one simple question

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what’s up, friends. it’s the end of the year, which means it’s time to look back at the last 365 days and say “next year will be different.” as for myself, my theme for 2026 will be, and I quote, to “chill the fuck out.” this past year was a whirlwind, and while it was an absolute blast, i am in need of some quiet time to prepare for the next burst of activity that life inevitably has to offer.

as far as this newsletter is concerned, “chilling out” means laying back, relaxing, and sharing more lovely tunes with you lovely people. this newsletter is something that keeps me energized and full of whimsy. thank you to those who keep coming back and reading my silly words and listening to my silly playlists.

ICE BREAKER

one simple question to connect with anyone

late December means, for many, more time with family. an annual assemblage that spans generations and hometowns for the purpose of quality time. for me, my family spans across seven cities: Chicago, Baltimore, London, New York, Naples, and Salt Lake. in addition, we currently span a whopping four generations. and this holiday, we are spending our time under a single roof! wild!

and yet, with this smattering of ages and locales, it’s hard to know where to start when we sit down at the dinner table. but no matter the group, however diverse, there is one question that can get anyone talking:

what was your first concert?

i asked this question while we were sitting as a family in the afternoon sun. for my aunt, her local record shop organized a bus to drive her and her college friends to see Bob Dylan. beer was provided on the bus, making this the coolest field trip ever. my sister debated whether or not Z100’s annual Jingle Ball concert at Madison Square Garden really counted as a first concert (i think it does.) concerts weren’t really a think when grandma was young, but she remembers walking to the local theater by herself when she was 8 to watch The Strawberry Blond.

and me? i’ve been an indie snob since day 1. i saw Beach House at The Pageant only a couple days after leaving home and starting college.

so the next time you are looking for a cross-generational banger-of-a-conversation, the first concert discussion never fails. trust!

ALERT

🚨 new hot hot band! 🚨

maybe i’m late to this party, but there’s this band called Smerz. Smerz is so hot right now. very hansel. that’s a Zoolander reference.

anyways, they’re Norwegian and all of their photography was shot with what appears to be a potato (which is a trendy thing to do right now.) also, their music is weird and every song is very different and the album they dropped this year is very very very good! high marks.

so now that you’ve read these words here, you will start seeing them in more places. especially if you live in LA or New York City.

NEW RELEASES

new albums i’m listening to this week

ALBUM

front to back

an album where you can bet your bottom dollar that every song is fantastic

THE PLAYLIST

ten good songs

💿 click here for the ten good songs playlist that has ten song-pops for your ear-tongues to suck on