ben patton blog

My friend and collaborator Count Jaye owns an enormous castle in France, about an hour outside Bordeaux; the Chateau de Guilleragues. It dates back to the 12th century, with various renovations and additions throughout the centuries.
It has been home to a number of historic figures and families, and was built for security in a time when cities were Kingdoms, and wealth was heavy and shiny.

As for me, as has been the case with all of my trips to exotic locations, I am here purely by happenstance. This is where Jaye, the Countess and I are working and living this month.
Jaye insists that the castle is quite politely haunted. I must admit, the echoey stone hallways do strange things to the sounds of nearby frogs and birds at night, and the lantern-light casts strange animated shadows over Jaye’s collection of ancient swords and armor. I’m not too proud to state that I’ve slept with a light on. It’s fortunate that the daylight lasts until nearly midnight at this time of year in Southern France, because when darkness settles over the castle, I feel as if I’m in an old Abbott and Costello movie, or perhaps and episode of Scooby-doo.

For more information about Mr. Muller’s digs, check out http://honeymooncastle.com .

Here I am with a new friend.

My guest-room mirror plays optical tricks on me at night.
Here in France, Muller and Patton are finishing an album that corresponds to a feature film called “Deep Gold”. We wrote and recorded this soundtrack album in the Philippines with a certain fun spontaneity that, I hope, translates to the poppy, piano-based music. Stay tuned for samples, at http://mullerandpatton.com .