I’m happy to present to you my directorial debut. It’s a Beanpole Studios film starring the one and only Leif Larson (director of Piss Missile and co-star of Dr. Kickbutt-Kick Savin’ a Beauty). The film was based on a complex idea I developed on the way to Taco Bell with Leif and our esteemed friend Aaron Baer. Leif plumbs the depths of artistic expression in this, my vision. I hope you will receive it in the spirit in which it is offered.

love, Jeff

Just wanted to let you know, I’ll be playing a couple of shows in the Midwest this month. I’ll be at the Root Note in Lacrosse, WI on March 14th and Art Haus in Decorah, IA on March 27th. Also, I’ll be playing on Artist Direct on KDEC radio in Decorah on March 13th. Hope you’re all having a great spring (if that is indeed what this is). Today, I’m headed up to Oshkosh to hole up with Aaron Baer for some Jackson St. Polecat related mayhem. Hopefully you will all get to smell the fruits of our labors eventually. Looking forward to a sunny drive through the glory that is Wisconsin. Ahhhh….

p.s. Check out the gallery section of the website for some pictures i recently took of my friends’ chickens.

cheers, Jeff

Wanted to give a big thank you to all who came out to shows over this last tour (especially if i slept on your couch). It means a lot to me that you guys are interested in what I do. The shows ended up going well, with no car problems, no microphones knocked in my teeth, got to see lots of wonderful friends, and play with some fantastic musicians. Also played some very serious Boggle games with Gramma.

I’m getting started with a new solo recording project now, but in the meantime, here’s some of the fruits of the last couple months in video form.

First off, a very short film, directed by Leif Larson starring me and Aaron Baer from the Jackson Street Polecats…

Next, another Leif Larson film, “Piss Missile”.

A performance of my new song “Thimbleweed” at the tour kickoff show in NH.

And lastly, a quick video of a homemade baritone resonator guitar I built last week…

That’s it for now. Take care and keep in touch. Jeff

couple of venue changes for the tour. St.Anna show with Charlie Parr and the Floorbirds is now at the Tavern on Germaine in St. Cloud, MN (Dec 7 2:30PM). Also, the Jackson St. Polecats show scheduled for the New Moon in Oshkosh will now be at the Rock Island Cafe in Neenah at 7pm (thats where all the manhole covers come from. Neenah, not 7pm).

can’t wait to see everybody. all the best, jeff

I’ve got something important to share. Some of you may be aware that for the last several weeks I have been growing a beard. Perhaps “beard” is a little strong. We need to be real about this. For years, I have entertained the idea (some of you are all too familiar with this) that I would look good with a no-moustache style Amish-type beard (cast aside that very few Amish people look good this way).

This current “beard” was to be still no-mustache, but including the extended goatee and “soul-patch” areas, which left me free to shave only my upper lip and my two mole areas on my cheeks (which look like daddy longlegs spiders if left ungroomed). This was attractive to me because it was not much shaving work and potentially, very handsome-looking. Alas…

I’m going to go shave now and hopefully I’ll have the strength of will to wait another five years or so before attempting this again. Thanks for listening.

love, Jeff

Oh yes, and two Jackson Street Polecats shows are now on the books. For the full December tour schedule, go to “schedule”. Who would’ve thought?
Fri. Dec 12 at the Acoustic Cafe in Menomonie
and Sat. Dec 13 at the New Moon in Oshkosh
See you and your attractive beards at the shows!

It’s been a long time! I just came to the end of a very busy summer here in New Hampshire. Haven’t been playing shows, just concentrating on writing and practicing. Alas, it’s time to tour. I’ll be headed back home to the Midwest in December. Watch for new songs, some shows with Charlie Parr, some Jackson Street Polecats shows, maybe a show with Thea Ennen, and more surprises. I’ll send out a schedule when some more dates are on the books.

In the meantime, check out my new song Fall/Freeze/Fly in the video above. It’s still just a sketch, but it’s nice to have something new. Please let me know what you think. Really looking forward to seeing you all back home.

New Englanders, I’ll be hosting a concert at my studio in Water Village, NH on Sun. Sept. 28. Mr. Connor Garvey is the artist that evening. Check him out!
http://www.myspace.com/connorgarveysongs

More details soon on that. Keep in touch people…

Here’s a video for “Wires Of Webster” I recorded at my studio here in New Hampshire. Hope you’re all doing well.

best, Jeff
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Getting ready for ukulele night at Dos Amigos in Dover, NH on May 2nd. If you’re a uke person and want to play, get in touch with me ASAP! The show starts at 9pm. More details soon…

Here’s my first video for yins. I’m taking requests so don’t be shy… This one is “Cold Iron Bed” written by Jack Kelly & His South Memphis Jug Band. Check out the “stinkface” around 1:32.

take care, Jeff

Just got done failing to complete a 10-song album for the RPM Challenge (Record Production Month). It’s based out of New Hampshire. The idea is for folks all over the world to produce an entire album in the month of February. Check them out at…
http://www.rpmchallenge.com/

Anyhow, I wrote ten songs and recorded some entirely and got the bones of others on tape. Figured I’d share a couple of the fruits with you guys. One is called “Roots” and the other is “In Salt Air”. If you hate one, try the other, because they’re very different from one another.

Here they are…

Hope you’re all making it through the winter OK. We’ve been getting buried in snow like crazy out here. This is the kind of winter I’ve been dreaming of for a few years, even if it is a pain in the butt. Anyway, take good care of yourselves.

all the best, Jeff

Just got done with a new recording for you from the “assignments” series. It’s called Wires of Webster. It’s written in response to an assignment from my pal Steve. He played a bunch of the instruments on my album Batteries and Blankets. You might remember him from the mighty Oshkosh rock powerhouse The Willis, of perhaps as his current incarnation as Attack, Octopus. (both are on the “links” page)

Anyhow, Steve wanted me to write a song about the much beloved Oshkosh landmark, studio space, flophouse, etc. the Webster Building. It used to be a hotel, was converted to studio space for musicians and artists, then finally converted to apartments a couple years ago.

The song I wrote jumps off with a reference to “Webster’s Last Stand” a song by another fine Oshkosh band (that Steve has now weaseled his way into). “Wires of Webster” also fulfills one more assignment request. Amy wanted me to write a song about finding ways to make an unfamiliar place into something of a home. This song reflects some of the experiences I had with the incredibly generous folks who were renting studios at the Webster when I moved to Oshkosh and didn’t know anybody. They took me in and I sure am grateful. Give it a listen here…
http://music.lonesomegallery.com/

Getting ready to head back to Decorah, Iowa shortly. Can’t wait. I’ll be playing Chez Shack on Jan 25 and the Steyer Opera House on the 26th. Feel free to email me with any questions about tickets and such. See you soon.

all the best, Jeff

Thanks for stopping in. I’m currently snowed in at the imploded volcano where I make my home. Check it out…

Writing new stuff and hoping to put some live recordings up soon from my shows with Mark Powers out in Portland, OR. I’ll be seeing you Iowa people in late January for a couple of shows in Decorah. I’ll be at Chez Shack on the 25th and at the Steyer Opera House, opening for Pieta Brown and Bo Ramsey on the 26th. More details on that soon.

January 11th, I’ll be at Dos Amigos in Dover, NH with the one and only Justin Carloni. Until then, keep warm and I’ll look forward to seeing you.

all the best, Jeff

So the shows are on for Saturday and Sunday here in Oregon.
Saturday at Aunt Marys in Lincoln City and Sunday at Mississippi Pizza in Portland. Check my schedule for all the details.

Also, check out a brand new song I wrote with my friend Patrick O’Hagin. It’s called “Dirge in D Major”. I play the accordion and Patrick plays the violin. Here it is…
http://music.lonesomegallery.com/

One last thing, just got word that I’ll be playing a show in Decorah, IA on January 26th. I’ll probably book a few Midwest shows around that one. I’ll keep you posted.

Thanks so much for your support. Hope you all had a happy Thanksgiving.
take care, Jeff

Hope you’re all enjoying the fall. I am. Hiked up one of the mountains behind our place today and got to take in the fall colors all the Massachusetts people drive up here for. Lot’s of weird mushrooms popping up all over the place right now too.

Anyway, two pieces of music pertinent news…

1. I just put up a new song from the “assignment” series. It’s called “Hey Faust” and it was written on Evil Webmaster Faust’s chosen topic of pizza. Check it out and let me know what you think…

http://music.lonesomegallery.com/

2. I’m in the midst of booking some shows in the Portland, Oregon area over the Thanksgiving weekend. Here’s the shows so far…

Sat. Nov 24 (still a little tentative but almost for sure)
Aunt Mary’s
Lincoln City, OR
w/ Mark Powers

Sun. Nov 25 (set in stone)
9PM
Mississippi Pizza Pub
Portland, OR
First, Dan Groth (of Portland psych-rockers the Pink Snowflakes) will be reciting some of his poetry, while wearing a corduroy blazer. Next, it’s super-drummer Mark Powers with an as-yet undetermined solo percussion set. Then Mark and I will close the night out together.

I’ll keep you posted as I know more about those dates. Until then, make yourself a frozen pizza and sit down at the computer with someone you love.

take care, Jeff

OK. I got the first song from the “assignment” series done and posted on the net. Jaimie suggested a song on mass extinction might be timely (Tracy also brought up frogs as an indicator species) so here it is. The song’s called “Last Man Standing”.

http://music.lonesomegallery.com/

Thanks so much for all your ideas. Keep ‘em coming. This is very fun for me I hope it is for you too.

take care, Jeff

Thank you so much to all of you who came out to the shows on this last tour (even if you didn’t but wanted to). It was a great trip with lots of old friends. Now I’m back in New Hampshire and getting into the studio again. Been doing lots of drawing and improvising some music. However…

I could use some assignments. I always work well with assignments and sort of miss college sometimes for that reason. As members of the Jeff Mitchell E-mail Announcement List, you are officially being asked for ideas for Things to Write Songs About. Evil webmaster Faust has already got the ball rolling with a couple fine ideas..

1. Write a decent hymn for Unitarians (there is a perceived lack)
2. Write a song about pizza (also lacking)

You’ve got the idea. Anyway, take care of yourselves. See you soon, Jeff