The vultures, fly catchers and bluebirds are back, bears have been spotted, and the snow buntings have headed back north. I hear the woodpeckers hammering away in the distance and feel joy at their return. Male birds are drunk on mating testosterone and are exhibiting their annual bizarre behavior which usually looks like wanting to commit suicide by flying straight at your vehicle; barred owls, turkeys and grouse, all with the largeness to do extreme damage to themselves and your car.

In the falling snow I watched a male bluebird pick small seeds out of a stalwart, dried out panicle (a word I just learned!) of sumac flowers. People here consider sumac a weed and rip it out. It bums me out because it’s native and necessary! Not to mention, have you ever had sumac lemonade??? Divine. Sumac tastes and bit like a less sweet tamarind of the north.

The beavers are very busy and have taken down pretty much all of the young aspen. I don’t mind. The way they have transformed the pond habitat has been miraculous. They kept the drinking water in supply for our local wildlife during the drought last year and the plant life and animal life have expanded like crazy. The other day I saw two of the three beavers chasing a pair of hooded mergansers away from the entrance of their lodge. The birds we not offended, and found a log to rest on a little ways away. I learned from the link above that the Cree refer to the hooded merganser as “The Beaver Bird,” which makes perfect sense, as beavers steward an environment that supplies the merganser with fish and frogs they like. In my 20 years here I have never seen a hooded merganser on the pond, and I was mesmerized. What an incredible looking creature, as exotic as any bird from South America. I look forward to seeing how many beaver kits are in the litter this year. I’ll keep you posted.

The singing frogs have exploded into our lives with gusto and their singing at night has me sleeping with the window open no matter how cold it gets. On rainy nights you have to be careful as you drive along the roads because they are hopping across en masse on their way to find a place to lay their eggs. There are kind folks here who organize volunteers to help squire them (and newts!) across the pavement to safety. It’s one of our sweeter customs.

The brown, smashed plant life of last year, looking like a 20’s Marcel Wave hairdo contoured to the terrain, has very quickly begun to give way to the ravenous green grass. People are priming their mowers. I imagine what the back fields will look like in three months and I so look forward to the milkweed fields in bloom again. The smell is perhaps the finest thing I have ever smelled.

My neighbors are hard at work lambing and can only leave the farm by grace of the “Lamb Cam” which has its lens fixed on the expectant mamas, whose tummies are so big they bulge out sideways like a milk tanker attached to a semi truck. They can have a many as three lambs and they sometimes need a little help and comfort. Seeing a sheep give birth (or any animal) is really breath taking. I am so grateful they let me come and witness it.

I stop myself to take a snapshot of this moment as it will change so fast, and the landscape will show me new and continuous wonders. Keep your noticing eyes open and curious and the human world of strife will hurt a little less. Let the noticing remind you that the cruelty will not stand. You are so loved. XO

Sun on the spring snow.

I will be in London most of the summer helping put on the finishing touches and rehearsing. (no, I’m not performing.) I am so proud of everyone and I hope you will join us if you can. Fingers crossed, everybody! Here goes! XO

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I haven’t written in a bit as I came down with a monster cold when I got home from tour (which I then gave to ManFriend…) and have been too foggy to make any kind of sense on paper. We are seconds from leaving on ANOTHER tour so I’m relieved that we’re on the mend. I did at least manage to see a couple friends once I was out of the woods and I even got to ski on the lake with my neighbor and eat french toast. I’m a winter lover, the more snow the better. People think I’m nuts but it just agrees with me. (Minus the cracked lips part) I love glittery snow, low grey clouds and wearing lots of clothes. I love soup and building fires. I love the cats and Coco piled on top of me in a heap to snuggle in for warmth. I just think better in winter.

You may have also noticed I haven’t done any paid posts in a little bit. It’s because on this last tour I found the connection with people across the country, in a time where our government is feeding us the illusion that we are divided, so important and I wanted those posts to be wide open. We are not divided. We are the majority under attack by divisive politicians and their followers that we outnumber ten to one. Keep fighting and loving, gorgeous people! I’ll be doing paid posts again soon. That said, I want to give a huge THANK YOU to my paid subscribers. You make it possible to pay my bills and stay afloat.

Tour has taken up my 2026 so far, and much of the end of 2025 so I was itching to do a creative project, something else besides music, something in a different creative vein. I wanted to make something with my hands. Of course, since I am a Virgo, everything has to have a purpose, so I decided once and for all to figure out my daily tour bag needs. My dear friend John Campbell was my studio mate for the better part of a year until recently, and just so happens to build climbing packs for his company Alpine Luddites. I asked him if I could come take his bag making class and customize something for myself. We had successfully collaborated before on making my giant tree suit for the cover of “Neon Grey Midnight Green,”so I knew we worked well together. Luckily, he wasn’t too busy and said “Come on over! I’m tired of talking to squirrels.” John moved out of my building recently because he just finished his own gorgeous studio at his home. This was a good opportunity to finally see his new space and get to hang out and catch up with my friend. He is one of those crazy-talented people who builds everything himself. Climbing bags, houses, furniture… you name it. It filled me up to see and be inspired by all the work he has done.

Here’s the problem that sparked this meet-up; on tour I carry several bags around at a time. They are bulky and some are quite heavy, like the one with my planners and laptop in it. My neck and shoulders are pissed and oftentimes I’m too laden to fit through the bus door! I get caught on handles and hinges which becomes a grinding frustration. Needless to say, I was very excited to figure out a new system. My old one was too awkward to even walk farther than a block with. I brought all the bags with all the stuff I carry in them to John’s studio and I laid it all out on one of the huge cutting tables; shower kit, running shoes, show clothes, extra clothes, exercise clothes, makeup, yoga mat, chargers, etc. It was a heap. I was using a large, all purpose over-the-shoulder bag for the bulk of it and a messenger bag for the rest. Physically speaking, it’s a terrible system, but it’s all stuff I actually need throughout the day. There is not usually one set space you hang out in all day for everything at a venue. If you want to exercise, post up to work, or to have a good shower you often have to go off site. Also, my bags take up too much space on an already crowded bus. When we have an empty bunk we put stuff in there, but the shoulder bag spills things I need later. The bunk is over my head and I’m often too groggy to tell if anything is missing when I grab it. There are bags within the bags and I am too ADHD to be able to keep track of too many things at once. The long and short is, it sucks.

So what to do? I was imagining making something I could carry like a backpack in the shape of a long bucket. John decided we should modify the shape of an existing pack he makes to be more spacious and a bit tall. We were off to the races. Then came the fun part; choosing colors and fabrics and webbing. I had brought a few of my own fabrics for decoration. I chose a 70’s curtain panel with dogs all over it. When it came to the lightweight, heavy duty main fabric, I chose neon orange/pink. I find that if I have a loud, colorful bag I leave it behind less. There is nothing worse than losing something you really need on the road. Nothing is easy to replace in an afternoon, and some things are far too precious to even think about losing, like the clothes I wear for the show. I was excited to get started but nervous too. John is a really good teacher so I felt more at ease as I began to cut out the modified patterns. He made me do most of the hand-work myself and do little practice runs on the big, industrial Juki sewing machines before I was to sew my own bag parts, just to get the feel for them. Those machines are powerful! You could really do some finger damage on them so I had to be really careful. On two separate days we worked hard and the bag was finished in about eight hours total. It looks CRAZY! And I love it. It’s basically a tribute to loving dogs with a skunk on the bottom. The juxtaposition of the creatures seems really funny somehow. Skunks are dogs’ Achilles heel, and always will be. (Coco even got skunked at the grocery store once!) I ceremoniously put all my tour stuff in and put the bag on my back. What a difference! It was comfortable and streamlined to fit through tight doorways! It is a day-bag, light and foldable enough and to go in my big suitcase when I fly. I can’t wait to take it on the road and test it out! I’m not using the bag to climb mountains like Alpine Luddites’ clientele, but I need the same things so I worked out great! Thank you, John! And John’s sweet family! And his giant, fuzzy dogs!

Check out John’s Substack here. There is a lot in there about building your own house and making things. He’s one of the good ones. Thanks, Everyone! I missed you :)

Progress. Photo of me by John Campbell

All around I hear people say, and I read people’s writing talking about how important the arts are at this time. I believe it and amplify that notion as well, however, I am never one to assign any kind of importance to myself, so I don’t exactly have a pin of myself on the map of this whole thing? I’m kind of a migrating bird passing in and out of its traditional range. I think it has to do with the old notions of my powerlessness as a “girl” and also the fact that I have no idea what the moment of expansion and recharge that I myself have experienced as a concert goer, an art show attender, a movie watcher, a protestor, etc., is supposed to feel/look like as a performer/cheerleader? It is something I am trying to understand and be present for. I can say I have never felt so connected to the audience before, which is saying a lot as I have had a lasting love affair with you all for so long. Thank you for showing up. Thank you for giving of yourselves with open hearts. The band and crew and I are humbled by you every night.

The feeling or outcome I am trying to understand is not a “reward” or a “validation,” it is more like looking for some kind of a litmus test for efficacy; “Is this helping?” One thing I did not expect, is that with every show I am less afraid. The anxiety’s voice is tinier and tinier. I am hoping like crazy that translates to you in the audience. I have the privilege of visiting all the places we see on the news in real life and talking to people. We, the people who want peace and justice are the majority. This nation is not some divided grid of violence, it is a country where the violence is being done to us systematically. We are the majority, and not a homogeneous one either! We are varied and complicated and unique and all the more powerful for it. When we shake the fog of fear and hopelessness the administration is cultivating in our souls like black mold, we can see ourselves in our actual vastness again. We can then grab the hands next to us which make us invincible. Fuck state lines, fuck political parties, fuck regional stereotypes, fuck “otherness.” We are “our people.” I think this is maybe what the arts, organizing and protest help us do; to burn off the poison fog and remember our real, powerful selves. Arts remind us to act, because hope is not a weather system that comes and goes or an entity that visits deserving people. You can’t just sit there and wait for it hoping it will come. Hope is something we make, and have to practice at, just like all good things. Let yourself rejoice and feel good that you can make it from scratch at home! There can be no shortage if we ourselves are the source.

Thank you for coming out to see us all play for you. Thank you for your love and participation. XO

ManFriend packs it up post Miami love-fest.

It’s been a little better this week as far as anxiety goes. It still comes on like a wave of nausea and prickly heat from time to time though. I’m triggered by the smallest things: the trigger reminds me to feel sad, angry and afraid. Then, I find I am more angry that there is fear in my body. My internal toxic masculinity feels ashamed of being afraid. I was taught by this society that “fear” is a weak, “female,” stupid, wimpy, “unmanly” reaction to a situation, so my toxic masculinity reacts with disgust. You can surely see how easily that could become a loaded gun inside a human being if left unchecked and not dealt with. It’s a tesla coil of dread and shame. I understand it logically, and can soothe it for the most part, but these tides inside my body take a toll. I am so tired. Thankfully, my friend from Milwaukee reminded me today, while talking about being doxxed, that the presence of fear reminds her to care about her situation. She thinks of it like a light that goes on to remind her to care and to take care. I am so grateful, thanks to her I have a new path in and out of fear that is healthier, logical, non-female negative and less reactive. Thank you.

There are good things happening as well, like the other night in Allentown PA, the band and I had a really nice surprise visit from their mayor, Matt Tuerk, after the show. (https://www.mattformayor.org/bio is an old campaign link but has a really good bio) He was so hopeful and positive and he gave us a boost that we all really needed. I’ll do my best to share it with you here.

Matt walked in wearing a “I Heart A-Town” long sleeve tee and a happy smile. The band and I introduced ourselves and asked the obvious stupid questions about Billy Joel. “We just needed to get that out of the way,” I laughed. He told us a funny story about NPR coming over and getting folks to do a singalong of the song “Allentown,” which turned out semi-bizarre as the city is nothing like it was in 1982 when the song was released, which is a hopeful thing, but the song is actually quite an economic and existential bummer, making the situation delightfully awkward.

We asked real questions too about ICE invading our communities, November elections, and the obvious “what is the best way to make a difference against this horrible fascist machine?” Here are some answers he gave us, as well as some ideas I added in:

Fighting the Nazi machine?

-Calling your political reps is good, but emailing them is better. He points out a call can be ignored, but an email has to be read. (I am immediately knee-jerk skeptical of this because I don’t trust, but I am choosing to, because I want a way out of the darkness. An email IS legal evidence, so that makes logical sense.) He also says it is extremely effective to find out who the members of their staff are and contact them as well. That I did not know, and am taking it to heart.

-VOTE IN NOVEMBER!!! Matt firmly believes elections will happen this fall/winter of 2026 and we can take many fascist pillars out at the knee. He’s positively jubilant about it even… I’m so in.

-Do kind things and lovingly maintain yourself. The right wants us depleted and depressed and apathetic and disenfranchised. Of course they do! Take a page from my Milwaukee friend and take the CARE route. Outwardly love and check in on your friends, say hello to strangers, widen your circle of community, see/participate in music and art, celebrate even the smallest things, go down rabbit holes of what delights you for no good reason, indulge in any kind of beauty or silliness, etc. It is a real tactic that really works. It does not erase or disrespect the weight of the evil committed on human beings, or lessen how we honor humanity. The tactic bolsters our souls, which bolster our immune systems, which bolster our calm and our resolve to change the bad and to resist the corrupt, anti-human, anti-Earth agenda of fascists. Your intention is so powerful! And who of us wouldn’t benefit from some love and silliness? This is also good practice to remember how to treat ourselves and others around us like this all the time, not just in times of crisis.

To do re ICE?

-Donating to your small local orgs who are working to represent and fight for immigrants and other people being unlawfully targeted by ICE in your community. They desperately need help and resources. It may take a little research, but it is the least we can do.

-Here is a link to a non-violent day of action and solidarity with Minnesota this Friday, January 23rd. Find something going on in your area here. You can even create your own event!

-Again, vote in November! Not registered? Do it here in two minutes!

-Educate yourself about ICE activities and tactics. Here is a link to the Immigrant Defense Project where you can learn a LOT! There is information in English and Spanish.

That is a lot of good things! Take heart. The sun is out with a vengeance for a short hour here in cold Madison, and I’m sucking up every ray I can. I stretched and exercised in an effort to put my body and mind in a happier state, which is working a little more every day. Do the little things for yourself, they really do add up. Please share all things you are doing to help and cope here in the comments. No idea or activity is too small! Peace and love to every goddamned one of us! XO

P.S. Today is the one year anniversary of the death of my dear, sweet , huge-hearted friend, Diane Butler, whom I will talk more about in another post. She would be fighting so hard for us right now and still inspires me to do what I have to to stay strong every day. Viva Diane!

Today I met the badger at the Wisconsin State Capitol building in Madison. He said he believes in us, and despite his resting disapproval face, I believe him :)

Morning coffee with bandmates.

-In the narrow aisle that makes our living room on the bus we sit knees to knees waking up, laughing about things and enjoying each other’s company in a way that somehow feels free of time. It’s the bone broth that props up the day.

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We were all wary of re-entering the United States from Canada this week for obvious reasons, but I am happy to report that the United States border agents were very kind and even helpful on our way back in. We thanked them, which seemed to surprise them a little. I felt the weight of ICE on their shoulders. I was disgusted by the face of Kristi Noem staring at me from her portrait on the wall. They seemed embarrassed, or at least uncomfortable. Our shows in Montreal and Ottawa were such a pleasure. I can say first hand that the Canadians are rooting for us and care very much what happens to us here in America. This is no surprise to me as I have lived in Canada and feel that I know it with my heart; the majority of its people care very much. Fascism is not on the table. Ever. The sweet crew and audience at the theatre in Geneva New York also made us feel glad to be back and we had a fantastic time. Thank you, Geneva!

Later… the show at the Flynn was really fun and the Vermonters were so supportive and lovely! The staff at the Flynn were a joy to work with as always. I was very moved by how many of my neighbors came. Thanks, you guys! Now I am in sunny, cold, blustery, gorgeous Portland Maine. The sky is magnificent. I’m so excited to play the State Theatre tonight, it’s one of my favorite venues. It’s old and resonant and comfortable.

Later, later… the show at the State was fantastic! Even on a Monday night! SUCH a lovely audience. Sometimes it seems like our job is to be the folks who make YOU feel better, but you all do the same for the band and crew and I too. THANK YOU. You are not taken for granted. We love you right back! And I sure do love the State Theatre and it’s divine crew. What a fuzzy, welcoming place.

Music and Art; they feel crucial right now. That may sound like I have an inflated sense of self importance, but I’m just telling you how it feels to deliver music at this time. My insides often feel like wet chalk. It’s all so weighted and things that didn’t feel so heavy before do now. Lyrics hit differently, I hear and feel them differently. It’s like I’m constantly filling and putting out hummingbird feeders; “Fight on, tiny, mighty ones. Don’t give up. You are the answer to all this mean reality.” Because, like you I’m sure, Renee Good’s murder in Minneapolis haunts me. It’s always on my mind. I also think about the other people killed by ICE in the last week whose names did not garner the attention Renee Good’s did, people such as Keith Porter. I think of those who have died in detention centers, and those who continue to be harassed and terrorized. The names we don’t know have one glaring thing in common; they were mostly people of color. I’m not surprised. It’s just another drop in the ocean of sadness… but I refuse to drown in it. I’m a fighter from way back.

One of the ways I want to try to strengthen myself is to pull away more from social media. It is incredibly unhelpful at the moment. I will keep writing my Lung posts, but staying off the app for the most part. I’ll still interact with you all in the comments of the posts though. You are a good community. I’ll be getting my news from ManFriendJeff for a while. If you have an even-keel person in your life up on current events and who can deliver facts free of any sensationalism, I highly recommend asking them if you can check in for news updates. It helps a great deal. It also showcases a great skill and can make whomever you ask feel helpful and valued. Win-win. Thank you, everyone. We all need each other. Peace and love to every single one of us. XO

Lovely Portland Maine

I am not here to talk about the Minneapolis shooting, but I cannot not mention it, as I am infected with it, as I am sure you are too. In America we are all “next.” I am not open to any performative outrage here in my feed as it’s far too late in coming, so let’s leave it alone, respectfully.

It’s been the busiest of weeks; getting ready for tour, moving in a new tenant, working on many projects, shoveling snow, you name it… so landing in Montreal for our first date of this New Year’s winter tour is a gift. I love the gorgeous city of Montreal in all seasons, but there is something about it in winter, all covered in snow, that is just magical. I have so many great memories here. It’s a balm for my soul. I am so looking forward to the show tonight, as well as our reunion with Des Demonas!

It was one of those rare exits from home to a tour where I did not need to get on an airplane. I only live three hours from Montreal so the tour bus just came and picked us up. Carrying my things onto the bus at 10pm with Christmas card snow falling all around was surreal and soothing. My dog, Coco, followed me back and forth, on and off the bus as I loaded stuff on. Coco even tried out my bunk for me. She is always thoughtful that way. Time slowed down and we packed everything not in a rush for once. I wish every tour started this way! The only thing that sucked was saying goodbye to Coco. Ugh… I wanted her in my bunk, and on tour with us; with her loving eyes and her pushy snout to boss me around. She keeps me sane. But after we pulled away and got through the border crossing I slept so hard I didn’t even bother to wake up to go to the hotel to sleep. I woke up in a snowy alley behind the venue to a coffee ManFriendJeff had bought for me. My heart was full.

When I met up with my bandmates at the theatre for rehearsal my heart exploded. What a sight for sore eyes they were! It’s a kind of love I can’t do without. It is a galvanizing camaraderie that makes you feel not just loved but useful. Our shared purpose generates joy and silliness, which is something I need to keep me going. I value the band and crew more than I can say.

I always feel a bittersweet tinge coming back into Canada as I miss it. My college days here were some of the best of my life. I wanted to stay in Canada after my fourth year as that’s where my life had really started for the better, but I was poor so I had to go back to the US. I felt rather defeated. I could have stayed illegally, past my student visa’s deadline, but I didn’t want that. I just couldn’t risk being permanently banned from a place I loved so much. I still feel like a dual citizen in my heart; a North American.

Tonight Montreal, tomorrow, lovely Ottawa. I am lucky indeed. I will be posting a lot more on this tour so stay tuned. Peace and love to us all. XO

My sweetheart says “hi.”

I woke on this first day of 2026 at 4:58 and put on some coffee and

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Good morning! It’s the last day of 2025 and I’m on hold with UPS. I have decided this is the last day I am going to deal with crappy little problems for a while. So I am waiting patiently to check off another “try” task on my list. I’m trying to get compensated for a “signature required” package that was just left on my porch without said signature. The package isn’t lost, but it showing up on Christmas Eve with no one to sign for it, and the driver having left it made it look “delivered,” and thus voided a return window I desperately needed. It was a trial-buy arranged with the seller who was very excited that I missed the TWO day return window due to it being Christmas. Very cool. It was expensive and UPS just threw protocol to the wind. I had driven out of state to be with friends about two hours before the driver showed up, so the package should not have been delivered at all. Anyway, you know this song. We all do. Both UPS and the seller are really unhelpful and want no part in making things right. It feels so mercenary. I wish there was a spray or a blacklight pen you could use to see if something was being sold, delivered or performed by someone mercenary. It’s the coldest feeling of all.

I know you all go through these stupid things and are sometimes even badly harmed by them. How do we go forward avoiding, and/or un-training the mercenaries or at least neutralizing their effects? I don’t know. My first instinct is to withdraw from people, to withhold trust and to be suspicious which feels like a soak in toxic soup, so no, I shake it off. I want to believe in the goodness of people, I want to give people the benefit of the doubt. The fact that I am willing to trust in the first place is a fucking miracle, so I don’t want to dim it, I want it to be a strength. It IS a strength. It is authentic openness and a compliment to show a stranger a lack of fear or suspicion. I’m very tired of people seeing openness as a weakness, or giving you the “you should have known better..” bullshit. Connection. Community. That’s what I want, even with a stranger on the other end of a transaction. It’s NOT too much to ask.

How am I gonna get there? I’m gonna have to bushwack that trail as the moments require. Any suggestions are welcome as long as they are not related to any saccharine “Eat, Pray, Love” platitudes that are carved onto distressed plaques in AirBB kitchens across the world… haha! So today, I make all the shitty calls, leave messages, write down case numbers, etc. But tomorrow I’m done. Wanna come with me? Let’s be done. These annoying and hurtful things will come again, but I will not face them the same. I don’t know what that looks like yet, but I’m eager to find out. Well, not eager..

So it’s a new year coming and I don’t want to have expectations, but I also want to? As in, “This is gonna be a great year because I make it one!” I’m so tired of bad years! We all deserve some hope. It’s true, T**** should be in jail by now and I am brought so low by how little victims of sexual violence’s lives and pain matter to anyone. The apathy is so much worse than I thought. It hurts more than I can process. Don’t get me wrong, I am not surprised by it, just retraumatised. I’m sure a lot of you are. It feels like there is a garbage disposal always on in my stomach, complete with the signature jarring sound constantly in my ears.

I am not going out of this year defeated though. I want to be sunshine and rainbows for you, but I am only human. If things can get worse, they can get better, and I will push the nose of that fucking clown freighter toward the light myself if I have to, but I have a feeling you guys want to right the ship too. To the new year! I love you all. N

Marcia having pinned the tiger under the Christmas tree bolsters me some.

This last week, I wrote a new song for the musical, replaced an old one, fixed some lyrics and played a lot of baritone guitar. It felt good. We busted through some roadblocks and had lots of good laughs. I truly love my colleagues. I am so lucky to work alongside them. The highpoint of the trip though…

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Don’t get me wrong, tour was great in all the ways it’s supposed to be; band and crew camaraderie, music, connection with the audience, old friends and new, Des Demonas (YES!), good food and kind locals, etc. I just never fully found my footing? I think this break will make that possible. I got home just in time for a glorious Larch season which makes my face feel like an array that soaks up color and shadow for energy. It’s our “Secret Season” of wild light and burning golds against complicated grays. So many species are now absent having moved on for the season, but the beavers are still working away, still giving me hope. The dog and cats still let me snuggle them too much. They understand. I try hard not to notice what is still not unpacked or moved in by doing constant laundry. That’s progress, right? Fall is a complex time. I do believe the veil is thin and if not those we’ve lost, things that give us anxiety have easier access to our minds and our fears. Those people who I have lost have been extra present this last tour though, its been filled with ghosts who I welcome. They comfort me even though I mourn them still. I am between two worlds. It’s very sobering, but this day, Halloween, is propping me up. I am excited to go back on the road next week. Westward we go.

How are you doing?

Here are some highlights…

I lost so many incredible, beloved friends and colleagues during the making of this album. There is so much I wish I could have said to them. It became crucial to me to make sure to honor and remind the living how much you matter and how good you make other people’s lives too. The world is hard and dark, and it is changeable, by us. I am reminding you how effective, how powerful and how capable you are. Celebrate yourself so that you may feel stronger, so that love grows too large for hate, greed and fear to overpower. This record is the soundtrack to the next step of GROWTH, not darkness. Love yourself, love each other, as all of us who made this record love you and this beautiful world.

Thank you for listening. All my love and respect, Neko

And Happy Birthday, Gavin!!!

Some of the other folks who worked on the record as well…

Photos by Rigby (guess which ones!), Grace and myself.

Firstly, I went to visit sweet Dennis the kitty on Saturday. I am so thrilled to report that he could not be more relaxed, happy and LOVED. I stayed for tea for about an hour and a half with my new friend, my old friend and my old kitty. Not that I expected anything different, but they were madly in love and Dennis got to show his belly a lot. The big sunroom where we enjoyed our tea was positively made for cats. Big sun squares on the floor for napping and stretching, a sweet, cool crossbreeze and lots of space to explore. Dennis chose to hang out with us and visited everyone’s lap several times, something he didn’t get to do at my house out of fear Big Chet would be lurking just out of sight waiting to depose him. My new friend said he still had moments of vigilance, but they were quickly melting away. I could tell. I was filled with joy and happiness, as was my kitty. It was the right thing to do for everyone. My new friend went on about his little habits and was clearly “his person.” He sleeps with her every night. I am so grateful to my old friend and new. Rock on, Dennis! I’ll be back to visit!

Second, I have a new song out today! It’s called “Rusty Mountain.” You can find it HERE. Here is a YouTube link. The new record “Neon Grey Midnight Green” is out this Friday the 26th of September! Wow! It’s been a long time coming. You can get it (if you want) from the two links provided above. This week is all about tour! Rehearsal, packing, laughing, worrying and being really tired and really excited! A huge thanks to everyone who made this record possible. You have my undying love. And speaking of love…

Thirdly, on release day (Sept 26th) there are indy record store listening parties, ALL OVER THE PLACE! Check out this list! It shouldn’t be too hard for most folks to find one near them. There is exclusive merch in participating stores while supplies last. I am overwhelmed by the sheer number of stores participating. I feel so loved and supported. I am truly moved. The indy record and book stores are our most loving hubs for sustenance, and hope in hard times. They don’t give up and neither should we. I hope this record makes you feel loved and supported, as that is my goal.

Fourth, we planted TEN more trees yesterday. I was so tired and fried but ManFriend didn’t let me quit. He even helped by planting one extra Pagoda Dogwood at my sweet neighbor’s house. ManFriend gets the MVP award for the month, no question.

Fifth, I just learned that Monday, Sept 29th, I’m doing an in-store signing at Rough Trade Records in NYC at 1pm EST! Hello New York!!! HERE is the link with the info. Come on over!!!

I have more good news that I will post shortly! Stay tuned!

Until then, here are some text massages from Dennis..

It’s been a sad, yet hopeful week at the farm; I had to send my beloved cat, Dennis, to a new home. A year and a half after he showed up on our doorstep, my cats just would not accept him. It broke my heart. He just wanted to be a part of the family so bad. Things had gotten worse lately as Dennis was beginning to be afraid to come in and was getting less and less human time and affection at night which was his favorite thing. All the cats became hypervigilant of each other. That broke my heart too; everyone on high alert all the time. All Dennis wanted was to be somebody’s best friend. He wanted to sleep in the bed every night and not have to look over his shoulder all the time. Ugh. Poor kid… Luckily, my dear friend Michelle, connected me with her lovely neighbor, who lost her two elderly cats last year. She stepped up and offered to meet him to see if they might have a connection. Their first meeting between them at my house was adorable (and quite moving) and she was in love with him right away. She took him home that very evening. I’m happy to report that so far he is doing really well and sleeping with her every night, just like he wanted. I’m going for a visit this weekend which, I’m sure, will galvanize my satisfaction with the decision to re-home him. He deserves all the good things, not the shitty feeling of being “uninvited” that my cats gave him. It hurts, no question, I LOVE that cat, but I’d rather see him spoiled by someone who truly loves him and has all the space he needs. The other good thing? I think I made a new friend. Everyone wins. Rock on, Dennis!

Well, back to my own beaver-work, getting ready for a trillion houseguests and a huge tour. I feel positive beaver energy. They are inspiring creatures. Who do you look to in the natural world to give you inspiration fuel to keep on? Please tell! XO! N

Here is a song to make you feel good. This ear worm never gets old.

I am so busy now I am overwhelmed. The record comes out in 16 days and tour starts in 18. That is a LOT to prepare for. I have been doing the art, practicing, cleaning, packing, and so on. I am so excited to be back with my talented, kind, hilarious friends making music and meeting people around the country. It’s a great way to remember that this country and its people are NOT what the news says we are. We are better, loving, caring people with good hearts. I’ll not let anyone forget it. Speaking of, we have EXCELLENT friends on tour with us this go round. Des Demonas from DC are on the 1st and 3rd legs. They have a song I listen to when the state of this country gets me really down. It’s called “The South Will Never Rise Again.” Please take it as your go-to rallying cheer-up mobilizer. It is MIGHTY, as are Des Demonas.

For our second leg we have my dear friend, John Grant. What a voice! Pure caramel, people! He is a great songwriter and performer, as well as hilarious. We share a deep love of pinball, embroidery, Nina Hagen and the production of Conny Plank. Get OVER here!

Please come out to our shows. I miss you all, and I am so excited to play for you all again. XO!!

Here are tickets if you want some! https://nekocase.com/tour

What are your go-to songs when you are pissed off or sad about the world?