I just found that Colin Tench–Colin Tench Project, Corvus Stone, etc.–has passed away.  It looks like he died on December 29.  I didn’t know Colin personally, but when we founded  progarchy back in the fall of 2012, he was one of the first two or three major musicians to take us seriously.  I could not–nor would I–ever forget something like that.  When you’re just coming of age, it means everything to know that those you respect are willing to let you play in the playground.  And, not just tolerate your presence, but welcome you as an equals.

There are others at progarchy who could speak much better and more eloquently about his music, but it was clear to me that Colin valued his independence, having no time for conformity or uniformity or much of what passes as culture in our tapioca whirligig of a world.  He cared, first and foremost, about the art and about those who practiced the art and those who recognized the art for what it was.

I did have the privilege of emailing with Colin several times.  I found, even in our brief correspondence, that he was as hilarious as he was humble.  One of my favorite moments in being an editor at progarchy came when Colin sent us a review copy of CORVUS STONE II.  One look at the cover, and I replied, “Holy Moses, Colin, now I’m going to have to go to Confession!”  We both laughed at that over a couple of emails.

I have no idea what Colin’s religious beliefs (if any) were, but I pray that he is happy now, resting in peace eternal, or, perhaps, more given his nature, dancing and performing happily in peace eternal.  Earth’s loss is, to be sure, Heaven’s gain.

RIP, Colin.  You clearly did everything to use the outrageous gifts God gave you, not for yourself, but for the good of creation itself.  No one can do more in this fallen world.