Grief is volatile and all-encompassing, physically and emotionally, and we are at its mercy. I welcome you into this space because I believe there is healing in sharing, for all involved, and simply composing this has already given me the ability to write the more hopeful "next steps" included further in.
We’ve all been given a glimpse of a horrifying scenario and have been given a second chance. So now what? We want pre-2020 back, but not all of it. So what do we change? What do we take with us, and what do we leave behind? After living with the absence of so many things, I suggest we have a very rare opportunity to examine our lives and intentionally decide what gets added back in and what doesn’t. Now is the time to give this some thought.
“A year in parenthesis” We’re officially one year into this pandemic. And while we may be eager to forget it ever happened, I suggest that we still have the option of being changed for the better. In my last few posts I outlined the struggles that I and other musicians are facing in the absence of being on stage. So much of our self-worth is tied to the adrenaline rush and feedback we receive, and without them things begin to crumble and our motivation can slow to a stop. (I’d love for you to take a second to check out…
I am incredibly lucky to have a global tribe of people that supports my endeavors and cares for me when I’m in need. You know who you are, and this year wouldn’t have been possible or enjoyable without all of your help. For one of the first times in my life I had to put my fierce independence aside and embrace my need for others, and you all showed up. Historically speaking, relying on others was not my really my “thing.” I spent the years just prior to my travel adventure embracing newly-found independence and convincing myself that this need…
“Where are you based?”“When do you head home?” I still fumble through the answers to these questions after shows. Throughout the year I tried not to use the word “homeless.” More like “home-free.” Usually I mentioned something about two full-time bands and it not making sense to pay rent anywhere, but I’m still not sure most people fully understood what it meant.No closet. No address. No bed. No desk. No nightstand. No junk drawer… Just minimal clothes stashed in different places in the country, and a daily attempt to make a new place feel like a home. I’ll be forever…
My travel year isn’t officially over quite yet, but the holidays were a fun time reflect on the craziness so far. I’ve been talking with friends and family about a “rest year” after this year of nonstop traveling is over, and I guess this recommendation isn’t a surprise. I’m pretty torn. On one hand, I know that a year to be grounded and give myself the chance to form some routines will be incredibly healthy, mentally and physically. On the other hand, going from 100mph to 0mph is a daunting idea, and will definitely have its own complex set of…
I had to acknowledge that my brain and heart can’t capture the quantity and magnitude of these experiences in such a short amount of time without mindfulness, documentation, and carving intentional time to reflect and breath.
The girl on the plane described Montana as “the most beautiful place in the country” and I smiled politely but was not convinced. We arrived at Big Sky at night, and upon opening the curtains the next morning… I got it. Rolling hills, rock formations, mountains, meadows, forests, lakes… and all huge. The sheer number of beautiful landmarks everywhere is staggering. It’s truly our country at its finest, and I’m so happy to say I’ve experienced it firsthand. I was eager to get out and do some hiking, and it wasn’t until we were being dropped off at the trailhead…
New York, Nashville, and LA are known as the three pillars for the music industry. They each specialize in slightly different markets and industries, and I had my guard firmly up against all of them for different reasons. My admitted presumptions: Nashville: Cutthroat and competitive. New York: Highly skilled but no money to be made. LA: Superficial. Examples of these stereotypes definitely exist, but I’ve also been very lucky to experience the beautiful, contradictory sides of each as well. I was so pleasantly surprised by Nashville’s community-based approach to music (more here), and now have also been lucky to experience…
Even if you’re not a “planner,” making a few decisions ahead of time means less to be decided in the moment and a clearer head to enjoy travel. Here’s a list of things I do before tours to remove as many decisions as possible in my daily travel life and ease stress. The last two are probably the most important! At my mom’s request, the list is also accompanied by more pictures from our Alaska adventure. Enjoy! Start planning early. Carve time at least 3 days before you depart to make your pre-trip decisions. Be well-rested and clear-headed. When you…