Hey everyone!
It has been such a special week for me that I wanted to reach out. First off in some creative news, I am in the midst of launching some writing and music related offerings for artists, bands and musicians. More specifics in the coming weeks, so keep your eyes peeled.
This past Tuesday night I got to play to a packed house at The 5 Spot for the very last $2 Tuesday, and was floored by the support and love in the room. I wasn’t sure how many folks would show up or if it would somber, but truly the opposite occurred. It was joyous. It felt like a celebration, a family gathering of so many music folk who I hadn’t seen for years because of pandemic related cancellations. We were all so excited to re-enter the musical fray, feeling whole together again.
As I mentioned a few months ago, I had been struggling with wanting to even play or perform. I have to say, this night really uplifted me. I’ve realized that I will always love music but it is bigger than me and I am bigger than it. In the past few months, I’ve allowed myself to evolve, expand and express myself in a myriad of ways, through different forms of writing and being. I also came to realize that the marketplace that is Nashville had infiltrated my psyche too much, and it’s taken some time to disentangle my own worth from the industry. In essence.. I’m trusting myself more and tapping into this idea of a bigger self which has felt really freeing.
One quick story from Tuesday night for you. After I played, I grabbed my cables to scuttle offstage, when a man with a British accent started yelling and waving, “Nelllllen!” He told me that I had shipped him a vinyl overseas from my Bandcamp page and he had flown here for Americanafest and made sure to come see me play. I couldn’t believe it. He had tried to get his friends to come to the show and commiserated that they all wanted to go see The Rolling Stones tribute show at The Basement East instead. We both laughed and rolled our eyes. I’m still confused why a tribute night, a night of covers for a mammoth legacy act, was scheduled during a festival week supporting smaller artists in a sub-genre that has helped revive so much of this town. Well, we both ranted a bit, then we took a photo and hugged goodbye, and I still can’t believe he made it from across the pond.
I have one more show this week this on Saturday 9/17 at 4pm at Martin's BBQ downtown. Lots of wonderful other songwriters will be there too ^ Feels good to be sharing songs and singing again.
See you around!
Nellen
Wonderful!! Wish I was there. Well I guess I will have to settle for the album release party. Love you!
❤️