It's been a long time since I released one of these--eight months to be precise, which is the longest gap between volumes since I began this project! It didn't feel nearly that long to me, as I was sure I had been steadily recording improvisations since September last year, but looking at the dates there's a significant gap between 301, recorded in December of 2019, and 302, which I made in March this year.

Summer was dark: our country caught fire and thousands of homes were destroyed, millions of hectares of bush burned, and countless animals were killed. In my home of Melbourne I was not directly threatened by this catastrophe, but I was stunned, sad and scared. My friends and I passed through some bushfire affected areas returning from a (possibly ill-advised) New Year's holiday to the south coast of New South Wales, but we were never in real danger, and have lost nothing. I am humbled by the thought of all the people affected by nature's chaotic and violent reaction to capitalism's insatiable appetite for unmitigated economic growth, and hopeful that at the very least this can be a lesson to our leaders on the damage caused by callous and careless climate policy.

Then barely had the fires burned out, a new virus began steadily spreading over the globe, and in the space of a few weeks, changed all of our lives. By contrast with the fires, this is no far-off horror show that can be tuned out of if one chooses. The impact of this virus and the physical-distancing that has to occur to manage it, is felt by everyone. The entire live music industry in this country was frozen in a matter of days, leaving many bereft of work. I'm feeling grateful that I can continue to teach through video-conferencing.

2020 has completely shaken up the world I live in. Everything feels a little stranger and more unpredictable. But there is joy and wonder still, of course, of course, as there will be, always and forever.

I am not here to attempt to express the tumult of emotions the world is feeling. But this project is a musical diary, and music does not happen in a vacuum. I didn't record an improvisation for three months of this year because I was not feeling calm or particularly happy. I am still worried about the world and concerned for its tenants, but I am glad to have finished this volume now, and to be returning to this creative process. In the last few weeks I have been enjoying my musical practice as much or more than I ever have in my life. It has given me a ground in my shook soul for which I am very grateful. Art reminds me that life is beautiful, and practice helps me to see and hear and feel beauty everywhere. To me, art is beauty is life is art.

I sincerely hope you are well, healthy and whole, in good company, and with some good activity to ground you. If the music on this album can bring you some joy or peace, I will be very happy!