Planting seeds vs. planting crops: a new year’s narrative

Hello! As social media collapses in on itself a little faster than planned, it's really meaningful to have people subscribed to this newsletter. For the first message of 2025, I'm trying to share a few links/resources that I hope can be useful.

Personal Update: Performances and more

I'll start with some personal housekeeping:

• My first performance of 2025 will be at Icehouse in Minneapolis on Saturday, January 18 for CLUB SODA, a new sober-friendly series of concerts. Join Guante & Big Cats, Maria Isa, DJ Keezy, DJ Miss Brit, and Purple Queen. Get tickets here.
• I'll also be swinging through TruArtSpeaks' weekly ReVerb open mic on Thursday, January 23 at Flava Cafe (6-8pm) for the release of a poetry zine I contributed to.
• There are still a few of my art/lyric print bundles available via Button Poetry's online store! Really proud of this merch, and the "of what future" design in the header of this post is actually a sticker (designed by Natalie Hinahara) that comes free with the bundle.

New Writing: Planting seeds vs. planting crops: a new year’s narrative writing prompt

A few thoughts on "political writing" and the role(s) of artists in this historical moment. A teaser below; read the full piece here.

It’s easy to fall back on platitudes like “we speak truth to power” or “we cultivate imagination” or “we plant seeds.” Those statements are all true! But what do they actually look like in practice? What are some specific tools and tactics for not just doing that work, but doing it effectively?

And when it comes to the idea of “planting seeds,” how might we go beyond scattering wildflower seeds as we skip on our own through the meadow, and instead work together to plant crops that might feed a community? This post is the first in a series sharing some thoughts, questions, and ideas related to those questions.

Once again, the full piece is available to read here. It includes an intro to the concept of narrative (in an organizing/movement sense), links to some of my favorite examples of art that engages with narrative, and a big 2025 writing challenge to any poet/songwriter/artist friends out there.

Other Recommended Reading

As always, trying to use what platform I have to lift up some good work.

• Wading Into 2025: How to Begin (Kelly Hayes in conversation with Mariame Kaba, Shane Burley, Dean Spade, and Eman Abdelhadi) - definitely one of the best single articles/essays to read for people feeling overwhelmed or cynical.
• Five links I shared as recommended readings for the transition from 2024 - 2025, featuring Noura Erakat, Silky Shah, Olúfẹ́mi O. Táíwò, and Nikki Giovanni! (IG version + the links themselves in my running list)
• An older project but I feel like someone out there might need it: my zine gathering my favorite quotes on hope, resistance, and possibility.

A Note of Gratitude

Thanks to everyone reading this, and thanks also to those who came to our album release show back at the end of November. I'll end this with two videos from the All Dressed Up, No Funeral album, which is all about how we cultivate hope in times of crisis and uncertainty.