the city that never sleeps let me extend my check out time, and i actually got some rest
i am finally home. the first single is out. i’m doing general housekeeping on some shit at home but also just letting myself sit on the couch.
last week i went home for a bit and i helped take care of a family member after their operation. the feeling of seeing a loved one in an oxygen mask on a hospital bed and having to confront mortality once again is so much. and there’s the part of me that says, “you’re not allowed to feel this way, it’s not even you in the bed. you need to lock in bitch” and simultaneously balancing, “hey we need to compartmentalize some shit and be present for people who need us, but you’re allowed to have feelings” makes me feel like i’m on a tight rope and the wrigley brothers are expecting a portion of their dinner to be paid by my performance. my white noise machine became the beeps and the boops of various machines telling me EXACTLY where my loved one was at became comforting until one would start having the screen go red or yellow and i’d have to get a nurse. and that was a lot. it’s over. idk.
but everything’s fine. we’re all alive and well. i got to see one of my best friends of twenty years and what a beauty it is to realize there are some people who will be there for you always. i am so grateful for my community. and my friends. and my family. and it’s so wild to see my besties having kids. and that’s totally normal at this age, but as someone who probably does not want children of their own it’s so wild every time it happens. my friends are the real fucking rockstars.
i came home, and i was home for exactly 36 hours and spent 8 of them at work. and then i left for new york to see aries. honestly, going to that show gave me a feeling i haven’t felt in years while experiencing live music. i wanted to make sure i was there in time cause it was limited capacity and due to tft my mans gave us all free tickets obviously he gave out extra ones because some people wouldn’t show, and so i accidentally ended up at the front. shout out showing up two hours beforehand. a great time.
his energy was great. we got to hear so many unreleased songs. i wouldn’t trade it.
the first time i saw aries was at his second show ever, which was back in 2019. and then i saw him in chicago later that year which was so fun because he and oso played the same venue a day after each other and that was such a great time and tbh i contemplated leaving a little pro-wunderworld surprise in the green room just to be a nerd. last time i was supposed to see him it was the same day that i opened for magdalena bay and so seeing him on wednesday was so long overdue. also the man was meant to work a crowd like that. i understand he’s big and deserves a big stage and all but it’s the same energy as like, going to see a band like spine, and how they will always sound better watching them play in some basement on the floor. aries will always sound better in a small ass club on a stage a foot off the ground. the energy was incredible.
he also put up paintings he did from the music videos on the walls at the venue like a mini art gallery. he had these tiles with symbols from the release from the last show that he gave to the attendees and had us break them as a clue to the album release / also i’m willing to bet just performance art that the crowd doesn’t realize they’re participating in. god i just love all the fine details and care this man has put into this release. appreciating all art forms in all aspects. people don’t do it like him anymore.
we went to the comedy cellar after the aries show. it was so great. i love comedy shows so much. few things are better than throwing $20 at someone and having them make you laugh for a few hours.
i walked around the city a lot the next day. i hung out with friends. i drank too many martinis. i spit on the stairs of the trump hotel. i got high in central park. i tore down pro ice stickers in the park. it was a great time.
but, the first song from the record is out. and i feel like i have so much i could say about it but i think i’m just tired of talking about myself.
i hope you find something in it that resonates with you.
