JW x Undertow Spring 2026

tl;dr: click HERE to submit an application to host one of my Living Room shows this spring!!

(photo: Angie McMahon)

Hello friends,

It’s mid-December, and I’m writing to you from the sunny spot on my couch. A clamorous crowd of Pasadena parrots just made their afternoon migration over my house. It’s 67 degrees. Glorious.

Apologies to those of you currently suffering through the depths of winter—but, respectfully, I’ve done my time. I always struggle with how straightforward to be with my audience, and generally I err on the side of honesty and over-sharing, but in the interest of keeping my privacy somewhat intact I’ll just say that the holiday season has always been, for me, a bit complex. So if I’m going to have to be put through the wringer again, I might as well be somewhere pleasant.

What else? I feel like I’m doing kind of a shit job promoting my record. What’s going on with me? Honestly, I don’t know. I mean, I know what I’m supposed to be doing—the end of year retrospective posts, with the lists and all of that. I’ve tried over and over to do a more straightforward newsletter for you guys, but I just can’t seem to get it up for all of that this year. Instead, I’m strongly feeling the pull to disappear into my hidey-hole—an all-too-familiar feeling for me. Sometimes I wonder if every public figure feels this way and just pushes through it, or if I’m just especially ill-suited to this part of my job. But I feel like I already said what I had to say—in my record, the culmination of five years of hard work—and now I couldn’t be less interested in continuing to remind the world, repeatedly, that I exist.

With that said—thank you so much to everyone who joined us on our east and west coast tours celebrating The Life You Save. It was so wildly gratifying to get to play those songs and speak with so many of you about how the record has played a part in your life so far. Sharing space with all of you and presenting that record in full with my incredible band was the highlight of my year, by far. I am so grateful to everyone who came, brought a friend, bought the record or a t-shirt, or sent us on our way with gifts and encouragement. Both Natalie and Jill (my friends who opened each leg of the tour, respectively) commented on how incredible my audiences are—wildly respectful, attentive, considerate and supportive. I’ve been to other shows before so I know they’re right, and I must admit it’s a point of pride. Deep bow to you all. You’re right, you are better than everybody else.

But! Behold, I do have one last piece of news for you before I hibernate—I am officially starting to seek submissions for another round of Undertow Living Room shows, and I am casting the net wide to the entire USA.

For those of you who aren’t familiar—these shows will be duo-style (once again with multi-instrumental genius Alan Good Parker.) If you’re interested in hosting, all you need is a space that can fit at least 25 people—we bring everything else we need. We’ve played quite a few of these shows over the years, and have met so many amazing hosts—as far as I can tell, the experience seems to be a meaningful and fairly low-key experience for all involved. Get more information and/or submit your application here!

(Side note: First priority will be given this time to places we were NOT able to play on this first round of full-band touring—middle America, it’s your time to shine—but I will hang onto all applications I receive for the future, and I’m going to do my damndest to make it everywhere I can eventually.)

Lastly, just a reminder that I’m continuing to post new music over on my Patreon, if you’re interested in keeping up with me there—this month’s offering is a messy, pissy little rock song that I made with Nick Sanborn last spring. Time will tell if it is to see official release. It’s a banger, though, if you’re into that sort of thing.

In conclusion, everyone keep your heads up, hold your people tight, and maybe I’ll see you at your house this spring?

Love,

JW