I returned home last night from a 10-day Vipassana meditation retreat at Dhamma Siri in Kaufman, TX. As always, time well spent.
Vipassana Meditation
On my way to a 10-day Vipassana meditation retreat. I'll be off the grid until December 17th. See you on the flip side.
VZN interview
VZN Magazine interviewed me last month while I was on tour supporting my new album, Begin the Glimmer. We spoke about Memphis, music, meditation, AmeriCorps, and so much more. Read here...
vznmagazine.com/newmusic/2018/11/4/stephen-chopek-interview
RIP FMA
WFMU is one of the greatest radio stations in the world. (And I’m not just saying that because they broadcast from Jersey City, NJ.) For almost ten years, they’ve been offering an incredible service called the Free Music Archive. I regret to announce that it will soon be no more. Find out why…
theverge.com/platform/amp/2018/11/7/1807334archive-closing-wfmu-creative-6/free-music-commons-cheyenne-hohman
Wedding in Cali
I returned home yesterday from a trip to Los Angles for a friend’s wedding. It was so great to spend quality time with the hometown crew from New Jersey.
Groom in the middle.
I have Commercial Appeal
Big thanks to Bob Mehr for writing about me and my new album, Begin the Glimmer, in The Commercial Appeal! Read all about it…
Coffee in a Cadillac
Before my album release show in Memphis last weekend at Otherlands, I stoped by Tony Manard’s to play a song (and drink a coffee) in his Cadillac. Watch the video here…
youtu.be/TO9FqF3t2To
BLURT review
Big thanks to BLURT MAGAZINE for reviewing my new album, Begin the Glimmer…
blurtonline.com/review/stephen-chopek-begin-glimmer
The band
Group photo from my album release show on Saturday night in Memphis at Otherlands. Photo below left to right is George Sluppick on drums, (special guest) Abby Miller on harmonica, me on guitar / vocals, and Landon Moore on bass guitar. More pics and vids coming soon!
TONIGHT in Memphis!
My new album, Begin the Glimmer, was made in Memphis, TN. I'll be playing those songs and more TONIGHT Saturday, November 10th at Otherlands in Midtown Memphis! Full band performance featuring George Sluppick on drums and Landon Moore on bass. Special guest Tony Manard opens the show.
Begin the Glimmer was recorded by Harry Koniditsiotis at 5 and Dime Recording; and mixed by Doug Easley at New School Media. Alex Greene from The Memphis Flyer writes, "it sports one perfectly crafted tune after another; the end result is a shimmering folk-pop gem that leaps from the speakers".
More info on the SHOWS page.
The making of BTG
Begin the Glimmer was made in Memphis, TN. Recorded by Harry Koniditsiotis at 5 & Dime Recording, and mixed by Doug Easley at New School Media. Check out more behind the scenes pics in the BTG photo gallery.
Harry K.
Doug E.
Smells like democracy.
VOTE! TODAY!!
www.vote.org
Album release show!
My new album, Begin the Glimmer, was made in Memphis. I'll be playing the songs live at Otherlands on Saturday, November 10th with George Sluppick on drums and Landon Moore on bass. My good friend Tony Manard opens the show.
Begin the Glimmer was recorded by Harry Koniditsiotis at 5 and Dime Recording; and mixed by Doug Easley at New School Media. Alex Greene from The Memphis Flyer writes, "it sports one perfectly crafted tune after another; the end result is a shimmering folk-pop gem that leaps from the speakers".
See the performance details on the SHOWS page.
TBT VUE NYC
Last week, I posted a quick hit from the Velvet Underground Experience exhibit in NYC. As promised, here are more pics from the show.
Velvet Underground, Andy Warhol, and members of the Factory family.
Andy and Elvises.
Christa Päffgen ak Nico.
Peel slowly and sign.
Tour update #3
I returned home from October tour yesterday after driving 6800 miles for 20 days through 19 cities in 11 states for 16 gigs (and 1 radio appearance and 1 open mic). Big thanks to everyone who helped make it possible. See you next year!
Links to Begin the Glimmer
My new album, Begin the Glimmer, is now on the MUSIC page and all you favorite online platforms…
Bandcamp
Spotify
iTunes / Apple Music
SoundCloud
Amazon
YouTube
WHUP
I had the pleasure of returning to WHUP in Hillsborough, NC last week. My performance / interview on Pass The Hat is now available online…
whupfm.org/episode/pass-the-hat-101918-permanent-archive
The Velvet Underground
Before my gig in Jersey City last night, I went to a new exhibit in New York City called The Velvet Underground Experience. It was awesome! The name says it all, but you can find out more at velvetunderground-experience.com
I’m still going through all the photos I took, so I’ll post more soon.
Tour update #2
Last week was busy with drives from North Carolina to Virginia to New York and back to North Carolina. Everything went smoothly, and now I’m on my way back up the east coast for gigs in NJ, NY, OH, DC, and AL. Check the SHOWS page for details. I had the pleasure of returning to WHUP in Hillsborough, NC on Friday October 19th. Audio archive (and videos) coming soon.
WHUP Pass the Hat
Dia:Beacon
I played two shows in New York on Thursday, and also made time to visit one of my favorite places on earth. Here are a few highlights from my afternoon at Dia:Beacon.
Walter De Maria
Dan Flavin
François Morellet