David Nash

I've been working hard on multiple fronts these days. Besides the day to day joys of family life and work, I'm working hard finishing up…. are you ready for this?…. an AUDIOBOOK version of my novel “The Man in the Pines.” I've even got a surprise at the end of the book which I think you will really like. 

I recently co-authored a short story that was accepted for a collection of dark fiction. It was super fun and I'm extremely proud of how that project turned out. It is a commentary on the dangers of social media and disappointment in our thirties. Oh, and it has LOTS of dead bodies. L.O.T.S. My co-author has a short story in this anthology that is soooo good. Its free on knidle. 

Meanwhile, I'm also working on another collection of stories now AND get ready to start hearing more and more about my newest novel which is currently slated for release in Feb 2024 published by Unsolicited Press. 

Between that and a few songs here and there, I'm keeping busy.  Here is a new song I entered for the NPR Tiny Desk Contest called “Filling up the Void.” I'm pretty sure my “desk” didn't qualify, but oh well :)  Look at that goofy face!

EVENTS: 

Reading and music at the La Crescent Public Library for National Tell a Story Day 

Thursday, April 27th 6-7pm

Music: 

I'll be opening for The Lone Canary on April 15th at 7pm ish at The Root Note in La Crosse, Wi

Hi!

I haven’t kept up with the blog these past few months. Heck, I think it’s been longer. I’ve been busy with family, work, and my role as the chair of a folk music festival of all things. The latter consumed much of my time and energy this last year culminating in a whirlwind, amazing, one-day event in La Crosse, Wisconsin on August 27th 

I was fortunate to spend ten months working closely with a small group of volunteers as we dove deep into the past, present, and future of the festival. I learned so much about sponsorships, grant writing, social media, ticket sales, budgeting, merchandise, festival layout, booking musicians, and generally just working with other people during times of stress. It was a lot. But it was a wonderful experience. 

But this post isn’t about the festival. This post is about stealing, which I'm suggesting you do. Read more to learn why. 

I knew when I took the position of festival chair, I wouldn’t be able to write or create as much art. I wouldn’t be able to play as many gigs as I usually do. Every Tuesday night would be booked with zoom meetings. I wouldn’t be able to participate in the songwriting contest like I have for many years. I would be just too busy. 

Busy-ness comes in many forms for us and ebbs and flows with the seasons of life depending on priorities. As the festival is taking a deep breath and the leaves begin to change, I find a sudden urge to do all the things I love. Write, carve, hike, fly fish, play, sing, read to my children, build campfires, and go on bike rides. 

But we can’t simply wait for life to stop so we can create, right? When inspiration crashes into your bedroom window, you must seize it. Life isn’t going to get unbusy. The things that fight for your time and attention just change as the revolving door spins. So creativity comes down to stolen moments. 

During the busy year, I was still able to write, and slowly pursue a few things for my family and me by stealing little moments from time to time. Late night walks. Moments in the car recording a melody. Saturday mornings, flipping pancakes, writing at the coffee table with coffee while my son and daughter watched cartoons. 

During all seasons, we balance how we give ourselves away with the moments we keep tucked away. Sometimes it is just good to have a reminder: it's okay to steal time for yourself. Maybe it's sitting on a doorstep in the dark while the moon rises. Maybe it's in a bathroom stall over a lunch break flipping through a news feed. Maybe it is a short bike ride in the afternoon. Steal those moments. Pocket a couple for yourself to write or rest or pray or whatever. Thievery is a fun word, so don’t be afraid to use it. 

________

If you’re wondering what else I’ve been up to, I do have a few updates for you. 

1. My next novel is in the editing phases with my new publisher, Unsolicited Press. It is set for release early 2024. I can’t wait to share more with you, but for now, all I will say is it is about how we use time. 

2. My novel “The Man in the Pines,” a reimagination of Paul Bunyan continues to do well. I find myself frequently having to drop off more copies at our local shops around town. Thank you sooo much for enjoying this book with me. 

3. I’m continuing to write music, and hope to have a few new songs to share online with you sometime over the next year. 

4. Printing: I’ve got a few woodblock prints I’ve made to sell at my shows. I love this art form and hope you can see a few in person someday. Until then, follow the links on this page to listen on bandcamp or spotify or wherever. 

5. Upcoming gigs: I'm playing tomorrow at Midwest Music Fest. I’m hoping to start booking a few winter shows at Mt La Crosse Ski Hill and you can catch me intermittently busking around town or at sporadic songwriting events. 

The best way to keep up with me is by following my facebook and Instagram accounts. 

Happy September! Go find an apple orchard and get ready to pick some pumpkins! 

David

I was watching the recent Beatles documentary, “Get Back” which gives an in depth look at the two weeks or so the Fab Four spent reuniting, writing, and rehearsing what would be their final live performance not to mention the Let it Be album. 

It’s a LONG documentary. Eight hours or so. There are some magic moments. Some boring. Some insightful. Depending on where you stand as a Beatles fan, I’m sure this documentary could mean many different things to you. Similarly, and what I like most, is viewing this through the lens of a songwriter. 

Per usual, I’ve got a disclosure. I’m coming at this from the standpoint of a solo singer songwriter and not a bandmember, which can complicate things but also, I assume, add depth and multiply creativity. To be clear, I'd love to be in a band some day, even just for a year or so :)

When I watch these four musicians come together, I see a lot of playful musical behavior and pulling threads to see where songs go next. Most notably, I hear a lot of utterly nonsensical lyrics. 

It felt like half the time John and Paul had one main approach to songwriting. Strum a bit to find a melody you like, then mumble until a word fits, and finally sing it over and over with nonsense sounds. Worry about the words later. That’s it. That’s how a hit is born over and over again.

Watching these musicians who made an immeasurable impact just shout gibberish in songs that millions have come to know and love was oddly freeing for me. It was a great reminder that ,when you are creating a song, its okay to let yourself go a bit. Gibberish doesn’t need to rhyme. You can flex the melody and bend it in ways that might surprise you. Starting a song with gobbledygook is fair game. The words will come when they need to. 

Last month, I spent a lot of time working on a new story idea. My first novel, The Man in the Pines, was published a year and a half ago, and I have another that will be coming out in late 2023 or early 2024 with Unsolicited Press, but I've been ruminating on a new idea. 

I was working on this idea for the Nanowrimo challenge, a goal of writing 50,000 words (technically a novel) in one month. To reach that goal, you need to have a lot of time, or be willing to just get words on the page, 1,667 per day to be precise. Often times, that means being okay with things that just are not perfect. They are place holders for later ideas and development. It is essentially gibberish. The same tactic John and Paul were were using in the documentary. I didn't come close to 50,000 words last month, but I came away feeling great about the start I had in the new project and okay with the fact that I would have to edit later. 

I simply wanted to share that I think this concept can be a freeing tool when everything you are trying to say feels forced. Cut yourself some slack. Focus on the sounds and not the words. Those will come later. Who knows, maybe you’ll tap into you subconscious and a word will unintentionally slip out leading you to the lyrics you really wanted to write. Maybe a hit song will be born. 

So, go forth, write some nonsense, and have fun!