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Hello there, from here.
Here is Charlottesville, Virginia, where we acknowledge and pay respect to the Monacan People as the traditional custodians of this beautiful land, especially as we near the U.S. holiday of Thanksgiving. (Donations can be made through the Nation's website.)
Here is also my kitchen table, with its tablecloth recently landed to display fall colors. Here above is an image from my walk today, past a favorite swim spot in the Rivanna River that wends its way through town.
I have news, some newnesses to share, but mostly a feeling of deep and gentle appreciation for having made it through another year of transitions and music-making.
Thank you to everyone who's supported me through the various services I offer. I'll be hosting two online workshops this winter, and am able to create workshops and talks to suit the needs of private groups, universities, etc. I'm also available for 1:1 creative support and and song commissions.
This Sunday, November 14th from 4-5pm ET I'll be giving an online concert highlighting new songs and works-in-progress, with time for a lil Q&A at the end. Tickets here.
This concert is free for my Patreon supporters.
On Friday, November 19th I'm pleased to be opening for Tōth at Richmond Music Hall. I've been enjoying adding Tōth's music to dance mixes over the past year. Tickets here.
Registration for my 12-Week Songwriting Workshop is now open. A new series for up to twelve participants begins on January 8th, 2022.
Early registration is recommended as each workshop to date has filled to capacity (thank you, truly).
It's been a total joy to create and work with mixed-level groups of people exploring songcraft together. Read a full description of the series to see if it may be for you or someone you know!
 This mini-workshop is happening again on Sunday, January 23rd as I believe in the incredible pleasure of vocal harmony and that it's actually easier than you may think! Info & register here.
I'm working on a new record. More on that soon, but my initial thought is that this one needs to be made simply, and cheaply! In recent years, pressing vinyl became one of the main avenues through which independent artists like myself recoup/pay for recording costs, and right now the industry is facing serious shortages and delays. Important Records (who released my albums Boneset, Oh Vanille, etc.) is featured in this recent NY Times article about what's happening with vinyl.
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Lately I'm needing lots of rest. Sometimes I actually rest, and other times I simply downshift from being generative to being receptive. Here are some wonderful things that me and my couch have been enjoying:
Documentaries:
Podcasts:
- "Are You For Sale?" created by Miguel Gutierrez - About the ethical entanglements between money and art-making. How do artists make their lives work? An engrossing and well-researched series tracing the history of who's typically received funding, or not, based on sexuality, race, gender, ideologies, and artistic content. Miguel Gutierrez is a brilliant dancer/ choreographer based in NYC whom I had the pleasure of working with on the music video for my song "Sara".
- "Call & Response" created by Adia Victoria - I've linked to a particular episode in which Adia interviews Jason Isbell about "the pitfalls of unquestioned nostalgia in country music". Adia is deep and light and fresh and speaks her mind and I really enjoy her music.
Music:
Thanks to this enormously fine rosemary plant as I continue a years-long tradition of making rosemary salve in time for winter. Yesterday I had an enjoyable encounter with this bush in North Garden, VA. I pruned out lots of deadwood, which lets it breathe, and it gifted me with cuttings that I'm now turning into rosemary salve (available in my store).
Yours, in musical balms for the qualms,
Diane
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