Current Moods w/ Joshua Wentz

Hey, here we are.

Some improv featuring the KP3 and Perform VE.  Also it's my birthday, don't tell anybody.

Some really random piano and synth bits. 

It's a welcome rainy day in Chicago.  The heat is down, the basement is cool, let's do some music.

Audio from a Black Lives Matter march in Jefferson Park, Latin percussion vinyl, and some improv.

For today's live recording, Artemis the Kitty decided to join me for a bit, and only knocked over one thing in the process.

That's right, I didn't record the live Episode 093 last week.  It's a LOST EPISODE.  This one was recorded live to IGTV, and has a bunch of stuff in it.

Trying something different this week, hopefully more experimentation in the future as well.  This is a lightly edited version of a live Instagram broadcast on May 17, 2020.

Some quick piano improvisation for you.  Hope you're doing well!

Recorded with the Roland Boutique JO-06A while listening to an Instagram Live show.  A quick repetition study where the notes don't change, but other elements of the synthesizer do.  I think this one is easy to get lost in, if you let it wash over you.

I hope everyone is feeling calm and healthy, but I know there are a lot of people with anxiety out there right now due to COVID-19 and the situations surrounding the virus.  Hopefully this will pass more quickly than expected, but at this point in time, there are no answers and that makes us feel like we're in limbo. Here's a quick and easy episode that hopefully you'll enjoy.  For next week I'm going to work on something new and more long-form, since now that all my shows are being cancelled, I have some time on my hands. Take care!

Another episode is here.  More music than last time.  It's very likely you've never heard it before. Join the Facebook Group at facebook.com/currentmoodspodcast And watch the  Henderson Valley Eggs bit by David Cross at https://youtu.be/h--d7OZSj1U

We're back for the new year with a new format and... old music.  It's new to you though.  Let's find out where things take us.

It takes time, sometimes.  Goals can be obscured, directions subverted. To be calm, to regain focus, to brush aside distraction can be challenging.

Choose your own path!

Layers upon layers upon layers. Some more delineated than others. Necessary depth or needless distraction?

Get ready to chill out for the weekend. Sure, yesterday was scorching hot here, but the forecast says we'll be back down into cooler temps by the end of the day. Enjoy some quiet time.

A stroll through lush green paths. Sunlight breaks through the trees and spills ontopeaceful lagoons. Things feel silent and still, but in the stillness you can hear the rest of the jungle life around you.

We're back with Season Two of Current Moods! The format is changing slightly, but otherwise we've got the same brand of newly composed music for meditation and motivation for you. Just remember: The secret of getting ahead is getting started.

We're back... next week. In the meantime, here's what we're thinking. We are tweaking a few elements of the podcast for the new season, now that full-time employment is in the equation. But the main story here, new music is back on 9/17/18.

We end our first season of the podcast with an improvised piano solo. Thank you for listening to the first four volumes of Current Moods! We'll be back on Labor Day for Season Two!  Have a great rest of the summer, and keep on feeling relaxed/motivated/inspired/calm/energized/et cetera!

It's slower without feeling slow. Breathe in. Breathe out. There is a mourning dove near my house that I call the Rave Dove, because instead of a slow, doleful song, Rave Dove likes to kick it up a notch and really go to town.  He's not here to waste our time. Rave Dove marches to the beat of his own drum, as should we all.

Mid week break! We discuss what's happening for Current Moods through the rest of the summer, and what we've done so far.

You may have noticed a bit of splicing and sampling on yesterday's episode - well there's more today! This week is all about the quick samples... improvising a line, chopping it up, and reinterpreting it. No plans, no deep inspiration... just taking a piece of what you have and making it into something new. Every now and then you have to stop worrying about clean lines and perfect synchronization. Just get into it and see what happens.

Summer is here in full! It's hot, it's humid, and it's hard to stay active and motivated in oppressive temps! We're pushing through this week, wrapping up Volume Four before taking a summer break. I'll be on tour in July and August, so after this week, we'll take a podcast nap until September.   Here we go!

We've made it through another week, we're at the spiny, shiny end. Today's episode is an improvised recording using only the Yamaha Reface CP.    Take care and we'll see you next week!

Glad you could make it! Be present, and let amazing things present themselves to you.

Midweek Break! I'm headed off to other parts of the Midwest for family visits and Sweetwater Gearfest. But don't worry, I've pre-recorded the rest of the week's episodes so it's business as usual here.

Sometimes the things you want feel like they're out of reach. Just keep reaching, though... you'll get there eventually!

Take a bite out of a new week! I'll be traveling for part of this one, so we're keeping it fast and easy on the Current Moods front.  Accomplishing goals!

Sometimes we all want to be in another place, but no matter where you are, remember that you're here. Have a happy and healthy weekend.

More drums! More cello! And Martin Backpacker guitar, modified with a DIY bridge for bow-ability.  I hope you've been enjoying this week's episodes - they definitely feel different to me than the normal style, so I hope they're putting you in a good headspace. Stay close with friends and loved ones, but don't be afraid to go your own way at times.

Midweek Break! I mention a new album, and put out the call for some reviews! Do us a favor and rate the podcast on iTunes!

Acoustic instrument week continues on! We've got more drums, guitar, and some cello in the mix. Today's episode is probably a bit too intense to be meditative, so get out there and take action.

When you feel complacent, or at the least too comfortable, that means it's time to take on a new challenge. This week we'll be working with recording live drums as well as adding in more acoustic instruments to each episode. Hopefully as the week progresses, you'll hear a refinement in percussive elements.   Where have you been that you loved? Where would you like to be right now? How are you going to get there?  

A tumultuous time with the ROLI Seaboard Block and Equator softsynth. A stream of consciousness with a very limited key range but five dimensions of touch sensitivity. Who knows!   Have a great weekend!!

We soldier on with beat-free ambience. Today using only the Yamaha Reface CP and its onboard effects. This one isn't as amorphous as the rest of LP401, since there are no pedals to blur out the sounds. Hopefully you are feeling inspired and energized today!

Mid Week Check In!

We continue along our path of ambience as it takes a grainy, angular turn. This episode uses the Volca Keys synth as well as the Dreadbox Sonic Bits pedal, the latter adding a dirty flavor to the volca's triangle waves. Not everhting that is meditative is soothing; sometimes ominous textures can be useful in separating yourself from your surroundings.

We're back with Volume Four! It's a holiday here in the US, but that doesn't mean you shouldn't listen to some ambient drones while you chill and grill. Today's episode uses the KORG minilogue with the Electro-harmonix Memory Man and Holy Grail pedals, as well as the Earthquaker Dispatch Master. This week's focus is on as much pure ambience as we can muster. Sometimes it's hard to hold back on adding elements to a project, but it's good to excercise some restraint now and again.

An ambient improvisation for you, as we close out microKORG week here on the podcast. It's been great to reacquaint myself with this synth, and I will definitely be spending more time with it in the future.   Have a calm day and a wonderful weekend! We'll see you on Monday for Volume Four! Also, today is my sister's birthday, so congrats to her!

The tempo is brisk! The sun is shining! It's time to move! Propel yourself into a happy and healthy weekend with some beat-heavy motivational music today.  

Midweek Shuffle.

This week we're focusing on the microKORG as the primary instrument for each session. It's a very versatile digital synthesizer that can be found in almost any electronic musician's arsenal. Something in the distance is calling you. Find your way there!

A new week is upon us! Potential abounds, and while you're being productive and reaching goals, be sure to take a moment to enjoy the stillness and tranquility that you can find. It may be brief, but it's there.

Today's episode was improvised live using the Yamaha Reface CP and Korg KP3.  All of the episodes this week utilized the KP3 in some way - it was fun to bring it out and try a few things. I think ultimately it works best when you have a little bit of an idea of what you want to do, but even with complete improv it's fun. Have a great weekend!

Today's episode is definitely more motivational than meditation - friendly. Upbeat, beat heavy, and invigorating. Don't lose your footing, the weekend's almost here!

Today we record outside in this Spring Heat! Just a quick mention about Show of Hands (www.showofhandschicago.com) this weekend, as well as the Jessica Risker record release show at The Empty Bottle, May 8th. Have a great day! Stay cool.

Feeling the push and pull of the tides. Forming an imperfect natural rhythm. Swaying in the current as it shifts around you. Today's episode is another using the Alesis Micron and Korg KP3.

A new week! Play it cool, make sure you're ready for the tasks ahead. The best way to make sure you can take on any challenge is to be prepared for them to appear. Today's episode uses the Alesis Micron through a Korg KP3, as well as several VST synths.

We've made it through another week. This one was unexpectedly busy for me, so the weekend should feel all the more relaxing. Today's episode features the Logic X Alchemy synth. Thanks for listening; we'll see you next week!