October 2021: Things Missing and Things Given
Post Originally published October 20, 2021
On stage following Darrell Scott at the Sisters Folk Festival in early October. A magical weekend, three performances alongside some of my musical heroes.
The new record, "Planet I'm From" is a month old. If you haven't gotten a chance yet, check it out! Download | CD | Spotify | Apple Music.
I hope to see some of you on the California in November. We're touring the bay area on Cargo Bikes (sponsored by Xtracycle). My four peice band will start at the Xtracycle shop in Mill Valley, load up guitars, bass, keyboard, sleeping bags, and merch, and head out for 8-days of pedaling from show to show. Grab your tickets below!
Virtual songwriting workshop December 10 & 11! A time to write, share, dig deep, be playful, and get inspired. Small group. All levels welcome. Please reach out if you're interested.
And now for a pressing "news" story –
There's been a robbery...
Things missing:
Empty space.
Remembering dreams.
Watching flies – how they always seem to be rubbing their hands together like chuckling villains.
Boredom.
Car games. Tic Tac Toe.
Noticing the black musical notes decorating my grandma's socks, popping against her fresh white Nikes.
Picking up the book on the table. Reading the back cover.
"Work" ending.
Chewing food all the way.
The question of whether bees buzz more quietly on colder days.
A moment of clarity about a song.
Wondering about losing ones marbles....Does the process involve a constant checking in on the marbles remaining in your pocket? Do the marbles feel warm and sweaty from your frequent checking? Each time do you fear that a marble may have fallen through the hole in your old favorite jeans? Do you remember how many you used to have?
Found Guilty:
The cell phone with internet. And not only did it rob the moments mentioned above, but it replaced them with bags and bags full of every imaginable and unimaginable piece of "news" and image and creation and opinion you ever and never wanted.
Somedays I'm strong enough to resist. Not often. But writing this list helps. What's on your list?
Patreon Support
Subscribe and join "The Thumb Records," the fan funded record label.
We're at 99! Be lucky #100!
How Patreon works: Patreon is a platform that allows a community to support artists with recurring monthly donations. This donation can be small or large. It’s just a way to give this musical project a little financial buoyancy.
On Patreon, anyone compelled to support this music, can give a gift without seeking anything in return. I’ve tried to offer all kinds of benefits and perks to Patrons, only to find time and again that this community of support is simply generous; motivated by a true desire to support (this) art. That feels amazing.
There are things you will receive by becoming a member of “The Thumb Records,” like behind-the-scenes looks into my writing process and the songs I’m learning from (the “Songs I Love” series). And, I hope, a deep sense of satisfaction when that new album comes out on these beautiful streaming services! Without you, it would not exist.
And, by promising essentially “nothing,” I get to send you gifts, not because I feel required to, but because I want to, and it will give me much joy to share them.
Fox Recommends
Spending a few hours without your phone and with a notebook writing a list of "things missing" like the one above. Send it to me! I think this could be a compelling compilation project....
Know My Name by Chanel Miller. I know I wrote about this before. But it really blew me away. Heartbreaking and so hopeful. A favorite combination.
Mary Gauthier. I got to work alongside Mary at the Sisters Folk Festival Song Camp. She's a real songwriters hero and throws down the gauntlet of truth and courage. Two of my favorite Mary Gauthier songs: I Drink & Mercy Now.
A big win for "Dams Are For Beavers" and hope. The story of the Elwha River dam removal and restoration project.
"To comfort the disturbed you must disturb the comfortable" – Mary Gauthier (adaptation of a Woody Guthrie quote).