martinimisty

Random matter tied together with a string. A pretty succinct description of me for the past 3 weeks. The scatter of the things coming from pockets, wrists, bags. What will soon be packed away in a box as clutter. In the moment it might be all that holds you together. A spritz of sunscreen because soundcheck is in the blazing heat of the day, the joke disguises to try and circumvent the chaotic energy, the hat to hide the “I cut my own bangs” breakdown 2 hours before hopping on a plane, the extra phone battery that’s your link to reality which happens to be your friends texts cheering you on, the lipstick to remind yourself you are not a roadie, the flash drives of show files in case …just in case. In the moment, those trinkets are everything. And then- there’s quiet. And they don’t mean much anymore. 21 days that taught me again that it’s ok to not be totally in control, 10 shows to teach me there’s always a way you can try a little harder and express your lectures are because you care so deeply, 4 flights to experience the nerves and the comedown, 6 shows at home to show you the potential and capacity you have, 3,213 ticket and parking requests to challenge your sanity and 5 girls and 11 guys that you get the chance to walk beside in life for a brief moment on top of the world. And now- the quiet. Coffee with a friend tomorrow and the elusive drive up the coast. This girl needs to turn on a good playlist, drive too fast alongside the ocean and take a moment to remember it all before it’s tucked away in place of the next one. @haimtheband @haleydbinder @henryrsolomon @ryanmcdiarmid_ @modernpaulitics @loftjet @terrencefoconnor and every one of the crew - @scottysounds @jjtiberio @yogurttangled @pat_mckenzie @roadietogo @liamclifford_ @heliosld and Tom Cooksey.

✅Things I Never Thought I’d Actually Do- Complete writing a novel. Writing has always been my first love. This year I had some time off and I actually felt in the right head space to give it a true whole hearted shot. And unlike times in the past- it flowed. It felt right this time. 335 pages later, she is done. I never thought about how it would feel to write the final sentence. I never thought I would get that far. But I did. And it’s a feeling that compares to nothing else I’ve experienced in my life. It didn’t end up being what I thought it would when I started. But instead, something so much more than I ever realized I could dream up. It’s fiction. And not fiction. Small pieces taken from who I am, who I wish I was and who I hope someday to be. And the same with a bunch of people that have moved across my path along the years. And maybe some that I’ve not even met yet. I’ve let a few friends read it. And the response has been pretty amazing but now it’s time to move into the scariest part. Letting people read it that don’t know me and haven’t watched the entire path along the years. The idea of that gives me a lump in my throat. Rejection, criticism and someone just not being that interested are those things that the ego just doesn’t do well. But a friend in publishing told me one thing that really stuck “You’re going to have to get used to hearing that some people just don’t like it.” Ugh. But she’s right. So, I’m looking for some more beta readers. Some people willing to give some real honest and truthful feedback. It’s homework, folks- not just a chance to sneak peek and see if I tell some story that you’ve wanted to hear about some artist. I didn’t. Again- Fiction. So, if you’re interested- let me know. This is the last step before that weird process of trying to “shop” it...which is even more terrifying than letting acquaintances read it. And likely another thing to mark off my “Things I Never Thought I’d Do” list- jump into the void of something I know so little about with some feedback from some people I maybe don’t know all that well (which should maybe actually be the title since that’s what I’ve pretty much been doing my entire life.)

I’ve been Charmed by @clairo and this family. It’s taken me a minute to find the words for this one. Tours come and go, we all know that. Some are more fun than others and some are just hard all around and some seem to breeze by. This tour was different. In every way. It was an exercise in growth for every single person on it, every single day. To watch each person come into their own- learning, experiencing new situations, pushing through the difficult moments and persevering to make a show happen every day- well, it doesn’t get much better than that. I always joke that I spent a lot of time and money on therapy and it’s nice to be able to put some of it into action on the road. On this tour I can actually say that was true. To take moments and stand back and assess what someone needed in the moment- was it tough words? Was it words of encouragement or was it just letting someone know they were heard and supported. And sometimes even just love. Sometimes someone needs to know they are loved, exactly as who they are in that very moment. I not only got the chance to watch the group grow together as a whole, I got to see each person grow individually. Even better, I was able to see myself grow and to utilize some skills that I didn’t even know I had in me. That...that’s not something you can say at the end of every tour. I have such a great deal of respect and love for every person on this run and can’t wait to do it some more. Who knows where can go with all this possibility, promise and talent…❤️ @kimtee_kimtee - MD / Guitar @eddieburns - Drums @danaegreenfield - Keys @dejon_onbass - Bass @hailey_niswanger - Everything else! @jessplaythehits - PM @jonathanlewis1 @priesman.hehe - FOH @ryanrooney_ - Audio Tech @roadieinternational - Playback / Keys @jimmy_orourke - Guitars @kodibramble - Drums Max - LD @wizardoutofwater - LD @nick.h.perry - Lighting Tech @ashleeveghte - Rigging @mikebrownv1 - Merch @annnaleonard - Artist assistant Brandon - Security @imogene - Creative Design @kingsburyeyes- Lighting Design @nycdanj- AEG Production Rep @chrismeeds - AEG Promoter Rep @mikeahern - Management @jimmybooey - Management @ryanqthomson - CAA

We all get by with a little help from our friends. How am I so lucky as to get to - 1. Come home for a weekend every November. 2. Hang out with dear friends- old and new. 3. Utilize my skills to help raise money that helps people get back their mobility. AND 4. Make sure that all the Paralympians, Olympians, comedy icons, musicians and folks that have made you laugh and cry with their acting, writing and singing are onstage and everywhere else when they need to be for the weekend. AND 5. Team up with some of the absolute best humans I think I’ve ever met- Midwest Nice doesn’t begin to describe it. From a crack of dawn flight Saturday morning, straight into rehearsals and a show to now- home from the Sunday night karaoke auction party- I haven’t stopped laughing or smiling once. I caught my second, third and fourth wind about 6 times yesterday and today because well, laughing brings oxygen to your brain faster. And I did a lot of laughing. You can still donate, btw. So, I’m gonna put that here cause hitting the 1 mil mark would be preettttttty cool and every little bit counts. Joy. That’s what doing good feels like. And a warm little glowing ball of light in your chest. We should all do it a little more often.

A long time coming. For over 20 years I’ve worked in an industry that is run by males. I explained during Hilary’s campaign to so many people that I understood so deeply what it felt like to have to have patience & sacrifice your own voice and opinions to try to raise yourself up - with the intention of someday being able to control the narrative yourself. I sided with certain ways of thinking that I personally didn’t align with many times over with the hope that I’d eventually be seen as a peer. It was a long game. A long game of trying to outsmart a system that was never in my favor. A few years ago, I realized I didn’t need to do that anymore. I needed to place myself at different tables. I had been existing with hope in certain circles that would never change. So I put myself in different circles. These pics are 4 years ago. Battling for a first female VP. Pearls for Ruth and Chucks for Kamala. I’m looking this time at a chance to vote for a woman who likely had the same struggles of “where do I belong?” and “How do I get there?” A woman that followed her instincts and knew she would fall into the right circle when the time was right. A woman that was fighting all along for other women to have the same opportunities but maybe not have to fight the same fights to get there. For all the women before and all the ones that will come after- no election has been so dangerous in the fight for women to be treated with the basic human right of having autonomy over their bodies. One candidate clearly understands that fight and one says “despite what the women want” as though we STILL don’t know what’s good for us. I hope Tuesday, when you go to the voting box, you do think of women in your life like me that took the non traditional path and followed a dream that many said they would never accomplish. The ones that’s lives might have been forever altered had they not had access to proper health care services. Woman that just want the right to choose how their life plays out, whether that’s at home with kids, on the road without them or somewhere in between. It’s been a long journey and we still aren’t close to being finished but this one…it would a huge step.

I had no idea the response I was going to get from beta readers. Wow 🤩 🤯

A friend asked me today if 20 years ago, someone had forced me to watch a film of what my next 20 years would look like- would I do it all the same or say “nah, I think I should take another path.” I didn’t even need to hesitate. No chance I’d change one single thing about it. This girl in the picture selling merch for some friends had no clue but she wasn’t scared, she accepted the challenges, sought the adventure and dreamed the wanderlust. I like to think she’d be pretty impressed at how things played out. I just passed that 20 year mark in touring. 7 continents, 110 countries, hundreds of different festivals, friends in every corner of the planet. I wouldn’t change 1 single thing. And I still have that green Hot Rod Circuit x The Breakfast Club t-shirt.

Halfway. The middle. They say that pain inspires great writing. Well, I’ve found that to be true these last 8 weeks. Physical pain however. Pain that encouraged me to just lay flat in bed. Pain that radiated through every cell of my body, it seemed. So, I picked up where I left off. And now I’m 210 pages into a project Ive tried in so many different iterations. My instincts finally said- it’s not a screenplay, it’s not an autobiography. There has to be a way to tell the stories that’s not just interesting to read but for me to write as well. Turns out, that’s chic lit fiction. Turning my story into a fictional character that maybe friends will know what’s me and what’s not- was the key. I’m halfway there. Health wise and with this work. I didn’t give up. I advocated for myself in both worlds- the fictional and the real life one. And I’m excited as hell to see what the other half looks like.

Sometimes life tells you that you’re headed in the right direction. I’m an honoree in the 2024 Women of Live presented by @pollstar_official and @venuesnow . About 20 years ago I hopped in a van with a bunch of dudes. And never looked back. Back then, I was it. The only female on my tours. Over the past 20 years I’ve seen the female population on tour grow exponentially. And now- we have things like this that are all our own- awards, receptions- places for women to show each other what it really means to throw your hair up, drink some coffee and get shit done. I love talking about women on the road and in all aspects of this industry but more than that- I love bringing females into tours and supporting them and making change on my own projects. It all starts with us supporting one another. The other female nominees are such a wealth of experience, knowledge and some are even role models of my own. #internationalwomensday means something just a little more this year. https://news.pollstar.com/2024/03/11/women-of-live-2024/

There’s few things that make you think about life and mortality than the news you’ve lost someone that can never be replaced. My growing up years. They were spent with these people. When you are making ALL the mistakes and taking everything for granted. When you have truly no idea just how good you have it. Andy “Danger Bob” Morton was such a part of that. Andy let me in the back door of the Bottleneck for 21+ shows. Andy showed me just how much you can truly love music. He’s part of the reason I met the people that walked with me through those growing up years. I keep saying I’m at a loss for words. I’m not. It’s something Andy and I shared. Word crafting. And talking. We talked for hours. He taught me so much. And he was the best there is. There will never be another like him. Thank you, Andy. Thank you for everything you taught me and brought into my life.

This is the only time of year I’ll ask for money from anyone! My dear friends in Kansas City will be doing their thing live tonight at @uptowntheaterkc . You can donate still even if you can’t be there! Most people don’t know that prosthetics aren’t fully covered by health insurance and sometimes not at all. Every year, the most fantastic folks at Steps of Faith work all year to raise funds to help work with prosthetic makers to get amputees the tools they need. Be cool. Give $5 or $10 or $100.

I write good.   The other day, someone said to me “I should send you everything I write and have you add your comments and edits.”  I took that as a high compliment- we all know I think I’m funny but it’s way more fun when someone else thinks you are. Thinking about it a bit later and the thrill it gives me when someone comments on something I’ve written.  Some of you have followed me for years. You’ve been my consummate cheerleaders. Every time I spill my guts, you tell me how it hits in you and to do it more. You’ve watched the pages of coulda been, shouldn’t have been and what might be’s. All those idea’s still live inside of me and this brain that never seems to shut off. But a while back someone brought up to me a better way to start. “Misty, why don’t you go through all the writing you’ve already done and clean it up into essays?  I’d love to see a first draft” Wait…what? You mean annotate and turn in something that is already 95% done? A book of short stories instead of a 500 page draft? Mmkay. So, I’ve been spending time lately going through all these platforms. Do you know who you have the least amount in common with? The person that wrote your FB posts back in 2005. But there’s something to be said about evolution even in that. It’s been easy to add a little context and tie them together into something that seems coherent.   There’s some interest in this little book of essays and you might get to see it in actual book form sometime next year. Buried the lede on that one for long enough, huh? 😉   So, an end of summer dump. I’ve been working hard lately on remembering to slow down and see the inspiration in everything around me. It’s easy to smile these days. It’s easy to touch things, notice they feel nice. To take a minute to notice what you are eating is delicious. To look up at the beautiful home I’ve built. It's almost time for sweaters and I get to be in NYC and Boston in the fall and visit some friends that I’ve missed so much. Sometimes things feel good.