September newsletter featuring fruit harvests, plum pie experiments, studio redesign progress, new drum tracks for Michael Trew, and Radio Rewind shows at Ghostfish and Peabo’s.
September 2026 – pie and shows
Kai Strandskov Music – July 2026 Update
July 2026
Makin noise and teachin folks
Summer will be setting
I hope you’re enjoying the outdoors in between smoke episodes! I had a great outdoor gig at sunset. We got some shows all over Washington coming up before things start cooling off. Check out the calendar below for dates in your area.
— Kai
▶ Quick Look
This Month at a Glance
📌 Here’s what’s in this update
- New Music — “Shaniko” with Michael Trew is out now. I played the drums. Stay tuned for more releases in the near future.
- Feature Story — Radio Rewind played the Highline HS Class of ’76 reunion and it was our best crowd of the summer. Full story below.
- Four Shows — Psychic Cat, Radio Rewind, and The Drive Through — Tacoma, Olympia, Snohomish, and Seattle. Last run of the summer. Come out.
July 2026 Updates
Kai Strandskov Music
July 2026
Makin noise and teachin folks
✎ From Kai
Summer is hitting hard!
As usual I try to overreach and play everything everywhere. Since the 90s I’ve tried to explore any genre that seems interesting, and I often meld them and swap them out. This summer is no different. Prog, 70s, Paul Simon, rock are all happening in July and August. Thanks for being a part of it!
— Kai
📰 Updates
What’s Going On
Makin things happen
Summer Gigs Are On — Check the Calendar!
The outdoor season is officially here, and I’ve got shows lined up through August. If you’ve been meaning to catch Radio Rewind live, now’s the time — the energy at an open-air show is something else entirely. Full schedule at KaiStrandskov.com/calendar
The Buy4Get1 Referral Deal
Know someone who’s been thinking about drum lessons? Send them my way! After the first four lessons a referred student books, you get one free. It’s my ongoing thank-you for helping spread the word and building a vibrant community of pals. And I’ll toss a free lesson their way as well.
Summer Lesson Spots Still Open
I have a couple of openings for new students this summer — great time to start if you’ve been on the fence, or a great time to get a quick refresher if it’s been a while. Lessons are available in person or online. Reach out and let’s find a time that works.
Read more: July 2026 Updates📣 Announcements
A few things I wanted to point dramatically at:
👉 “Shaniko” – New Release from Michael Trew
The new release from Michael Trew just landed, and it features my drums. He and I have been jamming in a couple different projects and we’ve been discussing recording some ideas. I’m glad it came to fruition, and a few more are on the way as well. We have some shows coming up as Michael Trew with Psychic Cat, so keep your eye on the calendar if you want to hear more.
👉 Tours
A couple tours are coming up. I may be visiting your town! Read more below.
👉My Studio build has started
We just demo’d the drywall and old insulation in my basement, in prep for electrical and plumbing, then soundproofing! I’ll keep you updated as things progress. There’s a photo of it below.
📅 Events
Come See Me Live
Here’s what’s on the horizon for July and into August. More in my calendar.
| Date | Event Name | Location / Link | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| July 19 | Moon Letters | The Tractor · Seattle, WA | 7:00 pm · 21+ · LDY BTTRFLY, Kitsune also performing |
| July 21 | One Trick Pony (Paul Simon Tribute) | Richland, WA | 8:00 pm · More details forthcoming |
| July 22 | One Trick Pony (Paul Simon Tribute) | Bend, OR | 8:00 pm · More details forthcoming |
| July 23 | One Trick Pony (Paul Simon Tribute) | Myrtle Creek, OR | 8:00 pm · More details forthcoming |
| July 24 | One Trick Pony (Paul Simon Tribute) | Eugene, OR | 8:00 pm · More details forthcoming |
| August 13 | Michael Trew with Psychic Cat | Bob’s Java Jive · Tacoma, WA | 8:00 pm · 21+ · 2102 S. Tacoma Way |
| August 14 | Michael Trew with Psychic Cat | Pig Bar · Olympia, WA | 8:00 pm · 619 Legion Way SE |
| August 15 | Radio Rewind | The Oxford Saloon · Snohomish, WA | 8:30 pm · 21+ · 913 1st St |
🌟 Feature Story
Cool thing of the month
Studio construction rumors are real. Here’s proof.
Mid-build and mid-summer — the future home studio is coming together.
📊 Metrics
By the Numbers
Here’s a fun snapshot of where things stand as I head deeper into summer.
| 35Years Behind the Kit | ~345MEstimated Drum Hits Since 1991* | ~640Drumsticks Worn Through (Estimated) | ~2,300Dropped Sticks Since 1991* |
*Wild estimate
💬 Feedback
Let’s Stay in Touch
💌 I’d love to hear from you
Got feedback, a story idea, or just want to say hi? I read every message.
📸 Instagram: @kaiwuzheer
Kai Strandskov Music
KaiStrandskov.com | @kaiwuzheer on Instagram | drummer@kaistrandskov.com
New release from Michael Trew – “Shaniko”
The new release from Michael Trew just landed, and it features my drums. He and I have been jamming in a couple different projects and we’ve been discussing recording some ideas. I’m glad it came to fruition, and a few more are on the way as well. We have some shows coming up as Michael Trew with Psychic Cat, so keep your eye on the calendar if you want to hear more.
That’s right, I’m psychic now. The band lineup is Michael Trew, Troll Hart, Scott Adams, and myself.
Monthly newsletter
What follows is my first newsletter sent out via email. Just add yourself if you want monthly updates like these.
Kai Strandskov Music
May 2026
🎨 FROM KAI — Artist’s Note
Welcome to my regular email newsletter! Folks are always asking what’s going on, or they feel like they missed out on something. So I’ve added folks to a regular pulse o’ info. I realize that websites seem so irrelevant these days, and so I’m looking for ways to engage with you where you are. Let me know if you’d like to know anything else that I can include here or elsewhere. Please enjoy!
🥁 UPDATES — What’s New in My World
Next Show
June 27 — Radio Rewind @ Elmer’s Bar & Grill, Burien, WA.
9pm · 21+ · 15027 Ambaum Blvd SW
Let’s make it loud.
Community Event
May 29-31 — HONK! Fest West @ Georgetown, Columbia City, Pratt Park, Seattle
Free · All ages · HONK! Fest West
Lots of amazing mobile bands, and check the schedule for drum lines and drum battles.
Referral Deal
Buy 4 – Get 1: After a referred students completes 4 lessons, they get 1 free—and so do you!
Community grows community.
🎤 UPCOMING EVENTS
| Date | Event | Location / Link | Info |
|---|---|---|---|
| June 27 | Radio Rewind | Elmer’s Bar & Grill, Burien, WA | 9pm · 21+ |
—
📊 BY THE NUMBERS
| Years Behind the Kit | Estimated Drum Hits | Drumsticks Worn Through | Sticks Dropped |
|---|---|---|---|
| 35 | ~345M* | ~640 | ~1283 |
Calculated at ~300 strikes/min × 90 min/day × 12,775 days.
💬 LET’S STAY CONNECTED
I love hearing from you — stories, ideas, questions, anything.
📧 drummer@kaistrandskov.com
🌐 KaiStrandskov.com
📸 Instagram: @kaiwuzheer
Kai Strandskov Music
KaiStrandskov.com | @kaiwuzheer | drummer@kaistrandskov.com
Mettle Lark album release party
“Love Letter to the Future” has now been released by Mettle Lark!
We’re going to throw a party on June 27, 2025 at 7:30pm at the Royal Room here in Seattle. There will be many friends jumping up on stage, including a full kids choir. Lots of surprises in store, and should be an all around great time. Our performance will be all ages.
You can get all the info and buy tickets on the Royal Room website. We anticipate that online sales will sell out. Do not fret! Just come to the door and there should be some more tickets for walk-ins. See you then!
Continue reading “Mettle Lark album release party”New video from Mettle Lark – “21st Century”
New video release – “Monsters” by Mettle Lark
Mettle Lark to Debut New Track ‘Monsters’ on January 3
Just a quick announcement here that Mettle Lark will be releasing a new single “Monsters” on Jan 3 at our party at The Tractor here in Seattle. I hope to see y’all out there, and check back later for a link to the single when it’s published!
Oscillating Forever
After two years of performing and recording and touring, Everything Oscillating has come to a close. It’s kind of astounding any music project involving more than one person ever gets off the ground. Even if you come together on the music, everyone is such a different person, with different motivations and opinions. And then beyond that, there are all the events and conditions that are out of everyone’s control. In the end, it was just a simple matter of timing that brought this project to a close: it was time for the bass player to inevitably move back east to be with family. It was always in the cards, but finally that’s the hand we were dealt.
This kind of thing is sadly all too common. But on the other hand, we had some fun times and got an amazing recording out of it.
I’m truly proud of the record, and I feel like it’s one of the rare moments that I was able to “say” most of what I intended. One of my favorite recordings for sure.
Thanks for those who came out and wished Mike farewell and cheered us on one last time. It was an honor to share the bill with Moon Letters and Authentic Luxury. And Mike, anywhere you go, great music will be made. I’m looking forward to your next chapter. But for now, here’s the final show in entirety.
For the sake of completion, I should also mention that we did create a music video for the opening track on the album. Thanks so much for your support, coming out to shows, listening to the record, and encouraging us to keep going. It really meant a lot.