Introducing... + Reflecting on 2024 | ZIRMAIL NO.1
Greetings! Welcome to the first edition of ZIRMAIL — a newsletter by me, Lotus, because I tire of feeling like social media is the center of the universe.
I anticipate most letters will center around my music endeavors but I hope to also share bulletin board-esque findings, inspiring material, and to signal-boost any news for the communities I am a part of.
for upcoming shows, scroll to the bottom if you’re like, “I don’t need to read all that...”
REFLECTING ON 2024
For those who don’t know, Zir Indigo is the main creative project I head. It is a mix of drag artistry and music that I have been gently trying to push more into the spotlight this year. In 2024, Zir Indigo had 4 shows, one of which was a part of a drag open stage at Purgatory. I also won Gotham Bat Conservancy’s 2nd Annual BAT-tle of the Bands. Although Zir did not release any new streamable music this year, I have many a song cooking and am excited to show you my ideas come to life in 2025.
In the first part of the year, I was in the studio recording albums for Kamerin and Gemma Laurence. The majority of the former was recorded with Julian Giaimo at his lovely home studio and Outliers in upstate. You can check out the full album, To Finally See The Sun by Kamerin here. The latter was recorded at the stunning Ashlawn Recording Company in Connecticut with fellow pals, Joanna, Fran, Aida, and Anna. This album is not yet released but is being anxiously awaited 👀 Other recording credits this year include Raising Daughter’s Petty Crimes EP (bass) and Jane O’Neill’s “Whistlepig” and “Where The Water Flows” (assist. engineer).
In 2024, I played (aproxx.) 32 shows...!!! A huge highlight boosting that numberwas starting to play in Claire Ozmun Band. Claire asked me to join her project early in the year and we’ve been cranking out shows all year, making a music video, and recording new songs. Our first show and last show of the year were both at Baby’s All Right; the Adrianne Lenker School of Song Showcase and the Better Company Records Fest, respectively. The band went on tour this summer to Philly, Poughkeepsie, Cleveland (lets all move to Ohio, it’s fantastic), and Chicago. Met so many great friends and had even greater laughs on the road. Other musical adventures were had playing bass for Taylor Pearlstein, Gemma Laurence, Pip The Band (record coming soon), Belle Shea, Catey Esler, Jane O’Neill, and even playing cajon/joyously bruising my hand for Leche Malo.
Miscellaneous updates: After moving twice this year, I’m now in Crown Heights and loving it. I started pole dancing. I’ve found joy in nannying for kids. If you must use pronouns for me, they/them is fine, otherwise using just my name is even better:)
Albums/Songs I Loved This Year
All Born Screaming by St. Vincent (this concert was amazing, Annie looked at me while she sang “Pay Your Way In Pain” because I knew the verses)
brat by Charli XCX (justice for “Hello Goodbye”)
Suntub by ML Buch
Something To Give Each Other by Troye Sivan (the way MSG was shaking during “Rush”)
Live At The Greek by MUNA
Not Much, but All I Think About by Just Super
A public place by Helenor
“harvest sky” by Oklou
“Au Commencement” by Omerta
“Right Back To It” by Waxahatchee, MJ Lenderman
“I Got Heaven” by Mannequin Pussy
“Process” by Dolly
“Image” by Magdelena Bay
Books I Loved This Year
A Court of Mist and Fury by Sarah J. Maas (if you know, you know)
Song of Achilles by Madeline Miller
Transcendent Waves: How Listening Shapes Our Creative Lives by Lavender Suarez
The Hundred Years' War on Palestine by Rashid Khalidi (still reading, this is a dense one)
Wishing everyone a happy new year from my parent’s home in Bend, OR. May we correspond soon!
UPCOMING SHOWS
Wednesday Jan 8: Zir Indigo in AnotherOne Drag @ Purgatory 10pm
Thursday Jan 16: Claire Ozmun Band @ Purgatory tix
RESOURCES
😷 Mask I’m currently rocking: buy here
🇯🇴 Ceasefire toolkit: USCPR