july 2025: i know what i did this summer
Hey ,
How’s your summer so far? Any travel plans this year?
Matt and I visited Washington state last month and had a lovely time. We did a little hiking in North Cascades National Park, met up with lots of old friends, saw Canvas play their first show in 25-ish years (a band that Matt was good friends with in their heyday and the catalyst for our trip) at a cool art space in Thorp, bought a big pile of records in Olympia, caught a Mariners game against the Kansas City Royals, saw big birds and seals at a nature reserve, and celebrated Matt’s birthday.
I love visiting the Pacific Northwest. It never feels like we have enough time to spend when we’re there. We need to visit Mt. Ranier next time to complete our Washington national park trifecta.
Last month, my friend Leslie Ventura interviewed Ovef Ow and published a nice feature on her new online Chicago culture mag Mustard. We reflect on what it means to be in the 10th year of our band and what’s next. Check it out!
Our next shows:
This Friday, July 25, 9pm, at Reed’s Local with Bleach Party.
Friday, Aug. 15, 7pm at Glenwood Avenue Arts Fest (right before Ganser). This one is all ages and free!
My friend Jen Lemasters (of Clickbait and Bric-a-Brac) included me in this really cool zine she and her bandmate Sandra made about Asian representation in music. I think all the physical copies are sold out for now, but go catch their band sometime. Here’s a little snippet:
One more plug to come see my big DJ set on Monday, July 28, opening for Lala Lala and Horsegirl at Millennium Park. Free show! I go on right at 5:30 to get the night started. I’ve been spending time this week pulling records and thinking about what to bring… Fingers crossed the weather stays decent — I love bringing a blanket and picnicking on the lawn during summer concerts there. I hope you join me!
Talk about a fun beach read: I’ve been enjoying Murder on Sex Island by Jo Firestone this month.
Jo was a writer and actor on Joe Pera’s charming but too short-lived Joe Pera Talks With You. Here’s a sampling of her comedy.
July 25 or 26: Letters to Cleo somewhere in Wicker Park (too many other things booked this weekend, but I’m going to try my darndest to catch a set.)
July 31: Kangaroo at Reed’s Local
Aug. 10: Kate Fagan with beastii and Clickbait at the Empty Bottle
I’m probably good on records for the rest of the year (and I need to book more DJ gigs to show them off!) I don’t know what it is about traveling, but I always find albums that have been sitting on my want list forever when I check out record shops in other places.
Shoutout to Jerrol’s in Ellensburg, Rainy Day Records in Olympia and Jive Time Records in Seattle.
Animaru by Mei Semones (one of my top new faves of 2025)
Feminist Sweepstakes by Le Tigre
All Bagged Up: The Collected Works 1977-1980 by The Bags
Chronicles (Best Of) by Mika Miko
うたかたの日々 by Mariah
Cosmetic by NOTS
99 Luftbaloons 12” single by Nena
Boom Boom Chi Boom Boom and Close to the Bone by Tom Tom Club
Color In Your Life by Missing Persons
I also got Matt almost all of Blonde Redhead’s early catalog for his birthday, but we both get to enjoy it. Their 90s output is killer.
