2024 Highlights ✨
Now that the seasonal hustle and holiday hangovers have settled, I’ve had some time this week to reflect on all the goodness of 2024.
Even throughout various challenges and health struggles, I’ve made it to the end of the year feeling grateful and freshly energized for what’s to come! If you’re ready this then you’ve been part of the journey in some way – whether through attending my shows or streaming my music – and I can’t thank you enough for your support. Thanks for coming along on this ride! Here are some of the highlights from 2024.
“Cherry on Top” POP-up show
In July I released my 90’s hip-hop inspired single “Cherry On Top.” I marked the release with both a time-traveling visualizer and pop-up release show!
I actually wrote and performed the song for the first time back in 2022, so this release had been a longtime coming and I thought deserved a little extra fanfare. Plus, with its fun, flirty summertime vibes, it seemed appropriate to introduce the song alongside a sweet summertime treat. So I partnered with Jeni’s Splendid Ice Creams to put on a release show at one of their ice cream shop locations in Austin and in one Sunday afternoon we transformed a corner of the ice cream shop into a mini stage and concert venue. Jeni’s even agreed to run a promotion for a free scoop of their specialty flavor called “Sparkling Cherry Pie” in honor of the song.
It was awesome to see everyone come through the door and grab some ice cream (Jeni’s is objectively the best!) and mingle before the show. I had some free sparkly merch to giveaway, and people could enter a drawing to win free t-shirts, bags, fanny packs, and giftcards. It was a blast to share the new song with family, friends, and everyone who came to the show and to celebrate the release in a unique and special way.
roadtrip through west texas
6 cameras, 3 friends, 1 car, and a whooolllle lotta miles
For starters, if you’ve never frolicked through the desert with your friends, I highly recommend it! I hopped in a car with my friends Leah and Anne Marie, and we trekked across the the state to capture photos and video for each of our respective creative projects. This was not only an amazing way to capture a ton of unique content for our music and dance projects, but also a fun way to bond and experience totally new places together.
I could write a whole blog series just about this epic roadtrip but for now I’ll just share the biggest highlights: we spent time wandering through the ghost town in Terlingua, dancing under breathtaking sunsets in Big Bend National Park, glamping in Presidio, and visiting remote art installations and crashing a stargazing party in Marfa. Throughout the 4 days of driving we probably took thousands of photos on film, digital camera, and camcorder and ended up with some one-of-a-kind footage, including the visuals I ended up using for my single, Mercury, I released in October.
This photo is just a small representation of all the things we saw and did on our trip, and I can’t wait to show you more with some future singles coming out in 2025!
first full-band show
I was grateful to round out the year with my first performance with a full band! Any time I get to share the stage with other performers feels special, especially when they’re as talented as the guys who rocked the stage with me at Captain Quack’s Soundspace in South Austin on December 14th. I had a blast playing with accomplished guitarist Blake O’Neal, my neighbor and friend drummer Ryan Parker, and my long-time buddy bassist Graham Goetz whom I know from my days playing in Bad Bonsai and Fierce Kelly. The other acts included the soulful Tobias Lund and his wonderful band, plus Louisianna-based band, SUNKiSSED. The turnout was great and the energy in the room felt electric and I was so grateful to everyone who came to celebrate with us and enjoy a cap to an amazing year.
