The Nearest Exit May Be Inside You
$4.00 - $16.00
The Nearest Exit May Be Inside You
$4.00 - $16.00
In 2016, Tom Asselin put all of his belongings into a shipping container. After Dragon Turtle’s Distances was released, all of his east coast musical endeavors slowly came to a close. He set out on an adventure with no end goal and no end date to visit intentional communities across the country, looking to experience alternate ways to exist.
Tom noted, “While visiting intentional communities I quickly learned that I have a limited view of interpersonal communications and how I want to walk through the world. I also quickly learned that I’m a lousy farmer.”
The trip ultimately ended in Eugene, Oregon, where he joined a small community. He looked forward to living cooperatively within a group. The house had animals, a garden, and a sweet piano. Sharing a pantry and cooking responsibilities seemed dreamy.”
The dream quickly faded. Intentions are intentions, egos are egos and people be people. Tom moved across town into multiple situations as short term leases led to rent increases. That is where the namesake of this project was born. Shifting Harbor means home is wherever you land, even if you have to turn inward.
The Nearest Exit May Be Inside You was recorded during this time and released in January of 2020. It’s an album of being present with observation, and the body’s response. It’s a meditation of drifting to the moon and to the bottom of the ocean. The album has a sense of quietness, movement, and uncertainty, yet somehow there is an overall feeling of peace. The cover art is an homage to the book, The Art and Practice of Astral Projection by Ophiel. The book was gifted to Tom by a stranger at their yard sale in Eugene. Tom sent a picture of the book to Eric Alan for inspiration. In minutes, Eric sent one of his photos of Brice Creek for the cover. This album is a DIY effort captured in the spaces between here and there with whatever elements were present. Tom printed, cut, and assembled the jackets for the vinyl at a sign factory, where he worked.
All sounds, recording, mixing, mastering, layout and design by Tom Asselin
Cover Photo: Eric Alan
released January 31, 2020