Hello, Friends! I recorded this Disability Rights update as a video because I was too mad to write an essay, but I shared the transcript on my Substack, too! Please share - disabled people need allies to speak up at the moment!!! ❤️♿❤️ Read the transcript: gaelynnlea.substack.com/p/please-wat...

Summer is officially here in Duluth, MN! 🌞⛵🌊 Lots of book talks coming up towards the end of the summer! See the full schedule of events & get a copy of my book here: violinscratches.com

I absolutely loved being a guest on the delightful Keris Jän Myrick’s Unapologetically Black Unicorns Podcast. I shared my journey as a musician and, now, as an author of the memoir “It Wasn't Meant to Be Perfect.” Listen here: linktr.ee/UnapologeticallyBlackUnicorns

YIPEE!!! 😁 The first full episode of That Show With That Midwestern Mom is now live! I am so glad I could be her musical guest! 🎉 I love all the joy and the caring community that Amber is creating online and now in real life. Best of luck with the whole series! ❣️ Watch it here: youtu.be/1zcfTZxGJk0

Happy Father's Day to my amazing Dad, whose humor, wisdom, curiosity, hard work, love of learning, dedication, and steadfast care are foundational to our family. My siblings and I are so grateful to have him in our lives! He is also a wonderful grandfather to grandkids, and one lucky grand-bun. 😁💖🐇

I always have a blast cheering on the racers at Grandma's Marathon in Duluth, but this year I couldn't resist jumping into the fray! 😁🎉 Congrats to my pals Leah, Robin & Anna on their successful Half-Marathon runs!! 💖

Thanks to Eric Plumb at Amazing Alonzo Bookstore for featuring my memoir on MPR News' Ask a Bookseller! Grateful for the mention of the audiobook. Thank you to all the amazing Minnesota bookstores supporting my book! 📚❤️ Read/listen: www.mprnews.org/story/2026/0... Order: violinscratches.com/book

I am so proud of my friend @andreajenningstv.bsky.social for her great work as host of Pasadena Media’s Access for All: Integrating Accessibility! Her most recent episode is with the trailblazing artist, activist, and entrepreneur, @dasoultoucha.bsky.social! Watch it here: youtu.be/GLO7ejNj1O8?...

Happy Wednesday, Friends! 🫶 This Zoom event is just starting - join us! I will be discussing my new memoir, "It Wasn't Meant To Be Perfect," disability culture, and life as a disabled artist and advocate. Register at bit.ly/RegisterDevva

Thanks so much to @claireinduluth.bsky.social for writing this important article about accessibility and book tours! 🙏🏻 She came to a couple of my book launch events in April, and I'm so glad she left feeling that this was an important issue to cover! www.publishersweekly.com/pw/by-topic/...

Then & Now: Paul & I crashed the Macalester College reunion this week—it's hard to believe it's been 20 years already!! 😲 I'm grateful whenever I get to reconnect with my college pals... Even though we don't get to hang out very often, it still feels like no time has passed when we see each other. ❤️

in time of lilacs who proclaim the aim of waking is to dream, remember so (forgetting seem) in time of roses (who amaze our now and here with paradise) forgetting if, remember yes in time of all sweet things beyond whatever mind may comprehend, remember seek (forgetting find) -ee cummings

💚"What would the world look like if normal just meant happy?"💚 Loving your book so much Gaelynn Lea

Best 📚 since last 📚 midweek edition #Booksky #PubLibs

Thanks to @npr.org and #TinyDeskConcert, I was introduced to the beautiful music of Gaelynn Lea. Thanks to the Carroll Center for the Blind, I learned how accessibility lifts us all up.

Preview the 2026 FARM Keynote Speaker GAELYNN LEA on The Moth. This October at FARM in Minneapolis, Gaelynn will speak about her touring adventures and disability advocacy.  The Moth 🔗 https://themoth.org/stories/accessibility-is-the-new-punk-rock More at http://farmfolk.org or 🔗 Link In Bio

Over 3.5 million Americans have lost their SNAP benefits, and it’s only getting worse. My amendment puts an end to the foolishness.

in time of lilacs who proclaim the aim of waking is to dream, remember so (forgetting seem) in time of roses (who amaze our now and here with paradise) forgetting if, remember yes in time of all sweet things beyond whatever mind may comprehend, remember seek (forgetting find) -ee cummings

I am excited to announce that I will be the keynote speaker for @farmfolkfai.bsky.social 2026 Gathering + Presenter Summit in Minneapolis this October! It’s gonna be a program-packed, music-filled weekend of performances and workshops. Take a look at the conference here: www.farmfolk.org

Safe journeys! Our little Great Gray owlets have fledged their nest.

War memorials + ee cummings poetry make me weepy. Let's honor those we have lost, but never glorify the battlefield. War is the greatest tragedy humans have ever inflicted on each other... Love and compassion win over aggression and division every time! ❣️

I just finished @gaelynnlea.bsky.social memoir IT WASN'T MEANT TO BE PERFECT It was beautiful bsky.app/profile/zim2...

one of my favorite ways to relax at night is reading a book and taking little breaks to watch a candle burn. 🕯️ this silver candle was in honor of the full moon. 🌕 what's YOUR favorite nighttime relaxation activity?

Been so enjoying the changing seasons in Duluth! 🪻🌷🌻 Paul & I planted our garden a couple weeks ago — hoping our baby planties start taking off when it warms up more! Are YOU a gardener? If so, what's your favorite thing to grow? I love growing herbs! 🌿🌱🥗 Enjoy the Full Moon tonight, Friends! ✨🌕✨

Last weekend my first-ever bandmate, Andy Gabel, came to visit! We got to play at the Dovetail Open Mic, just like old times! 🥰 I wrote a whole chapter about Andy in my memoir; he is still a dear friend! 🎶🪕🎻🎶 You can order my new book, IT WASN'T MEANT TO BE PERFECT, here: violinscratches.com/book

Back in 2022, I composed the music for Macbeth on Broadway, and this was the first thing I wrote! 🎶🎭🎶 It is a live-looped combination of Macbeth's theme and the witch's themes... I wrote about it in my new memoir! Get my new memoir: violinscratches.com/book Stream Macbeth: gaelynnlea.bandcamp.com

My love for Lake Superior is as deep as... well, Lake Superior! 😜 Are YOU obsessed with the Great Lakes , too? Or what other natural beauty landmark near you sucks you in and keeps you rooted to your home? I'd love to know! I will put your beloved nature spots on my bucket list!

Hello, Music Friends! 🎶💖  🎶  Official Showcase Applications are open now for the 2027 @folk-alliance.bsky.social Conference in Chicago, IL, which will take place from January 27 - 31, 2027. ⏳ Applications close June 8, 2026, at 11:59 pm CT 🔗 Apply now: ‍folk.org/conference/official-showcases

Michael Stipe & Andrew Watt Share 'Rooster' Theme Song 'I Played The Fool' - Stereogum - I know I’m a little late to the party, but I was excited to hear a new song by @michaelstipe.bsky.social and Andrew Watt - now I’m gonna have to check out the show! stereogum.com/2491675/mich...

Make a Joyful Noise" Documentary Trailer: A No Limits Media production! This short film features disabled artists Adrian Anantawan, Connor Valcy, Adam Walton, and Yours Truly. Interested in screening the film? Contact Larry Rothstein at [email protected] youtu.be/bPdWvTbJ8Ts?...

Thank you to @publisherswkly.bsky.social for the lovely review of my memoir, IT WASN'T MEANT TO BE PERFECT! 🥰 👀 Read their review here: www.publishersweekly.com/9781643756431 Reviews are so helpful during the launch of new books... Please help me spread the word by leaving your *own* review! 🫶🙏🤟

Hello, Friends! Paul and I are home from the book tour! I’m excited to host the final part of “Welcoming the Unwelcome” by Pema Chodron with my Substack Zoom Book Club, May 17th at 2 pm CT, for paid subscribers only. Not a paid subscriber yet? Upgrade your membership here: gaelynnlea.substack.com

I love this @jasonkoebler.bsky.social piece on how AI is breaking our brains so, so, SO much, do read it. It feels like nothing is real anymore and I'm in this constant state of AI hypervigilance and this was so validating.

Project on the bench.

Thanks to Magers & Quinn Booksellers in Minneapolis for carrying signed copies of my new book, IT WASN'T MEANT TO BE PERFECT, in their store! 😁📚📖🖋️ Want a copy? Shop local! 🛍️ Stop by the store or call them, and they'll reserve one for you! 📚 Not in Minnesota? Order it here: violinscratches.com/book

If it were me, I'd stop everything and call all Dem electeds (city, county, state, and Federal) together over a series of 4 weeks in June in 4 regions of the country to discuss the existential threat (& strategy to resist)... Week 1 - all city/town electeds, Week 2 - all county electeds etc etc etc

We had a spider living in our bathroom for a couple weeks and I surprised myself by growing fond of her. 💗🕷️🛁 At one point she got flattened by water from shower spray and I was afraid I accidentally killed her but the next day she was gone so she must have eventually dried herself off & snuck away!

Purchasing a present is much easier than finding a card that reads, “Sorry I insisted on learning to play the upright bass, even though we already owned a violin. And sorry you had to carry it around to all my concerts because I was too small to lift it.” newyorkermag.visitlink.me/iFkt2T

thanks mom for having us over (to the earth)

Paul and I truly enjoy traveling together for music (and now with my book!) but there's something very special about coming back to Minnesota. ❤️ We spent a gorgeous afternoon exploring the Crosby Trails... I just love being out in the woods! 🌲🌳🌲

Happy Mother's Day to all the moms out there, including my own wonderful mom, my mother-in-law and my loving sister Corry! 💝💘💖 There are, of course, countless humans who raise the next generation, but it still feels right to celebrate the often thankless / sleepless / unglamorous work of motherhood!

Yesterday was the perfect way to cap off a truly delightful book launch tour... Thank you to Boston Public Radio for inviting me to perform music live and talk about my new book with the wonderful Jim & Margery! 🎶🎙️🎶 👀 Watch the GBH interview here: linktr.ee/gaelynnlea

What would happen if we all deactivated our social media accounts during the Pluto Retrograde? 🌌 Everyone could take their time / brain power / attention back from lining the pockets of billionaires? I wanna focus on just my newsletter quite badly, but as an artist it feels so scary! Maybe it's not?

Still smiling after yesterday's book launch event in Cambridge! 🥰 I loved seeing several members of Cambridge Common Voices after the show! We did a REALLY fun concert together last year. I love this drawing I got yesterday from choir member Kristina - it’s currently brightening up our hotel room! 🌈

I had a wonderful evening in the Boston area during my last book launch event; I LOVED talking with Adrian Anantawan & Colleen Flanagan about amplifying Disability Culture! ❤️♿❤️ We are in Boston for a few more days because I will be live on WGBH radio this Friday at the Boston Public Library! 🎶🎻🎶

While Gaelynn is still on her book tour, these new interviews give even more insight into Gaelynn's life and writing. We wanted to share this interview and thank @leightonmedia.bsky.social The Anne Leighton Inclusion Show: youtu.be/HOPsy8M2r4o You can buy the book at: linktr.ee/gaelynnlea

go see her if you can, she's an amazing performer. I have a hard time when it comes to live shows (anxiety issues, can't sit still) but I sat and listened happily for her entire set.

bet you anything it'll be a good read

I just received your book in the mail yesterday! So excited! 🎉📚