Summer Delirium
August Playlist, Tour Recap & Food Recs
Dearest Reader,
It’s been a wild ride since I last wrote, I am sharing your August playlist a little late due to a hectic amount of travel and some for-the-books punishing flight disruptions. Happy to report we survived it all and my guitars are still intact. I can finally come up for air to share a recap with you.
Duo Tour with Rhiannon
First off, Johnny Wilson and I headed South to continue our duo tour opening the night for Rhiannon Giddens, Mary Chapin Carpenter and Mavis Staples. Our first stop was Bentonville, Arkansas where we arrived the night before, we were charmed by the town, despite the odd feeling of Walmart’s big brother eye on us all. We had a couple of great meals and met some kind people.
Got full at Conifer the night before, met someone who was in town for the show and they bought us a round of drinks. (!) Also had a great big breakfast at Onyx at the Preserve. Which felt like we were in the Netherlands from the design. I forgot to take any photos inside, but believe me it was vibey.
Sadly the show got rained out shortly after we played, and folks couldn’t experience the whole lineup. Sending love to everyone who was there!
Next we hauled it to Asheville, one of my favorite places to play and hang in the country. I’ve been going there for years and have tons of memories, like learning to play banjo in various shacks from various people I thought were hot. Heading to the co-op to leave with an armful of tinctures and herbs after getting expert advice from herbalist friends in that area. Many, many years of sleeping on couches and in spare bedrooms, including when me and my ex partner evacuated from Hurricane Ida and were taken in by friends. I love that town.
The show was at Hellbender, the Orange Peel’s new ampitheatre. Speaking of friends, I got to spend some time with my buddies Lani and John James, who I will brag that I introduced when we were all on tour over a decade ago. I had a lil psychic feeling in the van all that time ago, as we waited for Lani to meet us and JJ was asleep in the back, that those two might be soul mates. After watching them discover they had the same dice tattoo and share some ice cream, I knew I was right. Now they have a beautiful family, with two kids who are both already inspired young artists I adore and am proud to be an honorary uncle of. We all got to catch up and I was lucky enough to have my portrait taken by Louie, just 11 years old but with a great eye already.
At the merch booth Johnny met someone who had a HFTRR tattoo! It’s a hand drawn hourglass I drew on the lyric sheets that were included in our pre orders for Past is Still Alive. Johnny took this photo for me, I love it so much.
I got the absolute honor of speaking with Mavis Staples after our set, I have interacted with her before, opening up for her years ago and also singing in a big Newport Folk sing a long, but this time felt special. She had been side stage when we played and to shake her hand, and tell her how much her music means to me is something I will take with me. Later on Rhiannon and I talked about how Mavis is an embodiment of American history, and she is still making creative, exploratory choices with her music. This last record she made with Brad Cook being one that is vital to her long and legendary catalog. Here is a badly shot but emotionally moving video I took of her Mavis singing “Beautiful Strangers” by Kevin Morby. She even gave me a shout out saying she liked our set. It was glorious.
Finally we ended our lil tour at the Caverns in Pelham, TN. I’ve played there before but always with drums which can get psychedelic to say the least sound wise. This time, paired down it was quite beautiful and a great send off to a tour I am proud to be a part of. I cannot thank Rhiannon enough for bringing us all together, and I hope this isn’t the last we do this!
Then I flew out to New York City.
I had a beautiful meal with my publicist and friend Greg at Saint Julivert, took some blurry photos but I assure you it was divine!! I love nothing more than a crunchy lil shrimp you chomp in one bite. Makes me feel like a giant.
In New York we played a free show in Lincoln Center, right by where I went to high school. Rain clouds were gathering and things were looking ominous for us, but remarkably you all came and waited it out til we were cleared to play. It was a thrill to play as a full band again, and joined by our NYC based friend Lynn Ligamari on sax. We had an amazing set and I’m sorry the rain started up again so we couldn’t play Pa’lante!
After NYC we were set to travel to Canada for the Edmonton Folk Festival, it turned into multiple days filled with the worst travel issues I’ve ever experienced. United owes us all dozens of hours of our life back and some money! Our trip turned into an over night stay in Denver, then a new flight to Calgary where we had to rent two cars and drive to get to Edmonton. We didn’t make it in time for my in the round set, but we made it. Thanks to everyone who welcomed us, I got to meet some of you after the set and it made a huge difference in our morale.
Now I am home! Thanks for reading, I’m glad to be back. I’ll be working on stuff and keeping you clued into what is inspiring me and what’s ahead.
Below you will find the August playlist, enjoy our last few weeks of Summer!
hang in there baby,
and don’t take any shit!!!!!!!!
xo alynda mariposa segarra xo