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I have so many brilliant and talented people in my life.

This month, artist Elizabeth Jordan Leggett has a fundraiser going.  The proceeds will help her daughter fulfill a very big, music-intensive dream.

Some of you will remember Elizabeth’s work from the liner notes of my Wonders album:

Elizabeth has taken twelve of my songs, fed them through her mystical brain, and popped out a painting for each of them.  They’re compelling, they’re a different reflection of what my music evokes, and I think they’re worth taking a look at.  Below is her depiction of “La Sirene”, which I completely adore.

You can look at the whole set in her online gallery, or you can look at them in the context of the Kickstarter campaign and become a backer right away.    Since all the art is finished, there’s very little risk involved!

The campaign ends on September 19, three weeks from today.  I hope you’ll give it your support and get yourself some gorgeous new art prints based on my work.  🙂

NOTE: many of the backer rewards include a free compilation from me, of all twelve of the songs which Elizabeth chose to turn into art!

Today’s the day!  I get into my trusty touring vehicle with my favorite cellist, and we zoom off on the first duo tour we’ve done all by ourselves!  The schedule is light, but that just means we’ll have more energy to pour into every single show.  We’ll play in Missoula MT tomorrow, Denver this Saturday and Sunday, Lincoln NE next Tuesday, and Dover DE on Aug 24.  All the showtimes and ticket info are over on my tour page.

This tour has its own art, down below, courtesy of the delightful Herb Leonhard!

Check out his other work here.

Art by Herb Leonhard

Sweet and silly song-sister Dogwood has an EP that’s free to listen online!  If you love ukulele, strong and delicious voices, mythology and mischief, definitely check out what she’s got going.

The same with her brilliant buddy Nathaniel Johnstone, whose Antikythera Mechanism album goes from shanty to goth to belly dance groove to pet kraken love song before you can even catch up!  Greek myths AND steampunk in every song?!? As my friend Amy said, come to Mama!

I’ve had the pleasure to sing with Margot Adler two times in my life, and to teach with her at a festival once.  I will never forget those experiences.

I will never forget her 1000-watt smile, and her steady voice like a solid beam of moonlight shining on dark water.

I will never forget the effect her writings had on me before we ever met face to face.

I will never forget sharing lunch with her at the airport in Detroit, barely a year ago.

The last time I heard her speak was on NPR.

May her voice, her light, and her spirit live on in the lives of those she touched and taught and sang with.

Here is The Wild Hunt’s lovely piece on her life and her death.

This marks the third time in two weeks I’ve learned of the passing of someone I cared about.  Remember to tell your cherished ones how you feel about them.  Life is so very short.

I’ve been keeping the first two lines of this one locked in my heart until the rest of the song was ready to come out and play.  It took three years, but here are the lyrics!

I come from the land of the wild river gods

where the Joker was never a throwaway card.

Better keep this in mind when you bank on the odds

or I’ll wash your soul away.

My mother the moon, my father the tide

gave me wisdom enough to be nobody’s bride.

You may think that you’re tough, sugar. Swallow your pride

or I’ll wash your soul away.

I won’t mean to do it.  I just take it as it comes

when the black rain falls and the west wind hums.

You cannot stop the water when she decides

tonight’s her night to rise.

I am more than a prize to be won by your smile.

I’m a wind and a storm and a wild river child.

If you’ve got what it takes, we could talk for a while

’til I wash your soul away.

Sirens may sing, prophets decry,

hucksters all claim that they’ll teach you to fly.

In the time that it takes just to form your reply,

I’ll wash your soul away.

So help me, I’m a wild, wild river child

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Preparations for tomorrow’s Music Under The Trees concert continue apace, and I have had so much sweet rehearsal time with so many glad hearts! For those of you who’d hoped to attend but haven’t yet sent in an RSVP, the concert is full. However, I found out last night that I have another concert in the area with Clint McCune and Betsy Tinney, Musician! We will perform at SoulFood Coffeehouse, our favorite neighborhood stage, on August 1st at 8pm.  Everyone’s welcome. 🙂

All the fretboards!

Here is the last video and song released by the beautiful, brilliant Nicole Sangsuree before her untimely passing yesterday.  Soar on, blithe spirit and sister.  I will miss you.

I only got to share a stage with Nicole once, at the Women of Wisdom conference in February of this year.  She made a hell of an impression on me, though, and I hope we meet again in some other story.  Here she is, using her powers for good.

Remember to tell your loved ones that they matter to you.  It’s important.  You never know what the next day may bring.

Earth My Body from Nicole Sangsuree Barrett on Vimeo.

It’s been a grand and gentle summer thus far.  Hope this is true for you as you read, as well.

Since I left home on June 18, I’ve played seven shows, with the eighth coming up tonight at 8pm in Ashland, Oregon.  Between gigs, I’ve gotten to do a fair amount of hiking in beautiful places, I’ve carved out a bit of time for yoga and dance, and I’ve spent some quality time with dear friends in several different cities and pieces of country paradise.  It’s a beautiful afternoon in Ashland today.

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