A Little Recap of June
Hi sweet summer children,
Thank you to everyone who attended any of my multitude of live performances over the past two weeks!! I’m now going to hibernate from the gig scene for a month and a half (but mark your calendars for August 13th when I’ll be playing The Local NY in LIC Queens!)
Porch Stomp
They warned us all in the pre-festival zoom meeting that the temperature on the island is cooler than expected because of the proximity to water, but I naively shrugged it off and confidently embarked in my sleeveless shirt (regret). It was a WINDY windy day, putting my vocal projection skills to the test. But it was delightful to stroll around listening to live music all over the island for the whole day, and to perform in such an intimate, grassroots setting, and I can’t wait to return next year!
Make Music New York
One of the best days of the year always! I played outside of BKLYN Crepe and Sahadi’s this solstice, once again testing my vocal projection skills over subway grates, sirens, and buses. Getting smiles from passer-bys (and seeing many cute dogs) makes it all worth it though.
Siren Songs at Heaven Can Wait
One of the best parts about live music is the opportunity for connection, and I was so so happy to connect with all the incredible artists on the Siren Songs lineup with me!! From the wonderful turnout to the not one not two but three discoballs in the venue (and one more in the green room), it was a dreamy dreamy gig.
haven't gotten photos back yet so here's a slightly tipsy backstage mirror photo from that night!
Roses & Thorns
My past two weeks have been a time of wonderful highs and terrible lows and not enough time to properly process either. Here is a list of nice good things from that time though, in case it would help you to hear it: golden yellow ink from a new pen. mandarin oranges. completing a crossword. being near the water on a nice day. hibiscus donuts from dough. brunch with new and old friends. finding something you love at an outdoor market and knowing you're supporting a small artist by buying it. complimentary drinks. profiteroles. lavender fields. young people with their flags at the parade. harry styles' new tour outfits. compliments on your outfit from cool strangers. asmr. playing D&D. walking around the area you used to live and thinking about how much you've grown.
I don't have anything clever to say here this time around- the news these days is pretty bleak. I can only do what I can control. Berry smoothies in the morning. Completing my Japanese lessons. Meditation. Small treats. Donating where I can. Trying not to doomscroll. Reaching out to friends. Organizing my room.
I am trying to take care of myself as best I can, to let joy in when it comes, to let sadness in when it comes too. A rotating door of emotions. I hope you're able to do the same. <3
a spare Jojo for these trying times
Art I’ve Been Enjoying Lately:
Ringing in the solstice with the bop of the season, Beyonce’s Break My Soul is immediately added to my hot person summer playlist, alongside Maggie Roger’s Want Want and MUNA’s What I Want. This is the energy for the summer!! Unapologetic naming of what you’re looking for!! Releasing the limitations getting in the way of your desire!! Everywhere is a dance floor!!! Be free!!!!
Currently I'm about to finish reading I Like To Watch by Emily Nussbaum, a series of essays on TV. The majority of the shows she writes about I haven't watched, but it's cool to get an outside perspective on shows in the cultural zeitgeist, and also a more nuanced understanding of TV in general. (I've just gotten my physical library card too, so send me your book recs!!)
Not a specific piece of art but wanted to shout out all understudies and swings for being amazing and underappreciated! I saw Hamilton and A Strange Loop this month, both with absolutely phenomenal understudies on for the performances.
I’m glad you’re here.
Don’t forget to hydrate,
Em