upcoming shows

JANUARY 30, 2008

Well, I am almost done with this college thing. It’s been good. Real good. Expanding behind me is the now historical four years in southern California, with road trips, my first west coast tour, a third album (2006), and a fourth to be released before I graduate (2008). I’ve spent large amounts of computer space on feminist biblical studies and theology, along with some apartment space stained and taken over by art. I’ve found myself rubbing shoulders with fabulous folks, including some pretty talented musicians (Andrea Hamilton, The Denouement, Teryn Carter, Robert C.E. Delong, Liana Bumstead, The Righteous and Harmonious Fists, Michael Lee, Thaddeaus Wight, The Next Door Neighbors). I’ve carried almost three church jobs, cleaned a bar and worked at a group home in Portland this summer, cut fruit and veggies at the school cafeteria, did some one on one care-giving, gave numerous guitar lessons, played in various coffee shops and churches and am looking forward to a couple more years of odd jobs to try and work at this “singer/songwriter” thing. I’ve gone through an estimated 11 spiritual crisis, hundreds of laments, hundreds of exclamations, and they were usually over the same Bible! I’ve been liberal, conservative, moderate, libertarian, anarchist, democrat and apathetic, leaving me stunned at all the meaning I believe that cannot be caught in anyone of those titles without some sort of explanation. I’ve been agnostic several times, but am now more or less a Christian, depending on what type of Christian you’re thinking of.
But with all of this as part of me, I feel ready to write more songs and experience more life and people and their stories. I am convinced that no one person has it right, but I despise the moments of apathy in my life, because they tend to grow resentment and discouragement towards any respectful act of faith. Which are all acts, quite frankly. So, here I am just pounding out 23 units, coaching little kids soccer on the weekends, and dreaming about new material most of the time. Robbie DeLong and Matt Starcher have volunteered to be awesome and play on the new record with me…along with some others. So, keep your ears perked and ready for a month long fall college tour (2008), another one in the spring (2009), and a fourth album in the middle of this year (2008).

december 21, 2006

Due to a little tendonitis, I have slowed down most performing activity and am reserving my forearm and its tendons for the studio where Matt Starcher and Robbie Delong and I are working on an experimental LP project to be mastered and ready in May/June '07. As this semester kicked the living hooha out of me, academically, I took the tendonitis as a break time and subjected myself to more common student activities like the following: trips to the library to type papers, making coffee, trips to the library to write books, my roommates and I staring at each other in a fuzzy daze as a side effect of all of the above. On a more personal note, I'm involved in an organization called Young Life and am enjoying getting to know my local high school friends. I started playing music with Robbie and Matt and some other great folks at San Dimas Faith Lutheran every Sunday, as well. I've got a couple trips in the making for the spring, but am focusing on letting my wrist heal and preparing a summer lineup that looks different than anything I've tried to do before...who knows what that means!? I hope everyone is well and enjoying their venture into the new year. I'm still sending cds out via snail mail for those of you who haven't picked up a copy of the latest edition of my musical drama and trauma... I'm going to try and be nice and courageous at the same time this year, a ginger attempt.

september 5, 2006

I am in Los Angeles, finally. Junior year of college will soon be over like freshman and sophomore year. Bright city lights, theology classes, and ceramics will keep me busy and thinking, I'm sure. Not too much to say at this point. As for when I am supposed to be focusing on school and writing papers, there will be a lot to be said, then.

june 28, 2006

Well, I believe I just finished my first tour ("The Off White West Coast Tour"), oh, so official, and I am preparing myself, literally, this minute to play some tunes for some folks in Mexico. You see, this all sounds so pro, but I think it just means I'm learning how to do this whole "itty-bitty-independent musician" thing in a way where I'm slowly coming out of debt. [this sort of rambling is what I find myself using in between songs at shows. that's why people like my music more] So, in short, the "New News" is as follows: J. Olson has reconfigured the new website, there is a third full length album..."A Pretty Kind of [Off] White", I just finished my first tour w/o any vocal nodes or car wrecks and I'm going to be aunt!!! "A Pretty Kind of [Off] White" can be found on the store page, discography page or on itunes. Thank you so much for all your support and friendship. Take care of that ozone.