The Birthday Project 

“One of my grad school professors once told me that creative people rarely finish their projects. In 2021, I set out to write and perform 12 original birthday songs and deliver them to friends on or before their DOB.

This track (for Justin) features my talented friend and neighbor, Yohei Shikano, playing bass and significantly supporting my guitar stylings with his own. It was recorded at his place in Mount Washington on July 3rd, just as the birds were singing their evening songs and early fireworks started to pop through the canyon.



On December 4, 2021, I finished The Birthday Project and performed all 12 songs at an intimate gathering for birthday honorees and other close friends.

This project brought me outside of my typical diary style of writing and allowed me to think about another person, who they are, what our relationship is, what it means to have your birthday in April or October or December, how it feels to share a birthday, and the marking of time as the pandemic marches on.

The birthday deadlines also pushed me to learn and improve my skills on different instruments. I had never written anything on guitar or ukulele before I felt the dates looming and needed fresh ideas.

It was a great experiment overall. Happy Birthday, everyone!” - Liz

January: “Abracadabra” - for Joe Napolitano
February: “Birthday Buddies” - for Brian and Bridget, who share a birthday
March: “Something Out of Nothing” - for Chris
April: “Someday” for Pete
May: “See You In Palm Springs” for Jon
June: “Jacob’s Lullabye” - for Jake
July: “Magic Curtain” - for Justin
August: “Who Knew There Was A Lioness?” - for Jane
September: “Back Seat” for Aaron
October: “Roses” for Piper and Maya
November: “The Old Routines” for Danielle
December: “Holding the Lights” - for Lindsay