‘Green Earth‘ ~ Friendship + Collaboration
Listen to “Green Earth” featuring Trombobby and check out my new album, Whatever You’re Feelin’, now on CD and streaming.
I first heard Trombobby play the trombone in 2015, shortly after I landed in Bulgaria.
It was my first time in Eastern Europe. I had flown there from Los Angeles (my home at the time) to perform with Bulgarian-born producer Gueorgui Linev aka Kan Wakan. The whole trip was kind of an excuse to get out of L.A. for a month and explore. With help from our friend and collaborator Ruth Koleva, we booked a show at a (literally underground) club called Mixtape5.
A rainy day on Graf Ignatiev Street, Sofia, Bulgaria, 2015
Orchestra on the sidewalk, Sofia, Bulgaria, 2015
On one of our first nights in town, we went looking for a band called DAYO, particularly their bassist and drummer, whom he had invited to join our ensemble for the Mixtape5 gig, at Ruth’s recommendation. We found ourselves somewhere in the middle of the Sofia’s largest park, Borisova Gradina, following steady streams of pedestrian concertgoers down unlit paths. As we got closer, thumping bass frequencies confirmed we were going in the right direction. We walked through the gates of the outdoor venue, Maimunarnika, to find DAYO beginning their set. I was an instant fan of their groove and vibe, and leading the charge was Trombobby, ripping trombone solos through funky hip hop beats played by the band. I had no idea that Trombobby and I would eventually become friends and collaborators.
After a week of long rehearsals and more than a few beers in the public gardens, Evden (the bassist), Vassil (the drummer), and I quickly became friends. Through their hospitality, I quickly fell in love with the city and the culture, hiking Vitosha mountain, devouring juicy tomato salads smothered with feta, jamming on the steps of the national theatre, and making new friends at every turn. As we got to know each other better, I scheduled a session with the DAYO guys to collaborate on a new recording. It was my first time really hanging out with Trombobby, who led the way as the main producer in a band of producers. This effortless creative process resulted in our first release together, a song about climate change called Rescue.
Making beats with Bobby and Evden in the DAYO apartment, 2016
These good vibes compelled me to return to Sofia for six consecutive years to write, perform, and collaborate with my new Bulgarian brothers. We released two more DAYO X SAÍGO collabs, the surveillance-state-themed “How Can You Hide” and “Thieves”, featuring the late, great Fernando Das Neves. We played all over the country, making regular summer visits to the Black Sea to play by the beach (and eat lots of seafood). They showed me their hometowns, introducing me to Bulgarian traditions, customs, and flavors that have stayed with me ever since.
Performing with Trombobby performing at the KvARTal festival in 2018
Late last year, we released an EP of adventurous neo-soul tunes which we released under the band name Android Ethics. Over the years, Bobby and I honed a relaxed, seamless practice of collaborative songwriting, composition, and production, developing our workflow alongside our friendship.
Filling up with Vassil, on our way to the seaside for a gig in 2016
For my debut solo LP, I made 12 demos and allowed the songs to request their own playmates from my subconscious. On “Green Earth”, my intuition directed me to invite Bobby to record a trombone solo, knowing he would contribute his taste as a producer in addition to his mastery as an instrumentalist. I was ecstatic to receive his contribution from a distance as I neared the end of album production in São Paulo. I admire his solo on Green Earth for the same reasons I admire the artistry in all of his work; he is a sonic archer who pierces the heart with tone, groove, and fearless authenticity. It’s my pleasure to introduce you the latest result of our collaborative friendship.