- release - revolve - renew -
Monday, February 28, 2011
Wednesday, February 9, 2011
Wednesday, January 26, 2011
Canada.
It's as if for a few days my life in Philadelphia never existed; sort of like a movie you vaguely remember seeing. The Rosetta van pulled up to my school around 3pm on Friday to leave for our Canadian shows with Kylesa. It's now Wednesday and I'm administering finals to my students. Only 5 hours ago(5am), Bj dropped me off at my mothers house only a few blocks from the school where she graciously allowed me the use of her shower and the privilege to raid her fridge for much needed calories.
HHS let me take two personal days off from school to do the tour, so I had review work for the kids here. For once I was not stressed out about what they were doing, who was here with them, or if any trouble was about. For once I was able to let go and enjoy tour for what it was. For once I was able to live in a moment.
More often than not I feel like I'm never “here”. “Here” being where my body is at any given time. Most nights while playing shows my head is at home, or in this case, here at school. While I'm at home or at school my head out on the road.
For once I was able to enjoy the time that I had in a new place, and truly give my full attention to the new people I was interacting with. Canada was rad. Sold out shows, good crowds, good people, terrible pizza.
It's the people keep me doing this. It's them that keep me motivated to get in a van at 11pm and drive to Philadelphia, to teach at 6am, only to get back in said van at 3pm to play another show at 9pm. Then, we do it all over again. Without the individuals that put us up at night, offer us their food, floor space, and shower, without you we would never do this. Without the people who thank us for coming, we would never leave our homes in the first place.
There were so many great interactions with new people, never environments, and new ideas on this tour. Ideas that I've quickly adapted into my life and routines. For example, Dave and I attended a Yoga class in Toronto that a family member of his teaches. A few of her exercises for detox and stress relief have made their way into my warm up exercises before we play.
The family we stayed with in Ottawa were especially memorable. The interaction between the husband and wife were particularly amazing to watch. I meet so many couples that work together in order to survive. While they were not different in this aspect(survival is key especially in any family unit), they spoke a lot of influencing one another in realms of entertainment and thought. They worked to survive and support their three children, but they never lost the passion for one another that allows them to share experiences and ideas. It was refreshing. I envy that passion, and thank you for your kindness and warmth.
HHS let me take two personal days off from school to do the tour, so I had review work for the kids here. For once I was not stressed out about what they were doing, who was here with them, or if any trouble was about. For once I was able to let go and enjoy tour for what it was. For once I was able to live in a moment.
More often than not I feel like I'm never “here”. “Here” being where my body is at any given time. Most nights while playing shows my head is at home, or in this case, here at school. While I'm at home or at school my head out on the road.
For once I was able to enjoy the time that I had in a new place, and truly give my full attention to the new people I was interacting with. Canada was rad. Sold out shows, good crowds, good people, terrible pizza.
It's the people keep me doing this. It's them that keep me motivated to get in a van at 11pm and drive to Philadelphia, to teach at 6am, only to get back in said van at 3pm to play another show at 9pm. Then, we do it all over again. Without the individuals that put us up at night, offer us their food, floor space, and shower, without you we would never do this. Without the people who thank us for coming, we would never leave our homes in the first place.
There were so many great interactions with new people, never environments, and new ideas on this tour. Ideas that I've quickly adapted into my life and routines. For example, Dave and I attended a Yoga class in Toronto that a family member of his teaches. A few of her exercises for detox and stress relief have made their way into my warm up exercises before we play.
The family we stayed with in Ottawa were especially memorable. The interaction between the husband and wife were particularly amazing to watch. I meet so many couples that work together in order to survive. While they were not different in this aspect(survival is key especially in any family unit), they spoke a lot of influencing one another in realms of entertainment and thought. They worked to survive and support their three children, but they never lost the passion for one another that allows them to share experiences and ideas. It was refreshing. I envy that passion, and thank you for your kindness and warmth.
Sunday, November 7, 2010
Monday, August 23, 2010
It's the drive home that kills me. Every time. No matter how long or how short, the same thought circulates around and around: Did I make enough of the time I had?
For thirty days I traveled one end of the United States to the other and back with eight fantastic gentlemen. Yet for 3/4ths of this summers tour I was unable to shake the though of missed opportunities.
It was in Austin Texas that I decided to no longer live behind a wall while in the company of people I travel with, people I call family. We rolled in Eric's old apartment at 2am, after a 14hour drive from New Mexico. The majority of the traveling party went straight to bed. Dave, Eric, Andrew, Ty, and I stayed awake. We were doing nothing more than relaxing, conversing about bands we liked and the good people in them, record labels we liked and did not like, and again, the good people in them.
Around 4am, we decided that it would be a good idea to take a dip in the developments pool, again sitting around, talking about moments, men, and places. At the time nothing else really mattered-no worries of home, money, school, dogs, girls-but the moment. As deliriously tired as I was, I knew I was in the company of good people, bonding, feeling as if I was making the most of the moments I had with them.
Upon laying down on the hardwood floor of the vacant apartment(we were basically squatting), I could not help but reflect on days past, on how much I would have liked to have stayed up with the guys in North, or spend more time with Davy and Andre Weiss, just like I did tonight.
The later stress of tour would prove this new mantra hard to follow. The last leg of tour was plagued with poor promotion, poor payments, and poor decisions by promoters themselves- as in putting together a 5 band bill that starts at 10pm. This really destroyed my attitude and I found myself hidden behind a book for days at a time, talking to no one, interacting with people only to sell a CD or shirt.
Coming home however, and realizing how important personal interaction is, and how much I've actually missed out on these past few years has been somewhat liberating. I'm going out more, checking out random shows, “just because the article in the paper sounded cool”, and I'm actually calling people instead of holding up behind Ableton Live 8 on a Saturday night.
Now that I have a house-I'm a homeowner now- I might even have people over. But lets not take this too far just yet. Brick by brick I'll remove my own wall down.
Sunday, July 4, 2010
Day one: Detroit
The van blew a coolant line, causing the engine to overheat. This cost us close to $200.00 to fix and tow, and about 4hrs of drive time.
By the time we ended up back on the road, our estimated arrive time was around midnight.
All was well in the end. We did arrive at midnight. While this should have killed the evening for us, a bunch of kids stuck around and waited for us. They also had a meal waiting for us that was greatly appreciated. While we never expect to be fed, it's always a plus.
We stayed with a friend in Ann Arbor. Most people were up late drinking moonshine and listening to The Talking Heads. A few of us felt sleeping was more appropriate as the 14hour drive from Philadelphia proved exhausting.
Water Report: Detroit drinking water has a heavy taste of lead. This has been the worst tap water I've ever had.
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