The Ice Palace

The Ice Palace- Cracked but Still Standing

With its majestic views of Mt Tsukuba, and its mountains of books and ethnic knick knacks,
my house in Tsukuba, the Ice Palace, is always an exciting place to visit.
It also reeks of TenGooz and Xenophonia history, as Ascelin Gordon, Tom Debor and I first jammed there
back　before September 11th.
Tengooz/Xenophonia classics such as Running, Infatuation, Kanashibari, Ofuro, Autophobia were all conceived of there and in fact some were recorded right in it Japanese ( TATAMI) room.

Last weeks earthquake left the old place looking as if a bomb hit it, on the inside and out! Inside the books cds and other memorabilia were scatters over the floor, while outside there were long cracks and fissures.

Fortunately however, city officials decided that there was still no danger of the beloved abode collapsing yet, so rest assured- more inspiration lies ahead for future songs.

Here is one of my favorites out of those we recorded in the house.
It features Ascelin Gordon on guitar and Ashish on tabla.
Enjoy Ananda:

http://www.jamendo.com/en/track/17121

Books thrown off the shelves by the great earthquake at Tsukuba's Central Library

The TenGooz are safe and sound- though others, less fortunate are not

Greeting TenGoophiles around the world! Thank you for the outpouring of concern regarding our welfare since the terrible events of March 11th ( the earthquake).
Fortunately, we are all unharmed ( though we were VERY inconvenienced!).
We are, however, very distraught about the situation of others, especially in Miyagi Prefecture where damage and casualties have been the worst.

I have written a detailed report of what it has been like here in Tsukuba which can be seen at TsukuBlog:

http://blog.alientimes.org/2011/03/tsukuba-and-everyone-in-it-greatly-shaken-up-by-strongest-earthquake-ever-recorded-in-this-area/

You can also read about my gall bladder surgery!

Once again, thanks for your concern

and hope to hear from you soon!

Stay grounded in the groove

Avi Landau