Ada Brumback

Can somebody please tell me whose riff I ripped?

Growing up in Kansas, I always took the state motto to heart. Ad Astra Per Aspera, through hardships to the stars. I spent most of my life being proud to be from Kansas. It taught me resilience. It taught me how to work hard. It taught me how to keep going when things felt impossible. But at a certain point, being from Kansas became one of the things holding me back. Early in my transition, I learned I couldn’t update my birth certificate there. Something shifted in me that day. Home started to feel complicated in a way I didn’t have language for yet. This week’s legislation, moves that invalidate trans Kansans’ driver’s licenses and identity documents, makes that feeling painfully clear. It sends a message about who is allowed to exist comfortably and who is expected to live in constant friction with the world around them. I was lucky. I was able to leave. I was able to build a life that still surprises me sometimes, a life I’m proud of, a life that once felt impossible. Through hardships to the stars. But many of my friends don’t have that option. And they shouldn’t have to leave home just to be recognized as themselves. So if you’re wondering what to do: Call your state representatives and tell them trans people deserve accurate IDs. Support local LGBTQ organizations doing legal and mutual aid work. Check in on your trans friends, especially the ones still living in places that make everyday life harder than it needs to be. And when these stories come up, don’t look away. Speak. Share. Stay engaged. Visibility helps. Pressure helps. Community helps. I still carry where I’m from with me. I just want it to carry all of us, too Coincidentally I got my first CA ID today.

I got spanked in 2025. Good riddance <3 📸:@alexandraskyel

10 years of Ada. Happy 10 years of Ada to you, and you, and most of all to ME . TL;DR: This year has been rough in almost every way except the one that matters most: how I feel about myself. When my ex-girlfriend stabbed a needle into my butt cheek in a Chicago hotel room 10 years ago, I had no idea what the future had waiting for me. I didn’t know I’d ever feel pretty, or successful, or like life was finally something I wanted to stick around for. But here I am. Older. Established. Evolved in more ways than one. I don’t have it in me to write my usual novel-length anniversary post, but I do want to give a shoutout to those who’ve stuck by me through the chaos and the glow-ups and the growing pains, you’re the real ones. I love you. I’m grateful. I wouldn’t have made it through these ten years without you. ALSO I’d be remiss not to acknowledge that my 10-year day coincidentally falls on #TransDayOfRemembrance, which happens at the close of #TransAwarenessWeek. I haven’t seen as many posts this year. I think a lot of us are scared. But today I’m celebrating myself, and I’m also holding space for every trans brother, sister, and sibling we’ve lost to violence. May their memories move us forward. Here’s to another 10 years.

Maybe not ALL blondes get to have fun but they can at least look hot and leaf colored.

This month I moved into my second home in L.A. I honestly didn’t think I’d ever be able to leave the little Pasadena house, but life had other plans. That place was a safe haven through some of the darkest chapters of my life… and weirdly, the scene of my rebirth too. It also held one of my greatest heartbreaks. I’ve carried all of it, and that house, with me every day for three years. Leaving it feels like both a relief and a loss. We signed for house number 55 after seeing it on 2/2/22 and thought it to be a good omen. Turns out, whatever the stars were warning about that day… that’s what we should’ve listened to. @alexandraskyel wanted to capture me in the house stripped down about as much as the walls themselves. Wild to see how much both I and the house have changed in three years. Onward and upward, I guess ❤️

So, my 55th and second to last show of the year happened yesterday, and it’s funny that I consider that a “low” number because I’ve been on the road pretty much all year. This year has been a crazy mix of chaos and growth, starting right from those LA fires at the start. Honestly, after 15 years of touring, this is the first time I’ve really felt this homesick, and I guess getting older just makes that a bit harder. I’m thinking a lot about the long-term path of touring and life, and I really just want to say a special thanks to the people in my corner who’ve been patient with me and supported me through all of this. Big love to the teams with Miley Cyrus, OK Go, and Alabama Shakes for being my rocks this year, but also a quiet thank you to those loved ones who know me best. You’ve been my anchor even when I’ve been miles away, and I hope you know how much that means. I’m a bit burnt out, but I’m also hopeful. Slowing down finally feels like a gift, and I’m just so grateful I get to do what I do. Here’s to making something good out of the rest of this year. I’m moving house and shop in the next couple weeks. If I have your guitar it’s nearly completed. I just haven’t had more than a handful of days at home this year so it’s been a bit more challenging than normal. I’ll make an announcement when I’m ready for more projects (because I’ll def need them).

POV: You are 100 feet tall 📸 @izzylux

Guess my fave - Even after dinner good boys eat Or Elephants And Donkeys Grow Big Ears Or Every Actor Definitely Gets Big Egos Or Eddie Ate Dynamite, Good Bye Eddie Or Eat A Dog, Grab Big Ears Or Earthworms Are Delicious, Give Bacteria Energy Or Every Awesome Dog Gets Bone Energy Or Exotic Animals Dance Gracefully Before Elephants Or Every Artist Draws Great Beautiful Expressions Or Eagles Always Dance Gracefully Before Elevation Or Even All Dogs Get Big Emotions Or Everyone Always Drives Golf Balls Easily Or Every Alligator Dances Gracefully Beneath Earth Or Eager Ants Discover Great Banana Eclairs Or Epic Adventures Delight Good Buddies Everywhere Or Each Antelope Dances Gracefully Beneath Everyone Or Every Angel Dances Gracefully, Bringing Energy Or Elephants And Dolphins Go Bananas Eating Or Enjoying A Delicious Giant Bacon Egg Or Excited Artists Dance Gracefully By Evening Or Every Aardvark Digs Great Big Expanses@@📸 - @woodesmusic

I very specifically remember thinking I’d never see my name on this wall again when I did it in 2022. Feels crazy to still be doing it and still be succeeding and also somehow now saying “oh I’ve been here” every time I walk into a venue. I’m just a gal from a cornfield.

Week 1 Alabama Shakes 2025 - Week 1 Dominic Fike 2023 Truly feeling better than ever ⭐️ What an amazing team to be a part of. I’m feeling lucky.

Hi, how are you?