Hi buddies,
It’s been grey grey grey in Chicago — we’re moving through that rough patch before we can even pretend that Spring is on its way. I’m alternating between bursts of energy and deep hibernation mode: sleeping in and occasionally melting into the couch to speed watch TV (only the fashion segments of Queer Eye, only the parts of The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel with Lenny Bruce in them, etc.).
I’ve been doing a lot of recording, both in person and remotely — contributing little bits to exciting new projects from Macie and Izzy and Adam, among others. And planning tours, applying for things, emails, emails, emails…
This week I get to go see my Mama to celebrate her birthday with her. We’re going to see my second favorite Beethoven symphony and down to Big Sur to camp. I’m excited to see her!
a few shows:
2.13 Heavy Tiny (a new duo of me and Nick Meryhew!); Color Club, Chicago
2.17 In These Times w/ Makaya McCraven, Saratoga Springs, NY
2.23 In These Times w/ Makaya McCraven, North Bethesda, MD
2.29-3.3 solo, True/False Film Fest; Columbia, MO
tiny recommendations:
This poem by my dear Elizabeth Metzger.
T-Pain singing Sam Cooke (and those backup singers sounding so good from a couch behind him).
These chocolate chip shortbread cookies by Alison Roman — best with dark chocolate and salted butter.
This track that N made a few weeks ago, using a single sample of someone whistling.
Dave Rempis’ residency at the Hungry Brain has been so great this month — last week, this stellar quartet. He’s playing another Thursday show at Constellation this week with Gerrit Hatcher, Kent Kessler, and Bill Harris.
I was blown away by Yi Yi, Edward Yang’s tender and lifelike picture of a family and their relationships. You can watch it on the Criterion Channel!
The new Godzilla movie is also so good.
As I mentioned, it’s been really grey in Chicago for the last week (or more??) and when I see people wearing sunglasses when there’s no sun I always think of this video:
Radicchio as a staple vegetable.
Speaking of which, my normal snack is peanut butter toast but we keep not buying bread, so I keep having to come up with new midnight snacks from non-snack food. Here’s two:
Cut half an onion in thin slices and cook in a little more olive oil than you normally would, along with some salt and red pepper flakes. After 3 minutes or so, add some of a can of chickpeas. However many chickpeas you want to eat, but I like a healthy chickpea/onion ratio. Stir. After 3 more minutes add some thinly slices radicchio and stir until wilted. Serve with a dollop of yogurt.
or
Defrost some green peas in boiling water, eat with salt and olive oil.
N and I have been reading Household Stories before bed. I hadn’t read them since I was a child but they’re so funny and sad and full of strange little details.
S/o to everyone who’s given me a ride this month (looking at you Macie, Gerrit, Mabel, Zach), you’ve made my life so much easier. Cheers to small kindnesses!
That’s all for now. Stay well and warm, friends.
Lia