my negative presence

The first album of the 'kidneys optional' music project. Drawing on influences ranging from barrelhouse blues, jump blues, boogie woogie and old-skool WaxTrax-era industrial, the album weaves a rich tapestry of piano-based instrumentals that evoke a bygone era while updating it for the 21st century.

i’m not vain enough to think i can contribute meaningfully.

or good enough to offer originality.

or confident enough to provide entertainment.

at best, i’m a negative zero.

which — honestly — i’m better suited for than the alternatives on either side of that scale.

released December 10, 2021

Written, Arranged, Produced and Performed by: oliver nowak
except for ‘See See Rider Blues’, written by Ma Rainey.

Engineered, Mixed, Mastered by: oliver nowak

Photography and Graphic Design by: oliver nowak

Created in Red Room Studios in 2021.

Special Thanks to: Charlotte Sometimes, Asti, and Big-Pharma.

Shout-outs to:

  • The Brikhaus: Jewel & Flash. Miss ya.
  • The Bluehaus: LOL. Thanks for the material.
  • 12: hope you are doing well.
  • Paolo: marking the time you are still with us.
  • Steve: heh.
  • Traub: thanks for saying yes.
  • Meo: maybe we can revisit Kaspar?
  • Randy: for the friendship.
  • Chris: some day soon.
  • Gertrude: some day soon.