Nestled in the hills of western Massachusetts, The Mighty Albert is where small groups of people can gather to study, think, practice, and create in a fun and intimate setting.  And from March 11-13, 2011, Peter will host a guitar & songwriting workshop at The Mighty Albert.   The weekend will be an opportunity to spend time with Peter, his songs, and his guitar. Peter will begin the weekend by examining a handful of his own songs; playing and then deconstructing them to illustrate the moving parts, pistons, gears and mice on little wheels. Then, for the bulk of the workshop, the focus will be on the participants’ own songs (including that disassembling process – so be ready!). From there, Peter will cover various techniques: “alternate tunings as inspiration,” “single string theory for intuitive play,” “use of the back of the notebook as the back of the mind,” etc. All the techniques are brought back inevitably to each student’s own composing process.

Accomodations are at gorgeous New England inns with specially prepared meals included.

For more information or to register, visit www.mightyalbert.com

(Click posters to see bigger.)

From Peter:  Next Wednesday, April 14, I’ll be singing the part of Tom Waits as the LPs play Tom Waits “Rain Dogs” in its entirety at the Rendezvous in Turners Falls.  “Rain Dogs” is a record that, like Shakespeare’s plays, speaks for itself.  As a performer, you just learn your parts, hit your marks, and go.

Then, for the next two days, I’ll be singing the part of Orpheus in Anais Mitchell’s folk opera “Hadestown” at Club Passim in Cambridge.  The other roles (Eurydice, Hades, Persephone, Hermes, the Fates…) will be sung by some of my all-time compatriots and heroes: Tim Gearan, Kris Delmhorst, Rose Polenzani, Anais, and others… and there’ll be a small chamber orchestra providing the music.  This is deep, rich stuff: these days, who couldn’t use a little catharsis?

To top it all off, on Saturday I get to be Tom Waits again, as we re-assemble the Skinny Millionaires (otherwise known as the LP’s, plus Kosher Ham) to perform “Rain Dogs” twice, at 8:30 and 10:30, at Atwood’s Tavern.

Phew.

More info on the tour page.

Once again, Peter’s friend Damian is traveling with him in Alaska and keeping a blog of the tour.
Check it out at www.eldamian.net

Follow Peter on the road as he bicycled 1100 miles, from Grand Rapids, MI to Northampton, MA on The Long Haul Tour, September 9 – 26. Daily blog with video postings courtesy of Peter’s friend Kathy Wittman.

Read the blog here.

ALSO, hear radio interviews with Peter on:

• The Bob Edwards Show (XM & Sirius)
• WRSI (Northampton, MA)
• WBFO (Buffalo, NY)

Or read articles about the tour from:

• The Associated Press
• The Boston Herald
• The Daily Hampshire Gazette
• The Saratogian
• The UBuffalo Spectrum
• The Battle Creek Enquirer
• AnnArbor.com

“I like making records,” reflects Peter, “this discs is actually more like a live show than any record I have made.” On Letters From a Flying Machine, Mulvey’s articulate, inquisitive songcraft serves as a guide, leading the listener on a thoughtfully constructed journey in search of answers to some formidable existential questions and ending with, hopefully, a tiny but shining epiphany. “Through the songs and stories on this album, I’m trying to figure out what actually lasts a long time,: Mulvey explains. “So it is set up to listen all the way through to take this voyage. I want the listener to hear the end of the album differently than they heard the beginning. It’s a record that’s actually about something. This is an old human statement, I know, but when all else has crumbled, love is the only thing that is real.” His twelfth album, Letters From a Flying Machine heralded a drastic change in Mulvey’s process. Richly acoustic, with a hint of rustic clatter befitting the album’s themes of antiquity, obsolescence, and progress, Letters From a Flying Machine puts Mulvey’s nimble guitar front and center, framing it with contributions from several key associates. It’s also the first Mulvey album in over 10 years to feature spoken word pieces, a long time staple of his live performances.

Order the CD

Click here for an eCard that you can send to friends!

It’s no coincidence that Peter decided to expandhis bike tour – which commences less than a month after the release of his new CD, LETTERS FROM A FLYING MACHINE (August 11/Signature Sounds). LETTERS and THE LONG HAUL tour share a common theme: both are a nod to future generations. LETTERS is a collection of original songs, plus spoken word recordings of four of the many letters Peter has written to his nieces and nephews since they were born. The letters and songs work together to assert that love is what outlasts us all; a message he’s hoping to convey to the generations following his. And touring by bicycle dovetails neatly with that message. Says Mulvey, “No matter what you do, it’s worth asking yourself if you can do it differently, if you can do it more sustainably. Can I bike to work? Even if ‘work’ takes me a thousand miles? For me, that’s a question that’s been challenging and very, very fun to answer. And it’s a question each of us owes it to future generations to ask.”

Fellow songwriter Brianna Lane will also travel the entire tour by bicycle as the opening act. Bolstered on much of the route by a few other cyclist friends, Mulvey and Lane will travel with all their gear, without a support vehicle. “This is going to be a riot,” says Mulvey with a grin. “Traveling over land, under our own power – that’s elemental stuff. I’m looking forward to seeing what it does to the songs every night.”

Please visit Peter’s MySpace page for training entries, video from his 2007 and 2008 bike tours, and notes from the road once the trip begins. Peter is available by phone (or in person, pending availability) upon request.

THE LONG HAUL BIKE TOUR (w/ mileage to show) :: Brianna Lane will bike to and open all shows.

Wed, Sept 9: Wealthy Theatre 1130 Wealthy SE, Grand Rapids, MI =40 miles
8:00 PM ~ $10-$16 ~ 616-459-4788 ~ All Ages

Thu, Sept 10: The Strutt 773 W. Michigan Ave., Kalamazoo, MI =50 miles
9:00 PM ~ $10 ~ 269-492-7200 ~ 21+

Fri, Sept 11: The Creole Gallery 1218 Turner St., Lansing, MI =76miles
$12 ~ stpconcerts@gmail.com ~ All Ages

Sat, Sept 12: The Ark 316 S. Main St., Ann Arbor, MI =65miles
8:00 PM ~ $14 ~ 734-761-1451 ~ All Ages

Tue, Sept 15: The Ninth Ward/Babeville 341 Delaware Ave., Buffalo, NY =305 miles
8:00 PM ~ $8 ~ 888-223-6000 ~ All Ages

Fri, Sept 18: Nifkin Lounge SUNY-Marshall Hall, Syracuse, NY =152miles
7:00 PM ~ open to SUNY campus community only

Sun, Sept 20: Caffe Lena 47 Phila St., Saratoga Springs, NY =141miles
7:00 PM ~ $14 mbr/$16ga ~ 800-838-3006 ~ All Ages

Thu, Sept 24: Lizard Lounge 1667 Massachusetts Ave., Cambridge, MA =171miles
8:00 PM ~ $15adv/$18dr ~ 617-547-0759 ~ All Ages

Fri, Sept 25: Club Passim 47 Palmer St., Cambridge, MA
7:00 & 10:00 PM ~ $18mbr/$20ga ~ 617-492-7679 ~ All Ages

Sat, Sept 26: Iron Horse Music Hall 20 Center St., Northampton, MA = 101miles
7:00 PM ~ $14adv/$17dr ~ 413-586-8686 ~ All Ages

Click here to view the embedded video.

A Better Way to Go:

Click here to view the embedded video.

Thank you to Tim Jackson for the clips.

Check it out at www.eldamian.net