly on guard, looking to protect her herd (me) from danger. When she finally falls asleep she looks like she's dreaming so deeply, so at peace and relaxed to be off the clock. In her dream, I imagine her running through a wildflower meadow watching Canada geese pass overhead. Observing Willow on guard when she really doesn't have to be has led me to realize all of the ways that I am metaphorically "on guard" in my own life, and has helped me to try and be more like the dreaming version of Willow. So it’s a song about a dog dream but also about reminding myself to step back and enjoy the big dream of life.

I’m really excited for this album to come out, it’s super breezy and perfect music for cooking or gardening. It was mastered by Ben Etter and the cover art was done by Maria Araya. You can preorder tapes from Aural Canyon here.

While I’ve got you here…. A few more Saapato adjacent updates:

1. Last week I released an album called Caravan under the name Saltpuppet with my very good friend Connor. It’s a concept record that follows the three year journey of a band of pioneers across a mystical landscape to nowhere. The weary travelers experience all sorts of trials along the way; the brute force of nature unbound, the seemingly endless and unmarked path before them, severe physical and mental deterioration, and perhaps even a few supernatural forces that defy explanation. This album took us just about five years to make and it is without a doubt one of the most fun projects I’ve ever worked on. The album is 33 tracks, has tons of repeating themes, and way too many narrative easter eggs to count. We went very philosopher king mode with this one. You can listen to that one anywhere you stream music and can grab a limited edition CD here. This one was mastered by Andrew Weathers and the cover art was done by Woods Ray.

   

2. I’m throwing a show this weekend (5/9) at my pond (the one where Willow likes to nap) in Upstate New York. It’s Saturday afternoon at 3pm and features music from a bunch of great local Hudson Valley experimentalists including Ben Seretan & John Thayer, Matthew O’Neill, and J.Ashdown. Bring a picnic blanket and come hang out. Shoot me a note if you need the address.

3. The show I mentioned above is being put on in partnership with an incredible organization called Stretch Metal. They offer grants, throw events, and foster community for ambient/experimental musicians. Right now they’re having a Spring Fundraiser. All money raised goes toward keeping the orgs programming topnotch and providing lovely in-person and digital spaces for ambient musicians and ambient music enthusiasts to find community. If you’ve got some extra cash I highly recommend supporting this cause - and if you don’t, check them out anyway, chances are if you enjoy hearing from me, you’ll like what they do! You can donate here.

Alright! I think that’s it. No shows on the immediate horizon for me right now but hoping to get a few things going this Summer. If you want me to come play your state/town/backyard, let me know. Also if you know anyone who may be interested in receiving this newsletter, please pass this email along.

Hope you’re all having a nice Spring and as always, thanks for listening.