What’s going friends!
I’m sitting in a coffee shop in Austin drinking my 2nd cup of cider and listening to some jazz music. While also listening to some people talk about there relationships with headphones on. More on this later. Hope you are all doing good!
It’s been awhile since I’ve written a newsletter. You are probably wondering where on earth is Daniel & The Wandering Ear. Are they done? Did Daniel quit? No! To all of those we are still here and going. It’s just been a crazy time. April & May have been ridiculously busy and have even filled with so many changes that it could take me like an hour to share everything. But I’ll try to give you the cliff notes of what has happened.
Let’s see so in April I decided that I wanted to throw some concerts this summer. Initially I wanted to throw some in LA, Seattle, Dallas, Austin, Boston, New York, Chicago, Boise, and Portland. I really wanted to do this and I even researched all venues that I could do this but it turns out that majority of the cities at the time that I was looking weren’t fully open so some of the cities will be moved to Spring time aka 2022 or Fall hopefully. But I will say that I’ve got some shows in Chicago in June & NYC in July. I’ll be letting you know so more details as soon as possible.
Also, on top of this I’ve been doing some reflecting on what I want TWE to be in 2021 and what I want out of it and what I want to do. So, I spent a good amount of time just deep in thought and just thinking what’s next. It will be 5 YEARS IN AUGUST! It’s crazy that it has been 5 years. I was speaking to a friend on what I’d like to do with TWE and she was like interesting. So, as you all know I’ve been working on this project for the last 5 years. I will say that I’m at the point where I’d like to start monetizing this project as this is something that I want to do full-time eventually. On top of that I want to start producing really high quality and documentary type storytelling for our podcast. And I have some cool ideas for the podcast. Don’t want to give a spoiler alert but we are going to have a really cool Chicago series. I can’t say more or else I’ll be spoiling it.
So, in the beginning of the newsletter I mentioned that I’m in Austin at a coffee shop drinking my 2nd cup of Cider. Well, the reason why I’m in Austin is because I initially was going to secure an artist studio and run it as an artist collective where people can rent it out and record music, do art, and etc but when I got to the spot it wasn’t what I thought it was. So, I was bummed on that but all things work for the best. But I’ve been enjoying the heat, food, and the people here in Austin while doing some reflection. I truly needed this trip because I was buggin out and pretty close to burning out. I also met up with this amazing person. She was pretty cool and got to spend time and she showed me Austin. I fly back on 27th so tomorrow but I’m stoked to be here.
Here’s some photos of me in Austin:
This is what you call the selfie that your parents/old people/ or Daniel takes cause he doesn’t know how to use his phone. Or what I’d call myself a Boomer Zoomer. Also wearing some new merch!
Photo taken by the amazing Geralidnn. It was 85 degrees with 85% humidity we went hiking to this bridge/boulder i almost fell like 5 times. At least I had time to do some free promo for Topo Chico. If anyone of you have connects to Topo Chico please tell them to sponsor me.
Photo taken by amazing Geralidnn. If you look closely you might see the limited edition Daniel sneakers. Geraldinn took this photo of me while I was reading something in this manual for my Airbnb. It was a tiny house in Austin with a complex toilet and a nice dog & host. More on this in the podcast or one day.
Here is a song that I’ve been listening to a lot that I wanted to share with you all. Also to break up the long text.
In May, I’ve been finishing up these shows and figuring out some ways where TWE can start making a little bit of coins. Not that I’m in it for money but being that this is 5 years in I’ve been thinking of some ways where I can keep the project more sustainable. I would say that one of my ideas is starting to open my services where we can help book shows/tours for artists, more concerts, or having a way where you all can donate if you are in the position to do so. There’s a lot of cool ideas that I have and want to do but the coins is what’s limiting TWE. But it’s okay we always figure something out. But yeah May has been a wild month for me personally. I’ve been just deep in thought but also been grateful because I’m finally making something of myself and I get to do it with the support from all of you! I also have been like I’m so close to changing my life & TWE and those around me who’ve been here since the start where’s it’s like I can’t quit. I don’t know I’d be dumb if I quit.
But I will say this and this is something that hasn’t gone public yet as you all are like the close crew of TWE. I’ve floated with this idea of not writing articles anymore and turning TWE into more of an audio-based project where we have the artist tell the stories first & then I say my thoughts. So, I’ve been thinking about having artists share there unfinished music + finished song and talking about it and then I blindly listen to both and then share my thoughts. Kind of like opening up your voice memos and bringing us all on a more personal journey. The world is going more socialized in the audio space. Idk just an idea I had. Strongly thinking of implementing it.
Anyway! I know that this is insanely long so if you made it to the end thank you very much. I hope that all of you are doing good. If any of you need anything just reach out through DM and I’d love to help. But I hope you are all safe.
Until next time!
Daniel Mathia
TWE Founder