I'm pretty sure we won't get to record anything tonight- I won't get to the studio until 9pm at the earliest.
I left on a plane from LaGuardia airport this morning at 11am. With a 2 hour layover in Baltimore and then another stop in Atlanta before the plane starts heading to Austin, I've got a long day of traveling ahead of me.
I'm currently in the air, on route to Atlanta. I'm excited and stressed, pumped up and exhausted, all at the same time. I can't wait to get started on this next session, but I know it will take me a few days to settle into the Blue Rock routine.
That's usually how it goes. My life is crazy- a different city every couple of days, always work to be done, wherever I can do it - airport waiting areas, McDonald's wifi hotspots, passenger seats, rest stops - and the adrenaline rush of getting to the gig on time, parking in the right place, loading in gear, suitcases, soundchecking, don't forget to eat - but not too close to showtime! Don't want to sound like dinner. Don't forget to call Cris - you've got an hour. Play show, sell CDs, pack CDs, guitar. Shake hands. Smile. Really try to listen to them, would you? Each person deserves your full attention. Get paid, do some late-night fuzzy headed math. Midnight McDonald's meal. Drive to host's house. Lug suitcase up stairs. Collapse onto daybed/sofa/futon. Rinse. Repeat.
No wonder Dad talks to himself. So much to remember and one little mistake amounts to all the cogs in the machine breaking down.
Then I get to Blue Rock. For a few days, my body and mind is still on autopilot, which for me is frenzy mode.
But after a day or two, I settle into the privacy and luxury of a good bed, door with a lock, shower heads and handles that don't confuse and have no "tricks." Books and dvds on the walls. A constant supply of coffee. Just nature outside; no traffic noises. No cell phone reception.
And then, I just sort of sink into it and my head opens up. It's wonderful.
I do a lot of writing at Blue Rock. I also write a lot when I'm on tour, but mostly that's because of the long, long stretches of highway. Highways unlock the same part of my brain that Blue Rock unlocks.
Don't get me wrong. I love touring. I love meeting new people, hearing their stories. I love it when the music moves me, and when I know it's been moving for someone else. I love new cities, and the thrill that comes with being a stranger.
I think being on the road makes me appreciate being off it. And vice versa.
Last night was the last date on a short tour with my dad. We played on New York's WFUV, and then at a cool venue called The Living Room, for John Platt's series: "On Your Radar."
It was my 1st time playing in NYC, so it already would have been cool. But the radio stop was great, and so was the show. We were treated really well and I ate this amazing spinach/cheese/dough concoction for dinner that can only be described as the lovechild of a calzone and garlic knot.
So being in NYC was particularly great.
Some friends came out to the show- Karyn Oliver and Anthony DaCosta. Karyn apparently walked way too many blocks to get there and Anthony had a show that night but came anyway. :-) Good friends- good people. Made me feel all warm and fuzzy to see them there.
And I love getting to play with my dad- it's a childhood dream come true.
But I'm ready to get to Texas- my favorite place in the universe.
Something about the feel of Texas- its independent streak and all its "wide open spaces" (in the immortal words of the Chicks) really appeals to me. I love a lot of places across America but I have to admit - I still miss living in Texas. Four years was not enough.
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