Dear Reader,
I’m writing from home, back from my short trip to Nashville for the Americana Awards. I was up for Album of the Year and spoiler alert- we didn’t get it, but I still had a great time and felt proud to be there. I invite you to listen to this Mary Gauthier song as I take you along my experience.
I landed on Tuesday and ran straight to dinner with my publicist Greg (the goat!) we got a table at Audrey, I thought it was fab. I got a mezcal negroni which has become my drink of choice, while we snacked on this gorgeous deep blue corn bread. I wish I got a better pic of the tomato and watermelon salad, which was the perfect dish to say goodbye to summer. I especially loved the chicken and dumplings which I guess they are known for! Highly recommend, it was a great hang and helped me relieve some nerves about the following night.
Some history on my relationship with Nashville, back in 2012 while on tour I played a show at the Five Spot. Our sound guy was the nicest we had ever encountered, and the whole band instantly loved him. It was Andrija Tokic, who was just beginning to build a completely analog studio called The Bomb Shelter out of his house in East Nash. After sound check, there was this mind blowing music playing over the PA we didn’t recognize, he told us it was a band who had sent him some demos off myspace. They were based in Alabama and called the Shakes. (!!)
It was an overall magic time to be hanging out there. After sessions we would head to Margo Price’s house and sing songs on her back porch. It was at Andrija's home I recorded Look Out Mama, which I put out independently, and in his expertly built studio I recorded an album of covers: My Dearest Darkest Neighbour, and finally Small Town Heroes. My first record signed to a label in the U.S.
While recording these albums I would sleep on the floor of my friends Baby and Joey’s house, back when you could pay a couple of hundred dollars each in rent to live by Mas Tacos. Baby and Joey fed and supported me, I would take trips out to Ida, a queer land project that existed in rural Tennessee. Playing the diy festival that took place every year, or just to simply be out amongst the flowers, creeks and friends. Then in 2014, I was feeling lost and needed to get out of New Orleans, so I packed up and moved to Nashville for almost two years. During my time there I wrote The Navigator, the 2016 election looming over us all. It was a difficult time of transition for me, I felt very lonely and had a hard time making friends. I struggled with insecurity and this sense that I was on the right path, but had not made it to my destination yet. I ended up moving back to Nola in a flash, saying no goodbyes to anyone or anything. As you do when you get the sense you won’t be missed.
Returning this time I felt strong, wiser, more comfortable in my skin. It’s amazing what time can do.
Back to present day, on the morning of the awards show I had the honor of doing an onstage talk with Natalie Weiner. We had immediate synergy, and I had fun diving into The Past is Still Alive with such an inspired music lover. I believe she is going to share some of our conversation so keep a look out on her great substack Don't Rock the Inbox! I will be sharing it too. Natalie is now also guiding me in the world of Jazz, as I have been timidly wandering the halls of this cosmic genre for about a year now. Here’s a record she recommended that has become my go to morning music:
For my talk with Natalie, I wanted to feel comfortable and chic. I opted for these Celine pants from the Real Real, a cotton citizen tee, a belt by Nudie Jeans, and some Maguire loafers. Not seen here are my favorite Baggu smiley face socks.
I saw my dear friend Andy Washington, who has been my Tour Manager in Europe off and on since 2009? Ran into the brilliant New Orleans based artist Leyla McCalla, who you should be listening to. Was gifted this copy of “How Women Made Music” by Ann Powers, a book that is out October 1st!
Next it was time get glam for the big show. My stylist Amber Simiriglia found me this insane outfit by Area that can only be described as Cunty. It took me a little bit of convincing as I wasn’t sure about highlighting my chest tats (that I got when I was 17 at a punk house in New Orleans lol) but once I put it on I felt super powerful.
While me and this incred glam team got ready in the hotel I put on three albums that somehow all work together: Brat, The Rise and Fall of a Midwest Princess and the new classic Manning Fireworks. Pretty much sums up where I’m at in my listening adventures.
The Americana Awards has grown since I last was nominated in 2017 for The Navigator. I hit the red carpet and felt a rush of anxiety, also pissed at myself for being polite when a photographer yelled at me to smile. (In the year of our lord 2024?) I actually did it which is so embarrassing, but sometimes it’s difficult to harness the Bronx Bitch in me. When she does get conjured tho it’s…potent.
I was so happy to see some friends like Katie and Allison Crutchfield, Katie of course nominated for Song of the Year with “Right Back to It”. The performance of her and MJ Lenderman that night was so special. I believe that song is our generation’s “You’re Still the One” by Shania. It was fun seeing Jake and telling him I am obsessed with his record.
Everyone looked cute, it was a long ceremony and I played towards the end. At this point in TPISA album cycle I’m really focusing on "Buffalo.” It’s just a song that I believe in so much, there’s a magic in the recording and I was happy it got a moment on the Ryman stage.
Pretty quickly after I played I found out we didn’t get the award, and being that there was a full moon in Pisces along with a Lunar Eclipse it’s no surprised I got a little teary eyed. Mostly because I want a moment on stage to thank my late Father for guiding me in the process of making this album. The good news is I get to do that here with you.
So here goes, I’m proud of this record and proud to have survived 6 months of touring it. Grateful to examine it with gifted writers and thinkers all over the world. Grateful to my team of believers, my manager Kris Chen, Greg and Matt at Shorefire, my best friend and confidant Amelia Jackie, the whole team at Nonesuch and my band of sweet boys Johnny, Nnamdi, Marc and Parker.
Finally thank you to you, the listener. There’s more to come, this album has a lot of life left in it yet. There’s no telling what’s ahead.
I ended the night at what has become my favorite spot to head to after a performance at the Ryman, the crooner bar a couple of blocks away called Sinatra’s. Maybe it’s because I am always thinking about the Sopranos, or because I grew up in love with the Rat Pack. But drinking a dirty martini, listening to a live rendition of old standards with a big bowl of bolognese is my idea of heaven. So I’ll leave you with that image. I hope wherever you are, you have a great week and are experiencing clarity and support in the work you do.
Talk next week as I prepare to head out on a Australian tour, and as always,
don’t take any shit.
xo alynda mariposa segarra xo
Oh, Alynda - I honor the tears that flowed. We were so disappointed for you, but CHEERED for your triumphant performance amidst many oddly lackluster ones (save for Waxahatchee!) - it was a weird show... Your artful telling of your return to Nashville sure makes it sound like you are winning in all the real (real) ways. The truth and beauty of TPISA makes it eternal, and it will continue to evolve and grow for you and all of us who have found solace and hope in it. And while I don't know you and I don't know your Dad, I think we all have an intuitive sense of his deep, enduring pride.
TPISA is my album of the year, in any case. Commiserations and congratulations to you and your support network.