I just spent five long days and nights in Austin, TX at the annual SXSW Music festival. After two years off during the pandemic, I returned in 2022 to find a much less crowded version of the event. This year, SXSW felt fully back to form with long lines outside of shows and partiers on scooters zooming up and down busy streets. I saw a nice combination of every band I work with—including U.S. Girls, who performed as a hologram—and several great bands I have nothing to do with. I ate some fantastic meals, moderated Valerie June’s keynote address, and (surprise) I managed to squeeze in my own book event with the Austin author David Wright Faladé.
Soon after I arrived in Austin, a colleague texted me a photo she’d taken on the NYC subway of a person I don’t know reading My Life in the Sunshine. For the past nine months I’ve hoped this would happen, but looking at the photo, it still felt impossibly lucky. 2.4 million people ride the NYC subway each day, and I’m fairly certain that my book sales are not yet approaching that number. Regardless, thank you, unknown NYC subway passenger for making my day.
Speaking of New York City… My first ever Manhattan book event is this Wednesday March 22 at the New York Society Library. Founded in 1754, it’s New York’s oldest library, located on the upper east side. My host will be the incredible Jami Floyd, whom I met several years ago when she hosted WNYC’s All Things Considered. You can register HERE.
My book tour doesn’t seem to be slowing down. Below is the schedule, and there’s more coming together (Minneapolis! Tokyo!!!). Details and updates can always be found HERE.
Wed Mar 22: New York, NY @ the New York Society Library / in conversation with Jami Floyd. 6pm
Fri Mar 24: Boise, ID @ Treefort Music Festival / in conversation with Margo Price about both of our books. 12:30pm
Tue Mar 28: Rancho Mirage, CA @ Rancho Mirage Library and Observatory. 2pm
Sat Apr 22 : Washington, DC @ City-State Brewing / in conversation with Chad Clark (Beauty Pill). 8pm
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). You can listen to the 5-minute intro for free on Spotify.
I hope to see you somewhere soon.
Nabil Ayers / Brooklyn