Hey ya, River Crew:

I’m writing from a coffee shop called Groundswell in Chicago. It’s given me the perfect way to describe how I’m feeling lately. There’s a groundswell building and I’m ready for it to take me.

Before I continue… I just found out that I’m on the ballot for the New England Music Awards RI Rising Star! I would love it if you took 5 minutes to submit your vote: https://nemusicawards.com/vote/ It’s due Oct 9th! Thank you:)

Okay back to Chicago. This city is jolting me back awake - I don’t know if it’s the strong espresso or the sun bouncing from the sidewalks blinding me while I walk straight into the nearest pole.

Two shows in Chicago. My ticketed show opening for Luscia Jane at Uncommon Ground was sold out!

I started writing this issue in Chicago. I’m picking it back up in Westerly RI. In between I’ve traveled to Portsmouth, NH and Portland, ME for Friendly Toast, silver jewelry, threads at Mexicali Blues, and more importantly, my favorite artist, Sierra Ferrell.

After that brief east coast trip, I took another trip up to Bar Harbor, ME. Shane, the D in DNA (Dave), and I hopped on the CAT Ferry to provide live entertainment while crossing the border into Nova Scotia, Canada. It was the second coolest gig I’ve played (first is still the Levitate Festival)… on the way back was even more of a treat when we got to see Ben Gravy catch a wave off the ferry’s wake with a surfboard. Straight into the barrel! I made a vlog of our trip, if you want to check it out:

I’m finishing up this issue now from my bed, it’s 9pm. Shane is watching a show on his laptop. He’ll be asleep in 5 minutes. Tonight I played a song called Lifts all Ships. It was written at an artist residency with friends from Aquidneck Resilience. I haven’t played it since winter, but it felt really good to sing it again. Practicing it this morning, inspired me to write another song themed around climate change and environmental anxiety. It captures the feeling of constantly running to something that needs fixing. Like a bandaid on a bullet hole. Holding water with a sieve. Catching the wind with a net.

Upcoming Shows:

October 2, 7pm | The Golden Owl, New London, CT

October 22, 6pm | Levitate Backyard, Marshfield, MA

October 24, 3pm | Kingdom of the Hawk, North Stonington, CT

Here’s to more new music and new places:)

Love ya,