HERE1. Abigayle
I know I just sent a letter the other day. #2 will tell you why you’re getting another so soon.
Ok. Starting with this: If you don’t know Abigayle Oakley, you will thank me when you click on her name. Just a great songwriter and singer - and it turns out - community builder. She just got off a tour where she gathered folks in all sorts of places - backyards, community centers, festival stages - and shared her music with them. This is a good thing to do. Especially good for her audiences, because she’s…really good. (She also just got off a wild ride on ”The Voice”, but she was good before that.)
Abigayle’s been doing a songwriter’s book club for the last few months and I’ve attended all but one. They’re great. Buncha music-oriented folks yakking about a book - and then, if they got to it, they share a new song, lyrics or (gorgeous) poem inspired by the book. Really nice way to prompt some writing, encourage some reading, and get in a little community. I definitely dig it.
This month’s book I highly recommend - The Humans, by Matt Haig. It is light and deep at the same time. Laugh-out-loud funny quite often, whimsical, mysterious, and quite moving. I really enjoyed the comedic, plot and emotional high wire he walks on this one. A good beach read - but honestly, just a good read.
(Pro-tip: Apparently, if your email subject says, “Oops” - people will…open it! Huh!)
So, yes, a really fun and beautiful book. With an alien for a main character. (forgot to mention that!). I was looking forward to writing a tune for this one. But it would have to wait. (See #3).
Or would it?
Abigayle kindly sent out a reminder yesterday that our songbirds book club would be meeting again on the 9th, just as I thought. Um, nope…YESTERDAY. I thought I had a few days. I did not.
I saw the email in the morning, but had a lot on my plate. It would have to wait for the afternoon. When I also had a lot on my plate. So, I cleared a glass from my desk in the afternoon and made some space to write. I grabbed a title, jammed on some lyrics, added a some guitar, pretended that I had a melody - and sent it to the book club. Sometimes a deadline - even an unexpected one - is very helpful!
Last night was a thoroughly enjoyable session with some lovely folks. Some great shares (yes, Abigayle shared one that was…SO good). You want in on the book club? Reach out to her on her Substack. Sharing my tune below.
But first….
I made something that took a few months - with a couple years of cogitation. It’s an app that links listeners to musicians directly. You don’t have to navigate to multiple platforms to get behind the musicians you love. You don’t have to change your listening habits, either -- but you can listen knowing that YOU are making the music more possible. Your monthly support allows artists to focus on... making the music.
My friend Jill said she didn’t really know a lot of independent musicians - then she heard Taj Mahal say he was broke. (Looks like Taj has a new supporter…!)
I told her that the people she hears and likes - suggested by friends (or by Spotify, etc.,) are struggling as well. She does know them. She’s already listening to them. And if she nominates them - I will find them - and pay them.
Here’s the app - I hope you’ll take a look. It would mean a lot. (Click ↓)
…and here’s the site, if you want more context. Share with your friends, ya’ll - we’re kicking the tires and seeing if this beta-jalopy will run! (Again with the clicking ↓)
You made it this far. I owe you a tune.
The Wonder of it All
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I have come from far away A place you cannot understand I have come to learn the ways Of what you may call a man Come to save him from himself Do some damage on the way Body parts and something else They’ll be a heart broken today And through the nonsense of it When I leave there’ll be a few things that I covet The breath you take then leave upon the backseat window Write hello in reverse so passers-by can see The way you run your finger down your belly so you shiver The way you cross your legs just to give yourself a squeeze Playing go fish with a deck that’s missing half it’s cards Solving impossible equations just because it's hard I’ve seen a million things The joy and pain they bring When I go back I will recall The wonder of it all The wonder of it all I’ve been directed to do awful things I’m changing horses in midstream I’d like to see what a new season brings I’m gonna close my mouth and scream And if I betray my masters I’ll know just why I did The breath you take then leave upon the backseat window Write hello in reverse so passers-by can see The way you run your finger down your belly so you shiver The way you cross your legs just to give yourself a squeeze Playing go fish with a deck that’s missing half it’s cards Solving impossible equations just because it's hard I’ve seen a million things The joy and pain they bring I’ve felt the push and then the fall for The wonder of it all The wonder of it all The wonder of it all The wonder of it all
5. EXTRA, EXTRA! Wanna learn about the whole States Project thing? (Democracy in action, anyone?). We gather monthly - grab a newsletter for info HERE.
Sending love, music, books, this cool tech thing I made - and good trouble - to you all! - DJ
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