AUGUST.

Here we are. Already in August. I can hardly believe it. 

I think in my head, I had planned to do one of these a month. If you look back at my previous post you can see that I missed July. To be honest with you, July was just such a whirlwind, I could barely keep up myself. But I have a minute here and I thought of you and I wanted to write. 

This last week or so, I've been doing some major reflection as I come into the back half of the year. This year started with my first ever sold out show in my hometown at The Cock 'n Bull. Rick, the owner and a good friend of mine, was texting me that morning telling me he had people calling him personally and asking for tables and chairs. I was shocked and humbled and it was an incredible evening.

In February, that same band and I made our way down to the city to play music for the CEO of Atlantic Records. He loved my music, specifically "Steady Your Heart" but I didn't have the social media following for him to want to move in any forward motion with my music being attached to his record label's name. (The big question is, would I have wanted it even if I could have had it? Something I still ponder over 6 months later.)

Then, March was full of Nippertown's March Madness competition, which ended in all of you getting me through to the final round and allowing me recording time, some extra cash, and a chance to play at their festival in July. That made me feel so held and supported by all of you, I can't even begin to explain. I had no idea I had that many people behind me that believed in me enough to make that happen.

For those of you who don't know, I then unfortunately lost my Grandmother and my cousin in the following months and I've still been healing from that. Every now and again I think to myself, "Why do I have so many of these days where I only want to sit on my couch, watch 'True Blood' and eat snacks?" And then I remember, I'm still grieving. Those deaths are weighing heavy on my heart and really turned my world upside down. The song inspiration has been on a bit of a pause as I try and process how different life is now. Sometimes you know you're going through that hero's journey as you're in it, and that's what this feels like.

In June, I had my first ever headlining solo show at Caffe Lena, the door manager said she had never seen so many at the door tickets purchased before the show, which was giving me a heart attack because I was sure no one was coming until I walked out on stage and there were 102 of you in the audience. (Not sold out, but 8 tickets away. It's now a goal for next year.) My heart is still so full from that evening and that will really mean so much to me for quite awhile.

July just didn't stop. I saw so many of you out and about at all of the various gigs I played and it was so lovely. Closing out with Wolf Hollow and my family coming out and us being able to gather for something that wasn't a passing really brought so much warmth to me, I could feel it while I was up there and still feel it today.

I just released my "Tail End of Summer" dates. Come and see me, I'd love to see you. These gigs I have coming up and have had this year are the gigs I've been striving towards for the last seven years. Gigs that feature my music and a room of people coming to sit and listen to it. It's incredible. And all of this is not lost on me. Just how lucky I am to be able to do the thing I love and have people listen. I think about that almost everyday. (Gratitude is a practice I try to instill daily or I'd lose sight of what's important.)

To close, thank you. Thank you. The support you have brought this year has been unprecedented. It has felt like a major shift in a multitude of ways. But I am just to grateful.

Thinking of all of you, I hope your summer has been full of the things that make you happy. 

Much love,
Angelina 🌱