f. m. smith

Tonight -

This Friday! At The Underground Listening Room @theundergroundvt.bsky.social I'll be playing a Songwriter Round with Jenny Porter, Erin Cassels-Brown, Jenna Rice, and Dante Frontani. Another chance to catch me performing new material! Tickets here: sevendaystickets.ticketsauce.com/e/2025-may-s...

my neighbor told me the ocean keep eating his outdoor f-18s so I asked how many f-18s he has and he said he just goes to the defense department and gets a new f-18 afterwards so I said it sounds like he's just feeding f-18s to the ocean and then his daughter started crying

Reminder! I’m playing tonight at Radio Bean with Resonant Rogues. I can’t wait to share songs from my new project, which has been supported by the #vermontartscouncil. Hope to see you there!

#vermontmusic #burlingtonvt

Arts orgs across the country are receiving letters saying that their NEA grants are cancelled

Meanwhile, the US Navy just let 2 fighter jets, worth $73 million each, fall off an aircraft carrier into the sea.

If they manage to lose another jet that will be more $ than the entire budget of the NEA

A poster for a concert at Radio Bean featuring Resonant Rogues and Fern Maddie, Wednesday, May 7th. Two white musicians sit in the center of the poster in an old rustic building. One wears a flannel shirt and holds a guitar. The other wears a floral dress and holds a banjo, her hair arranged in a complex vintage style.

Gig alert! I'll be playing my first gig in months at Radio Bean this Wednesday. Can't wait to open for Resonant Rogues and perform some new material for the first time -- I'll be sharing songs from my new narrative musical project. You can buy tickets here: www.tickettailor.com/events/radio...

A Deep Dive into Vermont Housing (or Lack Thereof) Governor Scott and special interest groups hope to facilitate housing growth through zoning reform. But can we trust the market to benefit all Vermonters?

Re-posting this article because The Northern Flicker now has our very own political cartoonist! Obsessed with these original illustrations by Elder Mcketchup. Can't wait for more collaborations in the future. #vtpoli

thenorthernflicker.ghost.io/a-deep-dive-...

1.5M in 3 states could see higher electricity bills as Ontario begins surcharge Monday Doug Ford said they were moving forward with a 25% export fee on electricity for 1.5 million homes and businesses in Minnesota, Michigan and New York.

Good thing we're immune from this stupid trade war thanks to our brisk development of homegrown renewable en -- what's that now? Oh, our governor has blocked wind and solar development at every turn. So if Quebec follows Ontario, we're screwed.

www.usatoday.com/story/news/p...

Public School Reform As If the Public Schools Mattered The House Education Committee has set aside a fair bit of time this week for discussion of H.454, which sets out Gov. Phil Scott’s education reform plan in a brisk 194 pages. It is to be hope…

Maybe when we're considering an overhaul of the public schools, we should prioritize the public school system instead of cost-cutting, ideology, or the interests of private schools. Maybe, just maybe.

thevpo.org/2025/03/10/p...

Governor Scott's Public Safety Bill Prioritizes Carceral Policies The administration's new proposal aims to retrofit prison facilities for use in crisis care and treatment

I'm currently watching the Governor's press conference, where he's rolling out his administration's housing omnibus bill. You can get caught up on my analysis of his public safety bill rollout from last week and subscribe for future updates below. #vtpoli
thenorthernflicker.ghost.io/governors-sc...

Vermont Politics Matter More than Ever Introducing The Northern Flicker: a Montpelier-based political newsletter for engaged Vermonters

Check out this introductory article from my new #vtpoli project! And consider subscribing for email newsletters offering analysis and opinion on what's going on in the state house.

thenorthernflicker.ghost.io/vermont-poli...

Vermont School Officials Say Transgender Athletes Will Compete An executive order from President Trump prohibits transgender girls in school sports. But in Vermont, it's illegal to deny them equal opportunities.

Trans Rights are Human Rights #vtpoli www.sevendaysvt.com/news/vermont...

A hazy film photograph of a Vermont mountainscape is set off by a text announcement: The Northern Flicker. A Montpelier-based political newsletter for engaged Vermonters.

Really excited to share what I've been working on in the world of #vtpoli. First article coming later today.

Senator @rebeccawhite.bsky.social joined me to talk about her new role as Senate Majority Whip, her takeaways from the Governor's budget address and education reform proposal, and much more! Listen now: open.spotify.com/episode/4QC9...

We were so heartened to not only see the passage of the Budget Adjustment Act but the clear growth in understanding of the crisis. It is powerful and amazing to see those who are standing alongside those with the least.

On to the Senate next.

#vtpoli #crisisinvt #housed802 #endhomelessness

Lawmakers consider a salty solution to improving waterway and wildlife welfare  - VTDigger The Senate Natural Resource Committee is weighing a bill that would create a certification program to improve salt application practices on roads, sidewalks and parking lots.

The Senate Natural Resource Committee is weighing a bill that would create a certification program to improve salt application practices on roads, sidewalks and parking lots. #vtpoli

an unmatched classic

It’s hard work but someone’s gotta do it!

A desk set-up with an active video editing session open on the computer. A small black dog fills my lap, her head draped over my arm.

Believe it or not, I actually can work like this

This. The industrialization of songwriting and recording only leads to a very beige, sad place. We may as well just let the fucking AI do it.

david oh my god do NOT play that boring-ass chord. the lord will hate that shit. it will NOT please him. try this one instead. it's secret 😉 🤫

i need a shock collar that punishes me for trying to do more research once i’ve decided it’s time to start writing.

What’s up new followers! I’m J and I’m developing my new graphic novel, Blue Hollow! Please look forward to this queer Appalachian ghost story rooted in romance, magic and family.

I’ve seen this tune in Irish trad tunebooks that are over 200 years old and you know what? It still rips

Everything is Free by Gillian Welch. The vibes for today. #folk #folkmusic