Author: Drake Oranwood

Drake Oranwood (Eric Schrager) is a singer, songwriter, producer, lutenist, and medieval enthusiast who brings modern sensibilities to original songs set long ago and far away.

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recording

Studio Day: Homecoming

Something something too quiet around here. Broke through some of my resistance today, with the help of Dave Lambert and his ever reliable guitar skills. First real opportunity to inaugurate the new home studio in Park Ridge. We got to do our first pass at “Homecoming”.

Now, my vocals here are very rough, basically two half-takes, just as guide vocals. But I wanted to share some proof of life and art, and I really am pleased with this song and wanted to give people a chance to hear it while I get back to work on the album.

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bardic Pennsic songwriting video

New song: Homecoming

We just got back from Pennsic (and boy is our everything tired). We’re extremely happy with our decision to only go for peace week this year and manage our risks. More about that later.

While I was at war, I debuted my newest song, “Homecoming”, which I finished last Friday, just in time for Pennsic. I was able to share it at a couple of bardic circles and a number of private performances for friends and chosen family.

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Pennsic

Packing for Pennsic 49

I haven’t posted about Pennsic. (To be fair, I haven’t posted anything here for a while.) I haven’t quite had the energy or focus to get my hopes up, and haven’t wanted to think about it too much.

But as of now, I’m on vacation, so we’re packing today. We should be onsite tomorrow.

We’re just doing Peace Week this year, so no concert. We’re planning to keep it as relaxed, laid back, and safe as we can.

I will be teaching “The New Bard’s Road Map” next Friday (August 5) at 11 am, in A&S 9, before we leave site.

Starting to feel the anticipation build. For those who will be there for the first week…I hope to see you there.

Categories
bardic SCAatHome teaching video

New Class: Developing Stage Presence

And 5 weeks later…another new class! This one is titled “Developing Stage Presence as a Bard”, and I remembered to get a recording of it! This was a lively class with lots of interaction, which I really enjoyed.

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bardic filk songwriting teaching

New Class: Pleasures & Perils of Making Filk

Hi all! I had the chance to teach my first new class in a long time: “The Pleasures & Perils of Making Filk”. I had a lot of fun, and it was well-attended. Eventually, I’ll have to see what I can do about teaching it again and getting that recorded, but in the meantime, feel free to check out the class notes.

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bardic filk SCA video

Maria’s Elevation (Bergental/BBM Yule & New Filk)

Saturday, Jess and I attended the Yule event for the Baronies of Bergental and Beyond the Mountain. It was a lovely chance to get to see people one last time before we pack it in on SCA events for the winter (and the corresponding COVID surge, which of course is already on the rise). We were primarily there so I could deliver a commission:

Continue reading “Maria’s Elevation (Bergental/BBM Yule & New Filk)”
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A&S Journey general SCA

Order of the Maunche (100 Minutes War)

On Saturday, my family and I attended our first SCA event since the summer: Hundred Minutes War (and EK Novice Day), a fighting event sponsored by our local Shire of Rusted Woodlands. It was a fuller “family” contingent than usual: both of my teachers, Peregrine and Toki, joined us (the three of us have never been in the same place at the same time the whole while that we have been formally working together), as well as some of our Caer Cinniuint family, including the illustrious Rowan de la Garnison (who, along with her fellow matriarch Meirwen uerch Owein, had recently invited me officially to join my wife’s household).

It turned out they, along with some other dear friends, were there for a reason beyond the glorious late-fall day of fighting, or the several vigils and elevations that were scheduled. During court, their Majesties Ioannes and Honig called forth the Order of the Maunche. His Majesty Ioannes explained to the assembled populace that the Order was in fact short its full complement as he wandered into the aisle, and stopped in front of me with a mischievous grin.

For context, this is the highest Arts & Sciences award the East Kingdom offers short of a Peerage.

Continue reading “Order of the Maunche (100 Minutes War)”
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SCA

The Ravager of Rhapsody (Bjorn’s Retreat)

Last weekend was Bjorn’s Retreat, my first in-person event since the pandemic began last year (and the kingdom’s first except for Crown Tourney last month). While we were all masked even outdoors (thank you, your Majesties, for your laudable caution and concern for the health of the populace), it was still delightful to be at an event with my family, and get to see so many old friends in the flesh.

Continue reading “The Ravager of Rhapsody (Bjorn’s Retreat)”
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A&S Journey lute SCAatHome video

Summer Project: Video #3

This is the third video in my summer series, “An Elizabethan Afternoon”: Thomas Campion’s “I care not for these ladies”. (CW: The author compares women based on how “easy” versus “high maintenance” they are.)

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A&S Journey SCAatHome video

Summer Project: Video #2

Here is the second Elizabethan Afternoon video: “The Binding of Isaac”.