First, an ode
Oh, email, how do I love thee? Let me count the ways.
Before the deluge of eternal algorithmic news feeds, you were there.
Before the like button, you were there.
Before the Attention Economy, before the Age of the Doomscroll, before the conversion of life’s marginal moments into self-aware performances, you were there.
Dear reader, I am aware that the email is not perfect—far from it. Many of us live our lives in constant awareness of that red badge like a scarlet letter stamping our email app icon with some astronomical number of unread messages, fixing us with the gaze of unrelenting shame, never allowing us a moment’s rest until we bravely (or foolishly?) face the futility our Sisyphean task.
And let us not overlook the very real, universal pain caused by the search for the unsubscribe button.
*Takes pause for moment of somber silence.*
However, for all its shortcomings, I’ve recently experienced a renaissance of email love. My inbox is one of precious few digital spaces where I get to make the rules, where I get to decide whose writing I care about enough to willingly receive on a weekly or monthly basis, where I’m allowed to forget about advertisements and algorithms and enjoy a good, old-fashioned letter.
So here’s a good, old-fashioned letter for you.
Dear email subscriber,
I’ve decided that, as an indie musician with a record coming out in a matter of weeks now (eek!), it’s time for a sea change in how I approach my corner of the internet. Instagram has ceased to give me life. Facebook is a lost cause. But the humble email? Now, that I can work with.
So I’d like to let you know that I’ll be showing up here more consistently and intentionally. I’ll still utilize this space to share music updates, as always. But I will also be writing you letters—about what? I don’t know yet. Life, art, spirituality, what I’ve been noticing, what’s been nourishing me.
I’ll start with about once a month. The goal here is sustainability, a mutually-enriching space where we can venture beyond the bounds of the Instagram caption. I promise not to show up too often or overstay my welcome. I’ll write when I have something worth writing, something worth reading.
By the way, you’re invited (but in no way pressured) to write back. Did something I say resonate with you? Bother you? Remind you of a good story? I’d love to hear.
Thank you for your attention and kindness. I’ll see you around.
-Drew
Music update #1: online store
I have an online store now. It looks like this:
My store consists mostly of items previously included only in Kickstarter rewards: CDs, 8x8 art prints, some fun bookmarks, and even a few Desolation & Consolation themed postcards and art. Take a look and place an order if something strikes your fancy!
Music update #2: there will be house shows
In celebration of the impending release of my new record, There Will Be Surprises, I would like for there also to be house shows—specifically in August, September, and October. You can submit an inquiry directly to me at drewmillersongs.com/host-a-show, or if you want to be extra-cool, you can go to HostAndArtist.com/artists, search my name, and send me a request there. (There are lots of other awesome artists on Host & Artist, if you’re on the lookout for excellent music.)
PSA: Do you live near the Lascassas, TN area? Well, I’ll be playing a house show there on August 20th! Come see me—click here for more info & tickets.
Music update #3: vinyl pre-orders are still going!
Check it out, exclusively in the Rabbit Room Store! Every pre-order gets an immediate digital download of my entire album, even though it’s not out yet.
Well, that’s about all I’ve got for you today. I may send you a brief update when my record releases, and when I’ve got some house show dates confirmed. Otherwise, you’ll hear from me again in about a month!
Peace to you,
Drew
Lovely bit of writing, grateful for you to stay in touch!
Drew, this made me smile so much when I got it as an email -- esp the Ode’s invitation to step outside and take another look at “the humble email” :) Thanks!