sept 2023: keep going
hey,
I’ve been thinking about what to write for this month’s letter. the truth is, I’m feeling burnt out again. it’s funny, I was just re-reading the first letter I sent you at the start of this year, and the way I felt then is the same way I feel now. even though I’ve spent this whole year working on it, building good habits and trying to stick to a healthy routine, going to therapy, listening to my body and inner child and trying to stay on course, not crash and burn. it seems it’s a double edged sword, even with all this focus on balance and self-awareness, it’s like now I’m too aware of my issues and flaws that it’s amplified them??? the irony makes me laugh.
in all honesty, I probably just need a good break. I tell myself that I’m moving at a reasonable pace, taking the time to recharge as I go, but I don’t think that’s always true. it’s something I struggle with daily. I have a tendency to overwork and set the bar way too high, so I’m never satisfied.
with all that said, september was a great month, and I did enjoy it for the most part. I got to go to melbourne with my band and play my first headline show in another city. I’m so grateful and lucky to have had that opportunity. it was awesome. in my time going to and from melbourne regularly over the last couple years I’ve met some new friends and faces, and it was such a nice feeling to see a lot of them in the crowd. my new friend roman, who is also a filmmaker, came down and shot the show. we’re hoping to cut some more of it together, but for now, here’s a clip of ‘iris’ for those of you who couldn’t be there:
after the shows I went full hermit mode, getting stuck into finishing off and recording new songs. here is a little taste of what the new stuff feels like. I’ve got a 5 or 6 track EP which I’m hoping to finish by the end of the year. we’re talking to an international label who want to sign it, which is surreal and so exciting. it’s a new experience for me after facing a lot of rejection and disregard from the industry with my last 3 projects. it’s so often in this industry that artist’s feel discouraged, hurt, worn out. I feel that more regularly than I’d like to admit. but ultimately I think it’s an endurance test. a mental game. you can’t expect crazy results overnight. there’s no such thing. you have to put in the work, prove your worth, and just keep going. you have to know that you’re in it for the right reasons and truly believe in what you’re doing. believe in the art and the message you have for the world. and it takes time to get that right. no one else can do it for you. it’s a constant process. and to sustain it, you also have to know when enough is enough, so you can take a step back to recharge. that’s the part I’m working on…
so in saying that, I’m taking this weekend off and heading up the coast for a few days to reset. when I get back the band and I are going into rehearsals for SXSW sydney. I haven’t formally announced that I’m playing that yet as I didn’t have all the info, but I’m super stoked about it. it’s the first time SXSW has ever been held anywhere outside of texas, so it’s an honour to be part of the first year in Sydney. if you happen to be attending, come check out one of my sets on the 19th or 21st <3
much love,
chris