Day : Philadelphia, PA
We begin today's blog with a little feedback loop: Bill posted proof that we really were in his studio on Saturday morning. Thanks again, Bill, Ella and Liam! We had a total blast. (I think we're all watching a youtube video on Jack's iPhone in this picture).
After some much needed rest, we had the opportunity to focus a little more on the details of our crazy weird hotel. Welcome to this morning's episode of "THIS CRAZY HOTEL!"
This morning's feature is the statue of two herons that perch beside the ancient marble fountain in the courtyard.
It appears to be just beautiful ornamental artwork, but upon closer inspection it's social commentary! THEIR LEGS ARE CHAINED TO THE GRATE!!!
Maybe it's saying that we're all Herons, chained to the grate that is high summertime gas prices? Or maybe that the grate represents the karma of tipping? And that the chain is the speeding ticket that you get in Wisconsin if you don't tip the pizza delivery driver well enough in Kennewick?
Great art makes you think.
You know?
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Okay, on the road to Philly! On the way to our show at the World Cafe this afternoon, we stopped at a Maryland Oasis- but they're not called Oases in Maryland- thay're called "Chesapeake Houses!" Images of a grandmotherly woman serving small cups and saucers full of English Breakfast came screeching to a halt once we got inside: Bob's Big Boy, Roy Rogers and Sbarro.
And more driving games.
So Drew took a break from driving and, um, drove. He picked a yellow Jeep in honor of Melissa Chittenden. Melissa, if you're reading this, we think you probably shouldn't take driving lessons from Drew, who just drove head on into an enormous flaming pillar. All in preparation to get back into the car and, well, drive more.
Is this where road rage comes from? |  |
 | We crossed the $100 in tolls threshold on the way into Philly. Totally insane. We knew that this tour was about building bridges, but we didn't put it together that it was about BUILDING BRIDGES! MayMo's totally freaking out, something about "purse strongs."
We didn't know he carried a purse.
Today's gig is part of the Peanut Butter and Jams series at the World Cafe, a title that earns our punnery seal of approval. Yesterday, Jack made a joke about the National Mall having an Orange Julius and Sharper Image that, evidently, didn't. |
The World Cafe is an amazing place: WXPN anchors part of bottom floor, with a huge live room downstairs and the smaller cafe. We had a smaller but still pretty energetic crew of kids for a Monday afternoon show. Super fun room and crazy good eggplant fries.
This show was all about getting close to greatness.
Brush with fame #1 was during our soundcheck. As Daron and Jack got mic levels, suddenly KATHY O'CONNELL WALKED INTO THE ROOM! It was so huge to get to meet her- she's been running Kid's Corner on WXPN for 20 years and has given us huge props for Tabby Road and Wonderstuff. Thanks, Kathy!!!
Brush with fame #2 was looking out across the cafe and seeing what we're pretty sure was most of the band Spiritualized, eating food in the corner. Our suspicions were confirmed when we retrieved the band van after the show and saw their epic tour bus parked on the better part of a city block.
But it was Brush with fame #3 that afforded us our best photo op to date...
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 | Yes, it's really him.
Kid's music devotees will recognize our companion as "Wags the Dog" from the Wiggles, here promoting their upcoming show at whatever the big Mega-Dome is here in town. Apparently the Wiggles have done something like a billion dollars in business.
Drew slid in at the last minute like some kind of sports analogy that this writer lacks the background knowledge to accurately portray (maybe like a hockey guy?) and we asked Wags if we could get a picture.
"Yeah, sure, whatever. I can't even see out of this thing," he said in this really gravelly voice.
But he did it with this really cute hand gesture. Seriously. He's cute!
We finished the night back in DC at a cool Salvadorian/Mexican restaurant called Las Placitas. Our first sit down meal as a band in quite a while... the calm before the storm that will be our drive west in a couple of days.PREVIOUS || NEXT |
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