North Cascades Artist-in-Residence to create music inspired from park

For David Boye, the last three weeks have been a steady diet of guitar and nature. But that’s just what he had in mind.

Boye, the latest North Cascades National Park Artist-in-Residence, has been getting used to all of the natural world’s bounty during his stay in Washington state. Artists typically use the opportunity to create work inspired by the park and Boye’s stay is no different.

“This has been a new thrill for me,” said Boye, a native Nebraskan.

Boye discussed his first two weeks at the park and performed seven songs on his Ovation acoustic/electric guitar last week at the national park’s headquarters, giving audience members a taste of what to expect once his stint is complete. It was the second such presentation since his residency began in mid-May.

Using a combination of chord changes and finger plucking, Boye shared four original pieces and three covers with the audience. All numbers were strictly instrumental, ranging from a track by ’70s guitarist Leo Kotke to an original song Boye wrote during a trip to New Mexico.

Although the music he shared was from his past, Boye said he’s looking to take influence from the sights and sounds of the North Cascades during his visit. He said he’s been using a digital recorder to capture audio from the park and begin writing what comes to mind.

“I feel like I’ve been transported to another planet — the area is pristine,” Boye said. “It’s great. There’s no Internet, no phones. It washes out of you the things that concern you.”

Those audio cues may be used in a CD Boye hopes to record after his tenure at the park is over. A copy of that CD would eventually be available for visitors to listen to, said Charles Beall, North Cascades National Park interpreter.

The park already has a small gallery, complete with works from the previous artists-in-residence. Boye’s compilation will mark the first time an artist has created music during their stint with the park.

“The point is to bring in an artist and to have them immerse themselves in the park,” Beall said. “It creates opportunities to explore the meaning of the park in unique ways.”

Boye said he became interested in the artist-in-residence program due in part to his resurgent interest in acoustic guitar. The Lincoln-based musician is in a number of bands and recently began recording blues guitar segments for the music teaching Web site WorkshopLive.com.

While he plays both electric and acoustic guitars (and bass), Boye said there is something unique about a single guitar.

“When I’m in my bands, I have different personalities to deal with,” he said. “To play my acoustic by myself — it’s just more soothing.”

For more information about the program or about the North Cascades National Park, call 360-854-7200.