It is now, without any doubt, summertime. While driving the mom-mobile this morning to the carwash, I could feel the backs of my legs sticking to the car seats, the canned heat of the car near singeing the skin clear off. I tend to spend my summers making things like this:



It is blueberry pie that I baked for my sister's graduation. I keep meaning to post the recipe. Suffice to say, it was pretty delicious, and has since spawned a strawberry-rhubarb pie, strawberries w/ ricotta and balsamic vinegar, etc. It just doesn't stop.

My dear friend Angel, however, is spending her summer doing things like this.
She is in a band called Dirty Projectors, which is made up of a lot of folks I know from Brooklyn and have played with myself in the past. They are so incredibly talented and creative, and there's no more need to describe any more of it other than for you to watch their amazing video. I don't much like comparing anyone to anything, but I can give you my whole-hearted espousal of its pleasures!

I am setting a crack in the darling ukelele today, using a technique suggested to me at my show the other night with the National by their violist, Padma. It works lik this: I loosen the strings, insert a single-blade razor, and ply the crack with wood epoxy, then use a gentle painter's tape to set the grain back, good as new. I've been a bit worried about the ukelele, and haven't really had the money to fix it.

Tour starts in the coming week. I've decided to post some demos of newer songs at myspace--they aren't very impressive quality and come from practices I've been having with the Flapjacks. A lot of folks have expressed surprise (some would say "dissatisfaction") with the newer sounds and versions of older songs. To those who are wary of change, I can only reassure you of its honesty & sincerity. I make things for you to pick up at will, and I will not foist them upon your ears, but rather set the down before your feet. I will keep things open & honest--and this is why when we come face-to-face with the panic of changes, we ought to keep calm and have faith. Hopefully this doesn't sound too much like a sermon! I am very excited about what is to come, and hopefully, all of you will be, too.

I begin my tour with Laura Gibson week, and I will be bringing the Flapjacks in tow. Come out and celebrate the summer solstice with us on our excursion! For all of the dates, move along over here.

Cheers!
xox.casey