Community is Everything

Plus Hillsborough, NC 1/30 + 3rd Sunday Salon this weekend!

Beloved friends,

So much is going on in the world and in our hearts. This is not the first time I’ve begun a newsletter this way and I know it won’t be the last. A whole lot of things feel uncertain, unclear, unreliable.

When I think of people in LA and everything they are witnessing/experiencing/processing, amidst the heartbreak, devastation and trauma, it’s uplifting to see the ever-powerful force of intentional, caring community coming together to helping ease the pain. Such a humble concept, with so much to teach us. I feel immensely grateful to all of you here for such a strong sense of community and reminder of my purpose as an artist.

Before I dig into what’s on offer in my little corner of the internet and music world, here are some ways to support people affected by the fires.

I will be splitting a donation between the LA Fire Foundation and some of the families on this Spreadsheet of GoFundMe Campaigns compiled/curated by Brittney Packnett Cunningham for folks in Altadena. You can also support World Central Kitchen who are providing meals.

Also want to offer some resources to people wondering how to get prepared for such an emergency. I’m finding it comforting to know I’ve packed a “go bag” as well as having extra food and supplies on hand at home. Check out this podcast for some tips on how to do those things in a grounded, practical way.

Join Me and Wes Collins 1/30 in Hillsborough, NC!

I am a drooling fan of Wes Collins’ song craft, which is both airtight and weirdly witchy, but I’ll try to keep it together for our show together Thursday 1/30 at Eno House, here in my town of Hillsborough, NC. We’ll be swapping songs and singing/playing on each others’ stuff. It’s BYOB and also BYOS - BRING YOUR OWN SNACKS!

You can also hear Wes and me tonight, Friday 1/17 at 6 pm ET on WHUP playing a bit and chatting about the show!

The Results Are In + 3rd Sunday Salon is This Week

Huge thanks to all of you who took the time to let me know 1) what my music does for you and 2) what you’d like to see happen with 3rd Sunday Salons in 2025.

I know that for big celebrities it probably gets tiring to hear from fans. Maybe. That is not the case with me. I really value each and every message y’all take the time to send. Thank you!

Turns out more than half of you voted to do a combination of 3rd Sunday Salon discussions and 3rd Sunday Livestreams, so going ahead I’ll be alternating months!

Last month was a Livestream Concert, so this month is a discussion.

At the suggestion of Nick from Birmingham, UK, we’re gonna open this month’s chat up beyond music to all types of cultural inspiration:

We’ll discuss: what’s lighting you up or getting you through right now? We’ll go round robin as usual and discuss your current favorite:

1. albums/songs

2. books

3. movies

4. performances

5. concepts

Registration link is free for paid subscribers at the bottom of this post!

Upcoming Shows:

1/30 Eno House, Hillsborough, NC

3/19 White Horse Black Mountain, Black Mountain, NC

4/10 The Bitter End, NYC - tickets go on sale soon!

4/13 Rosie’s Cafe, Brick, NJ - Seating is limited & will sell out. RSVP to get your spot/info.

5/2 Trinity House Theatre, Livonia, MI*

5/3 WFMT Folkstage, Chicago, IL*

5/4 Bishop Hill Creative Commons, Bishop Hill, IL*

5/8 Cafe Carpe, Ft Atkinson, WI - Supporting Richard Shindell. Tickets go on sale soon!

5/9 Venue TBD, Effingham, IL

5/10 Bluff View Concerts, La Crosse, WI

*co-bills with Jenny Reynolds