The Effects of Moonlighting in Night Vale

    Well, hey, everyone! I hope you're all doing well. I know I've been pretty quiet lately, but a lot has been going on. So much so that I thought it necessary to come share some thoughts and updates of sorts. 
   April 11, I opened for my dear friends in Strangers When We Meet. At the time, I thought that would be my last show, maybe ever, but definitely for now. To be completely honest, I just need a break. 
   Back in February, I took some time off from my full-time job in order to write some new music. At that point, I was fully preparing to record a full-length record, something I haven't done in nearly a decade! Then I started looking around for recording options. It hit me all at once like a ton of bricks one day. "What are you doing here, man?" one of the voices in my head said to me. I thought long and hard about it and decided that I couldn't justify the expense of money and time to pull this off. The biggest reason being pretty simple: I don't have enough of a fanbase to recoup the expense. That never stopped me before, but it did this time. Call it maturity, I guess. Hell, call it old age if you want. It just no longer made sense to do this. So, I planned on letting go of my social media handles and this very website. Just let it all go. Sure I could pop in and play a show or two from time to time. But the days of "going for it" were behind me. At least that's what I thought.
   The universe has a funny way of twisting and bending things to its will. Around this same time, I received a reply to an email I had sent back in October. I had been selected to have my song "Panic Attack" featured as the weather report on the amazing fiction podcast Welcome to Night Vale. The episode was set to air on April 15. So, I played my "last" show, I graciously thanked the people that were there, who all had helped me out in ways I could never pay back. I figured the appearance on the podcast might amount to a few downloads but didn't dream it would change my entire stance on where I stand as an artist, performer, and songwriter.
    Prior to being chosen to be the weather, my usual monthly listener count on Spotify landed between 2 and 5. When I released "The Curse," I peaked at around 22. We are 2 days shy of 1 month since my episode aired, and my monthly listener count is up to 92, raising nearly everyday. I've been Shazam'd so many times, I've lost count. I'm grateful Apple Music for artists tracks that. It's a cool thing to know. Someone asks their future-super-computer phone "what is this song?" And it's my song!
   I'm so grateful that my music has finally reached an audience with an appreciation for it. I always knew deep down this was possible. It feels really vindicating and gratifying. A lot of heartache and tears feel less heavy on my soul these days. 
   I don't know what the future holds. Here are a few things I know. First, I'm not done. I'm currently wracking my brain trying to figure out how to scrape together the time and funds to record a new song. Just 1. For now. Baby steps. Also, I know that I'm approaching everyday, every move I make, related to music or otherwise, with a heart so full of gratitude it's bursting at the seams. If you are reading this because you've recently discovered my musical endeavors, welcome aboard! I appreciate you so much, and I will do everything in my power to pay you back for your support. The only way I know how to do that is to give the next song, the next show, whatever and whenever those are, my very best. That's my solemn vow. So, while I have a lot of things to sort out, I'm not going to hold back one bit anymore. I hope you'll come on this journey with me, dear reader. Thanks for indulging me by reading all this. I hope life is treating you alright. And if it isn't, just remember: you've made it this far. You can keep going. I believe in you.
​    Nothing but love and peace to you all!