On The Road Again
Just can't wait to get on the road again
It’s been a whirlwind month since my memoir was published. My book tour hit ten cities in quick succession, and it reminded me of many of my favorite things about touring in bands—friends, after parties, great food—and also my least favorite things—sleep deprivation, waiting, terrible food. Some events were packed with friends and family, and stores sold out of books. Others were sparsely attended, but equally exciting. Milwaukee was the only city where I knew zero of the people at the event—and they asked some of the best questions. One conversation partner had to cancel, leaving space for my wife to host the London event.
I reconnected with several high school and college friends, and I realized that they’re much more likely to attend an early evening bookstore event than they were the many rock shows I played in Salt Lake City in the ‘90s. I met my father’s first ever manager, who arrived with photographs, records, and stories. And I met a new half-sister, who looks and acts so much like me that it’s difficult to comprehend.
As much as I’m glad to be home, I miss being on tour. So I’ve added some shows…
• Sun 8/14 - Oakland, CA, 5pm @ Bandcamp Oakland in conversation with Merrill Garbus (Tune-Yards) (in person and live-streamed, more info soon)
• Thurs 8/18 - Los Angeles, CA, 7pm @ the Artform Studio with James Spooner
• Fri 8/19 - San Diego, CA, 7pm @ Vinyl Junkies Record Shack with James Spooner
• Weds 10/12 - Tacoma, WA, 5pm @ University of Puget Sound
• Thurs 10/13 - Portland, OR, 7:30pm @ LiveWire Radio (short segment / part of a ticketed radio broadcast)
• Fri 10/14 - Portland, OR, 7pm @ Powell’s Books
More dates will be announced soon in Philadelphia, New Orleans, Lawrence, and Champaign, IL. Details and updates can be found HERE.
I’ve done a lot of interviews and podcasts recently. Some of my favorites include the KEXP podcast with Larry Mizell, Jr., CBC Q interview with Tom Power, and this segment with Ayana Contreras on Chicago’s Vocolo/WBEZ. There’s a 50-song book-themed playlist on Amazon Music, and they were nice enough to put my kid face on this gigantic billboard in Times Square:
My memoir My Life in the Sunshine is out now. I’d love it if you picked up a copy at your local independent bookstore. It’s also available at all the big places, and for your Kindle as well. There’s an audiobook that I spent 20 hours of my life reading (it’ll only take 7 hours to listen).
I hope to see you this summer/fall.
Nabil Ayers / Brooklyn