A Beatiful Start to a Beautiful Life (Day One)

Tour,
yet again,
the wild,
the untamed.
the Dirty.
the unashamed.

Again, we (we being six)
have ventured to the great
river that is unforgiving (the road)
bold, and beautiful
lush, and true.

We (we being six)
left on a the beautiful morning of
June 10th,
love in our hearts,
song on our breath.
45 minutes into the drive..
we....

ran out of gas..
incredibly humiliating,
Kissel (drummer boy) and myself hitched into the nearest
town to purchase some gasoline.
we hitched back,
put in the gasoline,
and we were on our way.

the first show of the tour was on a beautiful St. Georgian Farm
called Staheli Farm.
The crowd/people was absolutely phenomenal.
We are in love,
in love.
in love.

with the idea of freedom.
trueness, and love.

After the show we were fortunate enough to
receive the gift of sleep/salvation from a friend.
We were able to play ping pong a bit, and relax our minds.

We don't sound like anyone (we hope)
But if we do, we pray that they are sincere.

j. (and brothers)

TOUR and a place to lay our heads (again)

We (six of us) are headed out to the east coast, mid west, west coast, south land, etc. to share songs across the country we are in desperate need of places to stay while on the great highway for we will have no money for hotels and such things, if there are any kind folks out there with whom we could lay our heads it would be overly appreciated.
We will be playing in the following cities:

6/14 Dallas, TX (The Loft)
6/15 Austin, TX (Stubb's)
6/16 Houston, TX (Warehouse Live)
6/18 Memphis, TN (Hi Tone Cafe)
6/19 Birmingham, AL (Workplay Theatre)
6/20 Knoxville, TN (World Grotto)
6/21 Atlanta, GA (Smith's Olde Bar)
6/22 Nashville, TN (3rd and Lindsley)
6/24 Orlando, FL (The Social)
6/25 Miami, FL (Studio A)
6/26 Tampa, FL (Orpheum)
6/27 Jacksonville, FL (Jack Rabbits)
6/28 Athens, GA (Melting Point)
6/30 Charleston, SC (Village Tavern)
7/1 Chapel Hill, NC (Local 506)
7/2 Asheville, NC (Grey Eagle)
7/3 Charlotte, NC (Evening Muse)
7/6 Arlington, VA (IOTA)
7/7 Baltimore, MD (8x10)
7/8 Philadelphia, PA (World Cafe Live)
7/9 Poughkeepsie, NY (The Loft)
7/10 Hartford, CT (Webster Underground)
7/11 Buffalo, NY (Canal Concert Series)
7/12 Albany, NY (Valentines)
7/13 Allston, MA (Great Scott)
7/14 New York City, NY (Cutting Room)
7/16 Grand Rapids, MI (The Intersection)
7/17 Pittsburgh, PA (Club Cafe)
7/18 Indianapolis, IN (Radio Radio)
7/19 Chicago, IL (Beat Kitchen)
7/20 Ann Arbor, MI (The Ark)
7/22 Milwaukee, WI (Shank Hall)
7/23 Minneapolis, MN (Varsity)
7/24 Omaha, NE (Waiting Room)
7/25 Kansas City, MS (The Record Bar)

7/26 through 8/14

will include dates in Colorado, Utah, Washington, Oregon, California, Arizona, New Mexico, so keep your eyes and minds open.
(please)

If you could reach a helping hand in any of the stated dates it would help out very much, please just send me a message so that we might be able to make plans accordingly.


love,
sincere,

joshua (and five willing friends)

Trust Me, You Don't Want In On This!

Long time since last i wrote anything.
Well.. be as it may.
I am here now (either in spirit or non)
and collectively being here
is..
well an accomplishment (the least amount of words POSSIBLE)
Very excited for May.
We will be opening some shows for
the grammy winners
Glen Hansard & Marketa Irglova.

The lord only knows how these things happen.
Nebraska boy vs. a grammy winner.
well....
i will play it with my might..and all of it.

June and July are coming up very soon here.
and we will be playing in most every state in this Northern Hemisphere
or mostly just in the U.S.of A.
traveling is such a release.
sharing and working even more so.
we will be doing the shows as a fully band
5 of us.
There is no new record yet.
well there is, but it will not be out by this tour.
But there will def. be some songs played from the new record.
(horses held)
i hope love is prosperous for all of us on this beautiful day
of APRIL.
honest to goodness.
life is bliss.

j.

Call Me A Liar, Call Me, oh Call Me.

I have been.
well.
gone,
or just haven't written.
Hard to say.
Here i am though.
Great news, great good news.
We will be leaving on tour for a good long
TWO MONTHS!!!
starting June 3rd,
starting in Portland, Oregon.
and hitting almost every major
city in the united states of america.
Very excited about it all.
very oh very.
I get confused so often though.
Plant your feet to the ground isn't what i say, but do.
quite phenomenal the feeling.

I recently played two shows in Provo, UT (A lonely night)
at VELOUR live music gallery.
Some of my most favorite shows that i have ever played were those.
If there is anyone reading this that went to support, thank you.
THank you, THank you, THank you.
honest to goodness ...and now a quote.
for old times sake...

"You try and take what they have stolen,
or try and break what can't be broken,
you can speak what you believe,
but every thought comes preconceived,
We try and wash our hand from this
clear our conscience and dismiss,
pretend these problems don't exist,
we're taking aspirin for a broken wrist"

love you all.
forever and ever.
till death i suppose
j.

Wilted Daisies in Winter, or That is a bad break

Ok.

Wilted Daisies Then.

Pretty pretty wilted daisies
All in a row.
On top of Mt. Vernon
In the dirty snow.
Where the shadows sing of sunshine
Like a dying crow
Pretty pretty wilted daisies
All in a row.

j.

A Portable Telephone in one Hand, and...

Seems to me things are all coming at once.
But they have always i suppose.
or is this...me supposing.

fair.

fair it is.

I can't help but be upset.
mad.
or dilusioned.
it doesn't matter how i spell it anyways.
i am trying to connect.
to..
relate.
somehow.
anyhow/way.
please!
this.
this.
this is me screaming.
digitally to you, through you.
because only
"THROUGH"
you am i am able to relate.
so please!!!
here me!
this is me relating.
for the love of all that we might hold.
dear.
true.
holy.
reliige.
fake.
false.
phoney.
phenomenal.
or else none of the above.
may it hold it to our
dying..soul/hearts.
AMEN.

j.

Love in time of Winter, or welcome to the machine

A wise man once wrote:
Love is the essence of feeling without knowing which is the answer.


Let us hope that a wise man wasn't wrong.
that a wise man was true.
uncrueling.
unveiling.
but at the same time...
spontaneous.

I am very excited to be playing in Provo, UT soon.
March 14th.
There will be tickets sold at Velour until the day of the show.

I am so happy to be.
to be.
that is all there is.
being.
and not being.
so BE
BE.


j.

Lincoln, or welcome to the other side of the world

Lincoln,

it is now Friday afternoon, i was blessed enough to be able to
play some of my songs for a group of beautiful/wonderful/thoughtful
individuals last night at knickerbockers, there was a very good amount of
people inside that stuffy room.
I for one am:
thankful
sincerely thankful
for it all. Off to Boulder tomorrow morning.
oh boy.
i saw this on youtube, and i cant tell you
the levels of depth that have gone into it
i hope that you all enjoy the video entitled:
"Sexiest Men"

i can see why i have not made the list.
look at these guys.

love love love dove.
j.

Thoughts on an Era, From Sad to Angry, to love and beyond.

“Had he and I but met
By some old ancient inn,
We should have sat us down to wet
Right many a nipperkin!

“But ranged as infantry,
And staring face to face,
I shot at him as he at me,
And killed him in his place.

“I shot him dead because—
Because he was my foe,
Just so: my foe of course he was;
That’s clear enough; although

“He thought he’d ’list, perhaps,
Off-hand like—just as I—
Was out of work—had sold his traps—
No other reason why.

“Yes; quaint and curious war is!
You shoot a fellow down
You’d treat, if met where any bar is,
Or help to half-a-crown.”

- Thomas Hardy


I will be in Lincoln, NE on Thursday playing at Knickerbockers w. Matt Nathanson
beauty.
and ..
i will be in Boulder, CO on Saturday playint at Fox Theatre w. Matt Nathanson

i love to not loathe.
you and i
together.
for we..
almost ever.
j.

i am sincerely concerned

Well.
i have been working,
working hard.
hard at work am i.
trying to get these songs ready for the mixing phase.
This will take much much more much time
than i had previously anticipated.
Home recording sounds good though.
i am excited to show you all.
To have you hear me from inside out.
through song,
(and dance) if you wish.
I just recorded on my laptop a song
from and artist that i grew up with
the modest mouse.
this song is called:
"custom concern"
i love it all.
couldn't you help it?
j.

Bitter, Boil, Blister, Soil.

ok,
finally,
out.
in or around.
forlorning.
okokok.stop.
phew.


tough this time, create what i need to.
i want to share it with you.
ALL.
all of it.
so i will write down a song,
no wait,
not a song.
i will write down a phrase.
no more songs, no more songs.
Write down a phrase and i am magically alone.
or home,
or alone.
I am still a tourist i feel.
Still?
yep.
yes sir.
I want to leave it anyways often.
But find myself oddly attracted to staying.
oh oh oh oh.
ok here is a picture of it.

j.

More Los Angles.

We finished up the two days in Sunset Sound
located here in Los Angeles California.
I am extremely happy with how alot of
the material turned out.

We were able to record 12 songs.
all completely live tracked
and they have a very good feel to them.
Excited to have you all hear them.

As for me...well..
i just finished editing a little bit of
footage from this last years tour.
If you have been a follower of the Buffalo James
blog from the beginning you will recall the Woods Pool incident.
i think it was the 2nd or 3rd entry ever on the blog.
About how we snuck into the pool.
Anyways if you have not read it.
YOU SHOULD! especially before you watch the VIDEO!
yes indeed we finally got the video up and running you can
watch it here:

City of Angles, or Try and Try forget the Honesty.

In Los Angeles now. Working hard for some decent recordings.
We have already tracked around 10 songs including:

-Mother Mary
-Black July
-Lawn Full of Marigolds
-Winter Storm
-Farmer From the West
-Crash This Train
-Daniel
-Ribbon Bows
-The Garden
-A Boy, A Father, and a Gun

and we will be tracking on Monday and Tuesday at Sunset Sound, very very excited...some songs that we are going to Hopefully track are:

-Annabelle
-Jesus Train
-Lorraine
-Lisa
-In The Middle
-Salt Water
-Restitution
-Your Story's Told
-When The Floods Come
-Baby Boy

We will have more songs to choose from for this record. Very excited, any suggestions are always very very important. City of Angles or City of Angels?

Singing.
J.

Lisa

Lisa

Lisa was sleepin, the night that i left.
I headed to Kansas, not a word on my breath.
Found an old friend on the corner
And a girl in my bed.

So I took off her clothes, and laid her down slow
Heard an old love song, on the radio.
I never felt worse than i felt,
Then when i heard the door close.

Someone tell Lisa, where i was found.
That the water in the winter ain't as cold as it sounds.
Tell her i never did change,
Just like the way she had explained.
Someone tell Lisa it's better this way.
There'll be blue skies, bright sunshine,
No grey clouds to blame.
Tell her i missed her the most.
When it's rainin this way.

So i walked to the bridge about a quarter to ten
Put my feet on the rails and my face to the wind
Thought of your smile in Chicago
Wen you spilt your wine on your dress.

Someone tell Lisa, where i was found.
That the water in the winter ain't as cold as it sounds.
Tell her i never did change,
Just like the way she had explained.
Someone tell Lisa it's better this way.
There'll be blue skies, bright sunshine,
No grey clouds to blame.
Tell her i missed her the most.
When it's rainin this way.

j.

It should be funny that we are getting older but....

This years greatest gifts/moments/etc.

-Running Naked on Virginia Beach with good friends
-Renovating a house built in 1910
-Touring with Brett Dennen
-Touring with David Gray
-Touring with Erin Mckeown
-Releasing Fields & Floods
-Playing with my nieces and nephews on Thanksgiving
-Skateboarding with Colby
-Seeing Justin at Grandparents house
-Seeing Court almost beat up by a wandering drunk.
-Meeting so many amazing people across the continent.
-Recording my Mothers Christmas cd.
-Watching the last episode of season three of the office.
-Putting Christmas lights on our house.
-Loving.
-Living

Favorite records during 2007:

1. Red House Painters - Songs For A Blue Guitar
2. Band of Annuals - Let Me Live
3. Sufjan Stevens - Christmas
4. Margot and the Nuclear So and So's - The Dust Of Retreat
5. Brett Dennen - So Much More
6. Modest Mouse - The Moon and Antartica
7. Two Gallants - Two Gallants
8. Mark Kozelek - Little Drummer Boy (Live)
9. Lex Land - Orange Days on Lemon Street
10. Kings of Leon - Because Of The Times
11. Black Rebel Motorcycle Club - Howl
12. Elliott Smith - New Moon
13. Iron and Wine/Calexico - In The Reins
14. Rufus Wainwright - Release The Stars
15. John Prine - Fair & Square
16. Jose Gonzalez - In Our Nature
17. Leonard Cohen - Best
18. The Magic Numbers - The Magic Numbers
19. My Morning Jacket - Z
20. Over The Rhine - Trumpet Child


Most Disappointing Record in 2007

1. Rilo Kiley - Under The Black Light


The Most Amazing Hummus Recipe Ever:


1 1/2 cups cooked or canned chick-peas, drained and
rinsed
3 cloves roasted garlic (see note)
1 chipotle pepper, canned in adobo (see note 2)
1 teaspoon ground cumin
2 teaspoons honey
2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
2 tablespoons tahini
1/4 c olive oil
1 1/2 tablespoons coarsely chopped flat-leaf parsley
Kosher salt and freshly ground pepper

Place the chick-peas, chipotle, cumin, honey, lemon
juice, and tahini in processor and process until
smooth. With the motor running, slowly add the oil
until emulsified. Add the parsley and season with
salt and pepper. May be erated for 1 day; serve at
room temperature. Make about 1 1/2 cups. (Megan
usually doubles the recipe).

Notes:
1. To oven-roast a head of garlic, first cut off the
top. Rub the garlic with olive oil and sprinkle with
salt and pepper, wrap it in foil, and place it on a
baking sheet. Roast at 300 degrees F until soft,
about 45 minutes.
2. Canned chipotle peppers in adobo and ancho chile
powder are available at Hispanic or gourmet markets.

Then use pitas grilled and salted with kosher salt.


Happy Holidays

Keep your love livid.
Life can be so pretty.

j.

Happy Xmas (War is Over!)

War is over,
whether you want it to be or not is entirely up to you.
But it is over.
in our minds
our thoughts
and our deeds
And all of those things are ...
once again up to us.
Stop
hatred
greed
lust
and
Start
love
truth
sharing.
We are all in it together.

Well...
recently i released a Holiday Ep called Fields & Floods
i recorded the record at my home last winter, and did 10 songs.
well only 7 of them made it to the record.
One of them that did not is a song written by the late John Lennon
called Happy Xmas (War Is Over). I sung it with my lover Emma.
it is fun, and free at the following site:
joshuajames.tv/warisover.html
download.
live
love
life.

Happy Holidays!

Trouble is as trouble does, or, Bend that like a 40

Postitively truely Inspiring

So last night was the last night of the David Gray tour,
I would be fibbing if i were to say that i wasn't a bit down about the whole situation.
But i will get along.
It has been such an honor/privelege/dream to be able to go out and
play for is adoring fans. Such people, such kind thoughtful people.
After the show last night there was a "aftershow party"
I was able to meet the famous "Tiffany" and her husband.
Funny, seeing as how just weeks before this tour i purchased here
cassette tape from the 80's at a five and dime.

Briliantly yours tumbling.
I can't but decide to keep on.
I loved it as much as anyone.
BUT>>>
you aren't the same as you were.
Changing isn't part of your verb.
So i took it down,
drowned it out,
let it bleed,
Hid the sound.
And the day it came
that trouble found
its way back in
to my soft ground.
I couldn't stop
not if i tried
to blackened lungs
and suicide.

father!

Nervous? Well people should keep moving.

Los Angeles California.
Wow, what a crowd,
what people.
I had such an amazing time playing for
the city of angels here.
in the beautiful country of california.
So happy, so thrilling.
I can't believe,
i try to but can't
the fact that people can be so unexpectedly
kind,
true,
sincere,
such a wonderful time to be alive.
Crying might be the only option on a night like that.
One more show with the wonderful Mr. Gray and its over.
Sad,
True but sad.
One more night.
j.

Mouth, or bigger than a bubble.

I didn't mean to say that i disliked New York,
There were definitely alot of kind, thoughtful, sincere people
that i was able to meet/greet/share with.
I appreciate them all.
New York I am sorry.
I am, i hope love is still there.
I am now in Denver
COLORADO!
What a crowd.
What people.
How kind
How true.
I appreciated their quiteness,
their applause,
their thoughtfullness.
To it i love.
Thank you.
David Gray is phenomenal, what a man.
what a voice, what a true person.
Love is still laughter,
and i am still getting older.
phenom.

j.

New Yourk what? without the "you"

You..
hmm...
funny how that always floats to the top.
I am very tempermental.
Maybe i should leave it at that.
But....
i probably won't.
Nope. I won't.
We are in Boston, very excited to play tonight.
New York was hard,
hard for me.
to relate/express/feel/etc.
But tonight will be different.
Tonight i will try and ummmm....dazzle?
i don't know, i will try and do something.
I am very excited.
I will play with my heart out.
My soul out, my love out.
Here we go.
loving is lying isn't the worst?
j.

Could it be kinder, or, there is water in the well to be had!

VELOUR on November 30th.
was incredible, i am so sorry that there were people that were waiting out in the rainy rainy
weather. The show went so well, and we were thrilled to have such a wonderful group of people to
play for.

The trip.
the trip to canada, toronto was a long trip.
We made it safe, but sound.
We tried to save money by taking public transportation to the show
at MASSEY HALL...
well...it was sort of a nightmare to say the least.
It took 2 hours to get to a place that should've taken only
15 min.
But we made it.
I had no idea how amazing Canada could be.
the people were so receptive, David and his crew were so amazingly nice.
We could not have paid for a better group of people
to share our feelings/music/adventures with.
loved it.

j.

Time, Happy Birthday

Another year has passed.
Its up, now its gone
A treasureful time,
Whether cut up or long.
So shake your hellos
and cry your goodbyes
this year will be different
we'll have love on our side.
A birthdays a birthday
no matter color or shape
the days will not stop
will not vanish or fade.
So take time for to relish
the one you have near
Because the day it is coming
that you'll be running in fear.
Not from robbers or rapists
or killers in the night.
It is "TIME" that you hide from
don't be foolish, i'm right.
So happy birthday dear loved one
Your day is still new.
Keep your candle light burning.
And forget that its cruel.

long hair, don't care. or. the belly isn't as convincing

I am tremulous.
tremulous.
I leave soon...again for the road.
I leave soon.
AGAIN!
excited?
why yes..yes i am.
I leave with Mr.David Gray.
and i must admit that he is incredibly moving.
EMOTIONALLY.
of course.
Canada, first off.
Next week. and i am so excited.
Fields & Floods is available now through Itunes,
exciting....very much so.
More blogging is to come.
I had to reinvent myself again.
j.

What a lovely journey, or, we could walk until the sun comes up

What a great tour it has been.
It is slowly ending, we played our second to last show tonight in Chicago. We had many friends come out and share with us.
We played:

-Daniel
-Commodore
-Lord, Devil, & Him
-New Love Song
-Dangerous
-Crash This Train
-Ribbon Bows

It was great. We have had so much fun.
We have one more show in Lincoln, NE on the 25th,
and then
HOME
HOME
HOME.
i am excited to see home,
to be home,
to feel home.

I will write,
and love,
and record.

We will be working on the new record soon.

Love is wonderful

Another Day In The Belly of the Bees, or, Beauty is as beauty does.

We have had so many great wonderful times,
days.and.days.
days in the belly of the bees.
in the wild.
in the wilderness.
Two nights ago we decided to drive to Virginia Beach to enjoy the beauty of the country.
We arrived at the campground (First Landing) around 2pm.
we had purchased a bag of hotdogs, marshmallows, chocolate bars, and graham crackers in the earlier hours.
We got there (to our assigned camping space, i believe it was G1) and decided to divide the duties.
Fletch and I were nominated to go out to the forest to search for firewood.
while the others (Court and Branden) set up the tent.
We (Fletch and I) were triumphant in the search and returned with a very large cargo of firewood.
After camp was set up we decided to head to the beach, it was maybe a five minute walk from where we were camping.
we walked.
i walked,
they walked,
and we walked together.
we all got thorns in our feet near the beaches forefront.
It was so beautiful we almost started crying.
we sat there,
sang,
spoke,
laughed.
it was incredible.
we returned to the campsite before the sun was down.
We started the fire, though there was still daylight.
I started widdling.
widdling a small branch.
I cut myself..
three times.
blood was all over the knife, but i was determined.
The sun settled and the cold started to set in.
Beauty still regardless.
we began to cook hotdogs and get silly.
The hotdogs were delicous.
We talked more
about love,
about life,
about god,
about lots of things.
It was around nine thirty that we decided to go swimming.
We headed back to beach,
there was no sunlight left.
the stars shined bright.
We made it to the beach (without thorns this time).
It was cold, but we were determined.
we all got naked.
COMPLETELY.
it was beautiful.
we ran into the cold black water.
We were free.
We are free.
it was beautiful.
I felt at home that night.
Though i am not still.
We swam for around twenty minutes,
the cold set in when getting out.
We ran back to the campsite.
We roasted marshmallows, chocolate, and graham crackers and talked some more.
We ended the night with a movie in the tent.
It was such an amazing night, we all loved it.
We talk still.
there are some pictures, i hope the work.
love always.

A long time here, or, sorry this isn't the correct answer

We have had such a great.
time,
experience,
friendship builder.

ok,

so we are sleeping in tents (most of the time)
and
we are eating peanut butter sandwiches (most of the time)

but,

we have love
and each other.
we are traveling craftsman,
our craft is music,
and love,
devotion,
and respect
truth, and some lies.

last night we played in Knoxville Tennessee.
to four people.
but!
those four people were attentive.
and we played our guts out,
i played on my knees half the night,
and we improved for about fifteen minutes after a rendition of FM Radio.
it was quite swell...

today..

we went on the most amazing hike of my life today.
in a town they call Asheville,
located in North Carolina,
we headed up the mountain
found our souls,
and headed back down.
we slept at a catholic church last night,
and it was brisk.
almost cold, but not cold enough to call it cold,
more brisk than anything.
we slept well, and we were not interrupted by the police this time.
We slept in until ten.
amazing.
we have driven across the country and we are now
going to be performing at the GreyEagle in North Carolina with
Erin,
she is sweet.
sweet as butter.
we love her.
pictures will be posted very soon.
soon,

terribly yours.

2 Hours later. or, A poolside view of Jersey

again, again.
here we are.
the same cafe.

We have played our first "2" shows with Miss Erin Mckeown.
Amazing person she is.
kind
thoughtful
amazing.

We were heading towards New york City to play at the Gramercy with her a couple of days ago.
driving (sun up)
driving (sun started to go down)
driving (sun went down)
driving (sun still down)
driving (sun very down)
we drove until three thirty in the morning and found a small
scary
park in new jersey,
next to a shooting range, in what seemed to be an abandoned football field.
We slept well though.
i just bought a new sleeping pad, to help my back adjust to my "new" sleeping choice.
We played in New York and it was quite enjoyable.
I don't love new york.
no not me.
we drove for 2 hours looking for parking.
it smells there.
and people don't seem to be too kind (not all of them though).
after sleeping in an apartment of our good friend "matt wood"/s house.
we were off.
again.
yes yet again.
toward Philladelphia.
we arrived without problems (physical/emotional).
There was a very kind fan/friend waiting outside of the venue, and had been waiting for about three hours.
he gave me a piece of art that he had made for me, making me quite content.
john.
great show in philly.
great people.
great love.

we are running still.

A town called Austintown, a man named.

Tour yet another.
beautiful engagement.
a truthfully honest arrange of feelings.
flood much more frequent.
than when at home.
Though home is no dissapointment.
i miss it some times.
After this tour i will have been out for over three months.
I have never toured before,
and at times it seems overwhelming,
and others it seems so amazing.
most of the time it does.

We are many now.
many beautiful people are scratching the surface of this amazingly
beautiful
spacious
gracious
land of love with me.
It is:
i,
fletch,
branden,
and court.
we are friends first and foremost.
after that we play music together.
we have had an amazing time so far.
we stopped off in lincoln to visity my sister and father (mother is away to visit my sister).
it was oh so good to see them.
i love spending time with loves.
love after all is it.
whatever "it" is.

we played a great show to a very attentive crowd in chicago,
after which we stayed with a wonderful friend ashley.

"We're off!" we screamed in the morning.
loudly.
we drove to a small town about an hour outside of pittsburgh called austintown.
We found a park that stated that it closed at dusk.
We slept there anyways.
it was a windy night.
Whoooo
whooo...
the wind howled.
whoo
Whoo...
we woke to the sound of police cars buzzing outside the tent.
we explained to the officers that we were:
a. poor
b. traveling musicians
c. very respectful.
they left just explaining that we weren't allowed to repeat the offense.
we were off to pittsburgh,
i am currently in the large 15 passenger van writing this and listening to the beautiful voice of Mr. Brinton Jones,
as the others are
fast asleep.

zzzzz

Pittsburgh tonight.

zzzzz.

Sing Song, Read Words, Learn Love

Trial, now tell me.
Trial, now tell me.

I am home,
have been for days now.
good to be home,
to rest,
to breathe,
to eat,
to sleep.

It looks like we leave again tomorrow for the open road.
for another beautiful adventure.
To conquer the world one soul at a time.
We will drive tomorrow to Lincoln to visit my folks and sister
then from there off to Chicago,
very excited about going back to Chicago,
i absolutely loved it last time I was there.
I pray to have a good experience,
a healthy and enjoyable one.
Where sharing becomes natural,
beautiful even.
I want that.
We will be out until October 27th,
then i will be home for awhile (i hope)
unless something comes up, and i must leave
to sing songs,
to read words,
and to relearn love.
learning always i suppose.
aren't we?

City of Angels, or, Silent as a Church, or, I lost my mind that night

I played at the Hotel Cafe tonight,
in Los Angeles, CA. An old friend of mine was there (James)
It was very good to see so many people.
The place was so graciously quiet.
and
respectful.
i love them all for that.
I really enjoyed playing Los Angeles.
I get nervous to play there.
Many amazing people.
with "real" jobs.
i have no job.
Tonight was the last show on the tour.

We leave again soon though.
tomorrow we will drive back home to regain strength.
The next tour should be very great.
We are heading out with Erin Mckeown, very excited for that.
she is incredible.
Home,
home on the range.
where the deer and the antelope play.
where seldom is heard a discouraging word.
and the skies are not cloudy all day.


love it there.
quitting.

A small form of flattery, or, I am enthrolled.

We have had two amazing dates w. Paolo Nutini,
i had no idea there were so many...
wonderful
beautiful
kind
people in Albuquerque New Mexico
and
Tucson Arizona.
I was informed today that someone had recorded
and posted a version of FM Radio, i was.
well
flabbergasted (sp?)
to say the least.
here it is if you would like to watch it.

http://youtube.com/watch?v=apoM30iI_AQ

He has a really good voice.
love is there.

Days in the belly of the Bees, or, Saving is as good as Stolen

These past couple of days have been amazing.
with a sunset,
a field,
a mountain,
the trees,
the air thats breathed.
A past, and my present.
What have i become?
Probably a statement that we all ask.
I know i have, and will
forever.
I feel more alive than i have
in a long time,
a car,
smog,
a truck,
a clock,
tick tick tick.
over and over.

I felt that so many times,
not now.
Hopefully not again,
for awhile atleast.

sing songs.
read books.
learn love.

Nashville, or, new friends with...

Our days were numbered from the start.
We knew that.
The Brett Dennen, and Meiko tour is over.
Sad.
sad.
We loved them both, traveling,
sharing,
loving,
confiding,
was a very unique and special experience.

The tour ended well with an amazing crowd in Nashville, Tennesee.
I loved every minute of it.
The crowd was amazingly:
respectful
kind
quiet
enthusiastic
and
beautiful.
I was very blessed to be able to share with them my
feeling and trials
through song.

The following morning we woke up in the home of our new friend Bob,
who was kind enough to let us stay at his home.
We ate his pizza,
and,
his breadsticks.
and before we left i broke is light fixture.
i felt terrible,
real bad like.
We made our way to his front door that beautiful nashville morning and bid him
adieu.
(goodbye)
We were off on our own (without brett, meiko, chad, randy, johnny, and the beautiful friendship that they gave us) to the next town.
MEMPHIS.

The venue was packed,
and by packed i mean empty.
very empty,
but there were some folks (very kind like)
that came out to listen and to share.
It was a beautiful night.

We watched Sweet Home Alabama on our laptop in the car.
It was a very good night.

We are on the road towards Albuqurque, New Mexico (spelling?)
to open up for the new shoes man himself Paolo Nutini.
We are honored to be able to open for him, we recently saw him in Buffalo, NY
opening for Elvis Costello.
well it is now spring (i believe)
and love is in the air.
We are driving, and smog is in the car.
We are clean from showering last night,
and we have bright spirits (and hopefully futures)

j.

North Carolina

We played in Carrboro North Carolina last night.
It was a very uplifting and enjoyable show.
North Carolina seems to be the place to be.
People were very very kind
quite, and respectful.

We are off for Nashville today.
Long drive.
Nashville.
Last show with Brett d. and Meiko
stories folder.

Depression is tragic, tragic is brilliance in a (minor)

Last night was September 11th
a reminder of tragedy,
of love and devotion.
Of tyrany,
of freedom,
of death,
of life,
of happiness,
of hate,
of devotion and delusion.
of control and greed.
of brightness and newness.
of a new day
of an old era.

We played in Charlottesville, VA last night.
i think i was depressed to be quite honest.
There were many very kind and beautiful people that listened.
But like every lovely thing it was polluted partially by others.
The day is over, and night has fallen,
its a beautiful night tonight, the stars in the sky,
but blue as the sky seems, i feel alone,
and by that i don't mean to hurt.
I mean to let go, and try again.

I am sure we all feel...alone
or maybe we don't all feel alone,
maybe there are some who aren't alone.
blessed are they.
I've tried.
I am currently trying.
I hope for better days and nights.
I hope for love and devotion
I hope for friends and family
I hope for all..

tonight,
oh tonight was a trial.
A fire,
a fire.

A Tortured Lover, or Stories without Endings.

A falling first,
down,
farther now than before,
i felt .
foremost miserable when arriving,
than non (foremost) when leaving.
I could use a new.
a new one i guess (it would have to be).
Me, you, him, than leave.
Leaving is aways first, and last
it seems.
Ok, ok.
trust something (if you must)
then leave it to stay.
hopefully,
it will.
Stay that is.
I am tired of most things.
i am very tired of this thing.
I hope trial beats this
ERROR!
oh no not again.
New York,
South Dakota.
Lover broughta
cake o soda
oh blood non drivers...
lestening the slip.
What slip?
Four, and now again Five.
and now again (foremost)
oh foremost again.
I remember him breaking it clearly.
HELL!
utter
lee
utterly.
hell it was, now is, shouldn't
BE.
I will preview it later.
Confusted, confused, digested.
Home is mostly of all that prior to this.
Confusted...again.
I should finish it off.
away, and leave it.
School...Father was right.
you were right again.
I could use this against him again.
ahh there it is...AGAIN
again.
again.
no.

Hamilton College, or, how to take a whole car full of food and have noone really care.

Hamilton College in Clinton NEW YORK
was amazing. One of the finest crowds we have played for in the last month.
The hosts, and people were all so supportive and kind.
Much better than most,
much better than most indeed.
We got some photos.
They gave us a place to lay our heads,
and a full room of free (free) food.
so wonderful,
so kind,
so thankful.

All bany, Not AL bany

Ok ok i am tired.
long long drive here.
left monday morning.
drove.
ate (little)
drove more...
finally made it wed. afternoon.
the university is beauty filled here.
much much.
ate chinese food.
too much.
proportionally improportioned.
Last nights show...
ALbany New York.

I have a hard time saying Albany.
its allbany not albany.
they need to respell it.
reform it, remold it.
i am losing it.
I feel distant..

Home, Time and Time Again.

We made it back home, a beautifully exhausting drive from Boulder CO.
All through the night,
we made it back at 8:00 the next morning.
It's good to be home.
Court has decided to not come out the next couple of tours.
he needs to work, and actually make some money.
Solo for me,
Solo me,
alone, me again.
We leave again tomorrow morning (Emma and I) for New York
to start our small tour with Brett Dennen, then we will be headed back down the lower states.
Our last date with Mr. Dennen is in Nashville on the 14th.
from there we have two shows in
TEXAS
and then we head to
ARIZONA
after that we are going up the
CALIFORNIA
coast, i hear it is beautiful this time of year.
besides...


I've told you time and time again
I've told you time and time again
Talk with your mouth, speak with your hands
I've told you time and time again.

Bruised broken blood mouth full of earth
Bruised broken blood mouth full of earth
He cut you up he made you learn
Bruised broken blood mouth full of dirt.

sincere.
j.

A long Drive, Tour, or someone found out that everyone likes.

So.
We have had an amazing week.
we played a very loud, almost obnoxious bar in Bloomington, IN
the other Indiana show was great, and we loved it.
very
ver y
very kind people there.
we have camped alot.
but its getting better.
or i should say more tolerable.
We bought a bigger tent
i think it holds around 12 people.
its a mini cabin almost.
so much harder to set up at different parks.
much less discrete.

WE played Chicago last night to a wonderful little crowd, and then drove all night to try and make it to Lincoln, NE. WE failed
to say the least.
we made it till about six in the morning
and then we camped out front of a catholic church.
tired.
very tired.
we drove all day today.
picked up a hitchiker on the way to lincoln,
and dropped her off there.
I got to see Annie a very good friend of mine
from a terrible time (highschool). She lives in Chicago.
its alwasy good to see love.
We are in NE tonight and Missouri tomorrow.
blurryingly running around.
sooner.

TOUR more Grand Rapids, or the day comes the officer arrived wearing nothing but a neckbrace

WE had no show last night (a day off), and spent the day at the GR library.
we ate tuna fish sandwiches, salt and vinegar potato chips, and had our daily vitamins.
I miss home sometimes, but sometimes i don't.

We went to barnes and noble after the library,
Court fell asleep on the couch, kyle finished his daily intake of cosmopolitan
and I read a book on Leonard Cohen.
love is in the air.
is summer over?
well almost over i suppose.
We are back at the library, we are taking baths in the bathroom here.
not too hard to do to be quite honest.
you have to find a way to wash your body from a sink, but very doable.
I think we smell, but its hard to say.

Last night we camped out at the local zoo again.
Good nights rest except for the furious rain storm that came.
Lots of rain, lots of water.
VERY humid!

We woke up to the sound of a local police officers voice.
WE got out and explained our situation..

"sir we are traveling gypsies." i told the man.

he took our id's to make sure nothing was unsound in our past.
We packed up the tent and left.
The corolla is getting worn down, draggin that trailer isn't its favorite job.

we got a show tonight.

We are heading home soon. We will be there for about two days before we leave for NY again.
Brett Dennen tour should be fun.
I have met him numerous times and seems to be a very down to earth individual.

summer...

TOUR and a Rain Storm in the Rapids, or, Please do not reshelve these books, etc.

Yet one more,
two more.
days are blending in to the latter and there is light and the end of this misleading tunnel.
Shows are tough at best sometimes, playing for not so interested folks.
I try not to let it get me down,
but hard at best
again, not best though.

We played last night in Ann Arbor, MI a beautiful venue with the Avett Brothers.
The show went well.
We left and tried to find a local park in the area (the time was approx. 1:00 am)
our search proved to be fruitless.
We decided to start driving towards Grand Rapids, and maybe find a park on the way,
we visited many, but yet again very fruitless, every single one was either closed,
or didn't exist (GPS problems).

We finally made it about 30 min. outside of Grand Rapids, the time said 4:07 am.
We pulled into a residential area and found a beautiful little park nestled amongst the large modern looking
homes of Michigan. We pulled up and were dead tired, we found the strength to set up the tent and climb inside
to sleep.
We awoke around 7:01 am to thunder and our rain fly skimpering off to the trees.
We broke camp immediately and sat in the car soaking wet, frustrated, and tired.
We drove to Grand Rapids and sat in a mcdonalds for reasons unknown for about 2 hours.
around 9:46 we decided to find another park (seeing as how the storm had let up) and try our luck at the sleeping thing yet again.
We arrived at the local zoo, and pitched our tent near the parking lot, we were fast asleep.
sleep.
dead sleep.
around 11:30 it started getting quite warm, four boys, hot tent, and sleeping bags.
we unzipped the front door and let the breeze blow in.
Felt incredible.
around 12:09 a hornet flew in and awakened us quite promptly.
we got out.
unstung.
safe.

we layed our sleeping bags in the sun,
ate pop tarts.
talked about the beauty of the trees.
drank water.
brushed teeth.
packed the tent and left.

we are now at a local library.

Kyle is reading Cosmpolitan.
Court is reading "Painting in the Louvre", "blink", and "Nietzsche"
I am writing this...thinking. and lonely.
a bit cold, but comfortable.
still tolerable.
loved you.

gang three.
gang green.

j.c.k.

TOUR and this has to be too real for words, or, even you could sing songs like these.

There are things that have happened on this tour, that have been amazing.
There are things that have happened on this tour, that have been disastorous.
But all together, with those holding hands in the pouring rain of Dayton Ohio it has been life changing (for me)

I love.

Things that have not been mentioned in the blog but should have been:

- we blew a tire on our way to North Carolina, the experience was quite frightening to say the least.
- Kyle has a new preference of love that shouldn't be put into more detail.
- We played in a basement at a club called the underground after our show in philly to 25 people, at a bachelor party, the sound guy was so beside himself when he found out he couldn't run sound, to those 25 people we sold 7 records, we don't know how, but did.
- We have met amazing people in every single town.
- We slept in a dormitory at Carnegie Mellon University after staying up until 3:30 am to discuss our fears, and the bases of baseball. (We appreciate the hospitality Jessica and Lauren)
- We have seen a quarter of this amazing country and only a fraction of that quarter.
- We have come to conclusion that Kyle has no use when it comes to backing up the trailer.
- We have listened to Paranoid Android around 15 times on the road
- We realized the true meaning of "Lechitin"
- We played in the battering rain of Dayton Ohio on the 20th of August for more than an hour, which for me brought me to almost crying after realizing that happiness doesn't come from my prior neccesitation of things.
- We have come to conclusion that we can eat breakfast/lunch and or dinner for less than four dollars for all three of us.
- We have learned to love each other.
- Kyle was able to pick up two women in Orlando and become good friends.

People to thank (not including everyone up until this time)

- Ma and Pa James
- Lauren Lee
- Jamie and Danny
- Scott Smith
- Wes Smith
- Shannon Edgar
- CAA booking (Mathew and Buster)
- Miss Jenna (hotel and wonderful friendship)
- Todd Coder (Bham allstar)
- Melissa Brannin
- Casey Jones
- Stephen Devries and co.
- Nate Edwards and associates
- Jodi (NY) for the wonderful book
- Matt Wood
- Gravity Lounge
- Nick (radio stations and such a wonderful friendship)
- The Evening Muse
- Emma Bear
- Ashley James
- Miss Barnum
- Universal Records (for the great stay in NY)
- Jay Harren
- Rico
- anyone and everyone who has helped us out with our almost foolish dream. (sorry if we didn't mention you on this)



we all cried.

TOUR and a tent full of us.

The Tour has been

uplifting
thoughtful
tolerable
loveable
usable
growable
interesting
spectacular

but over all of that the tour has been amazing.

Spending time in gods country has been such a beautiful almost life changing experience. We have seen almost all of the east coast. We were lucky enough to have an amazing show in North Carolina, they were quite possibly the kindest people i have ever met, such a respectful crowd...After North Carolina we headed to virginia, the show was good, but after the show we had two on air performances for radio in a city six hours away, so we decided to leave right after the first show in VA so that we would be ontime for the radio show the next morning. So we headed out after, it was a long night of driving, but well worth it because when we got there we were able to locate (due to the fact that we have a GPS device) a local park to set up a tent at and sleep. The radio show was at 8:00 and we got into town around 3:30 so we didn't have too much time to sleep. We fell fast asleep and the alarm clock awoke us at about 7:30 we got up and noticed that around us there were people playing golf. We were too tired the night before to realize that were we had posted our tent was actually a golf course. We had two good interviews at the local radio stations and had a heck of a show that night. After the show we headed to a local club to listen to a very tasty alt. country band, at which kyle was able to hook up with a cocaine addicted 38 year old. We slept in the tent on the golf course that night as well.

NYC...might have been one of the most respectful crowds of tour thus far. Despite its bad rap New York was absolutely phenomenal, A large crowd attended, and the folks that came out were very delightful to play for, i was able to see my good old buddy wes smith as well which was a treat in itself. We are heading to Philly tomorrow and we are very excited. Looks like we might be out on the road much longer than earlier expected, we will be heading out with Brett Dennen early Sept. and with Erin Mckeown during the month of October. Love is there....we...love it.

such a beauty.
mmmm.

and then us.

TOUR w. Vagabonds and Sleep Deprivation

days and days and days have gone by,
sometimes hard to tell where we are exactly in the week.
We have been out now for over two weeks and it feels like it never has, as in it never has felt like this...

We drove seven hours early thursday morning to make it to the show in Gainesville.
a small town with alot of beautiful individuals.
The drive was gruelsome, and having Kyle drive for the first time with the trailer was often life changing, nevertheless we made it to our destination unharmed. While unloading at the club (1982 Bar) there was a strange man in the corner of the back alley sitting in a a wheelchair. The man had been injured years before it appeared, seeing as how he was missing his left leg from the kneecap down. While Court and myself were unloading Emily and Kyle were in the back alley sitting. Kyle must have struck the man odd because within minutes of arriving he started screaming obsenities and death threats toward our little Kyle.
"I will jump this curb and kill you boy."
kyle tried to pay no heed to the man, but again the man spoke...
"I have killed people before you were born you SOB."
after several threats kyle and emily decided to move away from the man into the comfort of the Venue...We played the show and were treated very kind by the locals (not disregarding the one legged man) in Gville. The show lasted till around what i recall to be one o clock a.m. Emily had to catch a flight from Orlando at seven so we wanted to be at the airport by five. Knowing this we decided not to sleep and leave for the airport right after the show. We took off around 1:30 and the rain was falling hard, we haven't seen rain such as that for years it seems. We made it to the Orlando airport arond five o clock, we were all tired, we bid emily adieu and we sat in the airport parking lot trying to decide where to go to rest.
I had an idea...
I had done this before..
I spoke of an idea to sleep in walmart by the furniture sections...you see there are large slots in which one could slip in and rest for awhile going unnoticed. Court and Kyle were very unwilling but with a little coaxing we went.
The slots weren't as large as i remembered last time i tried this, but were large enough nonetheless. Court and Kyle were now more unwilling than ever, but i was tired and didn't really care whether or not they were with me, i sleuthly slided my slender body into the slots and covered my other side with an unbuilt coffee table, i told Court to hand me a pillow, in moments i was sleeping underneath 1500 pounds of unfinished "DIY" furniture. As i was drifting i heard a couple of voices coming down the aisle.
"That coffee table doesn't go there."
i held my breath.
"Is that a pillow in there? grab that pillow"
There was a long pause of voice, and then whispering, i knew i was in for it...oh boy how was i to explain this to the officials? I hadn't any money, and definitely no time to go to the police station to have a report filed. Moments later i heard the sliding of the box that i had so cleverly placed behind me to cover up my body. And then a tapping on my shoulder, i didn't look.
"Hey...sir!" the man said gently.
I didn't breath.
"Sir...!"
I turned around as if i had been asleep for hours.
"Oh...umm..I am sorry i have just been driving all night, and i..umm...was very tired.."
The man explained he needed me to leave..
again i apologized and went to find Court and Kyle laughing on the front benches by the vending machines.
The sun was just about to come up and we decided to park the car and sleep outside in the humid, sticky air of Florida.
its been beautiful.

TOUR and Mr. JM

Florida despite the fact that Court was attacked by an on edge man from Tennessee has been a great place to play/stay.
The John Mayer shows were wonderful and we were welcomed by many beautiful floridians. We are very thankful for the chance to play those shows, and hope to have a good stay in both gainesville and Orlando.

TOUR and a long ways from home...

(entry provided by Court Holman)

"welcome to florida"

on the drive from nashville to tampa, an incident occured the will forever scar the psyche of your humble narrator, courtney t. holman.

i had just woken up from a car nap as we pulled off to refill. following my usual tour tradition, i stumbled out of the car and over in front of the gas station to smoke a cigarette. i lit up and stood for a moment when i noticed a sketchy looking transient watching in my direction. "probably wants a cigarette," i thought as he edged closer. but when got up to me, he was suddenly "too close". i found myself being grabbed by the back of the hair and pushed into the closest object. (which in this case happened to be an ice bin.)

being slightly out of consciousness from just waking up, it took a moment before i realized my plight. i pushed myself out of the way from a head crack, and pushed the man away from me. i stumbled off the curb and questioned the man, "what are you doing?!" (i may have used a couple choice words for those who think that doesn't sound like me.) "well, i'm gonna kill you," he responded. "why?!!"

being so surprised by this man's sudden desire for my death, i stood as he claimed confusion and was ushered into his truck by his wife. shocked, i finished my cigarette and we got back into the car.

tampa or death by a transient...

TOUR and a wonderful Alabama welcome.

We were blessed enough to be able to play a wonderful place in Burmingham AL, there was a wonderful little crowd of around 45 people and we played some sad songs for them. Here are some photos taken by the ever so kind Stephen Devries, his work can be found at www.stephendevriesphoto.com burmingham has def. been a highlight thus far. Here are some of the photos that Stephen so generously gifted us. Also included is a link to a review that was written about the show. We are happy/loving.

~

review: blog.al.com/intune/

TOUR and an attic that belongs to Eddie

the last night in Lincoln (NE) was wonderful we played a small courtyard in downtown Lincoln, there were about five people there but they were a very attentive audience. We headed out toward GA early morning and made it to atlanta 16 short hours later. Tonight we played at Eddies Attic with the Hackensaw Boys, it was a blast and a full house, very courteous and respectful people attended. We are leaving for beautiful Alabama tomorrow, and thus far the travels have been absolutely stunning, being able to see so much of the land that i have always wanted to see has been such a great opportunity. Beauty, best.
joshua

TOUR and Image.

pictures/fons