I live 20 minutes from there, play there, and have been on the brewery tour.

My actual residence is currently in Pleasant Valley, but our address is Eau Claire.

Either way, Megan and I live in the beautiful and welcoming Chippewa Valley where the Chippewa River and the Eau Claire River run into each other... and there are more lakes than Minnesota.

While walking down the bike path along Route 93 one afternoon, I was missing my hometown. As I strolled and admired the beauty around me, a couple strangers walked by and said hello. I've become accustomed to this, even having met a guy wearing a Phil Circle t-shirt, an elderly woman walking with the help of her stroller and having many little conversations about the weather or the smell of the manure spreader on the corn and soybean fields along the path. The folks at The Corner Store all know me by name, several even have my CD.

There's a great quality of life here. On this previously referenced walk, I realized how lucky I am to be here and experience such a wonderful welcome from all that I've met. As the clouds dispersed, I began writing a song in my head and promptly returned home to set it to paper.

YOU CAN LISTEN TO IT AND DOWNLOAD IT FOR FREE HERE ON MY WEBSITE, JUST CLICK HERE.

I want to thank the local music scene for taking me under their wing. There really is great talent here in the likes of Jeff White, Lucas Fischer, John Nielson, Sue Orfield, Dave Power of Meridene, and Evan Middlesworth, who recorded and played the guitar solo and drums on this latest song "Living In The Chippewa Valley."

Thanks to all the fantastic folks who've welcomed Megan and I to this beautiful part of the country.

Here's video from The Volume One Sounds Like Summer Concert Series in Phoenix Park, Eau Claire:

            While perusing my Facebook Fan Page statistics to get some sense of who listens to my music, I found that the two largest groups (sorted by gender) were men in my age group (I’m 45 and thanks if you think I look younger, and yes, my photos are current), and women in the age group of my best friend and life partner Megan (she’s 27). I wondered why this might be. I mean it makes perfect sense that guys my age, many of them long time friends, would enjoy my music. We grew up the same styles that influence me. The younger female crowd is certainly not there because I’m part of the styles they grew up on. I thought that maybe it was do to with Megan being a part of my life, inspiration for many of my songs, and that she shows up in the photos. Are there young women aspiring to her career in modeling, acting and music that look to her for a role model? “How do we get to work in these mediums? How do we get to where she is?” Then it hit me…

            While it’s no doubt a beneficial exercise from a marketing standpoint to understand your audience, I laughed to myself (I do this often, along with having conversations with myself) as I reflected. When did it become so important in the emotionally disconnected world of the web to be popular? Is everybody looking for fame? What happened to fulfillment?

            Needless to say (but here I go anyway), we human beings require affirmation from our friends, family, work associates, fans, and media (if we’re in financial need of them). Well, unless you’re a sociopath or megalomaniac. When I’m having a bad day, full of doubt, full of question as to my human identity and what future I have, Megan always gives me perspective… one of many reasons that I’m marrying her. She’ll remind me that I’ve been very fortunate. I make a living in music—teaching, writing, recording, performing; I’ve received nothing but positive reviews, save a focus group of musicians… we’re all notorious for panning anything but ourselves. How many musicians does it take to change a light bulb? One. He holds the bulb and the world revolves around him.

            I do the same for my sweetheart when she’s on a bad spin out. It’s what we all do for each other. I hope. What is your life truly about? Something to ponder, but I’ll be presumptuous and throw a couple ideas out there. I would start with happiness… we all desire it. But what is it? Another ponderable. So, I’ll go with one thing people seem to miss. You know those days when your boss is a jerk and the day is full of one insurmountable obstacle after another? How about when you’ve been sick for a week with some disgusting pukey and shitty illness? Ever overcome tremendous adversity? I think we’ve all been through all of these things. Ask yourself some questions. How did you feel after it was over? How did it change your perspective on your own life? Did you end up saying, “Enough of this bullshit, I’m going to finally pursue my dream of (place dream here).” And when you find your niche, when you discover the thing that you really can’t stand not to do… here is happiness, even on the crappy days, weeks, month, years. You found fulfillment.

            I had a horrible couple of months earlier this year when I lost five people in as many weeks, while watching several close friends and family also struggle with incredible hardship. I made it through, as always. As I saw myself move past all of this, I went to the studio and recorded a song by Tom Waits that I always felt was a deep reminder of the importance of not slacking off in life, of not being afraid to love, that there is only so much Time to live a valuable life, to create value in life.

            I guess what I’m saying is, who gives a fuck how many fans you have on MySpace, Facebook, Reverbnation, and the like (save your promoter or agent, maybe your pocketbook), remember why we’re here, whatever it is you do.

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I've been pretty busy teaching, grabbing up more students, booking and promoting, and yes...

practicing.

I've written some new material, worked out many new covers (in my own fashion, as one should), and keep finding new venues willing to bring my unique approach to their stages. By unique, I mean that I'm not a parrot of others' music, even when I cover them. We can always grab a download or CD for that. I make a genuine point of choosing music on the simple (you'd think, but not always) concept, that if it moves you, you make it your own.

Last month, while in Chicago, I played a couple shows, lost my exhaust system and replaced it when I had hoped to be at a Cubs game (guess my car is a Sox fan?). After this, I went to the studio and recorded with George Belle again. This time, we did the classic Tom Waits tune "Time." It occurred to me to do this tune while surfing videos and recalling my college days, when a teacher of mine had me perform it for a school performance. I hope you like it. It's amongst "Da Coverz" here on the site (click the "Music" page) and you can have it for free, for now. In fact, all my covers are currently free.

I kinda pride myself in covering tunes my own way, even as I do end up doing some close to the original. Bottom line? If it moves me, I do it. I could care less if it's a Madonna tune... if it moves me, I do it. Or, in the words of the great American composer Duke Ellington... if it sounds good, it is good.

Hope to see you soon.

Peace.

-Phil

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Spring has sprung here in my current home of Eau Claire, Wisconsin.

I've been busy teaching a whole slew of new students, playing shows here in the lovely Chippewa Valley on a weekly basis, did a fundraiser for scholarships at Eau Claire Music School, and on less cheery notes, lost family and friends in close proximity these last few weeks. These are the times for which we have music... good and bad.

We celebrate all the times in our life through music. So celebrate. See or hear you soon, I hope.

P.S. Happy birthday to my brother Eric yesterday and to the late Bob Circle, were he alive, today.

First off, I hope you'll take a quick look over my last blog here and participate.

Now, on to what's next...

I'd love to have some great big news to end the year about a CD release and tons of radio play, but I've released three CDs in the last 15 months, receive regular play and am still waiting for the dreaded bad review, so I guess I'm par for the course. Am I bragging? Am I living up to the hot air that gives my ole home town it's nickname of The Windy City? Nah... I'm leading into why I'm deeply appreciative for these last 15 months or so, basically 2010 and the lead in to it.

It's been a rough year for a lot of people, the economy being just one source of trouble for folks. From my end of things, the first bit to go is entertainment and extracurriculars. Everyone goes out less and if they were doing anything like take lessons, they drop that, too. Without dropping numbers, suffice it to say that I made quite a bit more money just a few years ago than I do now. Add to these problems, my various health issues and lack of insurance, a move to a new town and the culture shock, it may be that I would be inclined to pitch a bitch about things. Well, I guess I do piss and moan a bit here and there. Ultimately, however, I can look over this year and realize the tremendous good fortune I have. My sweetheart Megan and I have never been on the street. We've been amazed at how life can turn in one's favor just when we wonder how we'll make it.

I honestly don't know how I've made it through life so far. There've been so many times I should've hit the wall and walked away unscathed. I've been offered death sentences and dark predictions and stand alive and strong. I waited twenty years to find the love of my life, my best friend and future wife. I'm smiling as I write this, not pouting or whining. I realize how fortunate a man I am. I would trade nothing and look forward to spending the rest of my life in the creative arts, exploring new ideas, new mediums, new methods, meeting new people, having new experiences.

Every day is a gift, even if it doesn't feel like it. My Dad, Bob Circle put it well and I quote him constantly:

"Son, life is a sonofabitch... if you can live with that, it'll be great."

True dat, Pops.

Hope you all have a fantastic holiday season, and once more, please read the post below this one, too. I'll see you in 2011 and let's all make it historic... individually and worldwide.

Peace

I'm not a huge fan of the holidays for a few reasons, some personal shit I should get over, and one in particular being that we should all be maintaining a spirit of generosity year round. As far as the various religious holidays and the solstice that folks celebrate, go do so! But let's not allow it to become a great big excuse to over shop our credit cards and line our shelves with more stuff we may not need. Love thy neighbor doesn't mean give them another Blue Ray player... try helping them some other way and when they need it. When I get to my little year end run down on here, you're going to read words of the deepest appreciation for all so many have done for me. So, let's start with this idea I have... give something of meaning to someone who needs it and someone who doesn't.

Let me help.

For everyone who sends me proof of a donation they've made to any organization or individual, whether it be in the form of cash or an item of need, whatever the reason, I'll send you a copy of one of my CDs. What's proof entail? You figure it out. Do I care why the cash or item is needed? No. You decided the person or organization was in need and deserved it. Act on it. Is there a minimum? Well, $1 to the local homeless guy is probably pushing it, but $10 certainly wouldn't be.

If this goes well, in that I'm impressed by the results, I'll consider taking it past the holiday season.

Let's see how the gift of music can motivate.

And for those who are looking for basic traditional gifts, I've lowered all my prices on CDBaby.

Send someone to my guest book here and tell them they can have a free mp3 of their choice when they join my list!

Peace, love, music, and here's to the eternal holiday!

Sincerely, Phil

p.s., I encourage others to try this through their own work, in some way. If you do so, tell me about it and I'll spread the word through my various promotions as well.

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Here are some suggestions for donations, if you'd like to support some of my favorites:

American Cancer Society. My Dad passed from it.

Chippewa Valley Free Clinic. I go there, as many here do.

Community Television in Eau Claire. They support the arts. So do you and I.

Thanksgiving will be three months I've resided here. There's so much I like about this north country and her people. There's so much I'm still getting used to. There's so much and many I miss back in Chicago and from the roads traveled all these years.

I've also been visiting doctors way more than I'd like--as if anyone likes it at all--the past year and especially the past two months. Fortunately, I've found the best care here. It must be the cooler air and slower pace--and the Mayo Clinic. Although, I follow up through the free clinic for the $180 prescriptions. A good bedside manner helps more than I thought as these local guys try to get to bottom of what's had me laid up or fighting hard to keep going for much longer than I've admitted to anybody. Let's hope this current round of treatments knocks my health back to where I like it... good, well behaved, easily managed and easily pushed to the extremes that I've always thrived on.

I just worked out a new version (for me) of "The Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald" to perform at Saturday's show in the little town of Bloomer here in the vast and beautiful Chippewa valley. I'm listing upcoming shows below, but please always check my calendar for show dates and their outcomes, and my music page for new downloads. I just put two new ones up in the "Live Covers" section, recorded this last Friday.

"The legend lives on from the Chippewa on down..."

Well, after putting 8000 miles on The Little Blue Honda, covering 31 cities in 21 states, I'm settled into a house just outside Eau Claire, Wisconsin, where I look off the back deck into the north woods. I've made myself available to The Eau Claire Music School, where I'm teaching private lessons and will be conducting an October 10th indie musician's workshop. I'm booked in gigs throughout Wisconsin and am working diligently on the next leg of touring while Megan works on more editing for the many hours of video we gathered on this last tour.

In the meantime, here's a video from Chicago, of me performing a cover from way back.

And visit my music page here and you'll find that I'm regularly adding more music, some for FREE downloads.

I'm also continuing to gather my thoughts and memories of touring and performing to compile a series of writings, some of which will appear on my blog. Maybe a book in the making? Thoughts?

Spread the word! I'm loading today's news blog with links to pages I'm on where you can read and write reviews, find resources if you're a fellow artist, check out other independent music, and more!

Share this page!

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Here's a video provided by The Talent Loop from my show at Betsy's Bar in Austin.

  To support on going independent music and for me to keep providing free downloads. ;)

I've set up an online store with merchandise other than music--t-shirts, mugs and the like. What I really like about this online store is that it provides you with the ability to customize various aspects of the merchandise. For instance, I've always wanted to provide more colors than black or white with t-shirts, but it's not practical from a budget and storage standpoint. But the site that provides these items manufactures each piece as it's ordered. So, if you want a blue t-shirt instead of black, or would like to change the picture on your beer stein, you can!

You can have a look at the store on my "Buy Stuff" page or just click here.

It'll open in a new window, so you can easily navigate back here.

If you have an idea for a new t-shirt or would like something specific emblazoned on yours, let me know. I'd be happy to design it and place it in the store--got a picture of you and I at my show? Put it on a shirt!

As for the on going saga known as The Little Blue Honda Tour; we've come to a long break. Originally, the plan was to settle in Austin, Texas. Circumstances changed. That's on hold. What is not on hold, however, is going through the countless pictures and videos, as well as written entries about the trip. We hit 31 cities in 21 states, through three time zones, covering a total of 7,949 miles. That's literally the equivalent of driving from Chicago to London and back! All the people we met along the way, all the shows I played, the places we saw and experiences that grew from it all--this makes for one hell of a story and the tricks for cheap travel when touring are vast. I'm in the process of compiling everything to present at an event in Chicago in the next month or so. But never fear! If you aren't in Chicago, we're looking at a live webcast of the event. Not quite as good as the real thing, but it'll get things across.

Remember that your comments are welcome here. Not only do I have this section for the latest news, there's also the blog page that connects to my OpenSalon page directly. Wherever you find me online, I really do welcome the interaction, so give up your opinions--of my music, my stories, a recent blog--it's appreciated.

Here's a map I compiled of The Little Blue Honda Tour-Part One.

Yes, I'm laying in low in the north woods of Wisconsin planning the next chapter of this saga.

Highlights from Phil Circle In The Loop DVD from Phil Circle on Vimeo.

Watch for the next DVD, The Little Blue Honda Tour!

There will be clips to see on my YouTube and Vimeo sites soon!

Keep coming back here to check out new recordings and find out where I'm playing next.

Thanks!

-Phil

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