Greetings!
I hope this email finds you well and enjoying the warmer weather of Spring! I can't believe how long it's been since I last wrote you and how much has happened since then! In the last month alone I performed at the
NPR Music Showcase down at SXSW
, I spoke and played at
Treefort Music Fest
during my first visit to Boise, ID and I even got to tell a story in Los Angeles for Moth Radio Hour (I'll let you know if it ever airs)! Now Paul and I are home for another week before heading West... I really wanted to write with some updates before we hit the road again because it's been way too long! So here goes:
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New Video Out Now: Watch It Here!
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I am so excited to share this "new" video with you! Haha, actually I filmed it with the fine folks at
EvrGlo Media
in Fort Collins, CO almost exactly a year ago, but then it sat alone and neglected in my Google Drive until I remembered it just recently!
It seems to have resurfaced from my memory at the perfect time. I've been thinking a lot about the years to come and there are some big changes I'd like to make so that Paul and I can have a little more time at home to rest, renew and create. The last three years have been a literal whirlwind (which has been amazing, don't get me wrong), and now it feels like the right time to start thinking about breathing room. With that, please enjoy this version of my original poem "
Breathe, You Are Alive!
"
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Disability Justice: Putting It into Words
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So Paul and I have been on the road now for two and a half years! First of all, where the heck does the time go??? Secondly, despite the amazing variety and distinctive flavor of each tour, I finally feel a broader theme bubbling up from under the surface of these seemingly disparate shows. Aside from having the chance to meet amazing people, drive through beautiful scenery, and perform and appreciate music more intensely than ever before, I have become increasingly grateful for the way touring has brought into sharp relief many issues around disability rights and disability culture.
I have met disabled people from so many walks of life because of touring. Some are badass, well-spoken and extremely thought-provoking disabled activists who are working every day to protect our rights and change our culture.
Some are disabled adults in day programs that are tucked away from mainstream society, which is challenging for me to witness (and yet they are no less valuable as people) because of their isolation. Some are little disabled kids whose awesome parents bring them to my shows so they can see another person who looks like them onstage. Some are other disabled artists trying to navigate the creative field in an inaccessible world just like me. We all have value and we all deserve a place at the table. In fact, we are actually a pretty awesome group of people when you do a little digging, and a lot of us are changing the world for the better. I am proud of the work my disabled brothers and sisters are doing every day! This isn't just me, it's a movement: and it's called Disability Pride.
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And yet so often I do speaking events where I'll ask the (mostly able-bodied) audience if they've ever heard the term "disability pride". Often just a couple people out of a hundred raise their hand - sometimes no one does. I don't blame them right now. I honestly think our society has done a terrible job of teaching disabled history and art and literature up until this point. But I also think the culture is changing, ever so slowly, and that we are becoming a bit more inclusive with each passing year. Yet there's SO MUCH work left to be done. And I want to be a part of the solution.
I have finally made the decision that I'm going to write a book. It's a big ol' undertaking so the idea kind of scares me. But I really think this is the right time to put this kind of book out into the world. It'll be part memoir - part Tiny Desk adventure - part music - with a LOT of disability thrown in for good measure. Disability has shaped who I am in countless ways. It's woven itself throughout my life story in a way where sometimes it's the focus and sometimes it's not.
In a similar way, I want this book to be a Disability Sneak Attack so that people pick it up for its musical tour vibe, without necessarily realizing they are also going to get an earful about the importance of compassionate social policy, or the challenges of employment discrimination, or the complicated beauty that is sexuality and disability, or the lasting effects of medical trauma. Because if I wrote about all that stuff on the back cover, they might put the book down thinking, "This doesn't apply to me."
But the truth is, it DOES apply to them. Not only do disabled people comprise over 20% of the population, but ANYONE could become disabled at ANY TIME. And if you live long enough, you'll probably acquire a disability or 12 in old age... Disability is part of life! It doesn't have to be feared or scorned but it does have to be discussed! It's through dialogue, compassionate care and prioritizing accessibility that society can shed the darkness and ignorance surrounding disability and instead begin to embrace it as a meaningful and vibrant and diverse part of the human experience.
This is what I want my book to say, and so much more. Now just to write it, right? Well, I'm definitely gonna need your help, so please keep reading!
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Patreon has Launched! Join My Team?
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So in order to make this book idea a reality, I am excited to announce a
Patreon page of my very own
... What is that
, you might ask? In case you've never heard of it before,
Patreon
is an awesome crowd-funding site that helps support artists by collecting small (or large) monthly donations so they can focus on what really matters: CREATING!
Being a "patron" on
Patreon
is kind of like having a sustaining membership at NPR. You (and a bunch of other humans) donate a little bit of money every month so that you (and the rest of the world) can enjoy the results on the radio (or, in this case, on CD or in a book).
The donation tiers start as low as $1 per month, but you can choose whatever amount you'd like to give, large or small. Each and every contribution is valuable to me because 1) they all add up! and 2) they each represent a different human being who is putting their trust and confidence in me to create something meaningful with their hard-earned resources. I do not take that responsibility lightly!
Long story short, I am hoping that many small monthly contributions will help create some reliable income so I can take time off to write. I still want to tour every year, but with longer breaks in between so that Paul and I can recharge our creative brains and rejuvenate our souls. It's my dream this
Patreon team will be come a close-knit community that will give me a little freedom to breathe financially as well as inspiration & emotional support as I begin this my next chapter in life: writing this book!
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I've seen
Patreon
work with lots of other artists and I think it will be a really neat next step in my music and advocacy career - not only will it allow me to gradually build up some financial stability, but it'll allow us to connect in more regularly in meaningful ways. I'll be sending frequent updates on my book project / new music / life and also asking you folks for your opinions as I get deeper into the writing process. I'd love to spark a dialogue with the people I care about that's not tied up in social media. This'll be a mighty little team and I am excited to see it take shape!
I am hoping that eventually
my Patreon
can allow me to replace time-consuming one-off campaigns like GoFundMe, and still allow me to remain an independent musician. I don't want a record label at this point and with awesome inventions like this, I don't think I need one! If you have any questions about
Patreon
or my new book, don't hesitate to ask! If you do decide to make a monthly donation, THANK YOU FROM THE BOTTOM OF MY HEART!!!
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Spring Tour... Goin' To California!
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Here's a list of all my shows coming up in the next few weeks... If you live in the area, I'd love to see you!
- 4/3 ONLINE: Arts & Accessibility Twitter Chat: #CripTheStage hosted by Alice Wong of The Disability Visibility Project: Details
- 4/12 in Dickinson ND: Gaelynn Lea Performs at Brickhouse Grille: Details
- 4/17 in Soquel, CA: Gaelynn Lea and Mike Rufo at Michael's on Main: Details
- 4/18 in Nevada City, CA: Gaelynn Lea & Mike Rufo at The Stone House: Details
- 4/19 in San Francisco, CA: Superfest Film Showcase plus Q&A at San Francisco Public Main Library with Gaelynn Lea: Details
- 4/20 in San Francisco, CA: Gaelynn Lea Album Release Show with Jeffrey Martin at Swedish American Hall - sponsored by KC Turner Presents, Disability Visibility Project, Superfest, and DREDF: Tickets
- 4/21 in Sonoma, CA: Sacred Music Sessions Presents Gaelynn Lea: Tickets
- 4/23 in Ashland, OR: Gaelynn Lea & Mike Rufo at Aqua Restaurant: Details
- 4/25 in Seattle, WA: Gaelynn Lea at the Fremont Abbey Arts Center: Tickets
- 4/26 in Vancouver, BC: Gaelynn Lea in Concert at The Cultch, hosted by Kickstart Disability Arts and Cuture: Tickets
- 5/3 in Duluth, MN: Gaelynn Lea and Dan Dresser at Sacred Heart Music Center for Duluth Homegrown Music Festival: Details
Anyway, that's all for now... Thanks for reading this newsletter! I hope that Spring brings warmth, flowers and sunny days your way... I so appreciate your support and I hope our paths cross sooner than later! Take good care!
Truly,
Gaelynn Lea
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Full Concert Schedule & Ticket Links:
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P.S. Want to help promote a show in your area & get FREE TICKETS?
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