Bitter Calm

One year ago today, we released “Eternity In The Lake of Fire”.

When we finished this record, I was certain that this was it— as soon as this thing dropped, it would be an overnight sensation, and we’d all have to quit our jobs and hit the road, documentary film crew in tow. Declining calls from childhood friends because we’re in the middle of another acceptance speech, etc.

Turns out, it’s not particularly fun for most people to listen to songs about killing yourself! So all that never came.

However, it seems that the people it connected with, it REALLY connected with. And whenever I see random folks around town wearing a Bitter Calm shirt or just using one of our songs in an IG story, it makes me feel so seen and loved.

I’m especially appreciative of the 4-5 people who I can count on to be at EVERY SINGLE show, and who find some sort of meaning or pleasure in exploring these complicated feelings with us, and in watching us relate to and approach the songs differently as our circumstances change. Folks like y’all are proof that I made the correct decision when I decided to get help and continue living.

I’ve been thinking a lot lately about what it means to “make it” as an artist these days— the myth-building required to convince strangers that you’re a “relatable protagonist” and worthy of support. I’m unfortunately incapable of committing to the bit enough to play aesthetic mysterious sad guy on the internet, so we will likely never be famous, and I’m cool with that now— I’m just happy to be here with y’all and to play music I love with people I love🙂

Alright, sincerity over. Here’s to another year of feeling bad in public together!🥂See you at the show on Saturday. Thanks for listening🖤 - MH

CHICAGOOOO we’re here tonight at with + + ❤️ Meg and Reagan were elsewhere, so our friends and Bo took their place😈

Our next show is at in March🚀 But first, which member of Bitter Calm are you?

The question was “does this song I wrote sound like something else?”

If you say “Michael” it means you only listen to Warren Zevon and video game soundtracks.