What are the things you do to maintain your mental and physical well being while on the road?

I like to drink green things & snack on a box of spinach or something. Lots of citrus too. Also, recently, I’ve been trying to carve out time for physical movement on off mornings and off days. I try to conserve my social energy. It can get really exhausting traveling all day, working the merch table, playing the show and then socializing/crashing with people after the show. Most of the time I’ll car camp if I’m driving alone, otherwise I take walks and make sure I have enough alone time. 

What things do you do to care for yourself at home while not touring, to ensure you fill your creative well? 

When I’m home, I write almost every day, or at least mess around on the guitar or piano. It helps me stay connected to that way of thinking. Also that’s the time to make records, and sorta collect & organize songs/experiences. 

What does daily life look like for you currently? Do you have a day job - or some sort of side hustle to supplement money for being a musician? What do you do for work? 

I’ve been primarily working in the service industry, mostly bartending + serving. I also work at a bookstore seasonally. Since I’m in the middle of a busy touring cycle right now,  I’ve been picking up shifts at the bookstore and the bar when I’m home. 

What are your financial goals in playing music? Are they different from when you first started out?  

Music as an industry is harsh. You either get lucky or you don’t. I sorta just keep making and touring and maybe one day things will be a little more comfy financially, but I have no expectations. Writing & music are really important to me as a form of expression & discovery.  I would still do it even if no one ever listened.

Why do you choose this life? What do you get out of it?

It just feels natural for me. I’ve always written songs, I’ve always loved movement. It’s the only thing I’ve ever really stuck with. It gives me a sense of belonging to something, a sense of relief & community. 

How can we as a society make the music industry better? 

Sometimes I think music should never have become an industry at all, but I'm all about live moments, true expression, raw stuff & there’s a ton of that kind of music being made but it doesn’t get the attention of the “industry” a lot of the time. I think that’s a shame. I don’t know how to make it better other than supporting artists who keep it real. 

What’s the weirdest place you have slept on tour?

I was on a tour with my friend & artist Miriam Elhajli  and we slept in a miso factory.

Stress and Bliss. What are they for you while touring? 

Up until the last few months, I’ve booked all my own tours, and I’m really disorganized so the stress was “is anyone gonna be at this show?” and very often, no one was. My bliss has been the feeling when people do show up, and there, in an unknown place, for a moment, you have a place to be, to express, to connect with others. 

What inspires you to create?

Life and living it.

How do you deal with writer's block or creative slumps?

I don’t stress it! If I have nothing to say I have nothing to say, and it’s normally because I’m coming off a more intense creative period. In those moments I’ll shift focus to other things.