Poetry and music at Bacchus Books

A man that wears many hats has added ‘recording artist’ to his list of credentials.

Caleb Moss, business owner, councillor and artist, has recently finished a spoken word poetry CD that includes the Cello stylings of his father, Jeff Moss.

‘The Woodshop Sessions’, with Caleb and Jeff Moss, is a compilation of Moss’s spoken word poetry put to the cello compositions of his father. He plans to have a CD release party at Bacchus Books next week.

“This is the launching of the world tour, or the conclusion,” he says laughing.

Along with an arts grant and an in-kind donation of studio time from an old friend, Moss was able to realize the project. He recorded the CD on the coast at The Woodshop Recording Studio, where the name for the CD was inspired. The artwork and design of the CD was done by Dave Best, of Best Impressions.

Moss jokingly says that the listener can expect to hear a whole bunch of words, but on a more serious note he explains that the CD is a combination of poetry that is political and personal and is very much rooted in Moss’s sense of place.

“That includes my place in this environment, in the community and my self. There are also some global ramblings.”

Listeners will also hear the cello stylings of Moss’s father Jeff, who filled the CD with his own compositions, with the exception of the track, “Cello Bacchanalia #6”.

Moss said the decision to put his words to his father’s music came out of their father-son jam sessions.

“I have also been writing performance poetry for the past seven years and this was a fun way for us to hang out and have fun, with my words and his music.”

Moss is no stranger to performing as he and his father have done shows around the province and around town over the years. He said the CD was the next natural progression with regards to his poetry.

“It’s easy to write poems that sit in a folder, but it’s a different process coming up with the finished product. This was for personal posterity,” he says, joking, “Basically, now I’m like Bono.”

When queried about how he is inspired to write, Moss said that his process is fairly organic.

“When I start, I write until I stop. Then I edit the piece. When I want to concisely write, I must think about it, experience it and read about it. Then I sit down and normally write the whole thing in one sitting. It takes a whole lot of personal time, not a whole lot of pen time.”

The compilation of tracks is made up of pieces Moss has written over the last six years.

“These pieces are not telling a story, so much as they’re providing an experience. Mine, yours and ours.”

With regards to musical accompaniment, Moss says that in writing, there is often a rhythm to the words.

“I listen to the beat in the words and then to the beat in the music, that ends up getting translated to the performance. It (spoken word poetry) is meant to be listened to and felt.”

Moss says that the completed CD is part of one of his long-term goals. He would also like to publish a book of his poetry.

“First we’ll take Golden, then we’ll take Berlin,” he says smiling.

‘The Woodshop Sessions’ will be available at Bacchus Books and other locations around Golden, to be announced. The CD Release party will be held at Bacchus Books on Friday, October 30 at 8 p.m.

There are limited tickets available and they are on sale now at Bacchus Books. Cost is $15 per ticket and CDs will be available for purchase at the release party for $15.

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