Adventure #18: Fall 2010 Tour (Day 3)

Adventure #18: Fall 2010 Tour (Day 3)

My car is sort of a mess. I only drive it long distances, or to gigs, so it's full of various food packaging, ancient sheet music, cracked CDs, and scrawled directions to various places I'll probably never go again. I clean it about once a year. Usually less. As such, the occasion is celebrated in several small island nations as an omen of a good harvest. They sacrifice ducks and offer burnt offerings. It's a lot of fun, I'm told. I woke up early and emptied the car, filled a trash bag with various paper and mail, and played an elaborate game of Tetris trying to repack all the things I need to bring along with me. And yes, I sang the song in my head. Also, out loud. This is Pen Pen achieving victory over my trunk.

Before I hit the road, my mom took me out to lunch at Johnny's in Newton Center. They have the best french fries. About 2 minutes onto the Mass Pike, my little car tape adapter thingie started cutting in and out. At first I thought it was just Radiohead, but when Shellac came on and it kept going I figured it out. Always test your audio gear with Shellac. I contemplated finding a piece of metal to stick in the socket and try to resolder it, but that seemed like maybe not a good idea. Luckily I had a roll of duct tape and was able to do a quick fix. About 20 minutes later the little check tire pressure light came on. Hooray! I refilled the air in the tires and headed back out. 5 minutes later the check pressure light came back on. Then it started raining. I spent the rest of the drive to Troy convinced of my impending death. Needless to say, I drove slowly. This is Pen Pen hoping he remembers how to change a tire.

Luckily, I didn't die in a horrible fiery cataclysm somewhere on the Mass Pike. Troy, NY reminds me a lot of Worcester. A former industrial center that the industry has mostly abandoned. Lots of warehouses and turn of the century houses with brightly painted brick. The Flavour Cafe and Lounge is located in the “Little Italy” neighborhood. I showed up and decided to explore the neighborhood a little bit. This is Pen Pen contemplating ditching the show and playing bingo instead.

The show was small, but fun. Nancy and Frank, Nate's mom and step-dad showed up. Frank had to leave halfway through but Nancy stuck around the whole time. I played for a handful of people who were generally attentive. There was a man in the back of the room who either gave me “polite applause” or more intent applause with a little nod that said “I approve of that one.” I appreciated the degrees of his appreciation. It was an appreciative ouroboros. This is Pen Pen guarding my stuff from my legions of rabid fans in Troy.

After the show I checked my tires. Still losing air. I decided first thing in the morning I'd pick up new tires. The last thing I need right now is to be stranded in the middle of nowhere in somewhere like Ohio, where I don't even speak the native language. They call soda “pop.” Soda is the name of the chemical that makes it pop, jerks. One describes what it is, the other describes what it does. I followed Nancy back to her and Frank's house a few towns over and set up in their guest room. She made me a grilled cheese sandwich with imported (by her) Irish cheddar. Yum. Next up: The Bug Jar in Rochester, NY. There are no details on the website, so I have no idea who else is playing. It'll be an adventure! This is Pen Pen relaxing with a beer after a long day of travel of not-dying.

This is a song I wrote this one time. You should download it and share it with your friends.

Breathing In Fast by nathanleigh

Adventure #17: Fall 2010 Tour (Day 2)

Adventure #17: Fall 2010 Tour (Day 2)

I woke up on Rich and Rose's couch about 10 minutes before my alarm went off. Couches will do that to you. We had breakfast and hung out for a bit before I hit the road. Krissy came over to pick up Rose, further proving my theory that the complex where they live is just our dorms from sophomore year transported a few miles west. This is Pen Pen being eaten by Krissy.

The drive from Uconn to Boston is basically autopilot for me at this point. I mostly spent a lot of time trying to figure out the chords to Jawbreaker's “Tour Song,” and avoiding speed traps. I stopped at my folk's place in Newton first to drop off some things and empty out my car a bit. But I forgot my keys to their house in Brooklyn. Go me! So I headed over to the venue instead. This is Pen Pen in front of the All Asia.

I used to play All Asia pretty regularly, so it was nice coming back to it. Sort of a homecomming show. Rebecca showed up with her cavalcade of siblings in tow, and Corrine stopped by on a break from a rehearsal. My parents came too. Also lots of other people. The room was pretty much packed at it's peak. Not bad for a Sunday afternoon. Thom Dunn started things off and played a killer song about being in love with Ellen from Pete and Pete. Seriously. I am determined to make a mashup video at some point. Marina Evans followed. She's friends with Dave from The Bremmentown Musicians, and I was totally blown away. The Bremmentown Musicians played a set of awesome folk and bluegrass, including "What Do You Do With A Drunken Sailor." I've known those guys in varying other bands for years, so it was cool to see their new project. I think this was their 3^rd or 4^th show. I played last, and did a mix of old and new stuff. It was nice when the room of people chatting quieted down for “Let's Get Lost.” That can be a hard one to do in a full room. I think people really enjoyed themselves, and I definitely did. Show number 2: total win. This is Pen Pen wishing they had Big Buck Hunter at the bar.

My parents took me out for Indian food after the show at this place nearby. It was delicious. It's sort of like going out for pizza after soccer practice, except I didn't really play soccer as a kid, and I'm 26. If there is a more perfect food than saag panir, I'd like to see it. And then eat it. After dinner, I stopped in at the rehearsal for the next Speakeasy show (Body Awareness) that I'm designing and composing later in the month. The score is for 2 acoustic guitars and a cello. It takes place in Vermont. I decided harmonica was overkill. This is Pen Pen on his way to the rehearsal hall.

I got back to my folks place and started getting stuff ready for the rest of the week. This is the last stop on my tour where I have a guaranteed bed to sleep in. From here on out: couches and floors! Next up: Troy, New York. Because, why not? This is Pen Pen enjoying his last night of relative comfort for a few weeks.

This is a song I wrote this one time. You should download it and share it with your friends.

You'll Never Want to Go Home by nathanleigh