February 22, 2013 12:03p.m....a Friday.
We drove back from Knoxville, Tennessee this week after a house concert at the Harmony House with Katie Powderly and Red Shoes and Rosin. It was a great time filled with friends, dairy free George Dickel Tennessee Whiskey, and the most amazing Indian cabbage and potato dish I have ever had. I'm not kidding, this may have been one of the most incredible food things I have ever, ever, in my whole life consumed. Hands down. We also picked up a new air mattress as I know Brooklyn will find us longing for such luxuries.

Katie Powderly at the Harmony House

 But back to this cabbage...Dib made it, he's from Calcutta and it was his grandmothers recipe. His mother also roasted some traditional spices when she visited recently which he used and I'm sure that only made things better. We also had a great conversation about how food is a lot like music. The best kind are the ones that are passed down and continue a tradition, or story, or have some kind of meaning. Not something you can dig out of a book or find on any random shelf at a local market. That said I must admit to finding a strong resemblance between McDonalds or Rice-A-Roni and Justin Bieber or Kenny Chesney. Actually to be honest, even though I don't know him personally and would never consciously listen to his music again.... I like the Bieb more than Kenny Chesney.  I really can't deal with that dude. I mean, really, have you heard the Tequila song?

But more presently we're getting ready to head out to Davidson ,North Carolina for a show tonight at the Birdsnest. It's a converted old house and from what we hear is a great venue. Our friends Heather Mae and Bethel Steele gave us the heads up on this one when we played the Blue Plate Special with them in Knoxville last month. If you haven't heard of them, make sure to check them out. After Davidson, we'll head over to Raleigh to the Royal Bean....I'll let you know.

Sorry Sandy but we're going to drive slow and remain boring.
take care
Josh

February, 6th 2013 Atlanta

It's been 5 months, 2 weeks, and 6 days since we gave up our apartment. That's an approximate savings of $6,435 dollars in rent, though I"ll spare you the approximate amount of money spent in fuel...we would have spent that anyway. Between the DeKalb Farmers Market, the Buford Highway Farmers Market, Earth Fare, and the Hong Kong Market the money spent just doesn't matter because after all, you need to eat. Also, contrary to popular belief, a free vehicle is never free. It's very similar to the hangover after a night of free whiskey...you just pay the tab later.

Recently we saw the Ryan Montbleau Band at Eddies Attic. Lyle Brewer plays lead guitar in the band. We've known Lyle since his tenure with Sarah Borges and the Broken Singles and since we saw him last, man oh man, the dude has exploded in his playing. We also saw Peter Mulvey at the Attic and he was great. I opened two shows for Eric Taylor! Then there was Brian Wiltsey, Bethel Steele, Heather Mae, Kelley McRae, The Hot Hearts, Marshall Seese, and Ben Brookes Belcher...the people we've seen playing music have been stunning. Absolutely one of the best parts of the trip so far. Looking forward to the upcoming shows with Kelley McRae, Peter Mulvey, Jeffrey Foucault, Jon Ladeau, Bethel Steele, and so many others makes me incredibley happy.

For the most part I think everything up to this point can be called a success. Though, I do have to go to court on Friday to see about getting out of a traffic ticket I was issued for apparently going the speed limit, driving straight, with a green light, through an intersection.  Or maybe it was the Wisconsin license plates? But who am I to argue with the traffic constable? I know I likely have a lot more friends than he does, and I enjoy things like making someones day better rather than worse....but who the heck am I? I'll just go hammer out a deal with the judge.

back in the Summer when we had an apartment, a band and a cat. . .

Next time we'll talk turkey and the ongoing necessity of playing the open mic.
till then, take care
Josh