Hello, and welcome to Volume 42 of the Underground Binder Clip Society.
Be sure to make it to the bottom for a demo of a new song called “First Try ”
I cant deal with whiners. If you wanna give up, go ahead. Especially in art. If you can live without it, then maybe you should. If it feels like work, then maybe don’t do it.
To me, it feels like work and play. It feels like rebellion. Like swimming up stream. I feel stronger because of it. I am wielding my agency, and defying all odds. I am doing a magic trick. Something from nothing. Not just surviving, but “sucking the marrow out of life.” Taking lemons and making lemonade. Staying the course. Praise God.
Like I said, not everyone needs to be an artist. Especially not in the monetized sense. But I think we all need to play. Take ourselves on a walk in the park. Sit in front of a blank page with a fresh box of crayons. We need to learn to laugh at ourselves. At our hardships, our shortcomings and all of the unknowns. We can cry about all of this too. We can write it all down, throw it away, or maybe light it on fire. Whatever is necessary. Not all art is content. Some of it is kindling. And not all worship is sung.
Sometimes we can just be. Maybe thats what’s best for today. To sit in it. Try to name it. Whatever it is. Look around. Take Inventory. Count your blessings. And your curses too. Pen it down. Say it out loud. Let the devil know that you know what he’s been up to. He’ll see himself out.
I’m glad to be here. Still trying. Still learning. Still sharing. I can smile. For no reason at all, and it doesn’t cost me a dime. Just a little bit of my pride.
I can put one front in front of the other. Say no to what isn’t working for me. Keep looking for the love I deserve. Be present to myself and to others. Bear witness.
I can stay alert and of sober judgment. I can tidy up. Prepare a space to dwell. Feed myself. Stand in the sunshine. Go to work. Make money. Spend it too.
I am a man, and a poet and a son.
I am seen, and known, and not yet done.
God help me mind my own (damn) business,
and get back to work.
Amen.
Here is a voice memo of an unreleased song:
This one is called is “First Try (In Awhile)” and it dates back to Oct. 2022.
Here are this week’s “Quick Clips”:
* I will be in Greenville, SC playing an acoustic set this coming Saturday, Feb. 22nd at The Splash Pad. I will be peddling my wares (CD’s, shirts and stickers) and singing new songs. I may also sell some used records ? Yeah i’m kinda doing that now. Just bought 300+ used records on FB marketplace… anyways. DM THE SPLASH PAD FOR THE ADDRESS. <3
* My Album “Good Grief” Recently hit 100,000 streams! That is a new milestone! Thanks for listening <3.
* The Next Happy Medium Community Dinner in Nashville will be on March 29th at Talk Nice Vintage in East Nashville! Sign up for the email list HERE to stay in the loop and to RSVP soon. The purpose of Community Dinner is to gather behind a vision of intentional community and artfulness.
* I am for hire for recording, production, mixing, and mastering! Check out a playlist of some of my favorite things i’ve worked on here. You can reply to this email to get on my schedule!
Support me and this newsletter by becoming a paid subscriber, buying merch, or by streaming my music!
As always, shoot me an email if you want to work on music, remote or in-person, here in Nashville, TN.
<3
