Robert T. McDonald III - You're Already There

"You're Already There" is the dynamic debut album by one of the Pacific Northwest’s emerging virtuosic solo acoustic guitarists, Robert T. McDonald III. The album features fifteen instrumental compositions that are intricately-woven soundscapes of contemporary and traditional acoustic guitar. McDonald explores contemporary steel string techniques that combine alternate tunings, percussion, tapping, and slap harmonics with traditional old time finger picking, chord melodies, and the polyphony of voices available to the guitar. The result is a musical odyssey that introduces a compelling new perspective to the New Acoustic, Folk Guitar, and Instrumental genres.

Robert has been composing for solo acoustic steel string guitar for nearly two decades and his debut album is a journey of sonic expression. Each song transforms through thematic development and variation, culminating rhythmic and melodic sequences of musical phrases that are entwined together within a flow of intricate expression. "You're Already There" was recorded live without edits or overdubs in a 10' x 12’x 10’ room with 7 microphones and a direct input. Each microphone was placed to accentuate the natural projection of the acoustic guitar. The notes ring within a wave of overtones that evolve throughout the room.

As a composer, recording artist, performer, producer, and independent music educator, his passion for sonic expression is a "journey that begins again each day."

For over 20 years, Robert T. McDonald has explored many of the voices available to a modern guitarist: metal, blues and jazz improvisations, classical compositions, folk, punk, classic rock, post-rock, experimental improvisations, and contemporary compositions for ensembles. He studied classical guitar, jazz, history, theory, and composition at Loyola University Chicago where he earned a BFA cum laude with departmental honors in Music. Throughout Robert's music education, he has been enthralled with the polyphonic potential of the acoustic guitar on both nylon and steel strings. While in Chicago, McDonald studied concepts of old-time finger-picking at the Old Town School Of Folk Music and developed techniques of alternate bass with harmonic melodies and slide guitar. McDonald's musical vision and manifesto emerges from a fusion of the numerous facets he has explored.

"Robert T. McDonald III - You're Already There” is the debut album of his and his wife Sarah McDonald’s new recording label, Livingspectrum Recording based in Bellingham, Washington.

Sat. 5.2.2015 ***** 7:30pm @ The Firehouse ***** Bellingham, WA

Wed. 5.6.2015 ***** 9:30pm @ the Green Frog ***** Bellingham, WA

Sat. 5.23.2015 **** 7:00pm @ Presence Studio **** Bellingham, WA

Sun. 6.21.2015 ***** 3:30pm @ Mojo Music ***** Bellingham, WA

Thurs. 6.25.2015 **** 8:30pm @ The Honeymoon **** Bellingham, WA

Sat. 6.27.2015 ***** 1:00pm @ Music Fest 2015 ***** Ferndale, WA

Sat. 7.4.2015 **** 11:00pm @ the Green Frog **** Bellingham, WA

Sat. 7.11.15 * 5:00pm @ Sunnyland Stomp OliO Garden * B'ham, WA

Fri. 7.17.15 ***** 9:00pm @ Longhorn Saloon ***** Edison, WA

Fri. 8.7.15 * 12:00pm @ Subdued Stringband Jamboree * Deming, WA

Sat. 8.22.15 ** 4:00pm @ Habitat For Humanity ** Bellingham, WA

Sun.8.23.15 * 12:30pm @ Mojo Summer Fest at Boundary Bay * B'ham

Thurs. 11.15.15 ** 5:00pm @ Circus Guild Holiday Bazaar ** B'ham

Sun. 11.22.15 ** 12:30pm @ Allied Arts Holiday Festival ** B'ham

Fri. 11.27.15 ***** 1:00pm @ Bellewood Acres ***** Lynden, WA

Fri. 12.4.15 ***** 8:00pm @ December Art Walk ***** B'ham, WA

Sun. 12.6.15 *** 3:30pm @ Allied Arts Holiday Festival *** B'ham

Sun. 12.13.15 ** 12:30pm @ Allied Arts Holiday Festival ** B'ham

Th.12.31.15 * 4:30pm @ Mojo Music's New Year's Eve Party * B'ham

Fri. 1.1.16 * 11:00am White Salmon Lodge at Mt. Baker Ski Area

Sun.1.10.16 * 11:00am White Salmon Lodge at Mt. Baker Ski Area

Sat. 6.25.16 * 1:00-6:30pm @ Guitar Summit at Mojo Music * B'ham

Sat. 8.13.16 * 9:00am @ Subdued Stringband Jamboree * Deming, WA

Sun.12.2.16 * 6:00pm @ Peter James Studio Art Walk * B’ham, WA

Sun.1.22.17 * 11:00am White Salmon Lodge at Mt. Baker Ski Area

Sun.3.19.17 * 11:00am White Salmon Lodge at Mt. Baker Ski Area

Sun.2.11.18 * 11:00am Raven Hut Lodge at Mt. Baker Ski Area

Sun.3.18.18 * 11:00am White Salmon Lodge at Mt. Baker Ski Area

Sat.7.7.18 * 1:00pm Heather Meadows Cafe at Mt. Baker Ski Area

Sat. 8.11.18 * 9:00am @ Subdued Stringband Jamboree * Deming, WA

Sun.8.26.18 * 1:00pm Heather Meadows Cafe @ Mt. Baker Ski Area

Sat. 9.22.18 * 6:30pm @ Maple Alley Inn Fundraiser * Bellingham

Sun. 12.16.18 *** 4:00pm @ Herb’s Cider *** Bellingham, WA

Sun. 1.6.19 * 12:00pm White Salmon Lodge at Mt. Baker Ski Area

Sun. 2.3.19 * 12:00pm White Salmon Lodge at Mt. Baker Ski Area

Sun. 2.24.19 *** 4:00pm Sing-A-Long @ Herb’s Cider *** B’ham

Sun. 3.24.19 * 12:00pm White Salmon Lodge at Mt. Baker Ski Area

Sun. 9.8.19 * 3:30pm TXOTX @ Herb’s Cider Prod. Facility * B’ham

Sun. 9.22.19 *** 3:00pm Sing-A-Long @ Herb’s Cider *** B’ham

Sat. 10.12.19 * 6:00pm Farm to Table Dinner Benefit * Bellingham

Sat. 12.21.19 *** 4:00pm Sing-A-Long @ Herb’s Cider *** B’ham

Sun. 1.19.20 * 12:00pm White Salmon Lodge at Mt. Baker Ski Area

Sun. 2.9.20 * 12:00pm White Salmon Lodge at Mt. Baker Ski Area

Sun. 3.8.20 * 12:00pm White Salmon Lodge at Mt. Baker Ski Area

Sun. 12.11.22 * 12:00pm White Salmon Lodge at Mt. Baker Ski Area

Sun. 1.15.23 * 12:00pm White Salmon Lodge at Mt. Baker Ski Area

Sun. 3.5.23 * 12:00pm White Salmon Lodge at Mt. Baker Ski Area

Robert T. McDonald III You're Already There

"You're Already There" is the dynamic debut album by one of the Pacific Northwest’s emerging virtuosic solo acoustic guitarists, Robert T. McDonald III. The album features fifteen instrumental compositions that are intricately-woven soundscapes of contemporary and traditional acoustic guitar. McDonald explores contemporary steel string techniques that combine alternate tunings, percussion, tapping, and slap harmonics with traditional old time finger picking, chord melodies, and the polyphony of voices available to the guitar. The result is a musical odyssey that introduces a compelling new perspective to the New Acoustic, Folk Guitar, and Instrumental genres.

Robert has been composing for solo acoustic steel string guitar for nearly two decades and his debut album is a journey of sonic expression. Each song transforms through thematic development and variation, culminating rhythmic and melodic sequences of musical phrases that are entwined together within a flow of intricate expression. "You're Already There" was recorded live without edits or overdubs in a 10' x 12’x 10’ room with 7 microphones and a direct input. Each microphone was placed to accentuate the natural projection of the acoustic guitar. The notes ring within a wave of overtones that evolve throughout the room.

As a composer, recording artist, performer, producer, and independent music educator, his passion for sonic expression is a "journey that begins again each day."

For over 20 years, Robert T. McDonald has explored many of the voices available to a modern guitarist: metal, blues and jazz improvisations, classical compositions, folk, punk, classic rock, post-rock, experimental improvisations, and contemporary compositions for ensembles. He studied classical guitar, jazz, history, theory, and composition at Loyola University Chicago where he earned a BFA cum laude with departmental honors in Music. Throughout Robert's music education, he has been enthralled with the polyphonic potential of the acoustic guitar on both nylon and steel strings. While in Chicago, McDonald studied concepts of old-time finger-picking at the Old Town School Of Folk Music and developed techniques of alternate bass with harmonic melodies and slide guitar. McDonald's musical vision and manifesto emerges from a fusion of the numerous facets he has explored.

"Robert T. McDonald III - You're Already There” is the debut album of his and his wife Sarah McDonald’s new recording label, Livingspectrum Recording based in Bellingham, Washington.

Contact Info:

email: rtmiii@livingspectrum.com

Livingspectrum Recording Robert T. McDonald III 3150 Orleans St. #32118 Bellingham, WA 98228