Right before the pandemic hit and everything shutdown, I got tickets for Alexis and I to see The Tallest Man on Earth at the Troubadour. Two years later, and a lot of rescheduling, we got to go. It was an awesome show. The thing that stuck with me more than anything though, was feeling that we finally turned the corner. Getting to finally use those tickets 2 years later feels like evidence strong enough to hold up in a court of law that we’re moving on and getting back to life. Thank God.

Like the Wheel by The Tallest Man On Earth

Middle Kids at the Teragram Ballroom in Los Angeles. Ever since the first time I saw them and realized she was playing a right handed guitar, left handed, I knew I was sunk. They’ve quickly made their way into my list of favorite bands that I haven’t already been listening to for over a decade.

Edge of Town by Middle Kids

A month ago George and I had our show. I’d been holding off sharing the experience until I had the time to cut together an edit from the footage Alexis shot. To just get right to it, the night went as good as it possibly could’ve.

Family, friends, friends of friends, and strangers poured in all night. Some traveled a few blocks to be there, some a few thousand miles. The rest coming from everywhere in between. Everywhere you looked there was laughing, drinking, donuts, and of course the art. It was one of the most fun and memorable nights of my life. George would tell you the same. Couldn’t have asked for a thing more, but even more is what we got.

We were honestly shocked at the amount of enthusiasm we received for everything we’d done. The look on George’s face up top really says it all. He showed 9 pieces and sold 7. I showed 36 and sold 31. We raised several thousand dollars for a charity we decided on together, called P.S. Arts. They’re a nonprofit that works to keep art programs alive and thriving in underserved public schools and communities across California. Growing up, art was obviously always my favorite subject. Can’t imagine having gone through all those years without it. Who knows where or who I’d be, if that fire was never stoked. Guess I’m just trying to say it was an easy cause to stand behind.

In the end, It was all a lot of work, but was all entirely worth it. Sure, the months and weeks leading up had their stresses and snags along the way. Some literally up until the hour before the doors opened. The thing is, you can make short work of just about anything with the kind of friends we’ve got. From day one, they just wanted to know how to help. And each in their own way, they did exactly that. Truly grateful to call these people friends.

Thank you to everyone who shared their support, regardless if you made it out or not. Really, truly, means the world to us.

Happy 40 George, we did it.

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My good friend George Danelli and I have talked about having a joint art show together for almost a decade. It’s finally happening at Kingswell in Los Feliz, Saturday May 4th, from 8p – 11p. So come see some art, have some free drinks, dance, and wish George a happy 40th birthday. All artists sales will be donated to charity. More info to come, but save the date. Link to the Facebook event page here

Lord Huron at the Teragram Ballroom in Los Angeles.

Meet Me in the Woods by Lord Huron

Surprised Alexis with tickets to the Bahamas show at the Teragram Ballroom.

Lost In The Light by Bahamas

Arcade Fire in Seattle. They fill me with so much light whenever I see them.

By leaps and bounds, the closest to stage I’ve ever been at the Hollywood Bowl. For perspective, there were over 17,000 people behind us. Daughter, Local Natives, and The National. Three bands I’d easily see play on their own, shared the stage to make one of the most memorable nights of my life, and I got to share with some of my best people. All thanks to this guy

Past Lives by Local Natives

Geographer at the Teragram Ballroom in Los Angeles.

This is How We Walk on the Moon, covered by Geographer.

Leon Bridges at the Wiltern in Los Angeles.

Pull away by Leon Bridges

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