Hello dear ones and myspace blog-readers,

Just a few bits of news and reflection (with upcoming tour dates at the bottom).

We (Sean. Micah and I) will be playing a very special show this Saturday night, November 7 at the brilliantly renovated Mississippi Studios.  This will be my only Portland show of the Fall, and will serve both as a homecoming, and as a tour send-off.   I just returned from a wholly inspiring and very fun tour in Japan (playing solo sets and collaborating with sound artist Ethan Rose), and will be heading back to Europe, with the full band next week (dates below).  I believe it will be a cozy,enchanting and stimulating evening.  Sean and Micah will also be performing their jawdroppingly beautiful songs as their band Musee Mecanique.  My dear friend, label-mate and favorite Spaniard, Rauelsson will open the show, sharing his songs in Spanish and perhaps revealing his secret Paella recipe.  I hope all you Portlanders can make it.

**Laura Gibson, Musee Mecanique, Rauelsson**

Saturday, November 7

Mississippi Studios - 3939 N. Mississippi Ave; Portland

9 pm (doors open at 8)

I also wanted to share a few highlights of my travels the past few months.  I spent the most of September on tour in Europe, then did a run of shows on the West Coast of the US, before heading to Japan in October.  

Europe/UK Highlights:

-Riding on the back of a bike, through alleyways and over canals in Amsterdam (Thanks Eric!).

-Seeing Portland and Seattle friends at the End of the Road festival in Dorset County, UK.

-A day off in Paris, devoted entirely to eating and drinking (cheese, fruit, wine, pastries, chocolate - Thanks Bill!).

-Sunset over the Stockholm skyline

-Rest Stop soccer games with the Alela Diane crew.

West Coast Highlights

-Driving down Big Sur, learning about elephant seals.

-Getting free passes to Disneyland (Our instructions were to meet a man named Flint at the Disneyland entrance, under the last A in California.  Flint turned out to be the manager of Fantasyland), reliving childhood memories on Pirates of the Caribbean, Mr. Toad's Wild Ride and Old Thunder Mountain Railway (thanks Mr. Flint!).

-Good times backstage with the Great Lake Swimmers and Wooden Birds.

-Making cookies after our Stanford show (Thanks Angela!), and sharing them with the audience of our Santa Cruz show.

Japan Highlights

-Bullet trains through Rice Paddies.

-Being chased by deer in Nara.  

-Riding bikes to a Hot Springs in Matsumoto, then bathing with all the old Japanese ladies.

-Photo shoot for a Japanese Fashion Magazine, trying to fit into designer shoes that were much too small, ending up holding shoes for the picture.

-Many laughs with Ethan and Norio.

-Late night Sushi dinner at the home/restaurant of Chifumi and family.

Last, but not least:

NOVEMBER EUROPE/UK DATES

featuring Sean Ogilvie on keys/accordion/melodica/drums and Micah Rabwin on saw/drums/banjo/ukalin

Nov. 7 - Mississippi Studios, Portland OR (tour warm-up show)