It was the kind of thing my parents never got:

Who are you working with?

His name is Chris Phinney-- this is for our nma group.

nma? What is that?

Let's just say we remix and collaborate, and cross-promote.

How much are you making for that?

Well, nothing really.

What is Chris like?

He is a rough, noisy experimental artist. He looks like this.

Shown is a picture of a guy looking a lot like my metalhead friends from high school, including the friendly smile.

Can we hear it?

I play a mix of arrythmic and discordant cut-ups, revealing moments of brilliance, and moments that are just weird.

My parents and I sit for a moment, realizing Chris had musically represented things upon which the three of us will never agree.

As mystified, I worked with heavy-hitters, I recorded solo, and much more. When I heard today that Chris had passed, it brought sadness on. He was a tough guy, but was just as sweet. He worked himself to the bone for people, and never compromised an ethos that at best could not be described as simple.

Thanks Chris! May the after-life be a less Harsh reality.