Day 8 (Saturday) Hogfarm Studios, Biddeford, Maine

Writing this entry from the barn at Hogfarm Studio, I asked Matt to help me because I slept the entire ride here from NYC. Well, I have come to find out that Matt partied as hard as I did last night and slept even more than I did on the road. I guess that means we'll write about last night's afterparty and skip right to tonight's gig. We both had different experiences than the main group last night; let's start there. Right after the show Matt and the rest of the band (except me) took a subway to Rebecca's place in Harlem. He stopped by just to know where it is and to put down the sleeping bag, then he went out to a cab. He took it to the Village and then went to Smalls, the hot spot where New York jazz musicians go to jam after their gigs. About that time I had finished gathering my extra-sparse survival bag (mainly my computer in case I was called by OTC) and went out with friends, separately from the band. I did not expect this night to go the way it did. Who would have thought that in the city best known to outsiders for being tough and cold that I would find one of the warmest sets of friends I have met since I travelled Europe? While I was picking up some corn flavored ice cream to replenish the party supply, Matt was walking the last two blocks to Smalls. As he rounded the corner, two guys with instruments were on their way to the subway... Matt stopped them "Hey guys, do you know where smalls is?" It was just down the block. "Why, are you playing?" they chuckled. Yes, Matt was going to sit in for a song or two. "Heh, good luck" they said and walked off. Matt stayed at Smalls, listening and even playing a little, until about 4 in the morning. On his way back he got out of the cab and soon realized that he had gotten out 13 blocks too early. So Matt had the pleasure of crossing 13 blocks of Harlem at 4:30 in the morning. There were people "face mugging" him left and right, he says, giving him plenty of evil looks. But the Doctor kept his cool, even when an oncoming pedestrian spit directly at his immediate path. I, on the other hand, was having a slightly different evening, I watched Oh Brother, Where Art Thou for the first time and had a memorable break from the hard pace of the tour with a great set of new, but warmhearted friends. When morning came and it was time to go, I was not ready (and had not slept!), but at the same time I was more buoyant than I even could have hoped.

We left New York, and a forty winks later we arrived at Hogfarm Studio, where we were greeted with homemade soup, cider, lasagna, salad, showers, and a beautifully-kept building from 1880 by Gil and Coco, the loveliest couple of people ever, I am convinced. I don't know how this is happening, but it seems like every stop on this tour tries to outdo the last. The (very comfortable) barn and the house are clearly extensions of Gil and Coco's love for what they do.

We played with Andy (Tom Thumb), a gent with an intriguing banjo picking style that particularly caught Justin's attention. Then up came Dustin Hamman (Run on Sentence) with a variety of lighthearted and deeper songs with occasional vocal "instrumental solos" that captured the character of each instrument to amazing detail. Trumpet and musical saw made the biggest impression on me, but there were several more, each sung in style with an artistry that would make the instrumentalists themselves jealous. Midwest Dilemma played last. We are starting to have more fun with our more familiar songs, and the extra time spent on new material is paying off. I can't wait to get started on that next album.

Day 4, Village Green Records in Muncie, Indiana

Village Green was in an old converted frat house, but all the frat boys seemed to have left the scene years ago. This was the youngest audience we had played for yet, what a cool vibe. I felt like we gave a new sound to a lot of people tonight.

Josh personally took us out for Cajun food just before the show. Man, it was nice to have a hot meal. Very cool Josh, thank you! Later on I had a great conversation with the owner about various classical influences... different from what I expected.

The opener, Joel Levi was fantastic. He reminded Justin of Kyle Harvey, and Liz thinks he would fit fantastically in the Omaha scene. For me personally, it is rare to find someone who has such a sustained, touching quality in both the guitar and vocal music, right from the outset, right to the end.

Drew Danburry was supposed to play tonight, but he broke down in Florida. I hope you're doing okay now Drew!

We're leaving immediately for Philly after the show. 11 straight hours in the car with each other with little sleep or room to move? I'm praying for patience and humor.

Day 2, Paradigm in Sheboygan

When we got to Kate and Nate's home with Ilaac last night we had a big living room to sleep in, so we stuffed 5 guys side-by-side, with Liz on the couch overlooking the melee. I think she has pictures of the people salad, I'll try to post them once I figure out how. By some miracle yesterday ended early for me. Even in the middle of everyone yelling and laughing I laid down and stayed awake just long enough to see the first social meanderings of the night. In the morning I was happily opening my eyes when the conversation quickly went from "what time do we have to get there tonight" to "OMG WE'RE LEAVING NOW". I guess none of us expected it to take 7 hours from Ames to Sheboygan.

We just got to the first gas station when Justin got a call. Liz had left her clarinet at the house. Isaac was on his way with it, so we parked where we could with the big van/trailer in that crowded gas station... right in the middle of the road. There was room to get around us until a family misunderstood what was going on and parked in the middle of the road right next to us! That left one lane for both directions of traffic, until a hunter in a pickup decided to join the party too. Justin got a picture, I'll probably get it up after the tour.

The tour feel hasn't quite set in yet, but it is beginning to manifest itself as fatigue and random attempts at entertainment. As proof of that, I will tell you that I now know that Wal-Mart is the World's biggest company with just over 2 million employees, and Mr. Dell's wife owns a completely inaccessible fashion line called Phi, which has quite the website but no outfits for sale ANYWHERE that I can find, outside of their probably-appointment-only locations. The appointment-free breaking into of which will definitely be a goal of mine when I reach New York. Not criminally, just...socially. Mrs Dell looked like a reasonable enough person to accept my self invitation. After all, she did marry a dude who sits on the President's Council for Technology and Cool Gadgets.

On the road we ate Wisconsin cheese curds (be jealous). Just, eat them before they get moldy. I couldn't figure out why everyone seemed so strange today until I heard something about partying in Ames to 4 AM. I am just glad I went to sleep, because the GPS's strange choice of country roads seemed to be bothering me a lot less than them. I'm sure I will care more when it's me behind the wheel tomorrow. I can hardly believe we're going from northern Wisconsin to Louisville on consecutive days. It is a good thing I love these guys.

The Show: Paradigm was full of bikes and pictures of bikes. I was at home, and the owner Kate was even better than I could have hoped for. So hospitable and clearly did a super job planning the show. Love the drums and the eery / shimmering reminiscent vocal harmonies in Cedarwell. They just went to Europe. Reminds me that I have to start pulling contacts in Switzerland for next summer.. I hope we can be so lucky.

We slept in a 2-bedroom apartment with 2 beds, 1 bunk, and a rollaway. Kate was such a sweetheart, and the house was literally ours for the night. I can't wait to go back, and next time I am bringing my bike!