i have pictures but they won’t load… perhaps tomorrow/Saturday’s email <3

Part I: The Bean

We went back in time. It was warm and rainy in Western PA and then in Chicago we literally went back in time (time zone change) and it was 20 degrees and snowing.

Chicago is amazing and the Bean may be better than what people say it is. It blew my mind. I mean this earnestly. You know usually with these tourist things it’s a scam, or disappointing. Not the Bean. The Bean is special. The Bean cured me, cured us. It’s mirrors reflect a million versions of who you are and who you can become. And it’s fun to look funky.

Playing Chicago was also a gift. We played Cole’s with Harley Omega (industrial pop amazingness) and Truth or Consequences New Mexico (indie that belongs in a Jason Reitman movie) and everyone was lovely. Community was real at Cole’s and it felt great to be present and be a part of it. Jenna and I stayed with her mentor and drove home around 1AM with snow falling like glitter. I made us listen to Little Motel by Modest Mouse three times in a row in the 7 minute drive back to his house.  

Part II: Underberg

We loved Chicago so much we failed to leave it. Genuinely. We took the wrong exit (trying to get on the Chicago Skyway) twice. Then at the tolls a pizza truck simply was not going through so we had to terrifyingly back up and enter through another toll. The Indiana welcome center was beautiful and strange and had a sign about Don Quixote and we passed miles and miles of wide open spaces and vultures and wind mills.

Bloomington was sweet and empty (the college was on spring break). Everyone was so lovely, from the jazz hour prior to our show, to the incredible herbal shots (the only shots available at the bar we played) called the Underberg. They tasted like medicine and I loved it. I argued for the greatness of AC/DC with some jazz kids. I made us listen to Every Single Night by Fiona Apple twice on the 5 minute drive back to the hotel.

Some of we listened to:

1.        90s pop radio leaving Chicago

2.        Dookie – Green Day

3.        Wake Me Up When September Ends – Green Day

4.        The Fly – U2

5.        New Year’s Day – U2

6.        Spanish Fly – Van Halen

7.        Dance the Night Away – Van Halen

Part III: The Sun

Through Indiana to Ohio we went forward in time. It’s 60 degrees and warm. I’m in a tank top. There are trucks and farms and maybe too many construction zones. We’re driving and we’re “just being ourselves.”

Tonight we play Columbus, OH. Second to last show.

Some of we listened to:

1.        Sufer Rosa – the Pixies

2.        The Bends – Radiohead

3.        Heavy Weather - Weather Report

4.        Joy Ryder - Wayne Shorter

5.        Fragile - Yes