Friends, this is a short one because, well, it's the evening where I am, and I try very hard not to write emails in the evenings. But tomorrow is another day and... 👀

'Lili' - reissued and remastered - is out today!

This sweet, lil thing is available on CD for the first time (and just look at that artwork...) Head to my bandcamp and download the new masters if you've previously purchased the album, or get yourself a new copy.

Listen and Buy Here

Dear ones, I'm delighted to let you know that I'm reissuing my 2020 album Lili! Read on for some backstory and details on that, as well as information about a festival performance near Washington, DC on May 6 (DMV friends and family, hope to see you there).

Revisiting an old friend

On March 17, 2020, Sam Torres (my husband and producer/audio engineer) and I spent a few hours in the acoustically-pristine Troy Savings Bank Music Hall and recorded the complete piano works of Lili Boulanger (1893-1918). Live music had been brought to a painful halt. Venues, like the Troy Music Hall, were empty. Being in that space at that time felt like inhabiting a ghostly shell; there was no clear vision of the future. I know we can all vividly go back to the feeling of that moment. A breathless three days after recording, on March 20, 2020, I released Lili.

Hi softies! This email is a reminder about a very dear-to-me show coming up this Wednesday, March 29 in Troy, NY at the Troy Music Hall.

Wednesday, March 29

6:00 PM
Troy Savings Bank Music Hall
Tickets

The Lift Series returns with a celebration of Piano Day, an event observed around the world which brings together pianists and piano-lovers! Taking place on the 88th day of the year, the concert will feature local and regional pianists of different musical genres, including Emily Pinkerton, Carol Daggs (Jazzage), Spencer Zahn, and myself.

Dear ones, this is a quick note to let you know about two upcoming shows in Albany and Troy (at College of St. Rose and Troy Savings Bank Music Hall) that will be dreamy and fun in different ways. If you're in the area, it would be lovely see you.

PS have you gotten your In Our Softening vinyl yet? 😍

In Our Softening 12" vinyl records are finally here! This physical artifact was put into pre-production last summer and to finally hold it in my two hands is, well, a dream. It looks and sounds incredible. You can get yours here.

I have some concerts coming up in March (which is next month if you can believe) in Brooklyn, Albany, and Troy. Scroll down for details about those. I'll be trying out some new things at each and it would mean the world to see your faces at one or all of them.

In other news, I recently received a message from a stranger that I simply can't shake. It has wiggled into my heart and I'm compelled to share it with you, along with some lingering thoughts it stirred. Here it is:

I'm 17 days late, but it's a new year: a helpful time, if artificially constructed, for reflection on our small, beautiful lives. Feel free to skip down for details about a concert in New York City on Wednesday, Jan. 25, or read on.

2022 was an important year for me creatively. I released "In Our Softening", a record that I'm extraordinarily proud of. It has done better than I ever imagined it would, including getting critical attention and making it onto several "best of" year-end lists, including I Care If You Listen's Editor's Picks, Night After Night (Steve Smith), and Boulanger Initiative's Favorite Albums of 2022. I spear-headed Troy Street Pianos, a project that brought art and music to the streets of Troy through painted pianos. I continued organizing and curating the The Lift Series at the Troy Savings Bank Music Hall. I began co-hosting concerts at Troy Listening Room, my strange and perfect church-home with my husband Sam.

But the elephant in my room is that I haven't truly found my way back to performing since the pandemic began. And I miss it terribly. Performing involves an incredible amount of momentum, and I just haven't been able to get that back yet.

Friends, when last I wrote, 'In Our Softening' was just being released out into the wide world. It's been a wild, humbling month since.

IN OUR SOFTENING is out today!

Listen and Buy

Album Bio

"Vastek artfully creates a space that is vulnerable, exquisitely performed, and sensitive..." - I Care If You Listen

Hello all,

In Our Softening is almost here! The album is out this Friday on Bandcamp where you can buy a high-res digital download and CD (remember those?), as well as pre-order vinyl. You can pre-order anytime and get a CD shipped out immediately, or a download available for you on release day.

If you're in the Troy / greater New York area, please join me for an album release show this Friday, Oct. 21! Details below.

If you haven't already, please check out these videos for the two singles.

Good morning dear ones,

I am overjoyed (and a little overwhelmed) to share with you my new music video for The Seas That Made Us, out today! Please enjoy and share with your loved ones far and wide.

The full album is out Oct. 21 and you can pre-order here (a great way to support this work).

Good morning friends.

For those who missed my last email, or who are new to this newsletter space, or who were in the back row and just want to hear it again :) -- my next album In Our Softening is scheduled for release on October 21! You can pre-order here.

After Stardust

And with that said, the first single and video, 'After Stardust', is out today!

Friends, I am blown away by the support you've already shown for my forthcoming album! Thank you for your kind comments, your pre-orders, and all your love.

In the meantime...

A solo concert in Virginia

Sunday, Sept. 11, 4:00 pm
St. Andrew's Episcopal Church
6509 Sydenstricker Rd, Burke, VA