I'm really fond of this informal picture of us that Janet Takayama took, right before we got up on the main stage at Skokie's Backlot Bash festival in late August. Here's Teddy, Andy, myself, Rich, and Chris.
Just like with a friendship or any other type of relationship, when it comes to a band, it's really important to avoid stagnation and reinvent yourself not just individually, but also collectively. We're all singing harmonies now, for instance, and we threw in a new song because it's great to have these moments that keep you on your toes. I'm learning a couple of other new things too… not ready to do it on stage just yet, but soon!
We've played a lot of shows in Chicago this summer as a 5-piece, 4-piece, trio, duo — from festivals to house concerts. Rich and I also played a show in New York at The Shrine in Harlem, which was great fun. And at the very end of August, I wrote and performed a new song at Jenny Bienemann's “Haiku Milieu” songwriter showcase at Fitzgerald's, where 20 of Chicago's greatest contemporary songwriters each performed one song inspired by one of Jenny's haiku poems, and we were backed up by a kickass house band.
And with that I've begun writing songs for the next album, which we'll record in the winter. This fall also involves some exotic travel for me, including Sicily and Kolkata, India. But before that happens, we'll be doing three cool shows in Chicago in September.
Do you have any fun projects you're looking forward to this fall? Ways of reinventing yourself? Ways to gain strength, joy, or preserve sanity? Let me know!
xoxo
Nikki
