November Newsletter - Return to Uptopia Coffeehouse

 

Hello all,

I hope this email finds you well! October came and went so fast, and now here we are in November. I had a great time playing at the Topsfield Fair with Dave, and am looking forward to two shows this month.

 

I'm very happy to be returning to  Uptopia Coffeehouse at the Methuen Memorial Music Hall along with Grace Morrison and Susan Levine on November 22 at 3 p.m. I've really enjoyed the other shows we've done there together, and it's been too long since I've heard either of them perform. That's the great thing about sharing the bill - getting to play a show, but also hearing a show at the same time.  Tickets are on sale now, and I'm looking forward to sharing a few of my new songs. I hope you see you there.

 

Before I head to Methuen though, I will be in Lynn on Saturday night, taking part in a Joni Mitchell tribute. Organized by Angela Masciale, and also featuring Alexandra Kirby, this will be an evening of Joni Mitchell songs on her 82nd birthday.  I'll be playing just a few songs, and then plan to just enjoy listening! 

 

Take care, and as always, thank you for your support! 

:)  Kirsten 

P. S. Just a reminder that Tim's new album Street Dog comes out November 20! Hope you will give it a listen. It will also be available on all streaming platforms. 

Upcoming Shows

Saturday, November 7 
Kirsten solo
6:45 p.m. 
Joni Mitchell Tribute Night with 
Alexandra Kirby and Angela Masciale
Walnut Street Cafe
157 Walnut Street
Lynn, MA

Angela is coordinating this tribute night to the one and only Joni Mitchell. We'll each play a few of covers of hers, plus maybe some originals influenced by her sound.


​Sunday, November 22 

Kirsten solo, in the round with Susan Levine and Grace Morrison
3 p.m. 
Utopia Coffeehouse: Folk at Methuen
Methuen Memorial Music Hall
192 Broadway
Methurn, MA

Grace, Susan and I are excited to have been invited back to the Utopia Coffeehouse - it's been a couple of years since we have played a show there. Susan and Grace are wonderful songwriters and this show is always a fun one. Tickets can be purchased at the link above.

 

For shows further in the future, please visit my website!

 

Creative Musings

The Washington Post published an interview today (11/4/26) with author Ann Patchett. In it, she talks about her creative life, and how she creates. Those of you who have been receiving this newsletter for awhile know that I believe that you have to show up and make space for creativity. There aren't very many creative lightning bolts of inspiration that just appear out of the blue. You have to make yourself available and ready. And I loved how she described doing just that in her interview:

It’s that you’re putting yourself in the path every day, the path of the idea. The idea doesn’t just come. Like, right now, I don’t have an idea for a novel. I have ideas for three essays and if I ever have 20 minutes of free time, I will sit down and start to write them.

But I think about a novel when I’m lying in bed, when I am making dinner. Sometimes, and this is the greatest thing ever, I have a meditation cushion in my closet and I will sit in my closet and meditate on an idea, which is to say, I will think. That’s the most important thing. Put yourself in the path. Don’t think it’s coming for you. It’s not coming for you. You have to go and find it.

I love the phrase/concept of putting yourself in the path of an idea. It almost sounds a little frightening, like standing in between the pitcher's mound and home plate and waiting to get hit with the "right" ball. Ouch. But I think that speaks to the truth of the matter that creating is an act of bravery. As she said, the idea is not coming for you. We could all just stay cozy and comfortable and never go looking for it, never have to deal with everything uncomfortable that comes with creating - frustration, fear, blocks, strong emotions. But when we are courageous enough to stand in the path and work through it all we end up with new songs, stories, technology, clothing, meals, films, poems, paintings, drawings, sculptures, characters, crafts, ideas, and so much more. I can't list them all, of course. 

Good Stuff

My friend Brian Maes (who is also the producer/engineer of my albums), has a new album of his own out, The Suns of Lynnhurst. This is departure for him - he's rock guy, but this is an album of original songs, in an old time country style, inspired by the music his dad used to listen to. This has quickly become my favorite Brian Maes record. The songs are really well written - the lyrics sounds deceptively simple; and those are the hardest to write - and the songs truly do have the melodic flavor of old country music. You can get a taste with "If Dandelions Were Dollars," are you can find the whole album on YouTube here. Enjoy!