After many afternoons and nights spent in hotel rooms fiendishly typing away and pasting html code, I'm very excited to have finally added the pages you now see listed above!
Feeling the need to improve my blog, I thought to myself, "if I was visiting this blog, what could make it more interesting?" Because what I do is play music, and because one of the most exciting parts of traveling can be eating in a new town, I figured that talking more about music and food was a good direction in which to head!
So, a brief rundown of the new material:
Blog -- My blog. (What you're currently reading.)
About -- I never really flushed out my "profile" to the right side of the page, so I thought giving a little background on who I am and why I'm writing this blog might be good.
of Artists -- I'm always interested to find out which musicians inspire other musicians, so this is where I am taking note of artists who inspire me. Plus, there are just some amazing videos you should go watch!
of Food -- As we spend so much time traveling and performing, we try to eat healthily. In the search for alternatives to fast food, we've found some amazing restaurants to which we always return when near. This is where I am taking note of food we love to eat.
I hope you enjoy the new additions, and thanks for reading!
Tuesday, October 26, 2010
Saturday, October 23, 2010
Ups & Downs
These past handful of days have been very odd. And filled with some weird ups and downs.
DOWN: I somehow, despite my rabid need to have clean hands as much as possible, have come down with a cold. Yesterday's 6 hour car drive from Lubbock, TX, to Plano, TX, was accordingly unfortunate for those in my car--I ended up buying a small box of Kleenex to deal with the symptoms. Here's to hoping this bug magically disappears in the next few hours before tonight's show...
UP: This gas station somewhere in the middle of Texas:
DOWN: Having to eat McDonald's after a show because everything in Graham, TX, closes at 10 p.m.
...DOWN-ER: While fresh fries at McDonald's are normally mouth-wateringly delicious, these were the worst, soggiest, oldest McDonald's fries I've ever choked down. This McDonald's also didn't put lettuce or tomatoes on Charlie's Big Mac.
UP: Celebrating Kristina's birthday at Crú, in Plano. (The goat cheese beignets I ordered were declared by my end of the table to be the best plate--they were unbelievably delicious!)
UP: Two shows left, and then home for a break on Monday!
DOWN: I somehow, despite my rabid need to have clean hands as much as possible, have come down with a cold. Yesterday's 6 hour car drive from Lubbock, TX, to Plano, TX, was accordingly unfortunate for those in my car--I ended up buying a small box of Kleenex to deal with the symptoms. Here's to hoping this bug magically disappears in the next few hours before tonight's show...
UP: This gas station somewhere in the middle of Texas:
DOWN: Having to eat McDonald's after a show because everything in Graham, TX, closes at 10 p.m.
...DOWN-ER: While fresh fries at McDonald's are normally mouth-wateringly delicious, these were the worst, soggiest, oldest McDonald's fries I've ever choked down. This McDonald's also didn't put lettuce or tomatoes on Charlie's Big Mac.
UP: Celebrating Kristina's birthday at Crú, in Plano. (The goat cheese beignets I ordered were declared by my end of the table to be the best plate--they were unbelievably delicious!)
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| Chocolate fondue. |
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| Opening her birthday card and gifts. |
UP: Two shows left, and then home for a break on Monday!
Tuesday, October 19, 2010
The Parent Trap
Three days ago, Kristina knocked on my hotel room door in Rockwall, Texas, and said, smilingly, "Hey Taylor, are you busy?" As I was merely surfing facebook and digging around in blogger, I wasn't really occupied. "I want to show you a funny video I just found online." I stepped back and gestured for her to come into the room. "Oh, just come over to my room--I've already got it up on my computer." So, I grabbed my key and walked across the hall into Kristina's room.
...wait, why is my dad in your room?
As it turns out, my parents had just flown in to surprise me. It had all been an elaborate scheme, and nearly everyone in the band had known! I've written before about how my parents are big on surprises, and they definitely got me with this one.
As we're not performing anywhere near Arizona this year, my parents had talked about coming to our performance in Rockwall earlier this summer as it would have coincided with a trip to Texas they needed to make. However, a few weeks ago, their trip got rescheduled, and it appeared as if my parents were no longer going to be coming to Texas to see the show. But while I was busy moving on and assuming my parents weren't coming, my mom was busy arranging this surprise with Kristina--they had booked hotels, arranged cars, set aside comp tickets, and had otherwise conspired against me. And I had absolutely no idea.
Well-played, mom and dad. Well-played.
The past few days were--quite obviously--wonderful. Not only did they get a little more insight into what my life is actually like on the road (i.e. lots of waiting around, long drives, and the like), but I also got to hang out with them and discuss all the things that have been on my mind, and all the happenings of these past weeks. Granted, they're always available via phone and e-mail, but it can be hard to find an hour or two to make phone calls when you know they'll be long ones. And, they got to see two more great shows; one in Rockwall, TX, and a return to play with Revolution in Abilene, TX.
I was also particularly excited that my parents got to experience the proverbial "lunch adventure," which refers to a meal, usually in the middle of nowhere, when we have absolutely no idea about the quality or type of food we'll be eating upon entering some random mom and pop establishment. Yesterday's lunch adventure was, indeed, quite the gamble.
Charlie had discovered on his iPhone that there was a restaurant in Thurber, TX, which may be worth the visit. However, when you're in the middle of nowhere on the interstate, not very many establishments or towns are actually worth visiting.
But not many establishments are the SmokeStack Restaurant. And not many towns are Thurber, with a population of 5. Seriously. Five. Formerly an old boom town with over 10,000 residents, the only people who remain are the Bennett Family.
My parents left this morning to fly back to Arizona.
Thank you to all of those involved in the scheme: Kristina & the band, Tyla (who got my parents free, standby airline tickets), and all of the neighbors who are watering my mom's garden, and feeding Ben (our cat) and Jack (our beta fish)...but hopefully you didn't feed Jack to Ben.
I'm so lucky to have such awesome parents! Thanks Mom and Dad!
...wait, why is my dad in your room?
As it turns out, my parents had just flown in to surprise me. It had all been an elaborate scheme, and nearly everyone in the band had known! I've written before about how my parents are big on surprises, and they definitely got me with this one.
As we're not performing anywhere near Arizona this year, my parents had talked about coming to our performance in Rockwall earlier this summer as it would have coincided with a trip to Texas they needed to make. However, a few weeks ago, their trip got rescheduled, and it appeared as if my parents were no longer going to be coming to Texas to see the show. But while I was busy moving on and assuming my parents weren't coming, my mom was busy arranging this surprise with Kristina--they had booked hotels, arranged cars, set aside comp tickets, and had otherwise conspired against me. And I had absolutely no idea.
Well-played, mom and dad. Well-played.
The past few days were--quite obviously--wonderful. Not only did they get a little more insight into what my life is actually like on the road (i.e. lots of waiting around, long drives, and the like), but I also got to hang out with them and discuss all the things that have been on my mind, and all the happenings of these past weeks. Granted, they're always available via phone and e-mail, but it can be hard to find an hour or two to make phone calls when you know they'll be long ones. And, they got to see two more great shows; one in Rockwall, TX, and a return to play with Revolution in Abilene, TX.
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| The Paramount Theatre in Abilene, TX. |
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| L to R: Mom, me, Charlie, Dad, Tim, Annette, Hidayat, Naseem (Barrage alum who lives near Dallas), and Kristina. |
I was also particularly excited that my parents got to experience the proverbial "lunch adventure," which refers to a meal, usually in the middle of nowhere, when we have absolutely no idea about the quality or type of food we'll be eating upon entering some random mom and pop establishment. Yesterday's lunch adventure was, indeed, quite the gamble.
Charlie had discovered on his iPhone that there was a restaurant in Thurber, TX, which may be worth the visit. However, when you're in the middle of nowhere on the interstate, not very many establishments or towns are actually worth visiting.
But not many establishments are the SmokeStack Restaurant. And not many towns are Thurber, with a population of 5. Seriously. Five. Formerly an old boom town with over 10,000 residents, the only people who remain are the Bennett Family.
 |
| There it is. Thurber, Texas. The Bennett's house is visible in the distance. |
My parents left this morning to fly back to Arizona.
Thank you to all of those involved in the scheme: Kristina & the band, Tyla (who got my parents free, standby airline tickets), and all of the neighbors who are watering my mom's garden, and feeding Ben (our cat) and Jack (our beta fish)...but hopefully you didn't feed Jack to Ben.
I'm so lucky to have such awesome parents! Thanks Mom and Dad!
Saturday, October 16, 2010
When in Memphis
I'm currently sitting in my hotel room happy about two different things:
1) My laundry is in the dryer (having a suitcase where every item is clean is one of touring life's simpler pleasures).
2) I successfully evaded paying $8.95 for a "continental breakfast" by walking down the street to a drive-thru-only coffee shop, lining up behind a car, walking up to the window, and ordering breakfast. Success!
The past few days have been wonderfully Southern. After performing in Chattanooga (which seemed, from the car, like a really cool city), we had to make a long drive over to Jonesboro, Arkansas. But, we decided to make a few smart stops along the way, including having lunch in Nashville, and spending the night in Memphis.
In Nashville, Daniel took us to his favorite Mexican place, Baja Burrito, which serves its burritos in the choose-your-own-ingredients style of Chipotle. As a Chipotle enthusiast, and a loyal fan of authentic, quality Mexican food (I generally avoid Mexican outside of the Southwest as much as a I can), I was secretly skeptical. However, I'm pleased to say that Baja Burrito proved itself to be the exception to the rule! It was absolutely incredible (and much better than Chipotle). Check it out when you're in Nashville.
We finished the drive to Memphis with our taste buds eagerly anticipating BBQ the whole way. So, what could be more perfect upon arriving at our hotel than learning we could be picked up in a pink Cadillac and driven to dinner? The answer is pretty much nothing, thanks to the clever convenience provided by Marlowe's Restaurant.
Before leaving Memphis, we visited Graceland, former home of Elvis Presley. Admittedly, I didn't really know anything about Elvis. As myself a cultural product of the late '90s and early 2000s, Elvis, who died in 1977 (10 years before I was born), wasn't relevant for me and my peers. He was merely some antiquated sex symbol of the '60s and '70s, whose undisputed status as "The King of Rock 'n' Roll" did not prevent him from being (somewhat unjustly) grouped with other deceased relics of popular music.
All that being said, I wasn't exactly enthused about going; it felt more like an obligation than a desire. But visiting Elvis' house turned out to be one of the most surprising, enlightening, amazing and awe-inspiring things I've done in recent memory. In hindsight, it seems absurd that I knew as little about him as I did. And while I still only really know what I learned in the self-guided audio tour (which was impeccably pieced together and highly effective), I now realize just how amazing Elvis was, not only as a musician and performer, but also as a person.
Truly an inspiring visit. You must make time to visit Graceland if you find yourself in Memphis.
1) My laundry is in the dryer (having a suitcase where every item is clean is one of touring life's simpler pleasures).
2) I successfully evaded paying $8.95 for a "continental breakfast" by walking down the street to a drive-thru-only coffee shop, lining up behind a car, walking up to the window, and ordering breakfast. Success!
The past few days have been wonderfully Southern. After performing in Chattanooga (which seemed, from the car, like a really cool city), we had to make a long drive over to Jonesboro, Arkansas. But, we decided to make a few smart stops along the way, including having lunch in Nashville, and spending the night in Memphis.
In Nashville, Daniel took us to his favorite Mexican place, Baja Burrito, which serves its burritos in the choose-your-own-ingredients style of Chipotle. As a Chipotle enthusiast, and a loyal fan of authentic, quality Mexican food (I generally avoid Mexican outside of the Southwest as much as a I can), I was secretly skeptical. However, I'm pleased to say that Baja Burrito proved itself to be the exception to the rule! It was absolutely incredible (and much better than Chipotle). Check it out when you're in Nashville.
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| With Mexican Coke! (Keep your eye out for Mexican Coke...I'm starting to see it being sold more often in the US. I think it's much better than American Coke, mainly because it's made with cane sugar and not high fructose corn syrup...plus it's in a glass bottle, which is just more awesome.) |
We finished the drive to Memphis with our taste buds eagerly anticipating BBQ the whole way. So, what could be more perfect upon arriving at our hotel than learning we could be picked up in a pink Cadillac and driven to dinner? The answer is pretty much nothing, thanks to the clever convenience provided by Marlowe's Restaurant.
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| After dirtying his fingers with BBQ ribs, Charlie needed some help eating his coleslaw... |
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| L to R: Charlie, Kristina, Hidayat, Annette, John, Daniel, Tim, and me |
All that being said, I wasn't exactly enthused about going; it felt more like an obligation than a desire. But visiting Elvis' house turned out to be one of the most surprising, enlightening, amazing and awe-inspiring things I've done in recent memory. In hindsight, it seems absurd that I knew as little about him as I did. And while I still only really know what I learned in the self-guided audio tour (which was impeccably pieced together and highly effective), I now realize just how amazing Elvis was, not only as a musician and performer, but also as a person.
Truly an inspiring visit. You must make time to visit Graceland if you find yourself in Memphis.
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| Living room. |
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| Dining room. |
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| From the back. |
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| The dining room inside the Lisa Marie. |
Sunday, October 10, 2010
Saturday, October 9, 2010
2 States, 48 Hours, 6 Friends
Sometimes the tour schedule results in being able to meet up with--if I'm lucky--a few friends each month.
And then, in the past two days, I've seen an unprecedented six friends.
Six! How did this happen?! (And that's not even including Vikki from earlier in the week!)
It all started Thursday in Madison, Wisconsin, when I met up with Carson, a friend from the Killington Music Festival (random side-note: I'm actually still in a picture on the website...you can see it here). I've been fortunate to catch up with quite a few KMF friends since attending the festival in 2007, but this was my first time seeing her since that summer. Carson, who is currently getting her master's in piano at UW-Madison, had told us about State St., the place in town with all of the great little restaurants and stores. After a wonderful breakfast, Charlie and I walked with Carson to her class and got the chance to see a little bit of the campus and downtown Madison.
We drove to Barrington, Illinois, that afternoon for a (really exhilarating, sold-out) performance with the McHenry County Youth Orchestra. Later that night, I rode to Chicago with my friends Jennifer and Valerie, who had both been in attendance, and proceeded to spend all of yesterday's day off hanging out in the Chicago area and catching up with some awesome friends.
First up: lunch with Emily in Evanston. Emily is, strangely enough, another friend from Killington whom I had also not seen since 2007. After a much-too-short-but-great lunch with her, I took some time to wander around the Northwestern University campus (where Emily is currently getting her master's in cello) and its immediate surroundings. I was fortunate not only to have amazing weather (70°F, sunny, with a slight breeze!), but also to catch Evanston during Fall.
After taking in quite a bit of Evanston, I took the "L" (train) back down to Chicago to meet up with my hilarious friends Micah and Lauren for dinner. An even more hilarious night with them, Valerie, and Jennifer soon followed.
And then, in the past two days, I've seen an unprecedented six friends.
Six! How did this happen?! (And that's not even including Vikki from earlier in the week!)
It all started Thursday in Madison, Wisconsin, when I met up with Carson, a friend from the Killington Music Festival (random side-note: I'm actually still in a picture on the website...you can see it here). I've been fortunate to catch up with quite a few KMF friends since attending the festival in 2007, but this was my first time seeing her since that summer. Carson, who is currently getting her master's in piano at UW-Madison, had told us about State St., the place in town with all of the great little restaurants and stores. After a wonderful breakfast, Charlie and I walked with Carson to her class and got the chance to see a little bit of the campus and downtown Madison.
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| Some building on campus...this pretty much is the exact, aesthetic opposite of 99% of ASU. |
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| Lake Mendota, right next to campus. |
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| The capitol building, up the street. |
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| A bus stop covered with knitting. |
We drove to Barrington, Illinois, that afternoon for a (really exhilarating, sold-out) performance with the McHenry County Youth Orchestra. Later that night, I rode to Chicago with my friends Jennifer and Valerie, who had both been in attendance, and proceeded to spend all of yesterday's day off hanging out in the Chicago area and catching up with some awesome friends.
First up: lunch with Emily in Evanston. Emily is, strangely enough, another friend from Killington whom I had also not seen since 2007. After a much-too-short-but-great lunch with her, I took some time to wander around the Northwestern University campus (where Emily is currently getting her master's in cello) and its immediate surroundings. I was fortunate not only to have amazing weather (70°F, sunny, with a slight breeze!), but also to catch Evanston during Fall.
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| Looking out at Lake Michigan, right near campus. |
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| The Chicago skyline from campus. |
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| Painted rocks on the lake shore. |
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| Seabury Chapel from across the pond (I'm sure the pond has some sort of official name, but don't know what it is). |
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| Seabury up close. |
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| Gum on a tree. |
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| Does anyone want to buy this house for me? Please? |
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| View from the Noyes Street Station for the elevated train. |
After taking in quite a bit of Evanston, I took the "L" (train) back down to Chicago to meet up with my hilarious friends Micah and Lauren for dinner. An even more hilarious night with them, Valerie, and Jennifer soon followed.
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The amazing view from Jennifer's studio downtown. |
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| Extraordinary photo opportunity. |
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| Dessert at Molly's Cupcakes. |
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| Chocolate cupcake filled with peanut butter? Yes, please. |
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| Valerie digs into pumpkin spice. |
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| With Valerie, Jennifer, Lauren, and Micah after Baby Wants Candy, a 1-hour improvised musical...no, you definitely read that correctly: improvised musical. I can't remember the last time I laughed that hard...I was doubled over in my seat, with tears streaming down my face, stifling my laughter with my sweater. Please check their website to see if they're touring near you, and if you're in Chicago, drop whatever you're doing to go. I whole-heartedly agree with the website's tag-line: "Funniest. Show. Ever." |
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| Breakfast at Xoco, created by chef Rick Bayless. |
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| Freshly-made churros and Aztec hot chocolate with chili and spices. |
While the tour thus far has by no means been the roughest, it's always nice to get a short break and meet up with friends, especially in such wonderful cities and with such wonderful weather. I may have written about this previously (I can't remember?), but touring so much kind of sucks you into this strange social vacuum where you're surrounded by great people (Barrage), but out of circumstance, not choice. That is to say that although I'm friends with the people in this band, they're not friends in the same way that Jennifer, whom I've known since 3rd grade, is a friend. So, meeting up with friends one has actively made fills this strange social void that is created when circumstance surrounds one with the same group of people 24-7. It's oddly refreshing and fulfilling...kind of like when drinking water just won't do and you really need the snappy effervescence that only a Coca-Cola can seem to provide.
That being said, thank you Carson, Emily, Valerie, Micah, Lauren, and Jennifer for an amazing 48 hours! I really appreciate it!
That being said, thank you Carson, Emily, Valerie, Micah, Lauren, and Jennifer for an amazing 48 hours! I really appreciate it!
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