Yesterday we drove into beautiful Louisville and dropped in to the studios at WFPK to do another radio thingy with Dawn, hosted by Laura Shine who just adopted a dog that looks like a baby lion, I swear. We played Twilight and Dawn’s special version of Young Folks by Peter, Bjorn, and John.

Then we ate some damn good barbecue at Mark’s Feed Store, after which we headed over to Jason’s parents palatial Cressbrook estate where they’ve offered to put us up for the next few days. Then we went to the Pour Haus where Dawn was headlining a show with Tender Mercy and Slithering Beast. Balthrop was going to do a couple songs in the middle of Dawn’s set, but as it turns out Tender Mercy cancelled so there was room for us on the bill. Dawn didn’t want to play last so she had us close out the night. It was a talky crowd but I think we managed to win half of em over pretty good. Maybe some of them will come out for our show at the Rudyard Kipling on Wednesday.

After the show I watched 10 minutes of 48 Hours and started snoring.

This “morning” (around 2pm) we had the most amazing brunch ever I fucking swear on my mama’s left eye, at Lynn’s Paradise Cafe. Man oh man.

Now we’re at the Dame in Lexington where Dawn is opening for Jason Isbell & the 400 Unit. The Dame is doing one more show tomorrow night and then this whole block of buildings is getting torn down to make way for a skyscraper. Hmm.

We played to a crowd of music-loving strangers at the Rumba Cafe in Columbus Wednesday night. I think most of them just came for the comin, not knowing what to expect. I think they liked it. We liked it. After the show, while breaking down, we did some breaking down, playing along to a Shins song on the house speakers. I played the glockenspiel and I think I only hit two wrong notes.

Last night we played to a room full of friends and cousins at the Hideout in Chicago. Really great venue. Before the show we ate at Earwax and everything everyone ordered was amazing.

And this morning I went swimming! Can ya beat that? Who cares. I went swimming.

Tonight we played 4 songs at Garfield Artworks to a sizable crowd of kids, and then we played with Dawn as well. I know I say super fun a lot, but really, it was super fun. I got to play the kazoo and ride the pony round the room. Thanks to Manny for feeding us and having us on.

Before that we did a radio thing at WYEP with Dawn, who was interviewed by Cindy who used to live with Rose in Boston! Kookoo.

Now I’m laying on a comfy air mattress on the floor in a gigantic home dance studio that belongs to my buddy Kevin and his dancer friends. He’s leaving in a few days to go on a 14-month round the world dance tour on his motorbike with Dave. Sometimes life is so ordinary, and then people go and do the strangest things!

Now I’m about to fall asleep to the sound of Michael’s gentle snoring. It’s actually quite comforting.

I mentioned a lot of people in this post. Last names available upon request.

Last night we played the Mercury Lounge for the first time and it was super fun. Maybe someday we’ll go back there and pick up our merch lights.

Tonight we played our first away game (not counting Courtlandt-Land in New Brunswick) at a homey dive bar called the Fire in Philadelphia, next to a bustling firehouse. Some places have a green room for bands; this place had a whole green apartment upstairs for us to lay about in. The show was super fun and there was a pretty good crowd for a Monday night. Michael’s drawing was awesome as always.

After the show we drove through an amazing rainstorm and thundershow. For brief moments the whole sky lit up like it was noon. Now we’re staying in the historic Abraham Lincoln hotel in Reading.

Tomorrow we drive to Pittsburgh to do a radio thing with Dawn, and after we’ll play a show with Dawn at Garfield Artworks, and then spend the night with Cap’n Kevin!