The Grocery Store

I recorded this one morning in March at a special place called The Grocery Store, an untouched oasis by a creek that’s got everything you need. It radiates energy. And there’s a perceptible purity of spirit. I’ve discovered so much in this special spot.

This recording captures about 90 minutes of that energy -- the interactions with the sounds around me, spontaneous conversations that come and go, and in the end, a perfect synchronicity. 

All of this happens every day at the Grocery Store, only without a handpan. I was lucky to be there on a day when the birds were interested, and the creek was running just right. I sat in one spot and played these 5 improvisations one after the other. Not overdubs or edits. The handpan is just another voice in nature along with some birds, at least one airplane, and a gentle creek flowing. You’ll hear the same things I heard, and I wonder if you’ll notice the same things I did when you listen.

Something that’s been on my mind lately is the word “sonder.” It’s a mind-blowing realization that with every interaction or just with your presence, you’re playing a minor role in countless lives equally complex as your own. We’re all bouncing off each other like a bunch of pinballs trying to find our way as we take in everything around us. While paying attention to everything we perceive would be overwhelming, I believe that we’re aware on a subconscious level and that maybe people who embrace their creativity are a little more sensitive to it. When I surrender to that chaos, it seems to find alignment somehow, and I crave that feeling.

Maybe that’s why music unites use. We can all get in sync to the groove. A place where its comfortable and natural. That’s flow, and I think it happens when you’re immersed and connected to the moment and everything around you. A symphony of voices all creating a story together. What was revealed to me on this March morning is that that groove transcends us humans. You can hear it on this recording with the creatures and forces that have voices. And I wonder if the forces that are less audible ultimately shape the vibe. Is that undefinable groove that we all tap into actually the voice of nature? We can’t hear it per se, but we definitely feel it.  And when we surrender to it, and listen, notice, and engage, everything’s right.

Close your eyes. Turn it up. You’ll see what I mean.

So Sonder isn’t just between us humans. It touches everything. We’re each playing a bit part in an incomprehensively complex interconnected network where tiny things ricochet beyond our perceptions and bigger things radiate out with wide ripples. And on this day, I think the Grocery Store and all its patrons rallied around the sound and rhythm of the handpan to make those ripples soar higher than I’ve ever experienced.