Monday, March 31, 2008

YouTube video from the LA show

Well, we are back from tour and rested ... actually I suppose that Drew is still on tour for a few weeks and you can check out his MySpace page to see when he'll be near your town.

We just found out that someone taped the LA show at the Roxy and you can see the entire thing right here. I loved this show (from the merch booth) and I'm glad that there is video of it so we can relive it until the next time we hit the road. Unfortunately, there is a pesky mic stand obscuring Matt's face for much of the show, but you can see Drew really well and what more do you need?

Thursday, March 27, 2008

Last night with Kaki

We are reveling in the experience of this tour. Lots of love and
respect to Kaki, Drew, Ben, Matt, Yuval, Dan, Mack, Mollie, Jeff,
Eavie, and Grant. PS Mack kicks (not licks) balls during down time on
the road.

Exhausted

We've slept 7 hours in the past two days. We ate one subway sandwich,
one croissant, one ahi salad, two sushi rolls, 4 chocolate covered
almonds, one bagel with cheese an that is about it for the past couple
of days. We need some sleep and some food, but it was worth it.

Lala land

Wheels

Matt had some meetings with music industry folks around town today so
we picked up a convertible from Thrifty. We are feeling very California.

Tour CD

We only have a dozen copies of the tour version of Matt's Tigerphobia
CD left. Send Matt an email at matt at matt-sheehy dot com if you'd
like to order a copy ($15 includes shipping) or come to Matt's show at
Mississippi Studios on Tuesday, April 8th with David Karsten Daniels
and we'll have the leftover CDs available for $10.

Setlist

This does not belong to Drew Shoals.

Wednesday, March 26, 2008

The spice is life

Matt & Sloan

Our good buddy Sloan met us at the Roxy.

The Roxy

Drew

Talking to his lady. This was the longest drive ever.

Interview

Kaki is doing a phone interview while we drive to the venue in stop
and go traffic. We all are quiet as church mice in respect of the
talent. It sounds like a typical interview dialog, but I admire how
quickly she can go from light tour van conversation to discussing her
art and philosophy. Now seems like a good time for a short nap.

The Sleeper Has Awaken

We watched Dune in its entirety in the van this morning. The
computer's speakers weren't strong enough, so we had to use subtitles.

Pit Stop

Mack is really into soccer. In downtime, the boys are usually licking kicking
the ball around. We're another couple of hours from LA.

We rest when we can

This is exactly how I always pictured the life if a touring band. Its
more "Don't Look Back" than "Almost Famous".

Matt's Doppleganger

> Grace's brother.

6 am

We had at best 3 hours of sleep last night. Ben sent us a text at 2:40
reminding everyone that the van would be leaving at 6. We're all
pretty beat, but in good spririts. The topography of the road couples
with the generous spring of worn shock absorbers creates a
surprisingly soothing sway that is lulling us back to sleep.

Mack

Sporting Kaki's new band uniform.

Doppleganger

Matt has found another doppleganger. Grace's brother (there's a photo
of him on the phone in this photo, but it is hard to make out with a
little photoshop) is a dead ringer for Matt.

Sold out 3 nights

Custom Kaki Shirts

I'm not sure what was up, but I saw a ton of custom Kaki shirts early
in the San Francisco show. It has to be said that this was the best
audience of the tour so far. We <3 San Fran.

Dan

Damn, Dan is the soundman, synth trumpet, and coolest guy to be on the
road along side.

Sound check

Tuesday, March 25, 2008

The house crew

Early start

Matt is going on at 8:15. People are already starting to line up on
this beautiful spring afternoon.

Warming up

The backdrop

Kaki's crew has been carting around this massive backdrop for this
tour, but this is the first show with a big enough stage to mount the
behemoth.

It was kind of scary raising the curtain, but it looks pretty
impressive.

Dressing Room

Matt has his own dressing room and he plays Ovation guitars.

Great American Music Hall

After a day and night in this fine city we are looking forward to
tonight's show.

Matticure

Matt is no stranger to nail salons.

Manicure

Matt broke a nail.

Bashed

Someone shattered out our van's window overnight. Nothing was stolen,
but it is still a bummer. Ben, the tour manager, has his work cut out
for him.

Monday, March 24, 2008

Haiku from Vesuvio


We had a round of absinthe from Vesuvio and it inspired this prose.


Perched up above them

the chatty and the drunkards

we are not alone

Matt Sheehy


day two on the road

we are right where we should be

we are itchin', too

Theo Craig


why fight the wifi?

free your mind with hops and friends

or red neo pills

Drew Shoals

We are itching to get away ...

Vesuvio

Good Friends & Girls

House of Nanking

Drew claims this is some of the best chinese food on the west coast.
Matt is sceptical, but intrigued. There's only a 20 minute wait, but I
think it'll be worth it. It feels really good to be here.

San Francisco

We have arrived. We have a maxed out room in the city... well not
exactly maxed out, but spacious and clean. We are exhilarated to be
here.

Check

Close up

Doug Fir

We sold out the Doug Fir. Thanks to everyone who came out for our
hometown show.

Appreciation

John Darnielle from the Mountain Goats left this message on the Doug
Fir's green room wall.

At the gates

Three's the magic number

Yuval is a fan of Threes.

Killing time

Our drive to San Francisco was delayed this afternoon by some problems
with the van trailer. While Kaki's crew was making runs to Home Depot,
we spent a few hours exploring greater Redding by foot and playing
cards. Matt showed us how to play "Threes".

Down time

Kaki's band stayed with family in Redding. We stayed at the Motel 6.

Correspondents

An afternoon in parking lots

Sunday, March 23, 2008

Black Bear Diner

We're eating dinner and staying the night in Redding, CA.

Breakfast of champions

Drew is a working musician and he had be schooling us in the
fundamentals of life on the road; always eat balanced meals.

Yuval rocks

These guys are a riot. We have been doing Michael Jackson classics as
singalongs for the past hour.