Hello old friends,
It’s been a good long while since I’ve sent out a newsletter. I hope this finds you well.
This Thursday, May 31, I’ll be playing my first New York show in almost two years, at the great new venue Wonders of Nature in Williamsburg.
I will be fumbling through new songs, and playing some old ones. My dear friend Heather Woods Broderick will be opening the evening. Heather is one of the most talented musicians I know. Even if you’re not familiar with her solo work, you may have seen her play with folks like Sharon Van Etten, Alela Diane and Efterklang. There are only a few tickets left. Please grab them here:
https://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/3426559?cookie_header=1
I am excited to announce a run of UK/EU shows in November, with my City Slang label-mate, wonderful Canadian songwriter, Dan Mangan. These will be very special, full-band double-headers. Tickets go on sale tomorrow. Here are the dates:
Wed, Nov 7 - Festsaal Kreuzberg - Berlin, DE
https://bit.ly/2soMBWm
Thu, Nov 8 - Mojo - Hamburg, DE
https://bit.ly/2L2FXNg
Sun, Nov 11 - Gebäude 9 - Cologne, DE
https://bit.ly/2L2FXNg
Mon, Nov 12 - Botanique Rotonde - Brussels, BE
https://bit.ly/2IVPFAn
Tue, Nov 13 - Queen Elizabeth Hall - London, UK
https://bit.ly/2xprJEb
Thu, Nov 15 - Paradiso Noord - Amsterdam, NL
https://bit.ly/2snjaEm
Fri, Nov 16 - Petit Bain - Paris, FR
https://bit.ly/2LH3EvZ
Tue, Nov 20 - Bogen F - Zurich, CH
https://bit.ly/2slSzHC
Thu, Nov 22 - Bluebird Festival - Vienna, AT
https://bit.ly/2shEKuz
Fri, Nov 23 - Conrad Sohm - Dornbirn, AT
https://bit.ly/2L7vLmW
A few things I have been up to: I spent the fall and early winter tucked away in the studio, working on a new record. I can’t wait to share it with you (more on that in coming days). I poured my whole self into these new songs, took on new challenges, and ultimately remembered how transformative and soul-saving, and joyful music-making can be. Five records in, and it still feels as charged and essential and impossibly magical as ever.
Last month, I was lucky enough to spend two weeks hiking in the Himalayas, all the way to Everest Base Camp. I have wanted to visit Nepal my whole life, and finally the stars aligned to make it happen. I felt dizzy and humbled, staring at those mountains. I didn’t create anything, wasn’t scheming new ideas, I read very little, and didn’t once look at the news -- the whole experience felt meditative and dreamlike, and like a much-needed reset for my mind. It felt particularly meaningful to be there on the anniversary of the earthquake. Many of the people I met were deeply affected by damage and loss, and are still recovering. When I asked how best to help, every single person said, “Tell your friends to visit Nepal.” So, I am telling you now to visit Nepal. I can’t recommend it enough (and would be happy to point you towards some great guides).
Here is a photo from the trek (there are many, many more Nepal photos over on Instagram @lauragibsongirl )
Thanks for reading this. Hope to see you soon.
Laura