diff --git a/src/app_console/app_console.cpp b/src/app_console/app_console.cpp
index 457d66f6..81a49e99 100644
--- a/src/app_console/app_console.cpp
+++ b/src/app_console/app_console.cpp
@@ -20,14 +20,11 @@
 #include "esp_console.h"
 #include "esp_log.h"
 #include "event_queue.hpp"
+#include "ff.h"
 
 namespace console {
 
-static AppConsole* sInstance = nullptr;
-
-std::string toSdPath(const std::string& filepath) {
-  return std::string("/") + filepath;
-}
+std::weak_ptr<database::Database> AppConsole::sDatabase;
 
 int CmdListDir(int argc, char** argv) {
   static const std::string usage = "usage: ls [directory]";
@@ -36,7 +33,7 @@ int CmdListDir(int argc, char** argv) {
     return 1;
   }
 
-  auto lock = sInstance->database_.lock();
+  auto lock = AppConsole::sDatabase.lock();
   if (lock == nullptr) {
     std::cout << "storage is not available" << std::endl;
     return 1;
@@ -44,18 +41,38 @@ int CmdListDir(int argc, char** argv) {
 
   std::string path;
   if (argc == 2) {
-    path = toSdPath(argv[1]);
+    path = argv[1];
   } else {
-    path = toSdPath("");
+    path = "";
+  }
+
+  FF_DIR dir;
+  FRESULT res = f_opendir(&dir, path.c_str());
+  if (res != FR_OK) {
+    std::cout << "failed to open directory. does it exist?" << std::endl;
+    return 1;
   }
 
-  DIR* dir;
-  struct dirent* ent;
-  dir = opendir(path.c_str());
-  while ((ent = readdir(dir))) {
-    std::cout << ent->d_name << std::endl;
+  for (;;) {
+    FILINFO info;
+    res = f_readdir(&dir, &info);
+    if (res != FR_OK || info.fname[0] == 0) {
+      // No more files in the directory.
+      break;
+    } else {
+      std::cout << path;
+      if (!path.ends_with('/') && !path.empty()) {
+        std::cout << '/';
+      }
+      std::cout << info.fname;
+      if (info.fattrib & AM_DIR) {
+        std::cout << '/';
+      }
+      std::cout << std::endl;
+    }
   }
-  closedir(dir);
+
+  f_closedir(&dir);
 
   return 0;
 }
@@ -101,7 +118,7 @@ int CmdDbInit(int argc, char** argv) {
     return 1;
   }
 
-  auto db = sInstance->database_.lock();
+  auto db = AppConsole::sDatabase.lock();
   if (!db) {
     std::cout << "no database open" << std::endl;
     return 1;
@@ -128,13 +145,13 @@ int CmdDbTracks(int argc, char** argv) {
     return 1;
   }
 
-  auto db = sInstance->database_.lock();
+  auto db = AppConsole::sDatabase.lock();
   if (!db) {
     std::cout << "no database open" << std::endl;
     return 1;
   }
   std::unique_ptr<database::Result<database::Track>> res(
-      db->GetTracks(5).get());
+      db->GetTracks(20).get());
   while (true) {
     for (database::Track s : res->values()) {
       std::cout << s.tags().title.value_or("[BLANK]") << std::endl;
@@ -166,7 +183,7 @@ int CmdDbDump(int argc, char** argv) {
     return 1;
   }
 
-  auto db = sInstance->database_.lock();
+  auto db = AppConsole::sDatabase.lock();
   if (!db) {
     std::cout << "no database open" << std::endl;
     return 1;
@@ -201,14 +218,6 @@ void RegisterDbDump() {
   esp_console_cmd_register(&cmd);
 }
 
-AppConsole::AppConsole(const std::weak_ptr<database::Database>& database)
-    : database_(database) {
-  sInstance = this;
-}
-AppConsole::~AppConsole() {
-  sInstance = nullptr;
-}
-
 auto AppConsole::RegisterExtraComponents() -> void {
   RegisterListDir();
   RegisterPlayFile();
diff --git a/src/app_console/include/app_console.hpp b/src/app_console/include/app_console.hpp
index 32242d16..48ce0d38 100644
--- a/src/app_console/include/app_console.hpp
+++ b/src/app_console/include/app_console.hpp
@@ -15,10 +15,7 @@ namespace console {
 
 class AppConsole : public Console {
  public:
-  explicit AppConsole(const std::weak_ptr<database::Database>& database);
-  virtual ~AppConsole();
-
-  const std::weak_ptr<database::Database>& database_;
+  static std::weak_ptr<database::Database> sDatabase;
 
  protected:
   virtual auto RegisterExtraComponents() -> void;
diff --git a/src/database/database.cpp b/src/database/database.cpp
index 9206256f..a96b3eab 100644
--- a/src/database/database.cpp
+++ b/src/database/database.cpp
@@ -17,6 +17,7 @@
 
 #include "esp_log.h"
 #include "ff.h"
+#include "freertos/projdefs.h"
 #include "leveldb/cache.h"
 #include "leveldb/db.h"
 #include "leveldb/iterator.h"
@@ -68,12 +69,13 @@ auto Database::Open(IFileGatherer* gatherer, ITagParser* parser)
     return cpp::fail(DatabaseError::ALREADY_OPEN);
   }
 
+  leveldb::sBackgroundThread.reset(
+      tasks::Worker::Start<tasks::Type::kDatabaseBackground>());
   std::shared_ptr<tasks::Worker> worker(
       tasks::Worker::Start<tasks::Type::kDatabase>());
-  leveldb::sBackgroundThread = std::weak_ptr<tasks::Worker>(worker);
   return worker
       ->Dispatch<cpp::result<Database*, DatabaseError>>(
-          [&]() -> cpp::result<Database*, DatabaseError> {
+          [=]() -> cpp::result<Database*, DatabaseError> {
             leveldb::DB* db;
             leveldb::Cache* cache = leveldb::NewLRUCache(24 * 1024);
             leveldb::Options options;
@@ -121,7 +123,7 @@ Database::~Database() {
   delete db_;
   delete cache_;
 
-  leveldb::sBackgroundThread = std::weak_ptr<tasks::Worker>();
+  leveldb::sBackgroundThread.reset();
 
   sIsDbOpen.store(false);
 }
diff --git a/src/database/env_esp.cpp b/src/database/env_esp.cpp
index 704e0a54..ad1f2221 100644
--- a/src/database/env_esp.cpp
+++ b/src/database/env_esp.cpp
@@ -15,6 +15,7 @@
 #include <cstring>
 #include <functional>
 #include <limits>
+#include <memory>
 #include <mutex>
 #include <queue>
 #include <set>
@@ -39,7 +40,7 @@
 
 namespace leveldb {
 
-std::weak_ptr<tasks::Worker> sBackgroundThread;
+std::shared_ptr<tasks::Worker> sBackgroundThread;
 
 std::string ErrToStr(FRESULT err) {
   switch (err) {
@@ -463,7 +464,7 @@ EspEnv::EspEnv() {}
 void EspEnv::Schedule(
     void (*background_work_function)(void* background_work_arg),
     void* background_work_arg) {
-  auto worker = sBackgroundThread.lock();
+  auto worker = sBackgroundThread;
   if (worker) {
     worker->Dispatch<void>(
         [=]() { std::invoke(background_work_function, background_work_arg); });
diff --git a/src/database/include/env_esp.hpp b/src/database/include/env_esp.hpp
index c7da6d91..eba6e8a9 100644
--- a/src/database/include/env_esp.hpp
+++ b/src/database/include/env_esp.hpp
@@ -18,7 +18,7 @@
 
 namespace leveldb {
 
-extern std::weak_ptr<tasks::Worker> sBackgroundThread;
+extern std::shared_ptr<tasks::Worker> sBackgroundThread;
 
 // Tracks the files locked by EspEnv::LockFile().
 //
diff --git a/src/database/tag_parser.cpp b/src/database/tag_parser.cpp
index 5bca0b58..83b0a796 100644
--- a/src/database/tag_parser.cpp
+++ b/src/database/tag_parser.cpp
@@ -73,6 +73,12 @@ static const char* kTag = "TAGS";
 
 auto TagParserImpl::ReadAndParseTags(const std::string& path, TrackTags* out)
     -> bool {
+  if (path.ends_with(".m4a")) {
+    // TODO(jacqueline): Re-enabled once libtags is fixed.
+    ESP_LOGW(kTag, "skipping m4a %s", path.c_str());
+    return false;
+  }
+
   libtags::Aux aux;
   aux.tags = out;
   if (f_stat(path.c_str(), &aux.info) != FR_OK ||
diff --git a/src/drivers/samd.cpp b/src/drivers/samd.cpp
index 5ed99666..e87fc9d8 100644
--- a/src/drivers/samd.cpp
+++ b/src/drivers/samd.cpp
@@ -38,7 +38,7 @@ Samd::Samd() {
       .read(&raw_res, I2C_MASTER_NACK)
       .stop();
   ESP_LOGI(kTag, "checking samd firmware rev");
-  ESP_ERROR_CHECK(transaction.Execute());
+  transaction.Execute();
   ESP_LOGI(kTag, "samd firmware: %u", raw_res);
 }
 Samd::~Samd() {}
@@ -53,7 +53,7 @@ auto Samd::ReadChargeStatus() -> std::optional<ChargeStatus> {
       .read(&raw_res, I2C_MASTER_NACK)
       .stop();
   ESP_LOGI(kTag, "checking charge status");
-  ESP_ERROR_CHECK(transaction.Execute());
+  transaction.Execute();
   ESP_LOGI(kTag, "raw charge status: %x", raw_res);
 
   uint8_t usb_state = raw_res & 0b11;
@@ -83,7 +83,7 @@ auto Samd::WriteAllowUsbMsc(bool is_allowed) -> void {
       .write_addr(kAddress, I2C_MASTER_WRITE)
       .write_ack(kRegisterUsbMsc, is_allowed)
       .stop();
-  ESP_ERROR_CHECK(transaction.Execute());
+  transaction.Execute();
 }
 
 auto Samd::ReadUsbMscStatus() -> UsbMscStatus {
diff --git a/src/drivers/touchwheel.cpp b/src/drivers/touchwheel.cpp
index cd189388..576b6dad 100644
--- a/src/drivers/touchwheel.cpp
+++ b/src/drivers/touchwheel.cpp
@@ -65,7 +65,7 @@ void TouchWheel::WriteRegister(uint8_t reg, uint8_t val) {
       .write_addr(kTouchWheelAddress, I2C_MASTER_WRITE)
       .write_ack(reg, val)
       .stop();
-  ESP_ERROR_CHECK(transaction.Execute());
+  transaction.Execute();
 }
 
 uint8_t TouchWheel::ReadRegister(uint8_t reg) {
@@ -78,7 +78,7 @@ uint8_t TouchWheel::ReadRegister(uint8_t reg) {
       .write_addr(kTouchWheelAddress, I2C_MASTER_READ)
       .read(&res, I2C_MASTER_NACK)
       .stop();
-  ESP_ERROR_CHECK(transaction.Execute());
+  transaction.Execute();
   return res;
 }
 
diff --git a/src/system_fsm/booting.cpp b/src/system_fsm/booting.cpp
index 1ad8c02d..1e1b2959 100644
--- a/src/system_fsm/booting.cpp
+++ b/src/system_fsm/booting.cpp
@@ -27,8 +27,6 @@ namespace states {
 
 static const char kTag[] = "BOOT";
 
-console::AppConsole* Booting::sAppConsole;
-
 auto Booting::entry() -> void {
   ESP_LOGI(kTag, "beginning tangara boot");
   ESP_LOGI(kTag, "installing early drivers");
@@ -78,7 +76,7 @@ auto Booting::entry() -> void {
 
 auto Booting::exit() -> void {
   // TODO(jacqueline): Gate this on something. Debug flag? Flashing mode?
-  sAppConsole = new console::AppConsole(sDatabase);
+  sAppConsole = new console::AppConsole();
   sAppConsole->Launch();
 }
 
diff --git a/src/system_fsm/include/system_fsm.hpp b/src/system_fsm/include/system_fsm.hpp
index 89cdcf47..037c0a0e 100644
--- a/src/system_fsm/include/system_fsm.hpp
+++ b/src/system_fsm/include/system_fsm.hpp
@@ -56,6 +56,8 @@ class SystemState : public tinyfsm::Fsm<SystemState> {
   static std::shared_ptr<drivers::SdStorage> sStorage;
   static std::shared_ptr<drivers::Display> sDisplay;
   static std::shared_ptr<database::Database> sDatabase;
+
+  static console::AppConsole* sAppConsole;
 };
 
 namespace states {
@@ -65,9 +67,6 @@ namespace states {
  * looks good.
  */
 class Booting : public SystemState {
- private:
-  static console::AppConsole* sAppConsole;
-
  public:
   void entry() override;
   void exit() override;
diff --git a/src/system_fsm/running.cpp b/src/system_fsm/running.cpp
index 9116ec9d..f9ff6140 100644
--- a/src/system_fsm/running.cpp
+++ b/src/system_fsm/running.cpp
@@ -4,6 +4,7 @@
  * SPDX-License-Identifier: GPL-3.0-only
  */
 
+#include "app_console.hpp"
 #include "freertos/projdefs.h"
 #include "result.hpp"
 
@@ -28,6 +29,7 @@ void Running::entry() {
   vTaskDelay(pdMS_TO_TICKS(250));
   auto storage_res = drivers::SdStorage::Create(sGpioExpander.get());
   if (storage_res.has_error()) {
+    ESP_LOGW(kTag, "failed to mount!");
     events::Dispatch<StorageError, SystemState, audio::AudioState, ui::UiState>(
         StorageError());
     return;
@@ -38,11 +40,13 @@ void Running::entry() {
   ESP_LOGI(kTag, "opening database");
   auto database_res = database::Database::Open();
   if (database_res.has_error()) {
+    ESP_LOGW(kTag, "failed to open!");
     events::Dispatch<StorageError, SystemState, audio::AudioState, ui::UiState>(
         StorageError());
     return;
   }
   sDatabase.reset(database_res.value());
+  console::AppConsole::sDatabase = sDatabase;
 
   ESP_LOGI(kTag, "storage loaded okay");
   events::Dispatch<StorageMounted, SystemState, audio::AudioState, ui::UiState>(
diff --git a/src/system_fsm/system_fsm.cpp b/src/system_fsm/system_fsm.cpp
index bcab298c..c59c0908 100644
--- a/src/system_fsm/system_fsm.cpp
+++ b/src/system_fsm/system_fsm.cpp
@@ -20,6 +20,8 @@ std::shared_ptr<drivers::SdStorage> SystemState::sStorage;
 std::shared_ptr<drivers::Display> SystemState::sDisplay;
 std::shared_ptr<database::Database> SystemState::sDatabase;
 
+console::AppConsole* SystemState::sAppConsole;
+
 void SystemState::react(const FatalError& err) {
   if (!is_in_state<states::Error>()) {
     transit<states::Error>();
diff --git a/src/tasks/tasks.cpp b/src/tasks/tasks.cpp
index 2477d8b9..c28f463c 100644
--- a/src/tasks/tasks.cpp
+++ b/src/tasks/tasks.cpp
@@ -5,7 +5,9 @@
  */
 
 #include "tasks.hpp"
+
 #include <functional>
+
 #include "esp_heap_caps.h"
 #include "freertos/FreeRTOS.h"
 #include "freertos/portmacro.h"
@@ -31,6 +33,10 @@ template <>
 auto Name<Type::kDatabase>() -> std::string {
   return "DB";
 }
+template <>
+auto Name<Type::kDatabaseBackground>() -> std::string {
+  return "DB_BG";
+}
 
 template <Type t>
 auto AllocateStack() -> cpp::span<StackType_t>;
@@ -39,7 +45,7 @@ auto AllocateStack() -> cpp::span<StackType_t>;
 // amount of stack space.
 template <>
 auto AllocateStack<Type::kAudio>() -> cpp::span<StackType_t> {
-  std::size_t size = 48 * 1024;
+  std::size_t size = 32 * 1024;
   return {static_cast<StackType_t*>(heap_caps_malloc(size, MALLOC_CAP_DEFAULT)),
           size};
 }
@@ -67,6 +73,12 @@ auto AllocateStack<Type::kDatabase>() -> cpp::span<StackType_t> {
   return {static_cast<StackType_t*>(heap_caps_malloc(size, MALLOC_CAP_SPIRAM)),
           size};
 }
+template <>
+auto AllocateStack<Type::kDatabaseBackground>() -> cpp::span<StackType_t> {
+  std::size_t size = 256 * 1024;
+  return {static_cast<StackType_t*>(heap_caps_malloc(size, MALLOC_CAP_SPIRAM)),
+          size};
+}
 
 // 2048 bytes in internal ram
 // 302 KiB in external ram.
@@ -106,6 +118,10 @@ template <>
 auto Priority<Type::kDatabase>() -> UBaseType_t {
   return 8;
 }
+template <>
+auto Priority<Type::kDatabaseBackground>() -> UBaseType_t {
+  return 7;
+}
 
 template <Type t>
 auto WorkerQueueSize() -> std::size_t;
@@ -114,6 +130,10 @@ template <>
 auto WorkerQueueSize<Type::kDatabase>() -> std::size_t {
   return 8;
 }
+template <>
+auto WorkerQueueSize<Type::kDatabaseBackground>() -> std::size_t {
+  return 8;
+}
 
 template <>
 auto WorkerQueueSize<Type::kUiFlush>() -> std::size_t {
diff --git a/src/tasks/tasks.hpp b/src/tasks/tasks.hpp
index 955acd9f..4e5dfd17 100644
--- a/src/tasks/tasks.hpp
+++ b/src/tasks/tasks.hpp
@@ -36,6 +36,8 @@ enum class Type {
   kAudio,
   // Task for running database queries.
   kDatabase,
+  // Task for internal database operations
+  kDatabaseBackground,
 };
 
 template <Type t>
@@ -102,6 +104,9 @@ class Worker {
   }
 
   ~Worker();
+
+  Worker(const Worker&) = delete;
+  Worker& operator=(const Worker&) = delete;
 };
 
 /* Specialisation of Evaluate for functions that return nothing. */