Of course, as you know, we have a gig tonight (7/26/24) at the Grand America Lobby Lounge, 7-10p. Free, all ages, fancy ambiance and snacks, but you can come as you are. We love playing at the Grand because it’s a simple setup in an elegant setting. (And then we have a bit of a break before our Kenley Amphitheater show and another parade of gigs after that.)

But more than this reminder, we wanted to talk about art and what it’s worth. For example, I was just working on new sketches in lieu of photos once in a while. We kind of like renditions like this:

We don’t think this is really worth anything; it’s just something that was fun. Maybe we’ll make a sticker or something based on this, or we’ll hand it to stage managers so they know our sophisticated setup.

But there are other things you might pay for and we get money in return. For example, I just cashed in two years worth of our streaming revenue from our EP, Videos of Us in Handcuffs. After those two years we earned (drumroll):

$30

Actually, that’s an exaggeration. I think we barely cleared $28, but we can round up. This is just to say that we love it when people share our music and play it in earbuds or speakers or anything else. Turn it up. And thank you for sharing. But we don’t make any money on this. We sell some disks, but we just break even on the production when all is said and done.

This isn’t a complaint, mind you. Instead, we want to make this public service announcement:

Go support live music.

And not just us, but everyone. This is where people earn money to buy gear and keep the operations going. We might even make enough to fund studio time again and make another album (and another $30). Pay a $5 cover or throw some money in the tip jar or, best of all, hire us to play in your backyard or for your event or at your wedding. Those of you who have placed the $2 bills in our bucket, thank you. We’re collecting these for good luck. The kids who deliver singles to us and share a big grin, you’re absolutely delightful. Folks who have a twenty (or more sometimes) that mixes in the salad of other bills, we’re grateful. Please take a sticker or two. Oh, and stream our music to your heart’s content, but also please share it and invite your friends to the next show, ours or anyone else’s.

(And the gnomes* who Venmoed us cash on your way out onto 25th Street and into the world (the garden?) late on Saturday night, we loved you so much and hope you’ll be back again. Thanks for making our night.)

Excited to see you all out there soon. Say ‘hi,’ give a cheer, and dance or sway along.

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*Yes, there really were gnomes. Yes, with hats. And beards. It was delightful. You had to have been there — another reason to go out to live shows.