Coming back from our run in the Pacific Northwest, I’m feeling both exhausted and totally lit up in the best way. There’s something about that part of the country that feels like home turf — rainy skies, evergreen air, and audiences who give you everything they’ve got. Being back on the road with L7 always brings this wild mix of chaos, humor, and sisterhood, and Portland and Olympia gave us precisely the kind of shows that remind me why I keep saying yes to this life.

The Crystal Ballroom in Portland is one of those venues that feels alive. The floor literally bounces under the weight of the crowd, and when we hit those first chords, the energy ricocheted back at us like a tidal wave. It was sweaty, loud, and a little unhinged — exactly the way it should be. Then up in Olympia, playing the South Sound Block Party alongside Bratmobile was like stepping back into a punk rock time machine. Seeing Alison and the girls on stage again, with all their fire intact, was nothing short of inspiring.

Beyond the music, it was a gift to reconnect with old friends in both cities. Some of these folks I hadn’t seen in decades, yet the conversations picked up as if no time had passed at all. Those hangouts backstage and after the shows reminded me that the punk community isn’t just about the gigs — it’s about the people who’ve been in the trenches with you all along. The Pacific Northwest showed up for us, and I’m carrying that love and gratitude with me.

Up next is The Belasco in DTLA alongside Lunachicks and CSS for L7’s 40th anniversary party!

#l7theband #suzigardner #donitasparks #jenniferfinch #deeplakas #punkrock #ontheroad #portland #oregon #olympia #washington #southsoundblockparty #bratmobile #mikelove

Photo by South Sound Block Party