How silly is it that I am just getting around to jotting down a few notes about tour about a month and a half after the fact? Well, it's very silly I know, but better late than never. We played 7 shows in 8 days (maybe a little more than my aging voice can take) going from DC to Chicago. It was quite an undertaking seeing as I shipped my entire band from Seattle. I would like to take a few sentences to tell you how much I adore these people (Adam Fream, Mike Elliott, Sonny Votolato, Rebecca Tapia and Sarah Nelson). Not only are they hard working, stellar musicians but they are good people to boot. Touring with them reminded me that although I would love to play to screaming throngs, make myself and my label loads of money, the real joy comes in the process of connecting with people, musicians and fans alike.
Many people thought I was mad because I took my 15 month old daughter Norah along for 1/2 the tour. I won't tell you it was easy. My husband Pat took over most of the parenting duties (bless him) but I my already elevated anxiety levels reached new heights dealing with touring logistics and a little human. We kicked off the tour with a live appearance on Voice of America (broadcasts to 115 million people in 65 countries, no pressure or anything) after only one day of practice in sweltering DC. I was so unbelievably nervous but, by God, we pulled it off! That night we played The Black Cat in DC, a good show, turn out was not half bad for a Tuesday night.
The next night we played The Khyber Pass in Philly. It was really the only dud of the tour, about 10 people showed up.
Not to be disheartened we powered through to New York were we had an amazing show at Joe's Pub. Joe's Pub is a very cool venue attached to The Public Theater (they put on Shakespeare in the Park among many other things) and boy do they run a tight ship. 30 people pre-paid! I realize such numbers would send Mariah Carey hurling out her penthouse window but it was quite a success for me.
Next we wooed the bridge and tunnel set in Hoboken with The Stills. Velocity Girl played Maxwell's many times and it hasn't changed a bit, I felt like I was in a time warp back to 1994.
We communed with the hipsters in Brooklyn the following night with a show @ Union Hall.
They lined up on a Monday night (Monday people!) for our best show yet in Pittsburgh.
That leaves Chicago, our final show @ Schuba's and the home of my label Minty Fresh. We were a rag tag bunch by that time. Sonny had a damaged uvula, Rebecca went to the hospital for a freakishly high fever and the top register of my voice seemed to just vanish in the wind, but we played our little hearts out.
What is it about travel, rock shows and too many beers that makes for a very adhesive bond? I do not know, but I find myself very attached to my band. I love each of them and I am so grateful that they are on my side.