A few shows, a super easy tomato sauce and some book recommendations
Lia's February Newsletter
Hi buddies,
Happy almost February!
This month is bookended by trips to New Orleans (one of my favorite places on the planet) and Boston (not). My goal is to relish the former and find something to like about the latter*. I’ve written a piece for 11 musicians and 11 radios, which the Instigation Orchestra will perform down in New Orleans. I’ve never made something on that scale before and I’m very excited!
In between trips, I’m playing some shows in Chicago, releasing another single from my record, and taking a lot of baths.
Upcoming shows:
January 30 Cassie Watson Francillon’s Consortium, New Orleans: Hotel St. Vincent
January 31 Trio w/ Helen Gillet and Martin Masakowski, New Orleans: Chickie Wah Wah
February 2 Instigation Orchestra, New Orleans: Happyland
February 16 duo with Zander Raymond, Chicago: Co-prosperity Sphere
February 17 duo with Sarah Clausen, Chicago: Hungry Brain
February 18 duo with Macie Stewart, Chicago: Constellation
Then I’m in Boston for a week with Manual Cinema.
Early warning: I’m doing a release show for The Ceiling Reposes on March 10th! Save the date!
tiny recommendations:
I’m on a Jenny Offill kick, and was absolutely floored by Department of Speculation. It’s (a little) rare that a book makes me sob, but this one did. I’m halfway through The Hero of this Book, by Elizabeth McCracken, which I picked up after reading this very interesting review. Already highly recommend!
After seeing Sophie Calle’s Because — The Blind at the Art Institute recently, I put every book of hers available at the Chicago Public Library (bless) on hold. I think she’s amazing and maybe you will, too.
N and I have been cooking dinner exclusively from Marcella Hazan’s Essentials of Classic Italian Cooking, which their mom got me for Christmas. It’s the best, and I’m shockingly still not tired of pasta. A favorite is this super easy tomato sauce — put it all in the pot and play a game of bananagrams while it simmers.
After a recent trip to the record shop, we’ve been listening to three records on repeat: Donuts, The Trance of the Seven Colors, and Special Herbs Volumes 5 & 6. And a lot of Kraftwerk which I inherited from a former neighbor.
Those of you who are board game inclined: check out Root!
stay warm, tell your friends you love them,
Lia
*if you like Boston and want to help me like it too, lmk
Boston has the most horrifying traffic I've ever experienced, but Monica's Mercato in the North End made it (almost) worth it!