Read "My North Star" an essay about identity collapse, grief, and self-discovery on my Substack.
- 2-minute read. #linkinbio
I've had this conversation about identity and how it relates to my life's work many times over the course of the past year. Identity collapse is complicated, but very real for a lot of people. I don't think a lot of people even have a name for it. It's layered, onset by many different things, and there's no definitive right or wrong answer to recovery/discovery. But I felt compelled to share my mental health journey from the past year. Hope you all enjoy this read. I had fun writing it.
The independent release of ATARI! turned 2 on August 6th and this Sunday is the 1 year anniversary of its Japan, Asia and Oceania release via P-Vine
I feel very blessed to be able to do what I love everyday. And to have released an album, on my own terms, with the help of so many others, I'm grateful beyond words.
Being a music maker costs a lot of money and requires so much time, dedication and sacrifice in the great year 2025. I could not have done this without @ashwin.torke and @rcmstudiosinc / I could not have done this without brilliant artists like @elleinadsenoj and @dennislarance_ and the help of so many talented musicians. And I'm genuinely joyful that I have the desire to create music and grow within and throughout it. Thanking God for my gifts and the ability to experience myself through them.
In today's world, we need music. Songwriters and musicians give the silenced a melody to be heard and a song to sing; music brings us together. The gift of rhythm and dance reminds of how connected and yet fragile we are; breath, blood and sweat. Not every song needs to be an ode to humanity or justice. We deserve a means to feel joy as well as sorrow. So whether you're shaking some a** or crying your heart out, music is everything to everyone at some point in time, in some way. It's the beat of a drum we march and chant to and the moan of a guitar we howl along with... I'm in love with music, art and song and the process, regardless of how tedious and disappointing it may be. I think that I am meant to do this and much more but particularly this. And so I hope I can continue to do this forever without limits, with integrity, and with no fear.
I'm thinking about every person who has ever reached out to me or came up to me in the street or a show to express their appreciation for my music. I'm thinking of my peers who love music making just as much as I do, compulsively, if not more. Music means the world to me. It's everything to humankind. Thank you for allowing space for me 🫶🏾
I'm playing at Glenwood Arts Fest in Roger's Park this Saturday at 6:00p - see your beautiful faces soon. 😊♥️
I will be LIVE on the radio during "Nudia In The Afternoons" on @vocalo tomorrow @ 3:00pm (15:00) CST ✌🏾talking about my upcoming show, new music and much more. Tune into 91.1FM, Chicago 💕
"kindness" | "ATARI! ATARI!" out everywhere / "kindness" produced by @ashwin.torke featuring @briansanborn on guitar / "ATARI!" produced by me and ashwin - outro features string arrangement and production by @amimusic_ / special thank you to @violinistcaite & @yannacello 💐 #atarithealbum
2 Singles Tomorrow!!! TWO ✌🏾!! DOUBLE!! "kindness" MV drops tomorrow.. special thank you to @hey_cut_it_out 🎥 & every single person in this video - thanks for just being you and for being so kind and showing me so much love & grace. you all really deserve your flowers.🪻🩵☔️👾// #atarithealbum
