April 2023 Newsletter
Hi everyone!
"Disembodied Mind" is out today, after three years of work and waiting! I wrote this song at the suggestion of my therapist, about feeling at odds with the person in the mirror, sometimes wishing I just didn’t have to have a body. I hope the song can serve as a reminder to look for the creative potential in our mental health struggles.
It features Mathias Künzli (percussion/drums/backing vocals), Bizarre Star Strings (Mirabai Peart - violin, Kyleen King - viola, Anna Fritz - cello), and Jeni Magana (bass). Gabriel Kahane helped me put the finishing touches on the arrangement. Mixing and mastering is by Thaddeus Moore of Liquid Mixing & Mastering. The artwork is by Rebecca DeMoss, with graphic design by Chad Lowe. Sheet music and stickers are available here.
I also just released a Patreon exclusive cover of the classic song “Spring Can Really Hang You Up the Most”. You won’t ever find it anywhere else. I’ve loved playing and singing this song for so many years, and I’m excited to share it. Join to hear it and get other perks like this adorable welcome package.
I have two shows coming up this month: April 16th at the Harney County Migratory Bird Festival, and April 30th at Lydian Music Studios in Portland
You can hear me read the opening of my YA novel-in-progress (A Bird in the Heart) on the Archive Project podcast episode with Patrick Radden Keefe. Such an honor to be a 2023 Oregon Literary Fellow!
In news that feels a little silly to mention but is honestly a huge milestone for me, I recently surpassed 10K followers on TikTok. I’m in awe over the people commenting and messaging to tell me my music means something to them — it brightens my day/week/year and gives me hope!
As always, I love hearing from you, so feel free to write back.
Love,
Stephan
a.k.a. Sparkbird