The Post Event Slump

September 1, 2025

I think I’ve produced around 30+ events for Two Rooms, each a labor of love, each giving me undeniable proof that I’m doing exactly the right thing at the right time. People make connections, artists feel cared for, and everyone leaves happy, myself included. And every. Single. Time. The slump cometh. It starts the morning after - I send the last payments to staff and artists, and then I’m done. No one needs anything from me. Time slows down, and the pace I’ve been running at comes to a stop. Once it’s finally quiet, some asshole voice in your head slips in: “why aren’t you working? You can’t rest. You think you’ve earned that nap? You still have so much to do!!” If you’ve ever completed a huge project, a big show, a festival, tour, etc, you know what I’m talking about. It’s such a real part of our work. My strategy is: be intentionally kind to myself for two whole days - physically, mentally, emotionally. I’ll unload my car a couple days after the event - that’s ok. I am so emotionally tired I need to be alone for a while - that’s ok. I can post tomorrow - that’s ok. When the voices come to tell me I’m not doing enough - that’s ok. They’ll be gone in a couple days. If you’re feeling funky after a GREAT event where nothing went wrong and everyone loved you - that’s ok. Develop a strategy, rest, and get back at it tomorrow. 💛💚 Anyone else experience this? Commiserate with me in the comments ⬇️

How to Freak Out Strangers

August 8, 2025

“Holy shit you played a SoFar set in San Francisco 10 years ago that I still think about.” - words that existed my mouth today Life is so weird. My friend Claire (hi Claire!) invited me to a woman focused networking event today (it was excellent). As I’m leaving, I chat with one of the organizers, and we exchange handles. That’s when I realize who she is. In my defense***** it was a formative experience. I had just moved back to the bay after graduating college, the bright-eyed admin assistant for a small record label. I was starting to go to shows alone (a terrifying concept to me at the time), ready to discover the next big thing. I drove to a random Sunset loft and made my way through a crowd of (white) tech people. I saw an artist with undeniable talent rap her ass off to a crowd of awkward onlookers - they were told they should sit down and shut up and *APPRECIATE*. Here comes a rapper who asks you to dance. We sat in silence instead. Regardless of our reactions, she absolutely murdered her 20 min set. That’s why I remember that night. So here I am, on a random Thursday, facing the artist I never met but think about every time I produce a concert. I don’t know if there’s a lesson here, other than, you have more impact as an artist than you might see immediately. Hang in there. 💛💚

How do I give up Spotify?

August 1, 2025

I'm a big believer in voting with your dollars. But here's the thing. I'm currently boycotting McDonald's, Starbucks, Amazon, and Target. All of these were no brainers, but phew it feels like a discipline sometimes. McDonalds kept me fed during a financially tough and busy time of my life. When I am sad, I yearn for chicken nuggets. Right now, the AC in my apartment is broken, and I am doing everything in my power not to go to Target, wander the beauty aisle, impulse buy a couple things, and then get a lil treat at Starbucks, all at a perfect 70 degrees. Spotify has 1. killed the podcast space 2. drowned its platform with bots and AI artists, stealing IP from real humans to do so 3. invested heavily in AI weapons manufacturing (or the CEO has, whatever) 4. been almost solely responsible for the exponential growth of the music industry while sharing pennies on the dollar with the artists who created the product they sell. There are so many reasons to get rid of the platform, but I listen to Spotify almost all day. I need music to keep me focused, podcasts to entertain me while I drive, and for better or worse, the music it recommends is usually right up my alley (pop punk albums from 2010). I'm sure I will figure out a replacement in the next couple months, but it feels like breaking up with an old friend who is a complete asshole now. Is anyone else feeling this way? Let me know ⬇️ 💛💚

Holy jamoly they’re here

July 24, 2025

A Two Rooms Fan Club Exclusive! If you’re a member - even on the free level - one of these lil babies has your name on it. These are *actual* scout patches, inspired by our summer camp vibe. There may or may not be more merit badges coming soon 👀 I will have these on my person as I’m running around and at all events (So if you see me in the wild, remind me) 💛💚

Venue Database LIVE

July 21, 2025

It starts with, "I really want to put on an event." Because we have taste, we need a venue that isn't a shithole. Or at least a shithole we can work with. You find a doable space on peerspace. It's suspiciously affordable. THEN you find out you gotta take 4 flights of stairs, there's no AC, a sound curfew, no PA system, a cleaning fee you didn't anticipate, and now you can't get a hold of the owner. *THAT* is why I've made you a venue database. I've put on 25 Two Rooms events. I've now worked with some incredible venue owners who are just as thoughtful as we are. And I'm a millennial so I don't gatekeep. I've included details like accessibility, rental cost, neighborhood, street parking ratings, LGBTQ+ friendliness, E.T.C. You can access it through the Artist Resource Hub - upgrade your membership here on Fanded and access the password protected hub on tworooms.us 💛💚

THE REWARDS PROGRAM - WINNERS ANNOUNCED JUNE 13TH

June 4, 2025

We’re partnering with Fanded to reward fans for all the ways you show Two Rooms love already. We will pick the top 3 fans on JUNE 13TH to win the prize of their choice. Here’s how to win: ONLINE +1 Join Fanded (If you're already a member, you're on the board!) +1 Share the Two Rooms Fanded club with a friend (send a screenshot to [email hidden]) IRL +2 for attending an event (ahem Jam Night) +1 for every friend you bring +1 for bringing a BYOB item +1-2 for every post, reel, or story you post about the event If you have any questions, email the fanded team ([email hidden]) JUNE 13TH. See you on the other side (and at jam night probably) 💛💚

A teeny tiny gift from me to you 💛💚

May 27, 2025

I just ordered some merch for you. It’s gonna take some time to get made, but it’s coming. 👀 I am TOO excited about this and need to get the logistic wheels moving a little bit more before the full announcement, but know that if you’re here, you’re getting a little gift from me in 3-4 weeks.

GIRLS NIGHT (gender neutral)

May 12, 2025

I used to watch The Bachelor/ette with a group of girlfriends. We’d rotate hosts for viewing parties, and our respective partners and male roommates would inevitably do The Hover while we watched. Eventually, we were sick of them pretending they didn’t want to watch AND having to fill them in on what had happened the previous episodes. So when the next season rolled around, we extended the invite, which was of course declined. Then, genius struck. A bracket. That season, we went from 4 to 10 regular attendees at episode viewing parties (the photo is from the season finale party). The idea behind Girls Night is pretty transparent - girls do fun things on girls nights. The world we live in has told men they can’t do the same fun things, when in reality, we all need to do stupid cute things for our mental wellbeing. If we make a few friends along the way, even better. So gentlemen, 🎟️ this is your invite to girls night. We’re going to do flower arranging and *we will have instructions*! Because even we don’t really know what we’re doing. See you tomorrow 🌸💛💚

A vulnerable post about money

May 5, 2025

Like a lot of you, I’ve been thinking A LOT about money these days. Last year, I decided to go full time on Two Rooms and live off some inheritance money I had in my savings. I started looking for jobs again in January of this year, and that was perhaps the worst time to do that. I’ve gotten to the final round of interviews for three positions. I am still full time on Two Rooms 🫠 Growing up, my dad had a great government job that allowed my mom to be a stay at home mom, us to go to private school and then college, and generally want for nothing. I’ve always known what a stable job looked like, and that a career in music would be a hard deviation from that. So I worked hard. I always had a day job and another project (or projects) going on. I knew the importance of being out, networking with people, and generally how to stay professionally afloat. Now, a government job is not a stable job. I grew up in the Silicon Valley and have thought tech was a stable job - it’s not anymore. Our world is changing so rapidly that it’s hard to know where the safest bet is. That’s super scary. But I think as people in music, we are survivors by trade. Especially millennials and gen z - we have built our careers in an ever changing landscape of social media, streaming tech, distribution, corporations slowly building up monopolies - we know how to stay flexible because we’ve never been able to take anything for granted. I can’t predict anything (no one can) but I think the future for us involves a lot of mutual aid, innovation, and scrappiness - things we already know how to do. I hope Two Rooms continues to be a place where you all feel financially safe and cared for. 💛💚

Fans Panel Recap

May 1, 2025

Ok so last night was incredible - we had a panel of artists and activists talk about their experiences creating their communities, social media, and the relationships between fans and artists. Here are some gems that got my attention: 1. In any social media following, there is a dedicated audience, a stretch audience, and opposition. You have to create content with all three in mind, and do what you can to move people into the dedicated audience (but don’t force it) 2. Try a new form of content 3-6 times - if it doesn’t catch, try something else 3. Social media has positioned us to try to grab people who don’t care about us and would never go to a show. While it’s necessary to gain new followers, fulfillment will come from the people who already ride with you. Personally, I realized a lot of my attention and effort has been spent trying to spread the word about Two Rooms and not enough time spent on the people who are here. Two Rooms has grown into an incredible community. Every time I’m at an event, I experience such joy being around you all, and I leave feeling so fulfilled. Yet I’m so obsessed with getting more new people in the door. It’s really draining, and, to borrow a phrase Damag3 used last night, I feel like I’m punching air. I often spend so much time trying to get people in the door, I forget the people who are already inside having a great time. So! That being said, there’s going to be more updates here, more asks for feedback, and generally more cool stuff for you, the Two Rooms community. Much love. Thanks for being here 💛💚

JAM NITE MONDAY

April 4, 2025

I’m not a working musician, BUT I learned some things from people who are. There are three main problems with jam night events in LA: 1) people tend to hog the spotlight This is understandable - you get into a groove with the people you’re on stage with, maybe they’re friends you love playing with already. 2) women/NB folks are often excluded or ignored This is just garden variety sexism - men assume they aren’t good enough or can’t hang. 3) there just aren’t that many jams in LA Because so many people do this for a living, doing it one extra night is not a priority. *We do it differently at Two Rooms.* 1) We take breaks during the evening for everyone to get snacks, drinks, switch up the genre, and talk to each other. This provides a good reset so everyone can have a turn. 2) no one is gonna disrespect women or NB folks in my house. They haven’t and they won’t. 3) we’re going to do these every other month! It’s a new event so it may look a little different each time while we figure out the right recipe, but this is a need in the music community. Folks need to get out of the community bubbles they’re in and meet new, talented people outside of their usual circles. Also: we love and accept dedicated audience members. No pressure to play, only pressure to make a new friend. 💛💚

TWO YEARS 💛💚

March 13, 2025

Two whole years of nonstop concerts, booking independent artists and treating everyone with kindness and equity. I’ve been hard at work on this event, and I’m realizing I have so much more help this time around than I did when I first started. Friends I could rely on for staffing, advice, sharing my posts, and just general encouragement. And it’s only through more people coming on the Two Rooms Train that I’ve been able to pick up momentum. This is the first anniversary show that I feel like is not a celebration of “look, I’m still here”. It’s a celebration of “we’re here.” See ya there 💛💚

Is music important?

February 20, 2025

I don’t know if anyone else is feeling this way, but it’s been real strange to work in entertainment while the the world feels like it’s on fire (wait… is literally on fire). I’m a pretty passionate person. I have always had a strong sense of justice, and I’ve worked to infuse that into everything I do. And the thing I do is…. music? If you’re like me, the world, your family, and even your closest friends (who aren’t in music) sometimes think all you do is play around and have fun all day. You go to concerts, get dressed up, post yourself on social media singing your little songs and promoting your little events. In my darkest times, I think of myself the same way. Then I remember I have always put people from minority communities in the spotlight. As we know, visibility is everything. Knowing you’re not alone is everything. Seeing different beauty standards is everything. Letting folks talk their shit into a mic is everything. I remember that art is ALWAYS political, and music in particular is an art that gets under your skin, into your bones. Makes you dance. Makes you cry. When you find the music you identify with, it heals you. It keeps you company. And most important of all, I remember the reason I love live music - it’s an artist laying out their hopes and dreams and fears to a room full of people. And they're singing back: “me too”. Music is important. Hang in there.

the VERY FIRST 2R Jam is on Saturday!

February 12, 2025

My favorite thing, as you may know, is matchmaking friends. My second favorite thing is when I see two people I *didn’t* introduce work on something, and tell me they met at a Two Rooms event 🥹 so I’m making more events that create more of those moments. Here’s why: Professionally, I’ve came from a very small pond. I went to a tiny college in the northwest, got into the Asian American music community, which, while mighty, is small. Every now and then, I would step slightly out of my community to go to a big networking event. I would meet someone that would connect me to an opportunity down the road. Or I’d have a conversation with someone who would give me some life changing advice. Or I’d just run into an acquaintance that would turn into a friend over the course of that event. Post pandemic, meeting people in real life has been the most career advancing thing I’ve ever done. It’s also been these meetings that have given me the friends who have held me, supported me, and cheered me on as I do risky and crazy things with Two Rooms. And I get to cheer for them too. So I WILL be playing pushy auntie on Saturday getting people to play together and hang out. I might even jump in. 🎤👀 💛💚

JK we’ll be at Hermosillo

February 8, 2025

Block party is mysteriously closed 🤷🏻‍♀️ so we are across the street and down a block. See you soon!

If you create music, you work in mental health.

February 7, 2025

When I was working my first job ever (admin assistant at a white reggae label. I know.) we got so many emails from fans like this one: “Hey ____, just wanted to let you know that this album got me through a really hard time in my life. I was going through a divorce, living away from my family, and I was in a really dark place in my life. This album was on repeat, reminding me that life was worth living, and that I was going get through it. I can’t express my gratitude enough.” He then went on to let us know we had sent him the wrong size merch and could he swap it out for the right size. I miss working with reggae fans. When I was working in Kpop, it was the same. The artist’s music had gotten people through bullying, breakups, parents’ divorces, depression. Kpop. Depression. I’ve seen it in my own life too. A new emo artist whose album got me through a breakup with a long term boyfriend. Coloring Book got me through the first Trump presidency. CTRL was with me while I adjusted to moving to LA and being deeply lonely. The weirdest thread is that, it almost doesn’t matter what the music is about. Music is powerful! I still can’t even pinpoint why totally unrelated albums have this power over us. So, when things are really rough, confusing, dangerous - art becomes so important. Vital. Literally. Keep creating. I know *I* need it. 💛💚

Party Location - BLOCK PARTY in Highland Park

February 6, 2025

Hi everyone! We're gonna post up at Block Party on Saturday from 2-5pm - come through whenever! They have beer, wine, spirits, and non-alc options. There's always great food trucks outside and you can bring it into the bar. Street parking is usually super doable, and I believe there's a paid lot right behind it. 5050 York Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90042 See you then!

PARTY TIME 🤘🏼

February 1, 2025

Hey everyone!! If you can see this, it means you're a Roomie! Welcome welcome welcome. If you're here, you probably know that Two Rooms is value driven, primarily around community support, hard work, and fun. In addition to housing the memberships, Fanded is going to be the platform we use to talk more about those values - how they're powering the events we do and the content we create. AND as a kick off for this subset of the Two Rooms community, we're having a party! Two Rooms and I share a birthday because, like an idiot, wanted to have the first show on my 30th birthday. Turns out producing a concert is a lot of work? I'd much rather reserve the day for actually having the time to hang out with the day ones. SO. Save the date. February 8th 2pm-5pm Location is TBD but somewhere on the east side because it's *my* birthday 💛💚 Lauren PS pls enjoy this archival footage of my 9th birthday

Hard work. Open hearted. Everyone.

January 27, 2025

I’ve been trying to figure out this brand for two years. I’ve been using my insatiable inauguration anger to FINALLY figure this out and I came out victorious. This is the result. Two Rooms is the most diverse event I’ve ever been to where people from different communities actually talk to each other. It’s a chicken and egg thing - I laid out a welcome mat, and you all came in and showed me what it looked like in reality. I learn from you all the time. As our country becomes a place that is led by fear and division, we, a little music community in Los Angeles, will continue to be a home for real friendship and art. It only works if we stay open to each other and keep creating. I’ll be expanding more on this. Stay tuned. 💛💚

HI

January 6, 2025

More info --> on the sponsorship tab over there I could not be more excited to intro you to the new home for Two Rooms members. I'll post publicly here for the lurkers, BUT if you want to be a sponsor/member you can get more colorful updates about what we're up to. Each membership level has different perks - THE SUPPER CLUB If you're someone who's busy but loves supporting independent artists, ethical practices in the music industry, and the general Two Rooms vibe, this is for you. We always feed our artists and staff. You would play a part in that. THE ARTIST RESOURCE HUB We got so many requests to make the artist membership program accessible to artists around the US, and we're making it happen! This is also perfect for artists who are gigging every night we have Two Rooms events (we get it). THE SEASON TICKET Not just for concerts anymore! We have all sorts of things happening at all different price points. You would lock it in for $20/mo. ***INCLUDES the artist conference this summer.*** Can't wait to see where this year takes us, but I know it'll be good. 💛💚

Songs with Strings - November 23rd

November 6, 2024

Hey Roomies! Our next show is gonna be classy. It's a showcase of 6 bespoke artists accompanied by the Whole Soul String Quartet with arrangements by Vincent Ott. If you're a season ticket holder, you've got access - but if you want to come with friends, send the below link their way. See you there!