A couple weeks ago my good friend Halloran, from FM 94.9, called me up to come have breakfast with him and an old friend in La Jolla. I had nothing better to do, so I headed down for some food and convo. What I didnt know, was that Will Ferrell was also having breakfast at the same spot. I parked a couple blocks away, and was walking towards the cafe, when I noticed a guy in front of me with a couple kids. I did a double take when I realized who it was. ‘I gotta have more cowbell!’. 

*Note: I dont know if anyone ever noticed, where it lists the musician credits on ‘Hello..x’  Next to my name it reads: Lead Vocals, Guitar and Cowbell. My label had sent me the text, pre printing, to be approved. I took it upon myself to add that one in there. No one from the label noticed it, and for the record, there is no cowbell on the record. At least I dont think there is...that Karl Brazil is a sneaky little man of mystery. 

Back to the story. So while at breakfast, my friend Hal kept saying, ‘You gotta go talk to Will Ferrell, get a photo!’ (I had my new G10 too). I really hate being that girl, bothering someone on a nice normal day...but then I thought, what the heck!? What have I got to loose!? Its freaking Will Farrell. The funniest man on earth! So I casually walked over to him, introduced myself, and shot the shit. He was very nice. I asked for a photo, he said he normally would but doesnt when his kids are around. Totally understandable. I told him he was awesome, AWESOME! That I was a big fan, and that I had just downloaded the show “Eastbound & Down’ , which he is an executive producer on. In all honestly, I had only watched one episode at that point, but it was really funny. 

Well, now on the plane to DC, I have watched the next 4 episodes of Season One. It’s one of the funniest, most entertaining series I’ve seen in a long time. Its like Anchorman, but funnier, dirtier, over the top, amazing. I love how the charachters stutter, grammatically incorrect left and right, Kenny Powers, the mullet, the MGD. Wow. If you havent checked it out, and you love Will Farrell, you should. He even makes a cameo. 

..........fast forward. 

I am now on the flight from DC to London. Happily upgraded, and having a nice glass of a lovely Argentinian 2007 Malbec. Listening to the lovely Zee Avi. I am currently, since last night, obsessed with her song ‘Monte’. Its absoulutely breathtaking. It sometimes amazes me, how a song I’ve heard ‘in passing’ a thousand times, suddenly hits me right where it counts. Its on repeat. Im deep in it. I love when this happens. Im putting it on repeat for this whole journal entry. 

So far this trip has been going smoothly. Though, I couldnt find my favorite sports bra this morning. But, if that is the only thing that didnt go my way today, I am ok with that :) My dad took me to the airport(Love Dad), I brought leftovers of grilled tempeh, farmers market local corn on the cob and locally grown sauteed kale with me for lunch. The flight from SD to DC, they let me carry on my guitar, a Gibson 1968 J45 - I dont like to check her, even if she is packed and padded inside a proper flight case. Thank you United. And even after walking 18 miles through the Washington Dulles International airport from one terminal to another, I was greeted with an upgrade to business class :) I even have a special Vegan option coming. 

*Note: My dinner looked like mush, a rice of some sort, with peas and corn in it, but I loved every second if it! I did, for reals. 

Im pretty stoked though. All perks aside. I havent been to England since i recorded Hello..x in ‘07. And I am gonna get to spend some time in Cornwall, which is near the water, which is where I am most happy. I get to see my friend DJ Samo and my other friend Neil Halstead. I brought a wetsuit, we are going surfing :) Ive got Matty D, bass extrodainaire rolling with me, and my friend Freddie, the danish delight, on drums. We had a couple days of really great rehearsals in LA. Laughing, playing songs, laughing,  laughing, laughing, mapping out our plan...***see diagram below that Matty drew up. So techy. It was awesome. We are gonna have so much fun. Im excited to play some music again. Its been awhile.

 

Though this trip is short, 2 weeks total, we will visit the sea (Newquay, St. Agnes, Falmouth), the city (London), Portugal, and back to London to visit all my friends at the studio in Kensaltown. London definitely holds a special place in my heart, its the only place I’ve ever been to that made me forget about wanting to get back to San Diego. 

All in all, this trip is about having fun, doing what we all love, which is playing music. Bringing the music to a new place where its never been, live at least. Meeting new frieds, reuniting with old friends. Walking familiar streets and through parks. Taking the tube (I brought my Oyster Card, heck ya I did!). I feel like Ive accomplished and grown so much since the last time I was here....I have a feeling, I will do a lot of much needed reflecting. Sometimes I feel like there is so much going on at home. I hardly have a minute to myself. I have the most amazing group of friends, and growing by the minute. And while I am truly blessed, there are days in the last couple months, when I stop and think, when is the last time I just stayed in? When is the last time there wasnt something to do? There is always something going on! But I cant complain. Such is my life, and its so much fun. And while im having a hard time trying to figure out what inspires me, so I can write some songs, I have made peace with the fact that this time in my life is all about living, and experiencing. Taking it all in. Gathering, storing, noting. Im ok with that. Always in the back of my mind, I know the next record will come, and it will be great. But until Im feeling it, I cant go there. Id rather it be awesome though and worth the wait, then forced and crappy. Im in no rush though, Im doing just fine. 

Alrighty, well on that note, Im gonna try to sleep a bit...I will leave you with this...

In the words of Zee Avi, 

‘Lifes too short...let the day take you by the hand...’

I couldnt agree more :) 

Mucho love, 

Tristan