oh, goodness.

did we make it to the equinox? are we happy to be here? thank god for balance, whenever and however she is coming. who made up this frantic overfunctiony pace?? (rhetorical question, sigh)

are you doing too much? how do you decide what is “enough”? i’m so damn hungry for the quiet, for access to myself, for candles and tea and calm evenings. there are so many things that get in the way of authenticity and emotional honesty and healing with ourselves and each other.

and it’s such a tricky seesaw to balance owning your agency and surrendering to seasonal and collective forces that are larger than yourself.

tell me if you have the secrets to harvesting abundantly without running yourself ragged, spending the right amount of time in the underworld, and eating just enough bitter jewel seeds to honor the need to disappear without forfeiting your future in the topside world.

xoxo

Nola

listen live (ish) ~

Tomorrow, Friday, September 25th: Slow burn album release listening party; 7:00 PM; 3157 Milwaukee St (this is a home address, so please don’t share beyond friends you’re inviting to the event). We will have cider, tea, friendship bracelet supplies, merch (!!!!!), and hopefully a fire with s’mores. We will listen through the album around 7:30 PM. Feel free to bring any snacks or craft supplies for yourself. There is a small flight of stairs into the house.

listen at home ~

More than a little (on patreon - free): on micro-dosing desire

Retrospect (people from Kansas): third Slow burn single out on Qobuz

Bad bitch: I don’t know who I am and man not knowing comes with much less pressure

Slow burn: first album out on Bandcamp and Qobuz now!!!!!!!!!!!

Note: do you listen on a streaming platform you consider relatively ethical and want to hear my music there? let me know and I’ll see what I can do!

literalize the music ~ all prices sliding scale

Tightrope postcards: free; send them to friends or ask me to write you one ;)

Tightrope tanks: $25

Slow burn postcard, matchbox, or poster: $2

Slow burn bracelet/bookmark, CD, or lyric book: $5

Slow burn “travel pack” (postcard, matchbox, poster, CD, and bracelet/bookmark in decorated pouch): $20

Slow burn NueMade candle in two themed scents: “almost everything looks better through nostalgia’s golden eyes” (Retrospect (people from Kansas)) and “how many moons will it take to sanctify the things I learned” (Revenant): 7oz candle $25, 10oz candle $40

Note: Gaonue was so lovely to work with - I love that her small business and creative practice are informed by her background in anti-violence work and her commitment to individual and community healing <3 please check out her other candles, gorgeous bracelets, and bookmarks! And big appreciation for her beautiful candle pictures (and video on insta) - she has figured out the branding and aesthetics so much more smoothly than I lol.

Merch order form (or reply to this email)

life sparks ~

listening to: Lawsuit (Suki Waterhouse), Big Deal (Lucy Dacus), you wore it better (Nemahsis), The Hearse (Matt Maeson), You Can’t Always Get What You Want (The Rolling Stones), You and Me on the Rock (Brandi Carlile), Sick in the Head (Indigo De Souza), Every August (Milo McCray), Semi-Charmed Life (Third Eye Blind), Nobody’s Fool (Avril Lavigne), Bobby (Phoebe Bridgers), Lullaby Singer (Anna Nalick), The More I Know (Steven Beddall), Don’t Forget Me (Maggie Rogers), Corazon de Niño (Guardabarranco), sun to me (mgk), Cold Love (Rainbow Kitten Surprise), Julia, East Coast (Willa Owen), All Night (Beyoncé), The Journey: The Scariest Coffee You’ll Ever Drink (The Kink Compass), Fierce Vulnerability with Kazu Haga (Becoming the People Podcast with Prentis Hemphill)

reading: The Little Book of Restorative Justice for Colleges and Universities: Repairing Harm and Rebuilding Trust in Response to Student Misconduct (David Karp)

watching: Kissing Jessica Stein; Leverage; Jump, Darling; Fly Away Home; The Bisexual Problem; NueMade vlogs

practicing: merch magic, nesting, hard talks, city visits

creative themes: freeway acceptance practice, why not?, bestie sharp edges, reframing regret

learn about each other ~

ask me an anonymous (or not) question and I’ll respond in the next email <3

and, a gentle reminder to please unsubscribe if this newsletter isn’t feeding your soul. we all get way too much mail and I will be happy for and proud of you for setting a boundary :)