First Things First

First Amendment is first for a reason. I keep saying this.

Kindred spirits united. 

It's not about politics at this point. We do what we can, until we all understand what is at stake here, that we, the people ARE the power, not to be ruled by any king. Thank you to everyone who keeps showing up. Keep calling our reps. They work for US. 

"We won't be silent in the shadows 

We won't be driven to despair 

We'll bring the light wherever we go 

Protect the water and air 

We are, we are, we are indivisible 

We walk along oceans and prairies 

We are, we are, we are indivisible 

Together our voices will carry 

And as we gather, old and young 

Growing in numbers day by day 

Joining our hands and hearts as one 

We stand in unity and say, 

"We are, we are, we are indivisible 

free to choose who we love, free to marry 

We are, we are, we are indivisible 

Together our voices will carry 

We are, we are, we are indivisible 

We walk along oceans and prairies 

We are, we are, we are indivisible 

Together our voices will carry 

Together our voices will carry 

Together our voices will carry"

https://marimack.bandcamp.com/track/we-are-indivisible-2

Thanks, Repairs and Voices

Thanks to everyone who joined us last night at Lucca in Benicia! 

Heading out for a Repair Fair this morning, then some peaceful exercise of our First Amendment rights. 

Stay safe and be love. 

Ox,

Mari 

Oh, and in case you missed it, some info. 

Sorry about the paywall. That's the challenge with real journalism - it's like real music: Both need money to remain sustainable. 

Tonight : Benicia!

Hello to our friends in the East Bay region - we are taking the stage at Lucca's on 1st street - downbeat is 6:30 pm. 

Hope to see you - it's going to a beautiful day into evening! 

Ox, 

Mari 

Wisconsin Proves There Is Hope for Justice

How about those Wisconsin voters? 

By the way, if you plan on showing up somewhere on Saturday, April 5th to march with some friends , and you need a tune to let folks know how you feel -- if you are feeling the same things I'm feeling, here is a tune I wrote a while back. I sang the melody and lyrics to a nice young man with a guitar named Jackson, and I tried to give him writing credit, but he refused. 

You can find it on bandcamp, Spotify, etc. 

Ox, 

Mari 

Lucca This Friday, 4/4! | What is a PBM?

Hey Everybody! 

Hope you all had a great weekend. I enjoyed catching up with a dear friend on Friday, and she brought me a bunch of oranges from her tree. Bonus - an orange blossom in the bag, which made the whole kitchen smell so good. Granted, we have a very small kitchen, but citrus blossoms have a heavenly fragrance! 

Anyway, I'm very excited to be playing Lucca this Friday in Benicia. Downbeat is 6:30 pm. David will be singing his song, and we will be celebrating his birthday as well, so, hope you can make it. 

Saloon on the 2nd Saturday at 4 pm, as usual. Still looking for a Marin home base for a regular gig. Let us know if you find a venue with an audience that appreciates musical exploration, where we can build community, preferably with live stream capabilities. Tell us about it and also ask the venue to book us! 

Btw - Do you know what a pharmacy benefit manager is? 

PBM explanation from 2024 : 

https://youtu.be/145p57c-knE?si=6C1noba1IPHSXVE-

February 2025: 

https://www.instagram.com/reel/DGjmd4NuSEb/?igsh=MTc4MmM1YmI2Ng==

I plan to expand upon this issue on my substack, so please subscribe over there. It's free, or you can choose to support me through a paid subscription.

As always, thanks for reading. 

Remember to create some joy for yourself. 

Ox, 

Mari 

Live Music Dates April

April 4th - Lucca's in Benicia

6:30 downbeat, Dave's birthday! We play until about 9, if memory serves.

April 12th - The Saloon 

North Beach, San Francisco

4 pm downbeat, we go until 8, maybe 8:15 the latest, because we like to clear the stage for the next band. 

Recordings: 

Reminder, you can find the new album under Mari Mack & Livin' Like Kings on your favorite streaming service. 

We included "OALAEHOAIS" as a bonus track! It's not exactly blues, but the subject matter is about opinions, which can certainly give you the blues! 

If you cannot make it to a show, you can choose to support my musical efforts by buying directly from marimack.bandcamp.com or support my writings by subscribing to my substack:  Cafe Tamburo. 

Thanks so much for being here. We need each other. 

Be water. It finds a way. 

Ox, 

Mari 

Save the Dates! April 4th in Benicia, April 12th in San Francisco

Hey Everybody! 

Thanks for being interested in what we are doing to read this note. We had a good rehearsal last night, and I am grateful for that. 

First things first - 

April 4th at Lucca's in Benicia - 6:30 downbeat. We will be celebrating Dave's birthday, and his mom is coming to town! It will be a party.

April 12th in San Francisco downbeat 4 pm - we go to 8 pm! 

Keep speaking up for what is good and true - 

We the people! 

Ox, 

Mari 

When Silence Is Not Golden

Some people protest by canceling an appearance.  Times have changed and we need every voice. 

Please click this link to an interview of folk musicians

Nora Brown and Stephanie Coleman, folk musicians who chose to use their platform to express their thoughts on recent changes at the Kennedy Center.