Mitch Mead

Ever as always in awe of the incredible . A few typically incredible snaps from last weekend.

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I don’t really know what to say about 2025 other than that it was a really terrible year in which a lot of really great and beautiful things also happened.

I got to play a bunch of shows (~27 I think). I got the opportunity to create a monthly show of my own () where I get to host and share the stage with incredible, talented people I admire. I made it to 40 years old in one piece. Best of all, I got to watch my son grow into the smartest, most incredible little human alongside Erynne Baronia, the best partner anyone could hope to have in these best of/worst of times. There are a thousand pictures of a thousand perfect moments from this year that would be great to share here if I could track them all down, but those moments are probably living better lives in my memory anyway. These are a few I could find for algorithm-mo purposes.

A lot of terrible and scary things happened this year too, but I’m not going to list them. The world is a worse and much scarier place than it was 12 months ago. I don’t know what the next 12 months will bring, but I’m grateful to know so many decent people and I plan to keep singing through the dark times as long as I’m able to.

To everyone that gave me a chance to do what I love, that performed on or came out to see my little show, that supported me and my family in any way, thank you for being a part of whatever this thing is. We’re lucky to have you and I hope to see you soon

To the complete shock of me… it has come to my attention that I have been named an official nominee for “Best Singer-Songwriter” in the Chicago Reader’s “Best of 2025” poll.

Longtime followers of this humble IG page will remember that I campaigned hard for this honor way back in 2022 and was excited to finish second in that year’s poll. However, considering that I have done literally no campaigning of any kind since, this nomination comes as a genuine shock. A million thanks to all responsible for this pleasant surprise, it really does mean a lot that so many people (for some reason) saw fit to enter my name. I don’t know that l deserve it, but I more than appreciate the surprising and very kind endorsement of whatever the hell my small contribution is to this city’s incredible music scene.

I have no expectations of winning and don’t plan to bludgeon loyal fans, friends, and family with requests (past what feels reasonable), but I have added the link to the aforementioned poll in my bio in case anyone feels compelled to cast a vote (for myself or for any of my incredible fellow nominees). It’s beyond cliche, but I mean it sincerely when I say the true honor of this is just to be nominated.

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