10/24/2025
We're finally back home in New Orleans and resting up from tour! I plan on making some heavy posts in the next couple weeks as we recalibrate our relationship with social media and spill the tea on the state of being an independent touring band in a time of such obvious cultural decline. But FIRST I'd like to say there is plenty of beauty still to be found across these United States, especially in the enchanted small towns where many thoughtful and artistic people have taken refuge over the years.
We have always loved touring through southern New Mexico, playing many backyard shows in Las Cruces before making the long night drive to Austin, always wishing we could stay longer. I can't stress enough, bands should play New Mexico more, if only to restore your mental health and clarity on the road. The town of Truth or Consequences is especially wonderful and hits a sweet spot of being populated by artists, retirees, war vets, desert weirdos, and regular people who have always been truly open to whatever we come through town with, whether it be our crowd-pleasing country sets of yesteryear or the three hours of melancholy and experimentation we subjected them to this last time around.
always treats us very well and the Pelican Hotel & Spa is the cutest, most charming place to rest, with Japanese style concrete hot spring tubs painted in fun casita colors and a meditation room and beautiful sunset views. There are book stores, art galleries and supply stores, vintage stores (one with a wall of working retro video games), and a nice little trail along the Rio Grande.
Another great venue nearby is in Arenas Valley a little bit outside of Silver City, which has a big stage with great sound, great food, great green room and it's owned by great people. We've not gotten to explore Silver City as much but plan to on our next time through.
Bands! Book shows in these towns! Fans! Go on a trip to see your favorite bands there! You may not get the 8-Hours-of-Traffic-to-Play-For-30-Minutes rageful show that you do in the big cities but it is refreshing and cool to add space and time to the live music experience.
