Hello, and welcome to Volume 34 of the Underground Binder Clip Society.
Boy is it good to be back. 30 days off, and a good handful of social-media-benders later. I am officially kicking myself in the pants and trying to get back to it.
I never would’ve thought i’d still be learning so much about life and purpose and what I believe. I surely am “living into the questions” as Rilke puts it. There is not much else I can do. I am giving myself lots of grace, and also trying to hold myself to a higher standard. I make my little to-do lists and rules for myself, but I lose them very quickly. All the while, their contents live on in my head. It’s the thought, mostly, that counts. Even the making of my lists is me demanding something of myself. I am, at least, showing up.
A few weeks ago I hosted “Community Dinner” in my backyard, which I will continue to do once a month for the foreseeable future. It was a really sweet time. I got to feed everyone chili, I set up arts and crafts and we had an open mic! A couple of people read poems aloud or shared songs for the first time ever. My heart was warmed, and I am very excited to continue cultivating community and creativity. If you’re in Nashville and would like to join us, the next Community Dinner is on Oct. 19th!!! Sign up hereand mark your calendar.
I have been writing a lot of new music, and making a lot of #content for my record that just came out.My theory is that if I can turn off my emotions and make 20 TikTok’s in one sitting, then I only have to sell my soul for about 10% of the time that I am on the computer in a week. Yeah, Right. Either way, I am trying to make a habit of actively believing in the music I am making…by promoting it. With the times the way they are, the cheapest way for me to gain new listenership is to utilize all possible social media avenues. I am treating it like work, and getting a lot of it done in my downtime at my retail job two days a week.
Anyways, I am also actively believing in my music by getting out and playing it. I played in Florence, AL this past weekend, solo, and it was good. I felt strong about my set and the crowd was receptive. A couple people were actually there to see my set which was pretty awesome. I for sure made a couple new fans, which is what its all about. I was grateful to have my friends Claire and Jesse tag along for the trip. We enjoyed hearing from Zion Goins and Brother Goode, who hosted us at the Lava Room.
I will play a writers round in Nashville this coming Friday, Oct. 4th at City Church in East Nashville. You can get more details by reaching out to myself or Michelle Raybourn.
If you want to host a house show / song share in your home soon or in the coming year, i’d love to put it together, and share a few songs. Just reply to this and let me know and we can get the ball rolling.
Anyways, thanks for being here. Lately, life has felt like I am reaching the edge of a video game map and being catapulted back to the center. Isn’t it funny how we try to be so independent, when we could be relying on each other instead. We need something greater than ourselves, and we need other people. I am grateful today for grace, and provisions beyond my understanding. I feel well accounted for in the midst of my working, wandering and play.
keep showing up, and peace be with you all
Yours Truly,
Jake Smith
Here are this week’s “Quick Clips”:
* Sign up here for Community Dinner on Oct. 19th ! and click here to join the email list for community dinner, and to see a recap of last months dinner.
* Listen to my new album “Good Grief” here.
* T-shirts and stickers are available at happymediumtn.com. We have the “Share a Song Today” tees back in stock, as well as the Binder Clip tees and New Stickers!
Support me and this newsletter by becoming a paid subscriber or by buying merch!
As always, shoot me an email if you want to work on music, remote or in-person, here in Nashville, TN.
<3
