I recently had the distinct pleasure of shooting my first music video! In April I toured on the East Coast with my friend Joel Price playing mandolin and singing harmony. I just loved what he brought to my song "Strong & Tender," about loving yourself well even when people are saying things about you behind your back. So when I heard Joel was coming to California for a graduation ceremony, I couldn't resist the chance to steal him away for a morning and make this video.

We recorded the song live in my dining room, which was conveniently empty since my housemate just moved out and took her table. It's shot and directed by Kyle M. Terrizzi, who is a wonderful songwriter himself.

I'm really proud of how the video turned out. I hope you like it too! Here it is:

Please share this video with your friends, whether on social media, by e-mail or in person. Your support means a lot to me.

Now Booking a Fall Midwest Tour
I'm also excited to announce that I'm booking my first midwest tour. I'm planning to spend the first week of November playing shows and teaching singing workshops in Chicago, Ann Arbor, Cleveland, and Oberlin, OH, with a few other stops along the way.

If you know someone in Ohio, Michigan or Illinois who might help me setup a show, or a workshop, please check out my tour booking page and get in touch! As an independent musician who does most of my own booking, your help can make a *big* difference.

Hosting a New Show: Queer Country West

One of my favorite experiences on my recent tour was playing at a Brooklyn show called Queer Country Monthly. Hosted by Karen Pittelman of Karen and the Sorrows, Karen explains:

Why queer country music? Because sometimes you love a culture that doesn’t love you back. And when everyone came to the first Gay Ole Opry in April of 2011 in all their country finery, we knew we weren’t alone. We do it because we love the music and want to build a community to support queer country musicians. We do it because everybody needs a honky tonk angel to hold them tight. We do it because we believe in country music for all cowpeople.

Inspired by Queer Country Monthly, I'm very pleased to announce that I'm hosting the very first Queer Country West show next Thursday night at La Peña Cultural Center in Berkeley. The show features local Bay Area country songwriter Shane Fairchild (of The Goat and the Feather), honky-tonk band The Western Skyline and my own Sugar in the Salt.

This show is bittersweet because it's Sugar in the Salt's last show with accordion, banjo and fiddler extrordinaire Koralie Hill. Please come help us celebrate the lovely year we've had together as a band and send her off with love.

First Ever *Queer Country West*
Thursday, June 25th
La Peña Cultural Center
3105 Shattuck Ave, Berkeley, CA
Featuring: Sugar in the Salt
Shane Fairchild of The Goat and the Feather
The Western Skyline
Doors 7:30 PM, Show 8 PM
All Ages, Wheelchair Accessible
$8 in Advance, $10 at the Door
RSVP on Facebook
Buy Tickets

This show may sell out, so buy your tickets now! I can't wait to see you there.

I'm booking a November tour in Michigan, Ohio, and Illinois. But I need your help to make it happen.

I make my living as an independent musician and voice teacher, so your help can make a *big* difference.

Here's my proposed tour route:

Sunday, November 1st: Ann Arbor, MI

Monday, November 2nd: Cleveland, OH

Tuesday, November 3rd: Oberlin, OH

Wednesday, November 4th: Toledo, OH

Thursday, November 5th: Chicago, IL

Friday, November 6th: Grand Rapids or Kalamazoo, MI

Saturday, November 7th: Lansing, MI

Sunday, November 8th: Ann Arbor or Detroit, MI

Other places I might stop if folks are interested in bringing me:

Columbus, OH
Urbana, IL
Indianapolis, IN
Pittsburgh, PA

Here's how you can help:

Can you organize a show for me in your area?

Whether it's at a local venue or a house concert in your living room, I would love to collaborate with you on putting together a fun evening of music! If you've never hosted a house concert before, you can find a how-to on my website at: http://www.eliconley.com/host-a-house-concert.html

Do you know local musicians who would be a good fit to play a show with me in your area?

One of my favorite things about being on tour in connecting with local musicians in the communities I'm traveling to and hearing great new music! And since this is my first time playing in the midwest, playing with local folks who are already known in the area helps me start making connections with folks who are new to my music. I love playing with other acoustic/folk/americana acts, singer-songwriters, and  independent, queer and/or social justice-oriented musicians. I'm not such a good fit with rock bands or cover bands.

Do you know venues that would be a good fit for me?

I'm especially into playing at coffeehouses, folk clubs, listening rooms, colleges, art galleries and house concerts. I find that my music doesn't work as well at bars and restaurants where people are primarily there to socialize and the music is meant to be in the background.

Do you know a college, university, organization or group that would like me to lead a singing workshop for them?

I'm available to lead singing workshops for schools, organizations, groups of friends, and anyone in between! I can lead workshops for LGBTQ folks and allies, as well as general community singing workshops. You can find more info about my workshops at http://www.eliconley.com/group-classes.html

Can you offer me a place to stay?

I need places to sleep while I'm on the road, so if you have a guest room or other space for a friendly traveling musician to stay, I would be so appreciative.

Will you come see me play when I'm in your town?

Mostly importantly, I wanna see you! The reason I'm traveling all this way is to see people I love, meet and connect with new people, and play music. If you wanna hear about shows in your area, I encourage you to sign up for my mailing list. I only send out announcements when I'm coming to your state, so you'll never get spam from me. You can join my mailing list here: http://www.eliconley.com/contact.html

Please contact me at [email protected] if you can help or have ideas of other who can. I also encourage you to share this with your friends.

Thanks so much,
Eli