Current projects and probable releases in 2013...

I severely injured my pointer finger on my fret hand almost a year ago.  As most guitarists know, without this finger available, it is virtually impossible to play guitar (worth a damn, anyway).  I'm finally at a point where I can play guitar and enjoy it again.  The finger will probably never return to its "stock form" from the factory, but nonetheless, slight variations of tunings and altered hand positioning will prevail.  So... more guitar in 2013!!!

A work due out this year is called Ian Naismith Quirk-tet "Quark" and I've enlisted some incredible players for this project...I can't wait... It will be free-form fusion improv in the spirit of wonderful 70's/80's recordings from players like Terje Rypdal, David Torn, Al DiMeola, Jeff Beck, Allan Holdsworth, Bill Connors, etc.  melded with major strangeness from the possible future.  You know how it is, when you hear music that sticks with you - it sticks, and this project is in honor of all of those influences...

Another recording that has begun (yet to be titled) is a journey back to India & Tibet.  It will be a follow up to Mankiala Stupa Aura from 2011.  I love all things Indian - the food, the music, the vibe, etc.  When I think of Tibet, I think of spiritual...  When I think of both, I think of exotic/erotic/otherworldly.  This recording has all sorts of indian instruments, field recordings, tibetan bells, gongs, and bowls.

A follow up to Jupiteroctopi in the ethnoambient vein has already been started.  Entitled Planeta Rojo, it focuses on more latin percussion and rhythms with electric guitars, etc.  Not like Sergio Mendes, but more like heavy Brazilian samba, Marc Anderson (Steve Tibbetts) mutated samples, mid-90's Sepultura vibe (without Max vocals)...you get the picture... Of course, weirdness will seep in as needed.

Dreamdrones - which was originally started in 2011, then shelved for a bit, should be finished.  It is very heavily layered glissando guitars with nods of appreciation to Steve Hillage, Daevid Allen, Sid Barrett and Robert Fripp.  It is a request from my wife to put out something very spacey without percussion.  What better than spacey glissando guitar?

Of course, all of this could change.................................................