Howdy Friends. It's been a while-so long that you may have forgotten about this blog. Anyway, I hope this note finds you thriving, wherever you are. I'm writing to share some life updates and future plans. First, though, I'd love to invite you to an upcoming show.
Sunday, August 27th at Twin Willow Farm in Everett, WA
5pm dinner: paella (meat and non-meat versions), tapas, salads, sides, juices & seltzers. BYOB.
7pm concert in the barn: Jonas Myers on keys, Marina Christopher on bass, Sam Esecson on drums, rocking out on a tastefully curated collection of covers.
Reservations strongly recommended! We are already over half capacity. Email Mark Snyder at twinwillowfarmer@gmail.com to secure a spot. $40 suggested donation for music and food. (Mark will provide payment details.)
Located just 40 minutes from Seattle, only a few minutes from I-5 but wonderfully quiet and green, with stunning views of the mountains. Make a reservation to receive the address.
This is my third summer playing this show, and it has become one of my favorite days of the year. Twin Willow and the community that gather there are truly special. I hope you can come see what I mean. Let me (or Mark) know if you have any questions or concerns-and secure those reservations soon!
If you've been keeping track, you know that I left Seattle in 2021 to go to graduate school in Oregon. Well, in June, I completed that program. I now have an MFA in creative writing: a degree that, in money terms, is about as valuable as the paper it's printed on. But the experience was hugely valuable in other ways, of course. I made dear friends, found wise mentors, and fell in love. I wrote a bunch of stories, plus a handful of poems and essays. I interned for a Portland radio show, and got to drive George Saunders to his hotel. I taught undergraduate classes in composition and creative writing. I read thousands of pages of good literature. I formed a deep appreciation for the Willamette Valley, riding my bike all over the place. And I had a lot of solitude in which to consider my life thus far and where I hope to go from here.
Which brings me to my other big news: my girlfriend and I have moved to beautiful Port Townsend, Washington! We've been here for a month and a half, setting up our living space, meeting people, exploring, making plans. (If you know anyone in or near Port Townsend, I'd love to be connected!) With this move, I am much closer to Seattle, and I plan to visit far more often-to see friends and family, and to play music.
That's another big change: being done with grad school, I plan to shift my professional focus back to music. What does that mean, exactly? Gigs, of course, in Seattle, Port Townsend, and around the region. Teaching, too: private and group lessons for kids and adults, beginners and experienced musicians alike-ideally in person, but also potentially over Zoom. Forming new bands and projects. Creating and sharing more material on YouTube and Patreon. Tapping back into my old network and expanding it with new connections and collaborations.
As ever, I'll place a special focus on house concerts, which are hands-down my favorite kind of performance. Without the presence of a business needing to make a profit, there's a lot less pressure on the event. A house concert might also be a potluck; it might turn into a jam session. It works with a very small audience or a packed house. The cover charge can be a suggested donation, making the music more accessible to all. I have had so many unforgettable house concert experiences, both as a performer and an audience member. Are you interested in hosting one? Or maybe you know someone who has the perfect space? Let's talk.
That does it for now. I'll be writing more regularly in the months ahead, especially as I gain momentum on some projects. As always, I'd love to hear from you. Share an update, or send me a link to what you've been working on!
With love,
Jonas