I know it’s been a minute since I graced your inboxes. I won’t even bore y’all with my excuses. Just know I’m back. Hopefully for good this time.

Okay so I had a real eye-opening moment at a gig a few months ago. This was during my Deep Cuts hiatus but I made a mental note to write about it when I finally picked my pen back up, so here we go. Back in June I had the honor of opening up for Bridget at Culture. That was definitely one of my favorite sets to date. The room was packedddd and the energy was through the roof. Every soul in there was dancing their asses off.

Now, if you know me or have ever seen me DJ, you know I’m always in a super chill state when I’m in the booth. You might get a head bob out of me, or a cute little sway; but for the most part I’m super locked & focused in when I’m DJing and it tends to show.

I’ve had moments where I feel self-conscious about it. You see a lot of other DJs, especially female DJs, dancing, entertaining, jumping up and down, just giving the crowd a whole show while they spin. I admire DJ’s that really perform for their crowds, but that’s just not me. Like, I’ll be up there fully present, but super chillin. For a long time that made me wonder if I looked boring. Dry. Like I wasn’t doing enough for the crowd.

After the set at Culture that night, a girl walked up to me and said she loved how calm I was while delivering something that big. She said I looked “regal.” She ate that up 😂 Okay but no, seriously. I’ve been playing her compliment in my head ever since because it made me realize that it was never really about doing more to fit in. It was about doing me, comfortably, without apologizing for it not looking like everyone else’s version.

Saying all that to say, if there’s something you do, a way that you love, a way you lead, a way you show up for people, that doesn’t look like everyone else’s version of it, it’s okay to do it your way.

💿 Deep Cut of the Week

Pressure (feat. Range Da Messenga) - Ishe & Hezekiah Project

This track is ridiculously underrated, even a decade later. I love when artists collaborate on a song and you can just hear and feel the vocal synergy through the music and lyrics. And I’m such a fan of Range. He’s done a lot of work with Bilal and Lupe Fiasco but somehow still never took off the way he should’ve. Definitely recommend digging into all three of these artists if you enjoy this song.

Spotify | Apple Music

📰 In Other News

I’m opening for Sam Gellaitry this Friday! Honestly y’all, I do not take these big opportunities for granted. Opening for such major artists and DJs is such a blessing I never would’ve seen for myself 5 years ago when I first started this DJ journey.

If you’re into electronic house, electropop, dance music, or even if you’re not lol come through! It’s gonna be a vibe.

Tickets

Use my guest code: EBBFAM

🔁 In Heavy Rotation

Apple Podcasts | Spotify Podcasts

I just discovered Grace Beverley’s Working Hard podcast and it’s soooo good. Highly recommend for anyone that’s just trying to build an amazing life. Loved this episode with Simon Squibb. The whole premise is that the goal isn’t “quit your job, get rich.” It’s that most people already know what they want, they’ve just talked themselves out of believing they can have it. The message really hit home with everything I’ve been building this for myself this year. Worth the hour-plus if you’ve got a long drive or a folding-laundry kind of afternoon.

Catch y’all in two weeks,

foreal this time!

xoxo,

Ebb

Summer starts this weekend. I can feel my soul defrosting 🌞

Track & Feel: Songs That Feel Like Summer is happening June 27th, at 1pm, on the patio at Maketto. Bring one song that sounds exactly like this time of year and tell us why you love it 🌞

Tickets

In the meantime, I made y’all a playlist of songs that feel like summer to me, in case you needed some inspo. Press play and welcome the new season in.

Spotify | Apple Music

See y’all there!

💌 Ebb

Have y’all ever felt like the universe was testing you to see if you were actually ready for what you’ve been asking for?

A few weeks ago, a chapter of my life that I thought was closed resurfaced. There’s a difference between thinking you’re done with something and actually being tested on it.

I was talking to my friend Miranda about it, and she said to me (and I quote), “God will give you more when you’re ready for more.” That sentence has been living rent-free in my head ever since. I even put it on my bathroom mirror so that I can see it every day 😆

I think that the statement hit so hard because when I look at my life, there are so many areas where I’m constantly asking God for more. More money. More love. More time. More opportunities. And I’m starting to understand why some of those prayers feel unanswered or like an uphill battle. It’s not that God isn’t listening to me. It’s just that I haven’t proven to him that I’m ready for those blessings yet. And this isn’t even me being hard on myself. I just know that there are areas of my life where I fall short, and I genuinely want to do and be better.

How can I be blessed with more time if I’m not being intentional with the time I already have? How can I be blessed with more money if I’m mismanaging the money that I have now? How can I be blessed with love if I’m still entertaining old situations?

On the contrary, I can say that I’ve done a lot of inner work over the past few months. Showing up differently and doing what I can to be a better version of myself. A better friend, a better communicator, a better collaborator, etc. Those are exactly the places where things have started to open up. So that’s my main agenda in life right now. Digging deep and doing the inner work. Asking myself better questions. And knowing that readiness is something you build, not something that comes just because you say so.

💿 In Other News

Not a lot of updates this week, but I have to shout out the most recent Track & Feel: Self-Made was so good. 20 local producers came and shared original songs, and every single one was fire. The diversity of genres, people, and energy in the room was everything. Just a reminder of how universal music really is.

Also, I’m speaking on my first panel next week! One of my top 3 goals this year was to get on panels and podcasts and share what I’ve been learning in the music, community, and creative entrepreneur space. I had literally just started putting together a plan to land some speaking opportunities and this one fell right in my lap. I guess God knew I was ready 😅 More on the imposter syndrome that came with that at a later dat, but if you’re in DC next Thursday, come through to Industry Chat at Vera.

Tickets

💿 Deep Cut of the Week

Ready - Durand Bernarr & Charlie Vettuno

I actually just discovered this track on shuffle and it felt so aligned. Like why would it be called “Ready” when today’s whole newsletter about being ready. The lyrics are extremely unrelated from anything that I’m talking about here but that’s besides the point.

It’s off a collab project with Charlie Vettuno and it honestly slaps. The perfect blend of house and soul. It’s giving “Show Me Love” by Robin S. with some Luther Vandross type vocals on the beat 😂🤌🏽

Spotify | Apple Music

Okay that’s all folks. Catch y’all in two weeks 💌

xoxo,

Ebb

Okay, I know. Two months with no newsletter is crazyyyyy. Did y’all miss me?

I’m not even gonna lie, life got chaotic for a second. I had a very full plate, a packed schedule, trying to figure out new routines, and to be honest I think I was losing a bit of my creative spark. And when the spark isn’t there, I don’t even feel motivated to write. So Deep Cuts took a pause.

And y’all know I always have to tie in a life lesson somewhere 😅 Here’s what the past couple months while I was away taught me.

First of all, I live my life like everything is on fire. Like every day there’s a looming deadline, task, or obligation that’s giving me a mild anxiety attack. Everything was feeling so urgent, all the time. Like I never had enough hours in the day. I think it’s the Virgo in me but idk. Can anyone else relate? If you can’t relate, you’re God’s favorite because feeling like this all the time is hell.

At some point, probably right at the threshold of burnout, I just kind of stopped feeling everything so urgently. Not even intentionally at first. But I started noticing what happened when I just slowed down, even in the most mundane moments. Moments like washing the dishes without rushing through them to get to the next task, or eating a meal without a screen in my face. (because our parents are right y’all, it really is the damn phones). Or when I let my shuffle just play and don’t skip any songs. Even this morning, I actually got up and stretched before reaching for my phone.

Whole time, those slow, intentional moments are the moments when my creative spark would start to come back.

So with all that said… I’m back, and I made y’all a playlist for those exact moments. Songs to slow down to. Put it on the next time you’re doing nothing in particular because that’s kinda the whole point 😂 I’ll probably consistently update this one as I continue this practice of slowing tf down. Let me know what y’all think!

Spotify | Apple Music

💿 In Other News

Achromatic

Okay Deep Cuts may have been on pause. But I definitely was not. Here’s a few highlights from the past couple of months!

I’ve been cooking up some really cool creative work for Achromatic. If you're not familiar, Achromatic is a DC-based event series that brings amazing DJs and artists to the city from all over the world. Over the past few months, I've been doing a little bit of everything for them on the creative side. Coming up with content strategies, creative directing, writing copy, and even getting behind the camera a few times 🙈

The name Achromatic represents the fusion of colors into one seamless whole, the way that white light holds the entire color spectrum. That idea became the foundation for a lot of the stuff I’ve built with them. The idea of music as a full spectrum is the kind of concept that really gets my brain going lol.

Two series I’m especially proud of:

Sound In Color - a series rooted in color theory, exploring music as a full-spectrum experience.

Local Signal - a spotlight on the local DC talent that support the shows and lineups, diving into their DJ origin story and their sound.

A few faves 👇🏾

Sound In Color: Arthi

Setting The Frequency: Kybba

Local Signal: Amenpiano

Track & Feel

I had another Track & Feel this past month and the theme was interludes. Muchhh love to everyone that came out for that event. Everyone’s selections were so good and Shanklin Hall was the perfect venue! The energy and convos in the room was exactly what Track & Feel is about. 10/10.

And if you're in DC, we're back this Thursday for Track & Feel: Self-Made, a listening session for producers to come share tracks they made.

RSVP

💿 Deep Cut of the Week

Optimystical — Shafiq Husayn & Robert Glasper

This song sounds like a warm hug. Lowkey like church. It’s the last track on Shafiq Husayn's 2019 album The Loop, which is def worth a full listen if you’ve never done that. Robert Glasper on keys is all you need to know 🤌🏽

Spotify | Apple Music

Okay that’s all I got for y’all this week. Catch ya later.

xoxo,

Ebb

I know it’s been a while, I’ll explain later.

But for now, I wanted to let you know about a really dope event I’m throwing this week. Open Invitation is collaborating with Nü Records for Track & Feel: Self-Made, a listening session for local producers to come play original tracks that they made, and get real feedback from a room full of people that genuinely love music.

If you make music and have been wanting to get some ears on it, come through! bring a track you made, play it on a great sound system, and connect with a community that gets it.

Producer subissions close Wednesday night.

🎧 presenting a track → submit via the link below

🎟 coming to listen → free listener passes also below

May 14th | 7:30 PM | 📍Culture

Submit Your Track

Free Listeners Pass

see y’all there!

xoxo,

Ebb

Long time no chit chat, but just wanted to pop into your inboxes to shamelessly plug the next Track & Feel. It’s called The In-Between and the theme is interludes. Because we all know sometimes the short tracks on an album slap even harder than the full length ones.

There are sooooo many great interludes & I can’t wait to see which ones people bring.

For this edition we’re bringing back the homie Garage Kissa who will be curating a listening room experience, so per usual: vinyl is encouraged but feel free to bring your track on the aux too!

Tickets

📍 April 18 | Shanklin Hall | 5PM

Spots are limited so grab yours soon.

See ya there :)

xoxo,

Ebb

Okay, can I be real for a second? Nothing frustrates me, and simultaneously lights a fire under me, more than being underestimated. Especially by someone who hasn’t even taken the time to know what I bring to the table. Deadass. Nothing pushes me harder than someone who counts me out.

I’m sure that everyone reading this has experienced being underestimated at some point in life. The job interview where the offer comes in low, not because you aren’t qualified, but because they underestimated you before the conversation even started. The relationship where someone treats you like a placeholder because they couldn’t see what was right in front of them. Or just being in a space where you have to work twice as hard just to get half the respect. It’s draining!

With the work that I do, being underestimated comes with the territory. People trying to lowball me on DJ rates, venues that give me terrible bar splits, unrealistic minimums, or nothing at all - despite the money & crowd I’m bringing in, opportunities that come with way more conditions than they're worth. I’ve seen and experienced it all.

Recently, I had a similar situation with a brand collab. Long story short, I was connected with a brand through someone in my corner, and what started as a small idea turned into something bigger than I anticipated. I was (and still am) genuinely grateful for it. But the collaboration as a whole taught me a lot about advocating for myself when my worth is being undermined.

For starters, my branding decisions kept getting overridden. They wanted things their way, even when it didn't make sense for my audience. My event name got misspelled multiple times, and when I asked for it to be corrected, I didn't even get an apology. When I asked to review assets before they were posted to try to prevent more spelling errors, I was told they were too busy to send me anything before posting. And then at some point in the process, I was told they couldn’t move forward with a certain request that I had because I had, (and I quote), “low engagement on Instagram.”

To be completely honest, I was so grateful for the opportunity that it took me a little while to realize how I was being treated and how wild the treatment actually was. But when it finally clicked, it clicked.

My biggest takeaway from that whole ordeal is that some brands, some people, some opportunities will test how much they can get away with. They’ll use whatever metric is convenient- your follower count, your years of experience, your title, your credentials, to determine how much respect they want to give you. And if you don’t have a “K” at the end of your followers yet, or the right letters behind your name, they’ll treat you like you should just be grateful to be included. Like they’re doing you a favor and you should just take it and keep quiet.

But here’s the funny thing about that situation. My engagement rate is 6% on Instagram, which is way above industry standard. That brand never actually pulled my analytics. Never ran my numbers. They just looked at my follower count, which on the surface isn't a huge number, and made their call without going any deeper.

And that’s the lesson I keep coming back to every time I’m underestimated. You have to know your worth, your metrics, your value, or whatever else applies, before anyone else tries to define that for you. Not even for the sake of proving someone wrong, but so that when it does happen (because it will), you won’t be doubting yourself in the process.

I’m not gonna lie, advocating for myself in these spaces has been uncomfortable. There have been times where I’ll push back and stand on business, and it still doesn’t work. You can do everything right and the person in front of you just won’t be ready to see you clearly.

But in most of those situations, I just have to remember that it isn't a reflection of my value. That said, I'm also someone who believes in being honest with yourself. Sometimes the feedback is valid and there really is work to do and room to grow. But that's not what I'm talking about here. I'm talking about the times when you know your worth and someone still tries to shrink you.

Moral: The “not yet” that people project onto me is theirs, not mine. And I’m allowed to advocate for myself before the world catches up.

🗞️ In Other News

Last month I hosted Track & Feel: Woman to Woman and y’all, it was everything. The room was packed, and there was something so beautiful about being surrounded by that much feminine energy in one space.

Each woman shared a song that makes them feel like ✨that girl ✨ and the final result is honestly one of my favorite Track & Feel soundtracks thus far. The playlist is now live on Apple Music & Spotify 🎶 Enjoy!

Track & Feel: Woman to Woman on Spotify 🎧

Track & Feel: Woman to Woman on Apple Music 🎧

💿 Deep Cut of the Week

The Lord Is Real (Time Will Reveal) - Blackstreet

This Deep Cut selection is the result of me going down a rabbit hole on Threads last week.

Someone posted asking people to reply with the best interludes of all time. I spent way too long in that comment section lol. Someone replied with My Paradise by Blackstreet and I was like whoaaaaaaa. That’s a DEEP DEEP cut. I almost chose that interlude for Deep Cut of the Week, but after I revisited the album I changed my mind.

Quick storytime: my dad used to play this album on repeat when it first came out. Not a single track was skipped, every single car ride. I was five years old when it came out and I don’t think I’ve heard most of these songs since way back then. But when I played the album the other day, I remembered every word and melody. Is that not crazy?!

Honestly I don’t know if that says more about how much my dad ran this album into the ground or how wildly the human brain holds onto music. Probably both. There are two interludes on the album with little girls singing and reciting poems. Teddy Riley’s daughter is one of them. I remember singing along with them when I was a kid, and it feeling special because they were clearly around the same age as me back then. I used to feel like it was a kids album when those interludes came on lolol. Hearing those tiny voices now as an adult hit so different, just knowing those kids are probably right around my age now. I feel like I’ve been saying this in every newsletter, but time and the concept of getting older is genuinely crazy.

The fact that I haven’t even gotten to my actual song choice. Im rambling. But okay, so did y’all know Blackstreet snuck a full gospel song at the end of this album? Well now you do. The Lord Is Real (Time Will Reveal) closes the whole album out and it’s stunning. They sampled Debarge’s “Time Will Reveal” and added a gospel twist to it. I can only imagine how refreshing it was in 1996 to hear an R&B group take it there. And the song aged very well. We love that.

Also, unrelated but not really… revisiting this album as an adult made me realize that men used to beg and plead for love in the most beautiful ways. We need to get to the bottom of what happened to that. 😂

🗂️ Deep Cuts: The Archive

Spotify | Apple Music

It’s been real, y’all. That’s all I have for today. Catch ya in two weeks! 💋

xoxo,

Ebb

BREAKING NEWS 🚨 I turn 35 this year (what the helly?), and lately I’ve been thinking so much about all of the lives that I’ve lived since I was 18. Like when I really sit and reflect on the journey of my adult life, the versions of myself that I’ve been, the things I thought I wanted versus what I actually ended up getting, all of the trials and errors.. it’s truly a lot to take in and digest. Adulthood has been a whole journey for me so far. Honestly it can be kind of disorienting to look back and barely even recognize the person you used to be. Like wow, time, age, and change are all so real.

(Me in my college dorm a week after my 18th birthday 😂)

Looking back to age 18, I can see so many changes in my self-worth, my career, my passions, but the changes have also shown up in my friendships too, especially during this era of my 30’s. I’m speaking for myself right now, but I think that one of the most uncomfortable parts of this chapter in life for anyone is the reality of losing friends. Some of the losses are intentional, and some are just life. People move, priorities shift, interests change, boundaries start being upheld. It’s really all just a part of life. Something that I’ve heard for years but am finally fully understanding is that some friendships are meant to be forever, and some just aren’t. There are people in my life that I’ve been growing with forever, and I can tell they are in my life to keep revealing new layers within myself. Then there are some friendships that were perfect for exactly who I was at a specific moment in time. And that’s truly perfectly okay. It doesn’t make the friendship less real or less meaningful. It simply just means that season ran it’s course.

When you’re in a season of losing friends, whether intentionally or unintentionally, it can be easy to wonder what these losses mean about you as a person. Like “Am I doing something wrong?” “Am I being left behind?” “Am I the problem?” “Why does everyone have me f*cked up?!” lmao. But as I approach 35, it’s becoming clear that when you’re growing, like REALLY growing into a truer version of yourself how I am, your circle naturally reshapes around that. The people who align with where I’m going are finding their way into my life. And the ones who don’t are gradually finding their way out. It’s natural evolution.

The most beautiful part of the shifts taking place is what’s been showing up in place of the loss. There’s been a swarm of new people and energy around me lately. I’ve been finding myself landing in community that’s built around the things I actually care about right now. Just another reminder that there’s always something coming when you let go and make room for it.

💿 Deep Cut of the Week

Let’s Call It Off - Drake ft. Peter Bjorn & John

Speaking of the pipeline of age 18 to 35. This past weekend I got into a whole Drake catalogue discussion with a friend and somehow ended up back at So Far Gone, which, if you know me, you know was essential listening the summer before I started college in 2009. This song was such a favorite back then and I don't think I've pressed play on it in over a decade. When I saw the title while we were scrolling I was like "wait… how could I everrrrr forget about this song?" And I swear it sounds even better in 2026 than it did in 2009. It's something so cool about rediscovering a song you loved when you were a teenager that actually slaps even harder when you're older. Remembering all the reasons you loved it but now hearing things you might've missed or not even fully appreciated the first time around. Kind of like people and exactly what I was referring to in the prelude, honestly. Some things and some connections just make more sense with time.

I can’t believe this playlist is 15 songs deep now.

Spotify | Apple Music

📡 Monthly Playlist

Spotify | Apple Music

🔁 In Heavy Rotation

Okay so Paradise season 2 is back on Hulu and I’m soooo locked in.

I’m a huge Sterling K. Brown fan, but honestly what really has me locked into this show is Dan Fogelman, who’s the writer of the show but also the writer of This Is Us. I have rewatched the entire This Is Us series four times. FOUR. Because every single time I catch something new. That’s how layered his storytelling is.

What I love most about Fogelman is his ability to connect the tiniest details across an entire series in a way that makes your jaw drop. Like something that felt like a throwaway moment in season one episode one will come back in the series finale and suddenly make perfect sense, and I’ll just be sitting there like how did he plan that from the beginning?? 3 years ago!? I have genuinely never seen anything like it on television. The full picture storytelling is on another level.

Paradise has that same DNA of knowing there’s more going on beneath the surface than what you’re actually watching in the present moment so yes, I’m locked in lol.

xoxo,

Ebb

In case y’all didn’t know, January & February are usually the quietest months of the year for DJs. In previous years, I’d spend these months stressing about the lack of gigs, bored as hell, feeling like I was losing momentum, suffering from seasonal depression, you name it, I’d just down bad for real lol. But this year, I actually really enjoyed slow season.

I needed this pause more than ever. Between honing in on my creative services, planning multiple Track & Feel events, and just figuring out what it means to really do my own thing full-time, the quiet came at the perfect time. I got to actually rest. I finally built a routine for myself. I had space and time to lock in without feeling like I was constantly playing catch-up with everything. I got some much-needed me time and was able to enjoy my own stillness for once.

Buttttt, that chapter’s closing now. I have a gig tonight. Tomorrow is Track & Feel (ladies, did you get your tickets yet? 👀). Thursday I have a gig. Friday, another one. Sunday, I’m flying to Miami for another one. And after that, it’s probably non-stop until January 2027 lmaoo. Slow season was fun while it lasted.

I used my downtime well. Now I have to figure out how to balance busy season with all my new endeavors, and find new ways to stay grounded when my calendar’s packed. Not gonna lie, I’m kinda anxious about it and already overwhelmed; but I’m up for the challenge because it’s all great things happening.

And speaking of everything ramping up, I’m introducing something new to Deep Cuts starting today. There’s always a LOT going on in my life. Cool gigs, events, creative projects, behind-the-scenes stuff with Open Invitation. I feel like I haven’t been using this space to it’s full potential to really share all of it with y’all. So from now on, most (if not all) newsletters will include a new section, In Other News, where I can spotlight what’s been going on. It’ll be like a little window into the chaos of my life; the wins, the work, and everything in between. With that said, let’s kick it off with what’s been happening these past few weeks.

In Other News

Track & Feel: Who Put You On?

My most recent Track & Feel event was definitely my favorite one yet. It was one of them ones! (as they say lol) The theme was “Who Put You On?” Folks came out and shared songs that were passed onto them by someone else. The room was so locked in, people were laughing, getting emotional, etc. I loved everything about it. That’s what Track & Feel is really about: the connection between music and memory, and how we pass both down to each other. It’s been really cool to see the growth of Track & Feel in just this short amount of time.

Dame x Open Invitation

I recently partnered with Dame on a playlist collaboration, and got featured in an interview on their Substack (check it out here!), where I talked about pleasure, self-love, intimacy, and being a Black creator. This felt like a really holistic partnership. I got to curate a playlist, gain exposure on a larger platform, and they’re elevating tomorrow’s Track & Feel event with some gifts for my guests. Manifesting more lucrative partnerships like this in 2026 and beyond. Here’s the playlist I made for their Nightstand Listens series. 👇🏾

Ari Lennox’s Listening Party

I got to DJ Ari Lennox’s private album listening party at Manifest a few weeks ago. It was such a dope event curated by Soho House. I got to chop it up with her for a few moments before getting back behind the decks. Moments like these remind me of why I love what I do and also remind me to keep going 🚀

💿 Deep Cut of the Week

Black Crow - Jamiroquai

I got hip to Jamiroquai at my second Track & Feel event, themed "Songs You Wish You Could Hear Again For The First Time." Someone presented their song "Everyday," and I realized I'd heard of them before from their hit, "Virtual Insanity," but that's all I really knew. I did a deeper dive after that event, and naturally, their music started appearing in my algorithm. "Black Crow" came on shuffle one day while I was washing dishes. Honestly, I wasn't feeling the first few moments, but my hands were tied, literally, so I just let it rock. Turned out to be worth it. The track follows a black crow watching humanity from above; seeing the bloodshed, war, and chaos we create down here. It's heavy, but in that way that makes you pause and think about how crazy this world we live in really is (as if we needed any more reminders).

🗃️ Deep Cuts: The Archive

Spotify | Apple Music

📡 Monthly Playlist

Spotify | Apple Music

Alright, that’s a wrap on this one. The playlist is updated with fresh tracks as always; hope y’all find something in there that sticks with you. Until next time 🙂

xoxo,

Ebb

I feel like Beyoncé telling all the ladies to get in formation.

But I’m here for it. 🗣️ Ladies to the front!

Track & Feel is back for Woman to Woman, a galentines celebration where women share the songs that make them feel like THAT GIRL 💅🏾

I’m legit so excited for this event. Too many songs instantly come to mind for this theme and I can’t wait to hear everyone else’s picks. The soundtrack is going to eatttt.

Deets

When: February 11th at 7pm

Where: Lapop (the cutest new vinyl bar in Adams Morgan)

Dress Code: Look tf good!

Track Presenters will receive some goodies from Dame, a women-owned wellness company focused on self-love and pleasure.

If you don’t wanna present a track, feel free to snag a listener’s pass to come connect + soak it all in.

Full Food & Drink Menu will be available.

Tickets are moving fast as helllllllll so grab yours asap.

Tickets

See y’all soon 💌

xoxo,
Ebb

Building Open Invitation, in addition to all of my other recent endeavors and pursuits has been teaching me soooo much about myself. Mainly that I’m WAY harder on myself than I’ve ever realized.

Like, I always knew I had a tendency to be hard on myself but I’m just now starting to see how bad it really is. I work hard, I care deeply about what I put out into the world, and I want things to be excellent and well-received. But I’m lowkey teetering the line of insane perfectionism and it’s becoming more and more apparent.

The thing about starting something from scratch is that you’re constantly doing things for the first time. And when you’re doing something for the first time, mistakes are just bound to happen. It’s normal and expected. Logically, I know this. But my brain doesn’t always care about logic when I mess things up.

Take my Track & Feel event at Grounded back in November, for example. The turnout was amazing, the biggest crowd I had so far. People were genuinely having a great time. The energy was exactly what I’d hoped for, and the event got so much positive feedback. But… I forgot to do a soundcheck before the event. I ended up running into some technical difficulties with the record player that I wasn’t able to resolve. So we weren’t able to play the songs on vinyl for that event, only the aux.

You’d think I’d focus on everything that went right but no lol. I was stuck on that one thing. Replaying it in my head after the event, beating myself up, literally sliding down a wall. It was so bad that my friend Hiba had to shake me out of it. I just remember her telling me, “Girl, your event was so good. 98% of it went well and you’re focused on the 2% that went wrong. Stop being so hard on yourself. Just relax.” I was focused on this one little hiccup that no one even cared about. She was right, but it still took me a couple of days to let it go.

Fast forward to yesterday. I realized I forgot to list someone’s name on the playlist graphic for my most recent Track & Feel. I immediately started spiraling into the ground 😭 Like full-on mini panic attack mode. I felt so terrible. This person came to my event, put effort into picking a song and bringing their vinyl, trusted me with their song choice, and I dropped the ball on something that feels so basic. I apologized sincerely, offered them a complimentary ticket to the next event, and still... I couldn’t shake the feeling of self-disappointment.

My other friend, Heran, witnessed this whole meltdown. Important to note that Heran is a newer friend, and just in the short amount of time that she’s known me, she picked up on the pattern already. She interrupted my meltdown and was like “I’ve noticed you are very hard on yourself.” She asked me if I’d ever made this mistake before with any of my other Track & Feel playlist graphics. The answer was no, I haven’t. She was like, “then why are you stressing like this? Learn from it so it doesn’t happen again. But don’t beat yourself up about it. These mistakes are going to happen naturally and it’s okay.”

Me and my brain: “Mistakes are okay?! What are you even saying right now?!” 😂

And that’s when it really hit me. I’m a ridiculous perfectionist. Both old and new friends are telling me the same thing which just shows how present this quality about me is in my everyday behavior and life.

My perfectionism, my work ethic, my relentless standards, these things have gotten me far in life. They’ve helped me build a career doing what I love, create beautiful experiences, and show up for people in meaningful ways. But they can also be very crippling. They make it hard to celebrate wins because I’m too focused on what went wrong. They also make it hard to learn from mistakes because I’m too busy punishing myself for making them in the first place.

But I’m learning that if you’re building something, anything, on your own, mistakes are going to happen. I’m one person doing the work of many. Seriously. I’m writing a thoughtfully crafted newsletter every two weeks, producing intricately curated events, I’m designing all of my own graphics, DJing, building out creative services, managing all the marketing and social content, handling all my admin, coordinating with venues, and so much more omg. I’m learning as I go. And that’s okay. That’s actually more than okay. That’s part of the process.

Like I said, I’ve always been this way but it’s been really noticeable and annoying lately. So this is me, reminding myself (and anyone else who needs to hear it): give yourself some grace. Acknowledge what went wrong, fix it if you can, learn from it, and move forward. Don’t let one misstep erase all the things you did right. Don’t punish yourself for being human.

We’re all out here figuring it out and that’s honorable in itself.

💿 Deep Cut of the Week

Lonely - Groove Assassin

Another house bop that I found while digging for a set that I did in December opening for Jamie 3:26. It’s been on repeat ever since. I love stumbling across a track during the digging process that just hits different and ends up becoming a part of my normal rotation. It’s a reallyyyy groovy soulful house edit of “Someone To Call My Lover” by Janet Jackson. This (and a bunch of other songs by Groove Assassin) have become the soundtrack to my mornings, my workdays, my everything lately. The way he really flipped the original into something so fun and danceable. Chef’s kiss.

Spotify | Apple Music

📡 Monthly Playlist

2026 Update! I’ve decided to change the structure of my monthly playlists. Moving forward (until I change my mind again lol), the monthly playlist will live in one place. Basically just consolidating things into one revolving playlist, or monthly soundtrack. So instead of a new playlist every month, this one will just refresh each month. TL:DR - just save this playlist and you’ll always have my current rotation at your fingertips. Less clutter for everyone, less admin for me, and the music stays fresh. Win-win lol.

Spotify | Apple Music

🔁 In Heavy Rotation

This week’s In Heavy Rotation is dedicated to possibly one of the best (if not the best) podcasts I’ve ever heard in my life. And if you know me, you know I listen to a LOT of podcasts, so this must be one helluva podcast.

The Diary of a CEO: If You Don’t Fix This now, 2026 Is Already Over!” feat. Chris Williamson

Spotify Podcasts | Apple Podcasts

The title of the episode is a little dramatic, but the conversation itself is toooo good. They cover everything from figuring out what you really want out of life, to navigating lonely chapters, choosing the right partner, how alcohol consumption can derail your success, staying consistent, and finding pleasure in the small things. It’s super long and took me a few days to finish, but honestly, the entire episode was a masterclass in life. Real, relatable, actionable advice,some of which I’ve already started following and can see the effects.
My biggest takeaway was when they discussed the most impactful, highest ROI resolutions they’ve ever done. Williamson said his was no phone in the bedroom at night. I’ve heard of this life hack before, but he really sold me on it. And y’all.
He explained that keeping your phone out of the bedroom is an instant 15% quality of life increase. Starting your day looking at your phone before you’ve even hydrated or gotten sunlight in your eyes can be detrimental to your whole day. Same with doomscrolling before bed, not good for obvious reasons. Man, he wasn’t lying. I’m about two weeks into this new habit and I can already feel the difference. Better morning mood, improved sleep quality, less distraction, and I’m forced to do something even slightly more productive in those moments where I’d normally be grabbing for my phone.
Everyone should listen to this podcast. I promise you’ll get something if not many things from it.

xoxo,

Ebb

*casually slides back into your inbox as if I didn’t just take a month off*

December and holiday season was such a tornado. I’m back though.

And I have a confession that I’ve been keeping from y’all for some months now.

In September, I parted ways with my job at my high school alma mater, the marketing role that was simultaneously draining the life out of me and teaching me everything I needed to know about who I am as a creative at the same time. I was so miserable there. Like, genuinely struggling to get through each day. I’d wake up crying some days because of how much it pained me to go to work. The decline in mental health was so real. But I also redesigned the school’s entire website, led major programs and initiatives, and built a confidence in myself I definitely didn’t have before. It was one of those things that’s both a blessing and a curse. I was grateful for what I was learning but I also knew that staying there was prohibiting me from reaching my full potential.

A few months ago, I made a life-changing and long overdue decision. I was done with corporate America. At 34 years old, I’m a successful DJ, I’ve built a growing brand that people love, and everyone around me keeps asking why the heck I’m still working a 9-to-5. I’ve had a lot of jobs in my life and they just never work out. Whether I decide to leave or I get let go, I’m typically unhappy when working for someone else. Idk if it’s my entrepreneurial spirit, my ADHD, or my sassy personality. Either way, trying the same thing over and over again and expecting different results is insanity. And while I am indeed insane, corporate America ain’t it for me. So I decided to take all the energy and time that I’d be spending on job boards and finally just go all in, and bet on myself.

I kept this a secret from my Deep Cuts fam because I’ve still been processing the decision. I didn’t tell my dad either. If you know me you know that my dad and I are super close. I wasn’t stressed at all about being jobless because my last job was such a miserable hell. I felt free more than anything, and I didn’t want my dad to be stressed for me when I felt fine. So I kept it quiet while I figured things out in the most uncomfortable, uncertain way possible.

Last week, on December 26th, 3 months later, I finally told him.

And he was happy for me. Not worried (yet), not disappointed, just happy. Then he told me something that literally stunned me: both he and my mom quit their corporate jobs at 34 and 35 to start their own businesses. My dad left the police force at 34 to work in real estate. My mom left her government job around 34 to start a childcare center. He told me that he kept it a secret from his mom for a while too lol. I was young when these things happened. Like, I knew they did it, but I didn’t understand the weight of it. The risks that they were taking and the faith it takes to walk away from security and build something of your own. And they had kids and spouses, so their decisions were 10x more risky than mine.

And now here I am in 2025, at age 34, doing the exact same thing. Walking in their footsteps without even realizing there was a path already laid out for me. I was living a legacy that I didn’t even know about. Crazyyyy.

What’s even crazier, on that exact same day that I told my dad, I got my first paid client. A reliable one, doing work I’m genuinely excited about. After months of doing free creative projects for friends to build my portfolio, grinding through the discomfort of not knowing how things would come together, this felt like confirmation. Like the universe was telling me, “Yes Ebb, you’re on the right track. Just keep going.”

Here’s the most beautiful thing, even in the mental and financial struggle, everything has been aligning for me. For instance, I DJ’d a holiday party for Equinox this month and now have a free membership to one of the best (and most expensive) gyms in the country, which has been incredible for my mental health during this season of transition. My former life coach, who I worked with earlier this year and who is wildly expensive but incredibly impactful, started a podcast and needed design help for her Instagram assets. I reached out, offered my services, and now she’s giving me free coaching sessions in exchange. At the exact moment in my life when I need a life coach the most.

Then there’s Roxene, someone who I’ve known for some years now but never really sat down and broke bread with. She reached out because she’s also drowning in corporate and wants to start freelancing her marketing and project management services. She’s using me and Open Invitation as her case study, helping me build the processes, project plans, and systems I’ve been meaning to create for myself for over a year now but just haven’t had the bandwidth to actually do. She’s doing it for free because it helps her too.

Mannn. Free gym. Free life coaching. Free project management support. My first paid client. My dad’s blessing. The revelation that I’m literally following in my parents’ footsteps at the exact same age they took their leaps.

It’s really all happening. And to be clear, I’m extremely uncomfortable right now and figuring everything out/learning as I go, but I’m also exactly where I’m supposed to be.

Which brings me to the other hard part of this transition: learning to actually tell people what I do and ask for what I need. I’m really damn good at creative campaign work and creative production. I’m helping people build brands, design experiences, and bring their visions to life. If you, or someone you know needs that kind of support, I’d genuinely love to connect and see how we can work together. :)

My parents showed me, without me even realizing it, that it’s possible to walk away and build something of your own. They gave me the blueprint before I even knew I’d need it. And now I finally understand what that actually takes.

2025 is ending with me in one of the most uncertain, uncomfortable, exhilarating places I’ve ever been. But I’m so ready for 2026!

That said, I truly appreciate all of the love and support I’ve received this year. Words can’t even express my appreciation so I won’t even try. I’m excited for next year and can’t wait to keep building experiences that bring real value to my people and my community. Cheers to 2026. 🥂

💿 Deep Cut of the Week

Even Though - Black Coffee

I’m a big Black Coffee fan but I’ll admit I didn’t start listening to him until like 2017. I’ve been digging deeper into the older parts of his catalogue and I love this track so much. I can’t believe the song is 18 years old because it sounds like something from the future that I haven’t even heard yet, if that makes sense. Such soulful house vibes that gives me goosebumps.

But beyond the mesmerizing beat, the lyrics resonate so deeply with me and what I’ve been living through these past few months (my whole life, actually). That gray area between not always knowing how things will work out and choosing to stay strong anyway.

“Life’s got its ups and downs but I am eagle, I fly higher than the highest sky” really hits home when you’ve decided to permanently walk away from the security of a 9-to-5 with no clear plan except the knowing that you’re meant for something bigger. The song is a reminder for me to stay grounded in my faith because I always know that I’ll make it through.

Spotify | Apple Music

📡 Monthly Playlist

Spotify | Apple Music

🔁 In Heavy Rotation

Consistency!

I’ve been going to the gym every single day. Well, six days a week on average. I give myself one rest day because that’s important. But I’ve never been this consistent with working out in my life.

I’ve had seasons where I was “being consistent” with working out, where I’d go regularly and feel good about it. But this has been different. I’ve been waking up early every morning and actually wanting to go at 7am. Who am I?! Shoutout to all of the free time that comes with being unemployed. Instead of spiraling or staying in bed, I’m using my free time to show up for myself at Equinox.

I’ve never felt this healthy or energized.

Believe it or not, I’m not the most consistent person. When I relaunched Deep Cuts and put it out into the world that I’d be dropping a newsletter every two weeks, I had an internal panic attack because I really struggle with consistency. But it’s been great to have this one non-negotiable every day that’s not only grounding me through everything else that feels uncertain right now, but keeping me in shape too. I was the most unhealthy I’ve ever been when I was working that job. I was barely finding time to eat, let alone work out. So the change in lifestyle has been invigorating as hell. When I don’t know exactly how the money will come together or what client will say yes next, I know I’m going to the gym. When I’m figuring out my processes and pitching myself and learning how to run a business, I know I’m going to the gym. It’s been my constant when everything else is up in the air. Well, that and getting my hair done lol.

The gym has been teaching me that I can commit to something and follow through even when it’s uncomfortable and that showing up for myself in one area of my life makes it easier to show up for myself everywhere else.

Sooo yeah, consistency is in heavy rotation right now.

Love y’all and catch y’all next year!

xoxo,

Ebb.

Hey friends!

We’re halfway through November and damn near off to the races for 2026. I cannot believe how quickly this year flew. I’ve been thinking a lot about the past year, and one of my biggest takeaways of 2025 is the importance of community. Now before you say “oh brother, not another think piece about community,” … gimme a sec. I actually have some real stuff to say here.

I’ll be the first to admit that “community” has definitely become one of the most cliché and overused words today. I used to hear the word and instantly roll my eyes and yawn, thinking “What are y’all even talking about?” lol. But ever since I revamped Open Invitation, specifically starting Track & Feel, I’ve been experiencing the TRUE definition of community, and what it feels like to be a part of one.

I don’t think that I was even prepared for the community I’ve been experiencing these past few months. People have been showing up for me just simply for the sake of showing up and supporting. Not because there’s a big production or because they want anything in return, or even because they’re trying to be seen. People genuinely just want to support what I’m building.

I’ve had people offer all types of services and assistance to me for free, just to help and be a vessel. Some of these people are close friends, some are acquaintances, some are complete strangers. Folks have been in my DMs and approaching me just asking how can they make my life and my event easier; offering resources, their time, ideas, all of it. And all of this has softened me in a way that I wasn’t expecting.

If I’m being completely honest, I’ve been particularly self-serving the past few years. My mood has been very much “head down, locked in, get your life together” type sh*t. Necessary, but isolating. I’ve been more self-focused than I’d like to admit. Not because I don’t care about people, but because I’ve been in a season of trying to stabilize my life, figure out my own path, and build something real for myself. I haven’t had much time, energy, or resources to give to anyone but me.

But y’alllll… I’m not even trying to be dramatic but Track & Feel has really shifted something inside of me. Seeing firsthand how open and willing people are to support me has made me want to throw that support right back. It’s made me a softer, warmer person. It’s made me more helpful, more compassionate, and more willing to show up in ways that I didn’t think I had the capacity for before.

And it’s been wild to see how much has started opening up in my life just because I’m finally opening myself up to others, even in this short amount of time. New opportunities, new friendships, and new perspectives have all been flowing in. It feels like this warm little loop of energy; what I pour out has been coming back to me and vice versa.

So with all of that said, “community”, to me, is starting to mean something very simple:

People who choose me without needing a reason. People that I choose back. People who make the load feel lighter.

I didn’t know how much I needed that until I created this space. I’m so happy that Open Invitation isn’t just building a community, but it’s building a softer version of me. I’m genuinely excited to keep growing into this version of myself with the help of my brand.

💿 Deep Cut of the Week

CTRL - Mysie

I actually discovered this one in the car on a date this past weekend (don’t get excited lol). But I immediately had one of those “hold on, who is this?” moments. And hey, whether that date goes anywhere or not, I definitely walked away with a gem and a new artist to dig into. I like this song because the lyrics tell the story of a girl finding her footing again and choosing herself; basically realizing she’s way more in control than she thought. I love any kind of song with that energy. Shoutout Mysie!

Spotify | Apple Music

📡 Monthly Playlist

Spotify | Apple Music

🔁 In Heavy Rotation

I’ve been seeing the bigger picture of my life and career lately, like really seeing how far I can truly take myself, my DJ career, my brand, all of it. Because of that, I’ve been gravitating toward documentaries and podcasts about people who built something massive and meaningful in their own lane. This week it was Being Eddie, the new Eddie Murphy documentary on Netflix. I grew up watching Eddie Murphy. Nutty Professor, Delirious, Coming To America, Dr. Dolittle, you name it. That man was always on the screen. So watching the full story of his journey was dope. Seeing how he bet on himself, expanded, failed, reinvented, and kept going. From this documentary, I learned that when Eddie Murphy sets his mind to something, he does it, and that’s that. Very me. It’s always good to be reminded me what’s possible when you take yourself seriously 🙂

Til next time!

xoxo,

Ebb

Hey friends,

I’m back with another life lesson. Life has been throwing one in my face every week at this point. Luckily, I have a biweekly newsletter where I can share them 😂

Okay so is anyone else hyper-independent like me? Lately I’ve been realizing how hard it is for me to ask for help. Like, trulyyyy ask. I hate asking for help! It makes me feel like I’ve failed at whatever task is at hand if I can’t complete it by myself. I’ve always prided myself on being the girl who can handle it all. The ideas, the execution, the logistics. All the things.

Growing up as somewhat an only child (and being single) has made me my own superwoman. But the last few Track & Feels have been humbling eye-openers that my independence can actually be detrimental.

Between checking people in at Track & Feel, taking the Polaroids, playing everyones songs, AND facilitating the conversation, there’s barely any room left for me to breathe, let alone be present at the event. I’d look around and see everyone enjoying themselves, and I’d feel proud and happy but also kind of removed. Like I was watching my own joy happen from the outside because I was too busy to be apart of it.

After the last one, I realized something very simple but groundbreaking: I need help. Lol. Not even in a dramatic way. But in a “this could feel lighter if I let it” kind of way. So I tried something new and reached out to a few friends. The friends that I asked said yes without any hesitation, even with other things on their calendars that day.

It really made me wonder how much easier (and more enjoyable) so many other things in my life could’ve been by now if I didn’t assume that I had to do everything alone.

Moral of the prelude: I’m going to start asking for help more often, and releasing this expectation of being a self-contained woman that does it all. I’m sure Beyoncé asks for help from time to time, so I guess I can too.

Independence is cool and it’s gotten me far in life, but this little lesson has taught me that it’s a lot easier to hold space for others when you allow someone to hold a little space for you too.

💿 Deep Cut of the Week

All I Need (feat. Oliver St. Louis) - Oddisee

Oddisee and Oliver St. Louis = DC link-up that never misses. If ya don’t know, now ya know. They’ve been making some of the most soulful feel-good music to come out of the city for a while now. I like this track a lot. It’s a slept on gem and it’s just a reminder of how much talent is rooted here in DC.

Spotify | Apple Music

📡 Monthly Playlist

Spotify | Apple Music

🔁 In Heavy Rotation

Creating Success Word by Word w/ Tracee Ellis Ross

Y’all know I love a podcast chile lol. This one HIT. I’ve listened to quite a few of Tracee Ellis Ross’s interviews but this is my fave so far. I’m really big on speaking things into existence. I can name like 10 times in the past year where I’ve said words out of my mouth that end up coming true less than a week later. It’s kind of my super power. She talks about speaking with confidence and manifesting with purpose, and the power of designing your own life with intention. Highly recommend!

Okay that’s all for now.

Actually, no it’s not.

If you’re in DC and free this Saturday, come through to Track & Feel at Grounded. We’re discussing the songs that make us feel good.

Grab a ticket!

Okay bye for real this time :)

xoxo,

Ebb

Grab Your Ticket

Track & Feel is headed to Grounded for an evening centered on music, mood, and mental wellness.

Dopamine Hits is all about the songs that make you feel good… the tracks that shift your energy, ground you, and bring you back to yourself.

Expect good music, meaningful conversation, and a space to connect through sound.

PS: A lot of folks have been telling me that they would love to experience Track & Feel, but don’t really want to speak in front of a crowd. Totally understandable, so I’m opening the circle a little wider this time around.

🎧 30 Track Presenters will share their songs.
☕ 40 Listener Passes for the people who just want to enjoy the vibe & connect with folks.

Bring a vinyl or a track that makes you feel good.
Snag your ticket now because they’ll go fast :)

Grab Your Spot

Lately, there have been many things reminding me to slow down and trust the process. For starters, my solidcore class this morning LOL. I haven’t been to solidcore in over a year. If you know anything about the class or solidcore in general, you know that all of the movements slow and controlled. The slow pace of the class is designed to push your muscles to failure which ultimately leads to muscle growth. Taking that class this morning reminded me that progress isn’t always fast. Sometimes it’s just learning to hold steady and chill that brings the real progress.

Another aid in the reminder was the passing of D’Angelo last week. Okay so first of all, what the hell is D’Angelo doing being dead? I’m actually still processing the news a week later. D’Angelo was without a doubt my favorite R&B artist, ever since I was a toddler. After he passed, my dad reminded me how I would sing his songs in my carseat. I used to think he was talking about me when he said “brown sugar baby” because I was a brown baby 😂. Yes, I’ve been the same person my whole life lol.

But back to the point. I did a deep dive into D’Angelo’s music, life, and artistry last week and learned that he played all of his instruments himself, and used mainly analog recording equipment. I probably could’ve guessed that. I also learned that shortly after Voodoo, he set out to master his guitar skills. He perfected that skill for 14 years before releasing his final album, Black Messiah. The guitar ended up being his more prominent instrument on that album, and if you know anything about the album, you know the strings sounded too damn good. On some of the songs, he was playing in multiple different guitar styles from around the world, on a single track. Crazy. At that time, and even today, nobody was utilizing the guitar the way that he was in R&B music. He actually made people stop and listen to the music behind the lyrics.

So what point am I actually making? There’s something beautiful about slowing down and taking your time with your craft. Moving with intention and giving yourself space to explore, to learn, to build new skills or habits will always bear more fruit than rushing to master everything at once. I’m also learning this same lesson as I build Open Invitation, but more on that at a later date.

All in all, I still can’t believe D’Angelo’s gone but how grateful are we to have been blessed with his music? Brown Sugar set the tone for a decade of beautiful black soul music. He deserves every flower. RIP to a musical legend.

💿 Deep Cut of the Week

Alright - D’Angelo

If you thought the Deep Cut of the Week wasn’t going to be a D’Angelo song, you underestimated my predictability. “Alright” is the second track on his debut album and I definitely feel like this song was early proof of the musical depth that D’Angelo would later be known for; not only on the rest of this album but in his whole career. On top of the beautiful bass, he’s just reminding us that through all the ups and downs, everything is gonna be alright. Who doesn’t need that simple reminder from time to time?

Spotify | Apple Music

📡 Monthly Playlist

Spotify | Apple Music

🔁 In Heavy Rotation

Letting Enough Be Enough.

I’ve been blessed with a lot more free time the past month or so which instantly resulted in me feeling like I have to fill up each moment of the day with productivity. This week I’m trying to release the pressure to do it all every day. My to-do list legitimately always looks like a CVS receipt; never ending. But I’m learning to find gratitude in crossing off just two or three things instead of feeling guilty about the forty-seven I didn’t get to start. Every day does not have to be a sprint. Sometimes showing up for a few things with real presence means more than touching everything halfway. And that’s on D’Angelo! Period.

xoxo,

Ebb

Hey fam,

October is here, and this month is all about regaining control of life. Post-birthday and the beginning of fall is always a time where I try to recalibrate and decompress from the chaos of summertime. I’m participating in the Sober October trend and just seven days in, it’s already been hella rewarding.

Going into Sober October, I assumed that this past weekend would be tough. I went out Friday night (free drinks were offered the entire time). I went to Everyday People on Saturday (more free drinks.. the entire time). Sunday, I had an Open Invitation event (obviously, free drinks were offered.. the entire time). Y’all see the pattern 😭 But surprisingly, declining drinks this past weekend wasn’t hard at all and my effortless willpower honestly shocked me. Fasting from liquor didn’t feel like deprivation or sacrifice. Every place I went to this weekend had drinks flowing and I didn’t even flinch.

And honestly it wasn’t because I was fighting temptation. I truly was not interested in drinking. I think there’s real power in realizing that what you think controls you actually doesn’t have as strong a hold on you as you thought.

I did something similar last year, gave up drinking for a few months (I talked about it in one of my older Deep Cuts issues, Jesus Year Energy). During that time, I remember how everything started aligning for me almost immediately. Out of nowhere, a new job fell into my lap. I got a new car, and a new place. It was actually wild. But looking back at that time, I don’t think it was the solely the fast that brought all of those blessings in. I think it was the clarity that came with the fast too.

This time around, I’m not necessarily giving up drinking to call in new blessings, but more so to just clear and quiet my mind enough to be able to hear and see what’s trying to come into my life. Because one thing about alcohol, it’s gonna give you some brain fog, and it’ll have you doing things that aren’t aligned with your purpose. I really have struggled with self-discipline in the past so it feels good to be strengthening that muscle and just sitting with myself soberly- literally, and spiritually too.

For now the plan is to make it through October, but the way I’m feeling right now, maybe I’ll finish out the whole year like this. No promises lol but what I do know is that every time I keep my promises to myself and clear the noise, something meaningful always shows up in my life.

💿 Deep Cut of the Week

Baddest Behavior - Byron The Aquarius

True house heads might already be hip, but I just discovered Byron the Aquarius and I’m actually obsessed. I’ve been running through his whole catalog. This man is colddddd. His sound, specifically this track “Baddest Behavior,” is everything I love about house music. Soulful and groovy. I’m definitely sneaking this one into a set soon.

Spotify | Apple Music

📡 Monthly Playlist

Spotify | Apple Music

🔁 In Heavy Rotation

“In heavy rotation” might be a reach because I’m not reading it more than once 😂 but I’m currently reading “Hip-Hop Is History” by Questlove and it’s too good. It’s his personal reflection of the first 50 years of hip hop; from block parties in the Bronx to the era that we’re in now. It’s dope to read about hip hop through Questlove’s lens as a fan, a musician, and someone who’s literally lived through all of it. His stories remind me so much of myself when I was younger and how obsessed I’ve been with music since a young age.

I think what I’m loving most about the book is that he’s not just documenting what happened but he’s reflecting on it too. Connecting all the dots, and talking about how each generational change in hip-hop shaped him. It’s cool to read because that’s kind of what I’m trying to do with Open Invitation in my own way: using music to tell stories and make sense of life.

Also, I love reading about the eras and songs that came before I was even born and seeing them through his eyes, with that deep appreciation for sound and culture. Reading this book makes me want to keep sharpening how I write and talk about music, both in my newsletter and at my events.

Okay byeeee, catch y’all in 2 weeks!

xoxo,

Ebb

Did y’all miss me? 🙈 Idk if y’all noticed (hopefully not), but last week was the first Tuesday I’ve missed since relaunching Deep Cuts. I sat down to write last Tuesday, and instead of that usual spark that I get before writing, all I felt was exhaustion and dread. And I love this newsletter so much…it’s one of my favorite things I do every other week. A true ritual for me. But that day, I just didn’t have it in me. I was so burnt out and exhausted. So I made the choice to rest instead of forcing myself through it. I beat myself up the whole next day about “breaking consistency,” but sometimes choosing yourself is the most consistent thing you can do.

That decision feels very connected to where I’m at right now with Open Invitation. This Sunday is my next event and for the first time EVER, I’m charging for entry. I’ve gone back and forth for the past couple years about charging for events. I’ve always been scared that people wouldn’t pay, scared that asking for money would change the vibe. And also that I’d be annoyed with people trying to get in for free and not just support me lol. But I’m learning that valuing myself and my work means trusting that it’s worth investing in. These gatherings aren’t just free parties. I really do put a lot of thought and effort into the curation of my events and am building spaces for connection, music, and joy.

So, with all that being said: Track & Feel/Open Invitation returns this Sunday at Sost with our first ticketed event. I’m nervous, but more than that, I’m excited to take this leap and believe in myself in a new way. If you’ve ever found value in what I create (and if you’re reading this, I’m sure you have), I hope you’ll join me and support what’s next.

RSVP here

💿 Deep Cut of the Week

Turn Me On - Norah Jones

A not-so-fun fact: my mom passed away my senior year of high school. Any one thats lost a parent knows the ache of memories starting to slip as life keeps moving. But a memory I’ll never lose are our car rides to and from school, sports game, or just random weekend errands. My mom was a music lover just like me, and I vividly remember the cds she had stored in her glove compartment for the car rides. Norah Jones “Come Away With Me” album was one of them. She loved her first single “Don’t Know Why” and would have it on repeat, but on the days where we could finally get past that song and hear the rest of the album, this was one that I grew to love. Hope y’all enjoy it too.

📡 Monthly Playlist

Spotify | Apple Music

🔁 In Heavy Rotation

REST.

Lately I’ve been realizing how much better everything flows in my life when I give myself permission to just pause and chill. I used to think missing a beat meant I was falling off or behind, but I’m starting to see that rest actually helps me get to where I want to go even faster.

PS: I’m gonna shoot y’all another newsletter next Tuesday just to get back on schedule 😅 Catch y’all in a week!

xoxo,

Ebb

Hey friends!

I’m writing to y’all fresh off of an amazing birthday weekend. This birthday was simple, but so fulfilling. I started with brunch with my best friends, then flew to Chicago, where I got to DJ my way into year 34. Playing a house music party in Chicago has been a quiet goal of mine so it was really cool to do it while ringing in my new year. I treated myself to a spa day out there, linked up with a few homies, ate good, and randomly ended dancing in the background of an Elevator Music video. Look out for that on Youtube 😂. I wrapped up the weekend with an opening set for Benji B and Desiree. Yes, the same Benji B I was fan-girling over just three issues ago in Track #03: Notes to NY. Wild. I showed him what I wrote about him and he was so honored.

Moments like that feel almost supernaturally aligned, and honestly I could write a whole think piece just on how often they’ve been happening to me lately (and probably will lol stay tuned). Take Chicago, for example. Last year, I had a birthday trip planned to Chicago, only for my flight to be canceled while I was already at the gate. That, along with a few other things, made 33 one of my roughest birthdays. But 365 days later, I found myself back in Chicago, this time exactly where I was meant to be, ringing in my birthday with a gig.

Everything about this birthday came together with such ease. It was without a doubt one of the best birthdays I’ve ever had and I felt so much love from everyone, IRL and online. It felt like a million full circle moments in one, and just more proof of all of the divine timing in my life.

My time at the spa was the only time I had to be still and reflect on my 33rd year. And whew chile, the beginning of 33 came with hella challenges. I lowkey (highkey) hated my life a year ago; I’m not even gonna lie to you. I was trying to navigate so much. Family drama, bouncing between living spaces while trying to move back into my condo, mentally adjusting to a new ADHD diagnosis, and starting a new job, which I had prayed for, but to be honest it completely shook my system and the adjustment was rough (five days a week in-office after years of freedom was a lot, on top of DJing) That’s just a small fraction of the things I was balancing, but just know that was a very heavy season for me and I was not doing well at all. AT ALL. But even after that rocky start, 33 turned out to be one of the best years I’ve ever had, if not THE best. I ended up hitting so many milestones, and I experienced things that reminded me of why I kept going. My “Jesus Year” stretched me thin and tested me in the beginning, but it ended up being oh so rewarding.

I believe that 33 also closed a pivotal chapter in my life. If you’ve been a subscriber to Deep Cuts before the rebrand, you may remember an issue that I wrote back in 2023 called Obstacles. (If you’re a new subscriber, I encourage you to go back and read that issue, as well as the other older ones). I started off that particular newsletter talking about how I had been living through a season where things seemed almost too good. So good, to the point where I was waiting for something traumatic to happen to me because nobody’s life could possibly be that perfect for too long. And eventually it did. I lost my job, and life has been a crazy rollercoaster ever since. Nothing was the same okay 😂 Full transparency: after I lost my job in 2023, I had so many moments that felt like they’d truly break me. Although it may not seem like it from the outside looking in, please believe that I’ve privately hit rock bottom so many times over the past couple of years, personally, financially, and mentally. But I still managed to keep pushing. I truly feel like I am re-entering that era where life is just good and flows with ease. The era that I was talking about in the beginning of Obstacles. Everything is falling into place so beautifully for me. The opportunities, the expansion, the self-love, the valuable lessons and connections. I’m becoming my highest self right in front of my own eyes and life finally seems lighter.

As I get older, I love how my birthday comes right as the seasons are changing. While everyone’s resetting and rebranding for fall, it’s also my literal new year of life. After all of the things that I accomplished this year, ironically, my focus for year 34 isn’t about chasing more success. God has made it very clear to me that he doesn’t play about me, so I know that the success and milestones will continue to come my way, just as they have even through the dark seasons that I just went through. The success is already written. That said, my goals for 34 are all internal. I want to be healthy enough, mentally and physically, to really enjoy what I’ve been given and what’s to come. I want to rest more. I want to eat better. I want to set firmer boundaries with myself on how many gigs I’m taking so that I have more days off and time to myself, and ultimately create more space and time for myself to be present instead of always on the go.

A few weeks ago my therapist asked me “Are you happy?” and I don’t think I’ve ever had anyone ask me that. I realized in that moment that I wasn’t sure if I was actually happy. I was busy, blessed, and grateful; but rarely was I fully grounded and present in my happiness. She said “Everytime we meet, you’re telling me about all of these great things that you’ve done. This big gig, this accomplished goal. But you’re just always on to the next thing.” She said she has yet to hear me communicate true happiness or talk about celebrating an accomplishment. And she was so right. It’s because I’m always so busy that I don’t have time to feel the joy. So that is what 34 is all about for me. Not just collecting the blessings but really living in them and being happy about them.

So here’s to 34! To health, rest, and presence, and being authentically happy for everything that I’ve worked so hard for!

💿 Deep Cut of the Week

La De Da (Kenny Dope Remix) - Wade Teo & Charles Rickards, Kameelah Waheed

I stumbled across this track last week while digging for my Chicago set. For those who may not know, Chicago is where house music originated, hence why I’ve been so excited to spin a house set there. The party that I did is called Tribe, and I heard ahead of time that the attendees are TRUE house heads, that come to dance their asses off to Chicago classics, juke, and all other different shades of house. I was digging super deep for this set to find music that just felt good, and my prep led me to this song. It’s soooooooo good. I instantly fell in love with it and the dance floor did too :)

🗃️ Deep Cuts: The Archive

Spotify | Apple Music

📡 Monthly Playlist

Keeping the tracks chill and vibey for this months playlist because that’s how I’m feeling as I settle into 34 ✨

Spotify | Apple Music

🔁 In Heavy Rotation

Aspire with Jay Shetty: How To Succeed In Business Without Losing Your Soul

Spotify | Apple Podcasts | Youtube

A couple days ago I stumbled across this podcast episode that felt very weirdly aligned with everything I had already planned to write about in this week’s Prelude. It’s an interview with one of my favorites humans, Jay Shetty, where he breaks down how to be your most optimal self while living a fast-paced, goal-driven life (me lol). He talks about five non-negotiables for high wellness: practicing thankfulness, always seeking new insights, mindfulness, exercise, and sleep. The wild part is that I didn’t hear this podcast before writing my reflections for this newsletter, but hearing it just confirmed everything I’d already been thinking about for year 34. Perfect timing, and another full circle moment per usual. A really worthwhile listen!

Til next time friends.

xoxo,

Ebb

Hey friends,

I hope everyone’s August is going well. I want to start this issue by sharing something that happened to me this past week and tested me in ways I didn’t expect. So last week, I was asked to DJ what I considered to be THEEEE bucket list gig of all bucket list gigs. This was the kind of event that could have brought me instant global visibility. For a quick second it felt like everything I’ve been working towards as a DJ was right in front of me.

The plot twist: this event platform was recently acquired by an organization whose beliefs I don’t align with. Saying yes to this opportunity wouldn’t have sat right with my values, and also would’ve gotten me quite a bit of backlash from the DJ community. But saying no meant possibly walking away from a career-shifting opportunity that would get me a lot of exposure and recognition. I spent that entire day sliding down a wall trying to decide what direction to take. Like this was definitely one of the most difficult decisions of my life to date. I had to really dig deep within myself and decide what was important to me, and what kind of DJ and overall person I wanted to be; as well as how I wanted to be viewed in this industry- not just today but years down the line.

I reminded myself that I don’t want to build my career from a place of fear or scarcity. Opportunities that compromise who I am in any way, especially ethically, will never actually be the ones meant for me. So I ended up turning it down. After declining the gig, I kept telling myself that something better will eventually come to me. And y’all.. whyyyyy would I wake up the very next morning to an email asking me to open for Joe Kay at a Soulection event. Honestly, truly.. Soulection is just as big and notable of a platform as the other event I was offered, and is also one that I have loved, respected, and been inspired by for years. This event felt aligned in every way, and the timing made my reminder to myself (that something better is always on the way) feel even more true.

That whole ordeal really shifted how I view opportunities. I no longer view huge opportunities as something scarce that I’ll never come by again, because that was definitely my mindset before. It’s been proven to me countless times, especially in the past year or so, that the blessings have no ceiling. No single moment defines success, and what’s truly meant for me will never miss me. I tell myself these things all the time but THAT situation in particular really sealed the deal for me. Those 24 hours really deepened my faith in God’s timing and reminded me that His plan will always outdo mine. Nothing is ever a “once-in-a-lifetime” opportunity or “as good as it gets.” And that goes for gigs, relationships, jobs, friendships, creative projects, money, and everything in between 🙏🏽

💿 Deep Cut of the Week

Lava Lamp - Thundercat

This song is the perfect example of classic Thundercat: him singing over a crazy bassline. I typically gravitate towards his more uptempo stuff, but I don’t think we give his slower, softer songs enough love. Lava Lamp has a dreamy background music kind of feel which I appreciate.

🗃️ Deep Cuts: The Archive

Spotify | Apple Music

📡 Monthly Playlist

Spotify | Apple Music

🔁 In Heavy Rotation

What’s been in rotation for me the past week is exactly what I talked about in today’s prelude; the mindset of what is for me won’t ever miss me. That affirmation has been looping in my head all week and really believing it has changed the way that I move through decisions. There’s always more on the way and I’ve been trying to live everyday like I know that it’s acually true.

xoxo,

Ebb