Charleston, SC: "Haircuts for People Tripped Out on Lights"
I had never played a house show so intimate, so personal.. Now that I'm processing this and thinking more about my performance I realize that I'm sort of playing a character during the show. It's not like a wizard or even a businessman or anything.. just a subtle change in personality. It's sort of like how some people have an "internet personality" on a message board or a live journal or something. In a situation like this, where I've just personally met every member in the audience and we're all in a small space together.. I get so nervous and shy. It's hard to dance or to do anything.. I feel like I'm playing a show for my parents or brothers or something. I don't know how you emo "no barriers between stage and audience" sing-songwriters do it. Hats all-the-way-off to you.
You know.. actually, some of my favorite shows have been had in this situation.. I tend to be "weirder" and even more in character.. like I'll introduce myself as Kevin or something. Kennewick, WA, remember? Totally fun. This show in Charleston was very much like that. I got an email from the very nice Ben asking me to come and play. I was real excited to play in South Carolina for the first time.
The house belonged to Rick, an amazing guy and curator and tour guide of the John Rivers Communications Museum. His house is full of all kinds crazy lights and spooky halloween-esque decorations.. (and this phone) hence the name "the Haunted Hive." One of these lights, what I affectionately call the "magical string-laser-light," had really caught my fancy. During the show I had become so in love and entranced with said light.. I felt that I had to get as close to it as possible. Now, being a hippy-person, i.e. having had longer and very obviously unkept hair, this poses a problem to 'ole string-laser-light.. it's a string. Yep. My hair got stuck in the string and pulled my hair real hard until it stopped the motor.. then nice Ben unplugged it and I kept playing with the machine attached to my head. The song finished.. I went into another song almost immediately.. during this song Ben came over with scissors and cut me free. My hair remains on the string until this very day.
Magical-String-Laser-Light
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Atlanta, GA: "Garlic is for Lovers"
Moses. You are such an awesome dude. I'm glad we met and thank you for setting up the show. Curt Merrill.. we already knew you were an awesome dude. You've been an awesome dude forever! FOREVER! Thank you for your incredible hospitality (air mattress!) and for taking us to lunch at the vegan soul-food place. Oh my god. If you are ever in Atlanta.. jesus.. you have to go there. My favorite thing ever is called "ETERNITY SOY BEAN HAND." Vegan mac-n-cheese, BBQ tofu and collard greens? My food was AWESOME. Then.. just when you think you're reached your peak for amazing food.. they have "ice kream." ETERNITY SOY BEAN HAND! Curt got toasted almond.. I got vanilla pecan. Toasted almond ruled school. FOOD ENTRY!
The reason for the garlic name.. Right before the show Moses took me over to a pizza place where a real nice vegan lady made me an awesome sandwich. Mostly garlic. Amelia refused to kiss me... for a long time..
Florida: "Materializing the Breakfast of your Dreams"
First and foremost.. THANK YOU FOR YOUR EMAILS, COMMENTS, PHONE CALLS & TEXT MESSAGES! I had a really awesome birthday in Florida. We drove to St. Augustine (the oldest city in the USA) after that amazing lunch in Atlanta with Curt. We got there a little late and bummed around in the historic downtown before finding a cheap motel right on the water. I woke up to such awesome salty air and all kinds of gulls "singing" their "song." Amelia took me out to breakfast... breakfast.. remember the breakfast of my dreams? Well, this was totally close.. like, so close.
Florida... I hate to say this.. but it was a mistake going so deep in you. I mean, don't get me wrong. I love you. I love you SO MUCH. But you ruined me.. financially. You HAVE to play three shows or you get so burned. Gas.. it's deep. I'll be back... and I'll conquer you. We still had an amazing time. It was awesome to see Nathan and all of the other amazing Miami friends.. and it was really awesome to finally meet Miguel 606 and hang out in the streets at ArtBase. When I first called Nathan he was busy welding a snail shell that he later wore during his show.
Our trip towards Louisiana was filled with sunshine, alligators and a stinky motel room.. more on that later.. I didn't really know that I had never had Korean food before. So weird. I mean, I loved it so much. Why hadn't I had it before?
Hot in Florida
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We've been in Louisiana for a couple days now and it's felt incredible. The air is so damned warm and thick here. I could see myself living in New Orleans for 6 months or something in the future. Winter.. totally winter.
i'm hungry now.
seems to be dinner time on the yacht lately.
i'm loving it. (but not the mcdonalds kind of lovin' it, dig?)
take care, be safe,
j
hey you should have come by panama city/seaside....it isnt so deep into florida..and it isnt swampland either?
come back!!
Oh Kevin you beat me to it! That montage, man. Holy Cheesball! Suthern Man. It was very teen-docudrama. It made me feel really, really sorry for you and your hair.
yes yes florida has always stolen all of my money and made me feel really bad. but i'm glad that you kids had a nice time, and that jona had a sweet birthday. enjoy the last west-ward stretch of your tour. still can't wait for MEGA. hope you'll come to Kansas soon.
Omigod, Vegan Soul Food!
I was working at a trade show in Atlanta with Mike and I completely lost my voice. Lost it. Gone.
The man in that soul food joint made me drink down minced raw garlic with cayenne pepper in olive oil. Drink it straight down. That'll fix me.
IT FIXED ME!!!
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As I have said before, everyone had a really good time. You won a lot of fans that night!