still here, or back again

my dream of regular substack-ing dashed once more by lack of anything to say

It’s been quiet here. On this particular substack. The world is loud and life is loud and the to-do list is infinite but I let substack slip this summer. And I do want to update you at least ONCE before Q4 slides away into a new year. The equinox has passed, and I’m long overdue.

Sometimes I am in go-mode in a way that is so presently tactile, that I have to look back at my calendar to remember what the heck’s been going on. Since last time (as it appears on my phone screen) I:

• finished tour through the UK & Europe with PUP! I’m so grateful to have had the opportunity to open for a band that is so pure and intentional in their personal lives and in music. I could rant for hours about how much I love PUP and everyone in their crew, but for now I’ll leave it at how thankful I am to be able to go out and tour other countries, play for big, excitable crowds, and come home remembering why I do this thing.

• went on a headline US run where I got to play in cities we didn’t get a chance to hit on our Fall ‘24 headline! Georgia Maq and allie were opening for IH - two women who are unafraid to be themselves, shred hard, and have fun regardless of the curveballs that tour often flings your way. We stayed all together in a huge airbnb in Niagara Falls where Georgia made us watch Zach Cregger’s Barbarian, we swam in strangers’ pools, saw a minor league baseball game, and even made it out to GATORLAND in Florida.

  

  me + albino gator

• In between these two tours, I was able to jump into the studio with Lucy Dacus, Melina Duterte (of Jay Som), and Alan Good Parker (Lucy’s wonderful guitarist) to track a banger for Lucy called “Bus Back To Richmond”. This tune is out now and cut to 7” along with another single! I love making music with my friends!!!

• At the end of June I had the honor of being a visiting artist at Berklee College of Music, where I sat in on advanced production classes to hear projects, observe, and give feedback. My schedule was packed with office hours, friend hangs, and at the end of the week I recorded a wonderful punk trio called Bratlash in the Berklee studios. It’s so fulfilling to see passionate shredders at the beginnings of their journeys. The talent pool is immense. I’m hoping I can find another way soon to dip back into education.

• July was a lot of studio time again with so many artists I love. I also got to visit my SISTER on the east coast for her birthday!!! (shout out HT)

• Much of July and August was spent in the studio again, settling back into a rhythm, making songs with people I love, painstakingly rewiring my room and then rewiring it again because I figured out how to do it a better way but ain’t that just life?

• I had the unique opportunity to attend Saltlick Writing Camp in Fort Collins, CO! I honestly had no idea what to expect. It was quick and fun and I feel like I came away with some new friends and future collaborators.

• Brain is spinning away on IH LP5… it’s so, so early but my cranky cogs are getting unrusted as we speak.

Life is tour, studio, rinse, repeat, find time to squeeze my dogs and watch a dumb movie with my partner and I’m not mad about it. Something about the sunset of whatever the period post-adolescence and pre-old is, is finally settling upon my skin and I don’t feel like brushing it away all the time anymore. MUCH is swirling around every day and I am thankful to be able to connect with those who are fighting for what’s right - art is an act of rebellion, conformity is cowardly, I know you know we need this energy right now.

Anyway thanks for tuning into this brain dump!

shred on,

Sarah

~

if you’re feeling generous, cheers me!!

if you’re feeling inspired, support MutualAid LA <3

if you want to catch IH on the road, come on by!!

10.04 in Reno, NV at Offbeat Fest

11.08-11.13 aboard the S.S. Neverender with Coheed & Cambria, Thursday, The Dear Hunter, and many more!

11.18 in Vancouver, BC with Jack’s Mannequin

11.19 in Seattle, WA with Jack’s Mannequin

11.21 in San Francisco, CA with Jack’s Mannequin

11.22 in Anaheim, CA with Jack’s Mannequin

11.23 in Del Mar, CA with Jack’s Mannequin

12.05 in Brooklyn, NY with The Beths