Hello internet friends!
In light of some recent information I've received about Substack and their policies not only allowing far-right extremists (rhymes with schnazis) but encouraging them on their platform, I've elected to discontinue hosting my newsletter on their website.
Here's a great piece from my best friend Hattie about it and why she's also leaving Substack. (subscribe to her Beehiiv)
I'm returning to Patreon & using this newsletter site you’re now reading called Biihiiv, unless or until either platform has the same issues as Substack; or different worse ones.
I've been meaning to recalibrate my internet presence anyway and this feels like an excellent reason to do so. Fighting fascism and personal rebranding opportunity: two great tastes that go great together.
Over the last couple of years I've steered away from "making art for and about mental health" because I incorrectly assumed that the culture had moved past the desire for a discussion about mental health and mental illnesses.
Once I left New York, where everyone discusses their various mental health providers since the days of calling them "My analyst," I realized that the conversation surrounding mental health and mental illness is still very much needed and wanted.
This is all to say: I'll be hopping back on here to make more stuff about to help with people's mental health (eg a sleep podcast, soundscapes, & comedy) and stuff about mental health (eg essays & more expressionist pieces). I'll still be doing my film reviews over on Beehiiv and I'll probably post them here, too. What else will be on Beehiiv? News about my goings on and whatever!
But, the bulk I reckon will be here as it feels like a freer place to express all of my desires as, what I am now referring myself to, a "comedy artist." Grandiose? Only if you have a bad attitude. I'm funny and I make art. Big whoop! Now there are two words to describe me rather than prattling on about it like I'm doing right now in this post.
I've been thinking a lot about what it is that I'm trying to say as an artist and what I want to accomplish with my art. The biggest thing is to allow people to relieve people of the heaviness of the world in which we now live. To add a little more light to what has been an increasingly dark world. If I can just do a wee bit of that, I'll have done what I know I'm supposed to do.
HOUSEKEEPING
WHAT WILL BE ON PATREON:
Early access to Movies To Fall Asleep To
Posts about mental health
Comedy clips!
The occasional video essay about mental health in movies/TV
Music! Paintings! Other art such as soundscapes or digital paintings/cartoons.
Maybe the movies reviews??
WHAT WILL BE ON BEEHIIV:
Movies reviews.
Updates about my performances whether that's comedy or as an actor.
Maybe some comedy clips.
I've always been proud to be from Minnesota, and now more than ever.
I write this from Minnesota, which is actively under attack from our federal government in a situation that can only be described as "no good."
In earnestness, I love Minnesota, my latest hour of comedy was all about that, and I hope that I can give a little reprieve to everyone with some of the stuff I make but in particular my fellow Minnesotans.
HERE ARE SOME WAYS YOU, YES YOU, CAN HELP MN RIGHT NOW!
Keep talking about what's going on here. They're trying to silence us and spread misinformation regarding what feels like the beginnings of an occupation.
Call your reps! It's working! People are speaking out and there is change happening because of it. 5calls.org can give you scripts to call up your reps and let them know how you feel about all this.
You can donate to https://faithinmn.org and other organizations like it.
Show up for your neighbors whether or not they're in MN. We're in this together. If you see something, say something. If you know of someone who's directly affected by ICE or other attacks on freedom, assist them as best you can.
If you're able, show up to protests. I'm writing this have elected to not go into work because of the national strike that's been suggested from Minneapolitans. Sometimes doing nothing is doing something.
My goal with this change of online programming is to help out as much as possible, in the ways I can and with the skills I have. I hope you do the same.
I've been thinking a lot about a something Brennan Lee Mulligan, (a Game Master for Dropout.TV and other places), said in one of his campaigns a lot lately. "Anger is the cousin to conviction." When anger is righteous, it is no sin; even Jesus flipped a table.
Thanks for reading this! I hope my stuff will continue to connect with you.
Stay safe and have fun!
Tris
“We are here to help each other get through this thing, whatever it is.”
―Kurt Vonnegut, A Man Without a Country