Ever since summer/autumn last year this oddly obtuse stress has been mounting, impacting my body/mind/work. As I added more and more projects to my plate, the juggle seemed rather like a rogue wave, propelling me toward who-knows-what. Now, 6-8 months later, I can finally say I’ve got a handle on it! Phew.

Back in April 09 (wow, it’s been a year!) I met a cat named Nick Ogawa. The dude builds electric cellos and writes some brilliant tunes. We quickly realized our goal is one and the same — reach large crowds by achieving a compelling synthesis of humanity and technology. However I still had one major reservation — How could I expect to get such an excellent songwriter behind my vision for Hélas Techne? Compound that with the realization that I would then be resolving for two bands, and you get the gist of my woes.

With my concerns out in the open about whose project would take precedent, we began approaching the collaboration casually, but it wasn’t long before we gave ourselves a name and got up on stage. It all gained speed quite rapidly, and already we’ve received emphatic praise for the few modest events Takenobu have played. See video here. Because of my willingness to open my work to others, I now have a little studio in my back room, an upcoming indieATL.com performance, a very solid live setup and a new sense of pride in my drumming.

But even after acknowledging the promising prospect becoming of Takenobu, I was still left with a weight on my shoulders and the feeling I may have only strayed further from my original ambitions for Hélas Techne. The two were seeming increasingly irreconcilable. Had Hélas Techne become a shadow of, or possibly been usurped by Takenobu?

It’s true my work fell behind, with Francis slowing to a near halt and a song repertoire quickly growing stale. However, a different perspective was beginning to surface. What if Hélas Techne had an alternate fate, one previously contemplated but dismissed long ago? One loyal to my past of technological wizardry but not forced into a box of preconception/expectation. Of course! Why oblige my creative efforts, my original passions, with schemes and visions? And thusly I return to now, excited as hell to rediscover the joys of music-making.

Takenobu hasn’t usurped Hélas Techne. Hardly. It has unexpectedly fulfilled my desire to incorporate electronics and drums into a pop format, affectionate and soulful, teeming with vitality and eager to make friends. This relieves Hélas Techne of that obligation, dubious as it had become.

So the story goes. An overwhelming burden of imbalance and uncertainty transforms into something quite inspirational. Now Hélas can return to the music with a fresh new angle. It’ll be like nothing you’ve heard.