amarillo

every tour has at least one show that is completely, unexpectedly, awesome.

there have been a few of those on this tour, (the Harlem show is definitely up there), but the most surprising this time was Amarillo.

we had just spent two days traveling from Maryland, with a quick stop over and show in St Louis, when we arrived in Texas.

our bodies were stiff from all that sitting, and our brains were delirious.  (we came up with a brilliant plan to tour via horse and carriage next time.  we really entertained that shit for a solid several minutes.)

so, yes.  delirium.  that was our state when we rolled into the 806 in Amarillo.

we had no idea what to expect from the 806, and we were pleased to roll up onto a funky cafe in an happening part of town.  we were running super late, but our friend Toby- of Former Friends of Young Americans- was there and ready to go.  so he helped us unload our gear, and just as soon as we were set up he began his set.

the crowd was small (though perhaps not, considering it was 10pm on a Wednesday), but they were attentive and enthusiastic.  and i think any musician will tell you that it's way more fulfilling to play for a handful of receptive and interested people, than a room full of people that couldn't care less about new music.

by the time we got to the last couple of songs of our set some more faces had shown up at the bar, and they wanted us to play more, so we played more.  it was awesome.  they were awesome.

one of the guys who came to the show at the end offered to let us crash at his place down the street.  his place just happened to be a gigantic print-making studio, where he and another band mate also live and play music.

it was huge and dope and comfortable and awesome.

((Foxfire Experiment, if you happen to be reading this, thanks again for putting us up!!  you guys rock.))

there are many more stories i could tell, but i'm sick of writing now.  maybe i'll tell them some other time.  and i do need to let you know all about the madness/not-so-madness of NYC.

until the next,

s

currently listening to:  Joy Division

hi from new york

we made it across the country!  more than 3000 miles, a shit ton of toll roads through the midwest, and outrageously beautiful fall foliage in upstate New York.

The shows have been all over the place.  We got heckled by an old man in Oneonta, and i found my inner New Yorker when someone requested Journey in the middle of a song.  (it might just be my favorite rock n' roll moment to date.)

New York pizza totally lives up to its reputation.  Our new favorite bar is Burn Castle, where the Barley Wine is strong and smooth and noise is kept to a low hum with a periodic and gentle 'shhhh' from the bar tender.  (That sounds weird, but it was perfect.)

Also - we bumped into Louis CK on the street!  He was eating ice cream on the corner with his kids, it was almost too perfect to believe.  We tried to be cool, but given the fact that he is awesome and we love him, we couldn't help but loudly identifying him and then saying "you're fucking awesome!"  (because i am a jerk who drops the f bomb in front of children.)  he gave us a side glance and a nod, and then got the hell out of there.

Last night we played at the Shrine in Harlem (pictured above), and it was hands-down our favorite show of tour so far.  The space was funky-- plastered in posters, records and other music memorabilia, the vibe was warm and friendly, the music was eclectic and groovy, and the sound man NAILED it!!  Mati, if you're out there, will you tour with us and be our sound man?!?  :)  seriously.

Tonight we play at The Way Station in Brooklyn!

yay.  i love tour.  and i definitely LOVE new york.

until the next,

s

chicago

We busted ass across the west half of the US - through snow, construction, fall foliage, and the craziest lightning storm either of us has ever seen - stopping twice to play in Denver and Lincoln, before pausing for three days in Chicago.

When we arrived in the windy city we were met with a sudden rain storm, a perfectly ominous setting for our visit with Fearless Radio on Michigan Ave.  Listen to the podcast.

That night we played a cozy show at Uncommon Ground with Brice Woodall, and then proceeded to enjoy the shit out of being tourists for the next two days.

The Art Institute, the river walk, Handlebar in Wicker Park... those were some of the highlights.  and the bean, of course.  (aka Cloud Nimbus 9)

The architecture, the lines, the stainless steel train cars, the brick and grit and industry of it all... Chicago, we like you.


until the next,

s