by ty | September 21, 2006
Missouri, that is. I've been having a lot of fun on this little "swing" (see Louisvillain post for word choice explanation). We had a very raucous, energetic, fun crowd in Louisville at a fantastic queer community space called the Alternative. The moment we got there, Kim, one of the owners, told us all about the history of the space and offered us a tour around its cavernous rooms. She and her partner Gerene have been working very hard to create a safe, positive space for queer events in Louisville, and it seemed the entire community turned out that night for the show, welcoming us with loud hoots and that Louisville warmth & charm. We also managed to pick up a couple bottles of our favorite bourbon--Four Roses single barrel scotch--which you can only get in Kentucky and, um, Japan.
Then it was off to Lansing, MI for another memorable night at the Creole Gallery. Speaking of inspiring spaces--this place is amazing. Run by people who truly live art. The whole place is so intimately and creatively cared for and that same care is extended to everyone who walks in the door. I was a little nervous for some reason at the start of the show--those nerves creep up from time to time when i'm least expecting it--but everyone quickly put us at ease and we played lots of new songs and had a good old time.
In Chicago we began rehearsals with our friend Joe Chellman, who will be adding his drums and percussion to the new CD. We all had a feeling about Joe, and as soon as we heard what he came up with for the new songs, we understood why. Joe is not just talented as hell, but very present in his playing and interested in textures and layers of sound, which is right up our alley. He has some great ideas of his own, and is really good at bringing out the rhythms that are already suggested by the songs, rather than just laying drums on top of everything else. Very creative playing. We're all getting psyched to start recording next week.
The show that night at Schubas rocked, too, though we all missed hearing the drums after four hours of rehearsal! And now we're in Kansas City, MO, hanging at the hotel after a satisfying Waffle House experience this morning, catching up on email, workouts, and other things there's very little time for on the road. Thanks to everyone who's been coming to the shows and giving us such big-hearted welcomes. It's downright inspiring.
by ty | September 15, 2006
We're in Louisville now, the second stop in our little midwest swing. (I call it a swing and not a tour because we're hitting so few cities; just a handful of shows before we go into the studio later this month. if you're in one of the towns we "skipped" and are mystified that we're not coming to, say, madison or indianapolis, this is why. We're recording.)
Anyway, like I was saying. We played a show in Pittsburgh the other night with our old friend Doria Roberts. Watching her perform was super inspiring--she is an activist in everything she does, and she really glows. Got me very pumped to play. We met Doria many years ago when she booked us for a traveling festival that she was organizing called Queerstock--a great experience for us. We met lots of folks who we still call our good friends, among them the wonderful and very genderqueer Angela Motter. Both Angela & Doria are based in Atlanta (our home away from home)--if you don't know their work, I highly encourage you to check them out:
http://www.angelamotter.com/ and
http://www.myspace.com/doriaroberts
It was an eight hour drive to Louisville, and tonight we play a private show, then one at the Alternative, a new venue for us. I really like this town. When we were here with Dar williams I got a great massage at a place called Karmassage (tell them Girlyman sent you) and found a t-shirt with a souped up car on it that says "Louisvillain." This time around I've already eaten one of those perfect Krispy Kreme donuts that melts in your mouth, and the day is new.
by Doris | September 8, 2006
A what? A roesti is a crispy potato pancake fried up in butter in a skillet. I'm a recipe tester for Cook's Illustrated and this was my first assignment. The verdict? I thought it needed more salt, but then again I think everything (including baked goods) needs more salt. You just need that complete balance between salty and sweet in baked goods to make something really outstanding. Anyway, the roesti was supposed to taste of nothing but potatoes, butter, salt, and pepper, and I think I accomplished the task. I served it up with some sauteed zucchini, grilled portabello mushrooms and Gen made corn on the cob. Yumtastic. I tried a new chocolate cake recipe from the Moosewood New Classics cookbook and it was remarkably good! Even great! 3 stars also go to the chocolate cake recipe on the back of the Hershey's cocoa container (frosting included) much to my surprise. Usually I'm pretty snobbish about chocolate cakes (always throwing in double strength coffee or espresso powder) but I have to say that simple is sometimes better.
On a more music related note, we were featured driving behind a municipal waste truck that smelled strongly of Booberry and Diapers on our way to our producer's studio. Is this a sign of some sort? I think not.
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by Toller, January 25, 2007
Aw Nate, i hope you are ok!