Songs for a Living

Each Petal a Portal (for Eric Pan)

This is a mediation on my podcast conversation [https://foraliving.transistor.fm/episodes/eric-pan-speaks-in-the-old-way]with composer and pianist, Eric Pan. Each Petal a Portal is a four-part composition arranged and performed by Daniel Lazar and Brian Trahan [https://www.briantrahanaudio.com/]. The lyrics are a cento, selected from various poems by Joshua Weiner. [https://www.joshuaweiner.com/] I. Beneath the Dogwood’s White Explosion II. No Essential Mysteries III. The Hand Holds Tight the Line IV. No Hand, No Hold The composition was recorded at Funkhaus Studios in Berlin and produced by Bran Trahan. Brian and Joshua were both guests on Season 7 of For a Living. Here are my conversations with Brian [https://foraliving.transistor.fm/episodes/music-producer-brian-trahan-listens-with-love-part-2] and with Joshua [https://foraliving.transistor.fm/episodes/joshua-weiner-goes-the-way-his-blood-beats].

Giorgio Morandi's Bottles (for Benjamin Rubloff)

This song is a reflection of my podcast conversation [https://foraliving.transistor.fm/episodes/documenting-fragments-with-contemporary-artist-benjamin-rubloff]with Berlin-based contemporary artist, Benjamin Rubloff [http://www.benjaminrubloff.com/]. It features Marty Kondziolka on drums and is produced and mastered by Brian Trahan. [https://www.briantrahanaudio.com/]

Mandelstam: Voronezh, 1935 (for Joshua Weiner)

This song is a reflection of my podcast conversation [https://foraliving.transistor.fm/episodes/joshua-weiner-goes-the-way-his-blood-beats]with poet and professor, Joshua Weiner [https://www.joshuaweiner.com/]. The lyrics are a version of a Osip Mandelstam poem [https://academic.oup.com/litimag/article-abstract/21/2/136/5432087?redirectedFrom=fulltext], translated by Weiner. It features Marty Kondziolka on drums, Mark Kondziolka on sax, and is produced by Brian Trahan [https://www.briantrahanaudio.com/].

Keep the Pencil Moving (for Hannah Dougherty)

This song is a reflection of my podcast conversation [https://foraliving.transistor.fm/episodes/inspiration-is-a-luxury-keep-the-pencil-moving-with-hannah-dougherty]with Berlin-based visual artist, Hannah Dougherty [http://www.hannahdougherty.net/].  Lyrics - Daniel Lazar (and Dr. Seuss) Lead Vocal - Daniel Lazar Backing Vocals - Megan Fleming and Scott Robbin Guitar - Scott Robbin Bass - Marty Kondziolka Drums - Marty Kondziolka Produced, engineered, mixed, and mastered by Marty Kondziolka. Thanks Marty!!

Bodies Keep the Score (for Elina Akhmetova)

This song is a reflection of my podcast conversation [https://foraliving.transistor.fm/episodes/the-kinesthetic-empathy-of-elina-akhmetova]with dancer and choreographer Elina Akhmetova features Kevin Fleming on guitars and backing vocal, Megan Fleming on vocal, and Marty Kondziolka on drums. It also features the John F. Kennedy High School Berlin Choir under the direction of podcast alum, Dr. Joseph Curtis [https://foraliving.transistor.fm/episodes/on-the-knifes-edge-with-choral-director-dr-joseph-curtis]. Produced by Brian Trahan [https://www.briantrahanaudio.com/].