When I wrapped up the Nostalgia 19 listening party, I didn’t want to write a typical recap. So, I asked my friend again to interview me about it. Here’s how it went.
What inspired you to host a listening party for Nostalgia 19?
When I started planning the release of Nostalgia 19, I saw the listening party as a chance to do a few things at once: get some early, in-person feedback on the album, build a little local visibility, and celebrate the project in a way that felt personal.
As a Paso Robles-based artist, I wanted to do something in town—not just drop the album online and call it a day. I also thought the album might be a good fit for some of the tasting rooms in the area, so sharing it in a winery setting felt like a natural crossover.
I’ve always enjoyed hosting events, and this felt like a great excuse to create something special around the release. The idea of playing live came later—it started with just a playback experience, but eventually I thought, why not include a couple of the songs as live songwriter covers? That ended up becoming one of the most meaningful parts.
How did you land on Tank Garage Winery as the venue?
Tank Garage Winery just opened last year, so it’s still something of a hidden gem here in Paso. I’m lucky—a very close friend of mine manages that tasting room, and they’ve been incredibly supportive of the local creative scene. That connection made it feel not just like a good fit, but the right fit.
Even putting that aside, the vibe there is spot on. It has this music-forward, industrial energy that aligns really well with the tone of Nostalgia 19—part retro, part revival, and deeply personal. I honestly couldn’t imagine a better venue in town.
Paso Robles itself has such a wide range of spaces and styles—it’s kind of amazing how well the area blends live music with the wine and beer culture. There’s something about this town that really welcomes that mix of intimacy and artistry, and I wanted to be a part of that conversation in my own way.
You shared two songs live at the event. What made you choose “Shelf” and “Our Favorite Place” for acoustic performances?
I chose those two songs for a couple of reasons—first, I knew they would hold up well in a solo acoustic format. But more importantly, both songs hold a kind of emotional weight that felt meaningful to share live, especially with a local audience.
“Shelf” felt like the right one to open with because it captures so much of what Nostalgia 19 is about. It’s reflective, a little weathered, but ultimately about clarity and growth—and in that way, it’s kind of a thesis for the album. I also wanted people to hear my interpretation of it first, before they experienced the full studio version in the lyric video. That intimacy mattered to me.
“Our Favorite Place” is especially personal, but it also has a resonance with the Paso Robles community. Over the past decade, this area has gone through huge changes—there’s been a big influx of new restaurants, wine venues, and what you might call “wine theme park” energy. The number of high-end wineries and fine dining spots has increased dramatically, and tourism is way up.
The song isn’t a critique—it’s more of a reflection on how places evolve and how locals hold on to a sense of memory or identity as that happens. I knew it would connect with people here who’ve watched Paso shift and grow.
Looking back, what parts of the event do you feel went especially well—and what might you do differently next time?
There were a lot of little details that worked out better than I expected. The lyric video was essential—people really responded to it. Even though it was simple, just words on a screen, it gave the album a shape and allowed everyone to sit back and experience it fully.
One thing I decided to do last minute was add a “memory board”—just some card stock where people could leave notes, drawings, or reflections. That turned out to be one of the most meaningful parts of the night. Reading through those comments after the event… I really felt the love and support in the room.
The live acoustic sets added something personal, and I’m glad I included them. Also, the venue—Tank Garage Winery—was both enthusiastic and supportive, which made a big difference.
I had little lyric card table tents with QR codes to the website, the release date, and even a calendar file (ICS) on the back. I encouraged guests to take them, but I probably should have said it more clearly—lots were left behind.
There were some things I didn’t get to. I ran out of time to order my business cards and Pulse of Avalon stickers—would’ve been nice to have something people could take home, especially for the new folks in the room.
And I realized afterward that I doubted myself in small ways. Not so much about the live music, oddly enough—that was actually grounding. But the self-editing in my talking, or joking away certain parts of the event, came through. Close friends picked up on it. I want to carry more confidence into future events, even if I’m figuring it out as I go.
Also: signage on the venue door would’ve helped. And I should have done a better job emphasizing the album release date—one of those small but important things I’ll dial in next time.
What did this event mean to you as an artist?
In a way, this was the first time I stepped out fully as me. Not hiding behind the studio. Not creating for someone else. No avatars. No distance.
It wasn’t someone else’s project. It wasn’t someone else’s music. This was mine—my words, my vision, my stories—and I put them into a room with real people. That’s a kind of exposure I hadn’t experienced before. And as nerve-wracking as it was… it felt like ownership.
The listening party helped me realize that I’d crossed some invisible line. The door closed on making music in a safe, anonymous way. This was me showing up as a songwriter, as a performer, and as a whole person.
It won’t be the last time.
