You become strong by doing the things you need to be strong for. This is the genuine way learning takes place. That's a very difficult way to live, but it also has served me. It's been an asset as well as a liability.

Hey friends,

Well, it has been a bit of hard few weeks. I think we've both been trying to find peace in our bones lately, like when we have to say goodbye in ways that we're never really prepared to do or when it feels like our bodies are failing us and when shit around us feels totally fucked... just cancel the new prison construction already, ok?

The quote at the top is from Audre Lorde. It was recently used in the introduction to Janet Mock's new book, Redefining Realness, which katy introduced me to. Check the book out here.

Here's the quote again: You become strong by doing the things you need to be strong for. This is the genuine way learning takes place. That's a very difficult way to live, but it also has served me. It's been an asset as well as a liability.

So, I got a fortune tonight that told me "to light the soul-fire, make your body sound and healthy". This feels a bit funny yet well appropriate to the moment. It's felt hard to be strong enough to do the things that you need to do all the time, even if its about survival, and well sometimes you can't. Sometimes you just can't. And that's ok. That's what being in this band has been about for me- finding a way to thrive and sometimes just to survive. And lighting the soul fire (whatever that is exactly) and making your body sound and healthy and being strong by doing are actually all the same things. And this is making me think of a zine by Corinna Dross and others called Self as Other: Reflections on Self-Care. Read about it.

cut from granite monolith
piled stones dressed in robes
mineral memory
all that rises must converge
layers of gold wrapped in silk
fog lies heavy at our feet
mineral memory
all that rises must converge
(for you, mouse)

In other news, we recently went into WXPN to record with John Vettese for a Key Studio Session. It was a good time! Thanks John for coming in on a snowy night and making it happen! You'll hear a sneak peak of some of the songs on our new record! We're working on finishing up in the studio in the next few weeks. This third record will be out in late Spring, we hope! So stay tuned. Words above are from Mineral Memory, a new song on the record.

We're playing a few shows here and there in the next few months including Gainesville! We're going there for the first time ever (as a band) and are excited to be supporting our friend's art opening. More info to come. But in general, we're really focused on finishing this record and planning a tour this summer for when it's ready!

We had a good time playing with Pissed Jeans and Purling Hiss a few weeks ago at Union Transfer. It was pretty awesome to play at that venue. The staff were super friendly and the sound was rad on stage. You can see some pictures here. It's funny, someone reviewed the show and said we were "straight, simple and shy" or something like that. hmm... I guess at least they made an alliteration.

xo,
diane