Category: News

Images

Manzanita Oregon – Photo by Dan Steven Erickson

This year will be the year I begin to incorporate my own images onto my website and into my creative portfolio. As an artist, I want to use a variety of media to express myself. I already use music and words. Images are next.

Although I’m not a professional photographer, I’ve always had an interest in photography, and I think I have a fair eye for interesting images. I don’t own a high-end camera, and I likely won’t buy one for my photography projects at this time. Instead, as I do with music, I’ll stick to minimalism in the process and simply use my iPhone.

I’ll post images with select essays, poetry, and music. Starting now, expect some posts that include my own photos. – dse

Restart 2

It’s been five months since I started this new website. The goal was to create something simpler, less like a blog, and more like a showcase for my creative work. On August 1, 2021, I titled the first of many short essays on this site: Restart.

This is Restart 2.

The plan has not changed. This is a new kind of site for me. Although I’m still posting almost-daily blog-like short essays, I’ve set this site apart from any other site I’ve ever created:

  • No stock photography
  • Less links and hype
  • More creative posts
  • Focus on music and poetry

As it’s the start of a new year, I’m going to make a few subtle changes to the site as I continue to update my entire Anderhill catalog, one album at a time. I’ll continue to mix in some poetry and short essays. Once I’ve completed a post for each of the Anderhill works, (by the end of this month), I’ll be slowing down and diversifying my creative work on the site.

You can expect to see more experimentation with photography, spoken word, and perhaps even some traditional songwriting under the name Dan Steven Erickson. I may also broaden my range of writing topics to include more about my life, travel, work, parenting, etc. I’m an artist and a person. That’s what this site is about. So, let the restart begin again. – dse

Moving Forward

As the year comes to an end, I’m continuing with my forward momentum. What other choice is there? I don’t want to go backward.

When I started this site earlier this year, I said it would be different, that I would slow down, post less. That will happen.

Right now, I’m still writing essays regularly. That was not part of the original plan. The site was supposed to be for music and poetry and occasional news about my creative work. Still, the longterm goal is to post less often. I’ll be moving into that mode in 2022. It might just be a few more weeks before I start.

I’m not big on New Year’s resolutions and goal setting. But if I were to set one goal for the year it’s simply to do a little less essay writing here and more creative poetry, music, and photo projects. – dse

Nothing

What am I planning for the new year? Nothing.

I’m not one to set resolutions or write down goals. I have no grand plans for 2022. I’ve set no goals to write any new books or record any new albums. There’s no set number of poems or compositions I intend on writing. No travel plans. No financial goals. Nothing.

Still, as long as I’m physically able, chances are good that I’ll do the following:

  • Write a few dozen poems.
  • Compose a few dozen songs.
  • Write dozens of short essays.
  • Take a few trips.
  • Save a few thousand dollars.
  • Do some home improvement projects.
  • Add a new dimension to this website.

I spent almost ten years playing the goal-setting game. And even though I’ve often accomplished my goals, what did it really mean? Nothing. I didn’t win any grand awards. I didn’t make bank. I just went on living life as usual.

Making no definitive plans is especially effective when it comes to creative endeavors. Making plans to be creative is like trying to force big square pegs through little round holes. It’s anti-creative.

Creativity comes on its own terms. If you’re a true artist, you’ll keep practicing your art, and creativity will happen. Other than that, in 2022, I’m planning nothing. – dse

The Base

One reason I’ve grown tired of writing for the Internet is simply the repetitive nature that comes with choosing a a topic and specializing. I started this site as a new alternative to the more traditional blogs I’ve operated in the past. It might seem like there’s nothing different about this site. But there is. I won’t continue to write at the same frequency about the same topics. I’m simply creating the base.

What’s the base?

It’s simple. My goal for this site is different than my previous sites. I have no intention of it being a blog. Instead, it’s my showcase as a musician, poet, and writer. I’m moving some of my best short essays on writing and creativity over from the old site. I’m presenting my entire discography as Anderhill. I’m adding the occasional new poem. I’m creating the base.

Throughout the remainder of 2021, I’ll be increasing the Anderhill posts. My goal is to finish offering a post for each Anderhill title in the discography within the next couple of months. I’ll continue to mix it up with short posts on creativity and poetry. But once the base is built, I’ll be slowing down. My focus will turn to adding visual components and other creative elements to the site.

As always, it’s a journey. I’m just riding for the ride. – dse

A Cult of Lies

I’m still working through posting all my individual experimental electronic recordings. Most of those recordings are composed as Anderhill. Recently, I introduced you to The OWG. In April of 2021 I debuted A Cult of Lies. Yes, I have musical multi-personality disorder.

A Cult of Lies is different than Anderhill. The music is darker, noisier, and edgier. I allow myself to take greater risks when I work as A Cult of Lies. The name and the first LP, He Called Himself Michael the Archangel but He Was Born to Destroy, have a personal history. As a kid, I was the victim of an extreme religious cult. I even wrote a book about my experience.

A Train Called Forgiveness is available at Amazon.

Beside He Called Himself Michael, A Cult of Lies has also released the LP, Everything You’ve Ever Dreamed Is Possible, and the recent single, Relentless.

I’m currently in the beginning stages of producing a new album as A Cult of Lies. Look for it in 2022. – dse