Take that headline any way you want. It’s a new year, I’m still here, you’re still here, and that’s good!
Also, it’s a pandemic and we’re still here. So there is that.
I’m not sure January feels much different than December right now. Do things get sort of blurry for you sometimes? The days blend into one another? Haven’t changed your sweatpants in who knows how long?
Yup. Me too. I’ll be honest, the fall and early winter were a long slog for me. The day job was not fun, there was very little happening musically, and I’m not that big a fan of the holidays (way too much expectation). I’d really prefer a simple pagan ritual and we just move on.
But it is a new year, and while I’m also no fan of resolutions, it is nice to make it to another year, and a new year does seem to bring in a bit of new energy- or maybe I’m just sick of myself. Either way, It’s the end of January, and while there a no gigs on the caledar, and frankly I’m not even giving it much energy right now, nothing makes me feel better musically than actually doing some work.
This week I did an interview on my friend Dave Coile’s amazing podcast, Raw Songwriting. David sends a prompt the week before, and both he and the guest write a song to the prompt, then discuss the process of writing the songs. It was great to talk to Dave, and I had fun coming up with a song for his prompts (which are really tough!) Look for that episode to drop in about a week or so- you can follow Dave at Dave Coile’s Musical Extraveganza on Facebook, or subscribe to the Raw Songwriting podcast wherever you get your podcasts.
I did a private zoom show a few weeks ago- a group I know does an artist’s series and invited me to come for their weekly showcase. It was nice to play some songs in front of people, even through a screen, and between that event and some thinking I’ve been doing about video I am going to try to do some more live stream shows in the next few months. My sister and I will be doing another live duo show on February 7- stay tuned for details, we’re fuguring it out.
In the name of just making stuff, because that’s what I like to do, I’ve also started recording some new songs. We have a first one getting close to being ready to go- I’m planning on maybe just releasing a single every other month or so. I’ll make lots of noise when we get started with that.
When I’m feeling creatively sluggish, which happens a lot right now, I often break out some cover tunes. Learning new songs that I like often sparks more creative energy, and even if it doesn’t, it’s fun. I posted a Springsteen cover on youtube a while ago and I just posted a cover of the great Gillian Welch song “Look at Miss Ohio” which I’ve always loved.
Hope you’re hanging in there, staying safe, and being well.
Way to go Jay!!! (I still am tempted to say, Mr. Stott out of respect!)
It’s been really cool to see you grow into your passion. Makes life more interesting :).
When I feel sluggish, I tune into meditation podcasts. I think it’s been helping me stimulate my creative side. Which by the way, started to write again! 9th Grade LA and yearbook nostalgia once again!
Best regards,