Two years ago, I was on a set break at Eddie V's in Austin, Texas, talking about my music goals and aspirations with my friend and bandmate, Michael Stevens (bass.)
"I think my next major goal is to get to play overseas. A jazz festival, or anything. Just to say I did."
Michael was all-ears and replied, "Well, let's make that happen!"
Little did I know that just a few months later, I would spontaneously make the huge transition of a move to the east coast, rebuilding a musical presence in a new place from scratch.
I more or less forgot ever saying that dream aloud, caught up in the momentum of new baby, new home, new work everything, etc. etc.
Well wouldn't you know, in spite of what looked like a career setback to anyone watching (because let's be honest, I know what it looked like, too) a dream coming true is on the horizon. I am making arrangements to travel & perform in Barcelona, Spain this November. (Big thanks to the Big Juicy Entertainment team for advocating for its independent artists.)
I am offering some merch I've designed this year specifically to support costs associated with overseas travel! Pictured above is my original print, "Claire de Lines," which will be mailed to you for $12
(plus cost of shipping) and below are some
limited print brand stickers, $4 a pop.
Cough cough, I also must relay another huge milestone set to occur.
I'm calling him The Benefactor - a perfect description allowing anonymity - the fan who approached me this summer with curiosity about how he could help expand my music to a larger audience.
Thanks to his benevolence, at this moment I am locked into an October date to record a few standards and original songs in a quartet format at Mastersound Studios with incredible session musicians, offering ample career experience for me to learn from along the way.
Inhale Let's gooooooo!
I turn 30 in October. I spent half of my twenties completely brainwashed by youth culture, that treats the 20s like a ticking time bomb of potential. It made me look sourly upon the idea of having kids. I subconsciously assigned an expiration date to my looks, my appeal, my value as a commodity, to expire right around this age I'm about to hit. I know I'm not alone, and I sympathize with anyone trapped in that condemning loop, but I urge you to have no tolerance for it. It's a fake, empty motivation to be driven by the fear of time running out.
The reality is, when you operate in peace, being faithful with the little, God has promised to be faithful with the much. He says seek first the kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be added unto you.
I put "your hopes and dreams" inside of "all these things," though contextually, He was directly referring to food & clothing.
What is righteousness? Rightstanding with your Creator. Surrendering to His plans. Doing the right thing in the very small corner of the universe you occupy.
These are some of the powerful words that are SPELL BREAKERS of vanity, envy, comparison, as I am human and those moments are bound to happen...though thankfully, less and less, especially as I meditate on how blessed I have been, & what my life is really for.
I have seen that every labor
and every skill which is done
is the result of rivalry
between a person and his neighbor.
This too is futility and striving after wind.
Ecclesiastes 4:4
Oh, don’t worry;
we wouldn’t dare say that we are as wonderful as these other men
who tell you how important they are! But they are only comparing themselves with each other,
using themselves as the standard of measurement.
How ignorant!
2 Corinthians 10:12
 How can you believe since you accept glory from one another
but do not seek the glory that comes from the only God?
John 5:44
That last one really whacks me.
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