Tour Diary Part 8

Houston we have a problem! Just kidding. We are in Houston though, so...

Where have I been? I think Birmingham is the last time we spoke... I hope you all saw Phil's masterful performance which he repeated in Atlanta a few days later. We had a day off in Atlanta and Michael (Puddles Pity Party) invited us all over to his house. Only Eric P. and I went over and had a nice time, drinking some good wine and playing guitars - Puddles had mentioned that Kevin Costner had reached out to him about doing something and we all started trying to write a cowboy song for him... Pretty quickly a tune emerged and we started writing a little story... The song came together quickly and it was pretty good! We made a little demo and I think it's pointing towards a theme for a new record. I had written a song backstage in Birmingham the day before that felt in the same ballpark and now I have another one.... Western, cowboy songs, murder ballads, dark tales to be sung around the campfire... the road she does provide inspiration for me.

A run though Florida gave us a little warmth... we found the little section of Orlando we were in to be quite livable and pleasant. I met my dad and his partner for some thai food and had a nice little catch up with them. Saint Petersburg was strange - parked just a few blocks from the bay, Ellie and I walked down by the boats but hit a dead end on route to the pier and headed back. We were playing at a strange cursed, outdoor venue, way to big for our little Floridian demographic. It started pouring about 3pm, just in time for soundcheck. A steady rain set in for the next three hours. Funny, the only outdoor show on the tour lined up with significant precipitation. A fan of mine who happens to be a professional photographer for the NFL came by early and snapped some pictures throughout the day and into the night.

The rain tapered before doors and the soggy venue opened up to a trickle of die hards who did their best to fill the space. We were at least 10 feet up from the crowd and played as if we were at Coachella, giving it our all... And despite the small crowd we all had a fun one... the crowd delivered for us. It was our final night with Doug and we were all sad to see him go. Doug was a model bus mate and a great hang all around which you can all just imagine can't ya?

Another off day in Mobile Al, where it was a sunny 31 degrees. We all had a late breakfast at Waffle House and then strolled to a Guitar Center and a Good Will where I think I found my Oscar Special look.

We were parked on one of those boulevards where just about every lousy restaurant chain had staked a claim... I devised a game where we're write down 10 of those restaurants, then choose someone on the bus at random to pick from the 10... we were all relieved to find we chose Olive Garden... NOT BAD!

The next day I was woken to the sound of a blaring freight train whistle. We were parked right next to the train yards in Uptown New Orleans.

Ellie and I walked to Casamento's a few blocks away. A classic Cajun lunch counter hole in the wall, a touch touristy but also locally verified as THE spot. I displayed maximum patience as we waited a good 30 minutes for a table to open up. We finally sat and had top notch gumbo, a catfish loaf (more or less a po' boy on a thicker square sandwich bread and some crab claws... delicious.

We headed to the venue, the legendary rock club Tipitina's which was was located right at the head of the first Mardi Gras parade of the year... Folks were already starting to assemble around police barricades set up and within an hour or so the streets were brimming with activity, drum lines, parade floats, a flock of 20 Elvis impersonators a dizzying cacophony of sound and color. It seemed positivly absurd that we'd be playing in a few hours inside from the madness on the street.

Fred Armisen arrived from the airport a few hours before doors and magically made it through the closed streets and detours. He was in good spirits and we immediately launched into our usual routine of quick jokes, British rockers and mild shit talking.  

They held the doors until the parade subsided and pretty soon we had a nice full house with a very lively and festive crowd. After a few songs, I felt like we may be playing our best set to the best crowd! They were a little rowdy and chatty, but full of movement and life. The sound on stage was great and we all had a loose fun time. New Orleans is a tough spot for anyone to play, and I was really dreading this one. I wanted a good first impression for Fred and I was worried the whole night would be a dud but it was just about the opposite and we all headed out of town with a big collective smile.

We also felt the end near. Three more shows to go. A few remarked how quickly it flew by. I don't know. Doing the shows with Neil Hamburger seems like another lifetime ago. But yes in a sense it did fly by and I remain committed to this show and to these people I travel and create with.

So grateful to everyone who's come out and shared their time and money with us.

See you tonight Houston.... see you tomorrow Dallas.

Peace and Love,T