Open D and other new adventures

Written on Saturday 12th July 2025.

Last night I played a really lovely gig supporting Jhana Allan (NSW) on her tour. We played at the Wheaty Hotel, and while the crowd was tiny I was filled with so much joy and felt so much love and respect from those who came. I sold a CD to a new listener too which is always a win! (Visit my bandcamp here if you wanna get one for yourself, I can even sign it for you <3). It was so special to sing with Jhana and Tom, her duo partner; we performed my song Pull The Rug, Jhana’s song Made It and a cover of Change by Big Thief, all with the instrumentation of acoustic guitar, electric guitar, mandolin and scattered vocal harmonies. It was really fun to hear my song with some new colours, and so joyful to perform with 2 humans I’ve never made music with before.

I played lots of new songs last night too and they all went really well! My goals at the moment are to become more confident with picking patterns on guitar, and explore some new tunings - I wrote my first song in open D recently. I am also constantly trying to become a better lyricist. I love to be vulnerable, but mostly behind a soft facade of metaphors and imagery full of double meanings. I always feel like I can write better, write more, dig deeper.

I feel like I’ve been really blessed recently with the gigs I’ve played and the opportunities that are coming my way. Performing to a packed Ern Malley with Jack Ray, showing up to the Howling Owl on Make Music Day to find a completely mesmerised crowd and, as always, being so excited and inspired by what Darcie and Jess bring to my music when we perform as a trio.

I have been diving more and more into making videos on TikTok too. Its a hard balance to strike between feeling like a business in the rat race and having fun making whatever I feel like, but I am able to connect with new people every day on there and I receive kind comments on everything I post. I also love to make and edit videos, so why not combine it all?

My pursuit of music has always felt worthwhile and important, but it’s extra nice to intrigue and excite strangers with what I’m creating too. I am always so touched that someone would enjoy what I’m doing enough to go out of their way to leave a few nice words, or even stop to view what I make at all. Similarly, every time I make a Substack post I watch around 40 of you open it directly from your email inbox - how cool is that! Thank you so much.

I have a couple of gigs in August that I’d love to see you at:

August 1st - I’m performing a set as part of the Music SA Scouted Showcase. This is a really big opportunity to showcase myself to all of the music industry people who will be in Adelaide that week for the Aus Independent Record Label Association conference. I have applied for this many times and this is the first time I’ve been accepted, so I’m pretty excited to create some cool opportunities from the experience.

August 9th - I am supporting Ruby Gill at Oddio in Bowden. A stunning venue + artist! I am so stoked about this one. The incredible Jamie Lena will also be playing a supporting set.

In other news I have booked a little interstate tour! I have shows booked in Sydney, Wollongong, Melbourne and Castlemaine for later this year! There will also be an Adelaide show to finish it off. I’m currently working on all the promotional materials, I am DIY-ing things again and loving it. I’m trying to tee up a few more little things for each leg of the tour but the bulk is done, I just need to lock in some local supports for everywhere but Melbourne. I’m so excited to finally branch out and perform in new cities and meet some more artists!

I hope you’re doing well. What are you up to this weekend? I’m thinking of going to Spotlight today to get some lino because I want to DIY some tour shirts! And I’ll probably have a sing in the garden later :)

Lots of love,

Mais xo