I know these types of update posts are a lil boring, but I think it’s important to check in once in a while and let you in on some of the behind the scenes decision making as it happens, particularly for those of you who have subscribed for updates based on current content because I think it’s a good opportunity to re-evaluate if you still want to opt-in.

This website started from a very different place than it exists today and there will continue to be changes as I sort out what I want it to focus on and how I want it to read.

It largely began as a central hub for all of my personal creative works and while the hope has always been to branch out (ha!) beyond me, the difficulty comes with the best way to integrate that. I will continue to host a lot of my own creative writing here maintaining some level of separation from Neither Could Dylan-specific projects and have a few things I’m working on (like a new novel and the official release of my first published illustrated children’s book) that will come up in time.

As you know I sometimes do reviews, but for a few different reasons I’ve decided to shy away from them for a while. I’d like for them to eventually return and some efforts are already underway there, but if it’s reviews you’re after you’ll have to be patient.

More recently I ran two pilot episodes for a possible new Vlog Interview series called Casual Conversation, you can check those out on the CF YouTube page.

I plan on making this a regular series, so if you’re interested in being featured on it in 2024, look out for an upcoming blog post calling for those submissions.

In 2024 I hope to focus more on live music featured blogs both because I need to get out of the house and I just find it a better way to connect with music than sitting around and shuffling playlists. I’m just not the type of person who is able to dedicate x hours a week to discovering new artists over the internet and even when I do, it takes considerable time for me to fully get on board with what they’re doing. Comparatively, a great live show even if it’s only 30 minutes can make me an instant fan clambering over to the merch booth for some swag. I’ve now accepted this about myself and look forward to sharing some live concert photos and videos with you.

Music submissions for features will continue to stay open and remain free to do so, but I encourage you to connect with me on social media as well and keep me informed about what you’re up to in the months leading up to releases – I care significantly less about a great recorded track and more about an interesting life story, so let’s get to know each other. I’m active on Instagram @ crookedforestcanada and available by e-mail.

Finally, I’m planning out a new music blog series focusing on a topic near and dear to me – the continued elevation and celebration of great female musicians. This was always supposed to be a strong focus of this website and I frankly feel as though I haven’t been able to do my own diligence with it; That’ll change in the new year.

Outside of Crooked Forest, I’m currently doing a victory lap listen to the final mixes for the new Neither Could Dylan album before I master them and decide what and how I want to release this one. It’s a very different record from anything I’ve put out so far and some of the writing I’m most proud of to date, I really think you’ll enjoy it. Make sure you’re checking periodically in on Dylan over at neithercoulddylan.ca to keep up with updates on that if you’re keen.

On non-Dylan specific music matters, I’m going to start up a new cover song project soon. If you dug the Jaimee Eat World, Death Bus for Blondie or Canada Post series, you might be into it. It might be specific to one band, or it might be many bands. Feel free to commiserate among yourselves while I get to work on it.

All that said, there’s clearly no shortage of things to come.

By ways of one last thought to leave you with today:

If you’ll recall when I started Crooked Forest, most of these things I do now I had never done before and the things I had done, I wasn’t terribly confident in my skillset and was unwilling to share almost anything. I’ve learned new instruments and improved exponentially from where I started with the ones I was already playing; did I mention I’m getting a book published? Like by a real publisher? It’s weird, I know.

It’s been 3 years since I began walking down this road and all of the work I’m creating now, even the really shitty stuff, I’m insanely proud of; It has done wonders for my general outlook on life, anxiety and self-esteem. If you’re still in those early throws of your own creative endeavours and hesitating to put our your first track, short story, skit, painting, cartoon or otherwise, I encourage you to take the plunge. It might suck for a while and you might go through bouts of absolutely hating yourself and what you’re doing – believe me I did and still struggle with it (we all have and will forever have bad days, I think), but the moments where I’m just listening back to something I’ve recorded or re-reading something I’ve written well, I’m so overwhelming excited that I was able to do it and see it through to completion that it overrides all the nights that I spend huddled in my doubt. Embrace the pursuit of creativity, it is the most fun you will ever have on this dying planet.

Thanks for stopping by and offering some of your time to be with me here.

‘Til next time!

Jaimee