photos Julius Schlosburg unless otherwise noted
April 14, 2023 at Club Congress was the greatest show of my life.
Further—an argument could be made for why it was one of the best nights of my life just in general. Definitely Top 5—the other spots occupied by my wedding to Paul and the births of our kids. The roster of folks who were there and the times we were all at in our lives created a night that could never be repeated—even if all the same people were there.
My album is called JOY, but this release comes after a year of substantial heartbreak. Firstly, I lost my dad Rick Bessett to a two year long battle with cancer. He was an event planner and a soldier and a plumber and comedy club manager and and and…—I definitely could have used his expertise regarding the balloon drop. He had a knack for calm in high pressure situations and could wear any hat—MC, cook, host, handyman etc. It’s the kind of varied skillset that just makes everyone under his management feel calm at a big party—somebody’s gonna know whats going on and its going to be Rick. My sister and I both followed in his footsteps in different ways (shoutout to my Lena Butt—she's definitely made you a drink at Danny’s or The Buffet). More than once I caught myself looking for him in the crowd—and I felt his presence from the time I woke up Friday morning to the very (very) late hour I went to sleep.
Secondly, a close friend and I decided to part ways after recording wrapped. The break was awful. There were very real and dark months where I thought I might not release this music—that I might not play music anymore at all.
However, looking at the picture above and moving through the setlist at the show surrounded by my friends, family, and chosen family—I feel washed and clean and completely new. These songs feel happy again. I can listen to them with no twinge of sadness and feel overwhelmingly relieved and content. Tucson—you showed up for me—and I really really needed you.
Thank you.
photo Kerry Whelan
I’d like to give special thanks to the following people for your help in making the greatest night of my life a success:
Ryan Alfred, Beth Goodfellow, “Party Time” Jake Ransom, Chris Peña, Steven Lee Tracy, Celeste Tracy, and Katherine Byrnes—WTF how did you do what you did on like four hours practice? Is it normal for your stomach to hurt after prax from laughing so hard? Seriously when is the next show I’m ready as hell.
Saint Cecilia Studios not only was JOY recorded here—but we got to use it as a practice space for the release show. We are so blessed in Tucson to have this space and these engineers and I’ve already got ideas tinkering for my next project
Cream Design How about that merch? Every time I wear a JOY JOY JOY shirt someone asks me what it’s about. Turnover was fast, prices were affordable, and Rose was late once because she had to take care of her cat. Cats come first y’all. Full stop. Speaking of cats
Julius Schlosburg Tucson and the world knows you as an incredible photographer, drummer, and activist—I get to know you as a friend. I’ve had this conversation with a few folks but this warm love-filled feeling I get when I think or talk about you is shared by literally hundreds of people. I don’t think I’ve met another person so universally loved by so many different parts of a community. Maybe Dolly Parton? I’m saying it. Julius Schlosburg is the Dolly Parton of Tucson.
female gaze Nelene, Nicky, Kevin—I’ve never seen a happier drummer? Nelene you bought yellow pants? female gaze has a new record coming out soon on Fort Lowell Records—keep an ear out
Nelene Deguzman sooo you’re not just a badass guitarist with killer fashion sense (those yellow pants tho) you’re also a graphic designer—who SLAYED my album art and design. For real y’all—hire Nelene. She’s the best
Tres Palomas I know Mike Montoya from the fatigo times—which I’m fairly certain are still happening? At least I hope so. Their album Menso is still in the regular rotation at our house and me and my kids scream sing White Bear every time it plays. So when I reached out to see if fatigo was available Mike says, “well we can’t play that show but I have this new band Tres Palomas? We’ve only played like ten shows.” Look—if Mike Montoya tells you he has a new band you just book them ok? So we literally had posters printed before I’d ever even heard this band live and let me tell you—best blind decision of my life. Tamela, Josh, Ehren—y’all are dynamite—when is tour?
Kinetic Arts and Brenna Mirae Wow wow wow. Your dancing elevated key moments of the show from great to iconic. Also having your sweet baby in the green room definitely helped ground me when I felt ready to float away. The tour caravan would have to be pretty big to accommodate all of us but we’re game right? X)
Evan Zinner, Dana Fehr, and Ty Engle after this show I will never ever ever think of sound and lighting the same way again. You all are absolute madmen and your knowledge and understanding not just of the technical side but the artistic side as well? So so so grateful
Lara Ruggles no one rocks suspenders and a clipboard like you Lara. Having you as a stage manager brought me immeasurable peace and confidence Day of Show. I’ve seen your own performances and knew that you’d take care of this event with as much care and attention as you do your own—and you slayed
Dante Rosano best. secret. trumpet player. ever. True story—I went to drop off his payment the Monday after the show at his house. He opened the door and I’m like,”here you go, Dante! Thanks so much!” He says, “I’m Marco—Dante lives in the back.” If you know you know
Lynnette Estrada oh hay bitch. Thanks for selling the shit out of my merch and just being one of the best ride-or-dies a girl could have. I don’t know what crazy shit we’re gonna do next but I know enough by now to be excited cause it’s gonna be rad
Pete Swan thanks for the marimba, Pete! Drum prax soon? XO
Barb “Barbicide” Trujillo VICE FOR LIFE I hope you made an eff ton of money. I forgot to get you a shirt—call me
Club Congress with special mentions to David Slutes and Quinn Scully As a native Tucsonan I can recognize the historical significance of the Club Congress stage. We are so lucky to have people like you taking care of this sacred place. I’ll never forget when I asked if we could have a balloon drop and the email reply seconds later from David was “FULL STEAM AHEAD”
Dad (Lou) Hey Dad :) Thanks for being the last one standing at Waffle House with me 6am on Saturday morning. Like father like daughter. Oh crap. Let’s do it again in May!
Lena and Chantel Seeeeeeeeeeeeeeesters. Oh god I’m glad we didn’t go to The Buffet—remember what happened last time? Oof. Thanks for cackling and drinking with me until the sun comes up on the regular. Lena—sorry about the balloon drop—I swear I tried
Matt, Robbie, Josh Brothers! Man you guys can sweep a floor. Well Matt can—Josh is questionable. Robbie your big old crying heart is my favorite. It’s so big and so raw sometimes it doesn’t feel like it could be real—all that love in one person. I am the luckiest baby sister in the whole world to have y’all in my corner.
Max (Tieg!), Arlo, and Miles My babes! My tinies. My turkeys. Thanks for coming, I hope you weren’t bored. Max, thanks for hyping me up in the dressing room before the show—can we make it a ritual? Maybe in the mornings before school? Arlo, I’ll never forget singing Vegetables after everyone left and we were cleaning up the balloons. I wish you liked vegetables irl. Miles, I don’t know that these songs would have happened without you? Definitely not in this way. Being pregnant with you made me slow down and insulate and create and I’ll always know how old these songs are because that’s how old you are. Pretty neat.
Mom hey mom, I know this show was hard for a myriad of reasons. You are my longest most number one fan and I have always known I had the talent and support to do what I love because of you. Remember when I had solos in elementary school? And Jace Durako would come up afterwards and be like “how come your mom always cries when you sing?” Too bad for you, I keep following my crazy dreams and you’re just gonna have to cry-watch me sing forever.
Paul my love. Every single step of the process you have held me. Every part of my life is made better because of you. I’ll never forget sitting on the living room floor going through that Beach Boys songbook deciding which song to cover on the RC505. You said “How about Vegetables? Maybe it’ll help Arlo eat his green beans.”
