Tour Diary - Part 7

Crossing into Alabama, en route to Birmingham - The Satellite, one of the all-time best back stages in America that I'm aware of. It's the entire second floor of the venue and it's set up like a nice loft apartment... very cosy and welcoming. Record player, games... good seating. We're all looking forward to it.

Yesterday was a nice and easy day - Having recently spent a few weeks in New Orleans, and considering the heat I felt absolutely no desire to do or see anything in the Big Easy. So, I hung out on the bus, had a soundcheck, and just rested up for the show. (I detailed my morning bathroom activities on Office Hours yesterday if you want more details about THAT!)

JP arranged for a big mess of peel-and-eat shrimp, corn on the cob, potatoes (both cooked in the shrimp juices) red beans and rice, gumbo, etc... for backstage which had things smelling like seawater, but it was really delicious... our merch person Heather delivered some beignets from Cafe Du Monde, which I personally do not care for, but everyone else loved (suckers)

The show was really great! Nice packed room. Stand up set was on point, with the new stuff really getting solid (as solid as that can get)

The music set was good too - the sound was excellent on stage. I had a few goofs here and there... The crowd was a little tame at first. I get it. I don't know what to do with my body at a rock show either, and it was one of those sight lines/lighting situations where I could see everyone very clearly... So it took a little bit of encouragement for people to loosen up but soon it spread and I got people moving.  There's still a fair amount of apprehension at first about the music set from the crowd. I feel it... But after a few numbers, I think the music and the playing is undeniable and people just... relax!

I slipped in a loose version of Pusswhip's Jambalaya into the set which the band learned at sound check. That was fun.

The last time I played the Joy Theater, in 2020 with Eric, it was my birthday. We had a really lovely celebration the night before - Eric had arranged a private Creole-style dinner, which was delicious.... a second line band came in and played in the living room. It was really fun. But on the night of the show, my actual birthday, it went unmentioned on the stage... I felt a little hurt - and I felt stupid for feeling hurt - JP and I have talked about it and from his perspective, he and Eric had planned to present me with a cake at the end of the show,, but during the day I had kind of blew off a Happy Birthday from JP, as I do tend to not want to make a big deal about it and he thought maybe I didn't want the attention. I think he and Eric maybe put it aside or forgot... But when the show ended in the back of my mind I was expecting Eric to say something during the portion where we come out and thank everyone for coming... but nothing happened and I walked off angry and annoyed that I was angry. It was probably a bit of road weariness and homesickness mixed in as well...

It's something JP and I talked about with the band, as a story from the theater and so last night, to my actual surprise, JP and Vic brought me out a cake during the encore. It must have been confusing for the audience who may know my actual birthday is in February but everyone played along and it was all together very sweet and funny as I ended the night clarifying my birthday is in February.

After the show, I snuck into the bus, undetected passing by a couple in beaver boys costumes. I just wasn't feeling like talking, to protect my voice. Vic came in and started one of his Vic experiences, which was one TV playing an 80s New Age ambient music and the other TV playing some weirdo who speaks in tongues. They worked surprisingly well together.

I felt a little bad for the beaver boys, so said to Vic "Hey how about we create a weird experience for them: I'll sit here meditating and you go out and see if they wanna come in and sneak a peek of me - he's resting but you can see him.  In my mind, I thought Vic would just let them come to the entrance of the main cabin and then leave but the couple came in and sat down, and then another couple came in - I committed to the bit and just sat there, eyes closed, meditating.

It seemed to me more of a memorable experience, than just a picture or a handshake.  I got it on video for you to see! https://youtu.be/upVGGdriFkI

OK, that's all for now! See you tonight Birmingham!