California California here we cooooooommmme

After today - I hope! - I'm (we're) trying to adopt a new philosophy re: tour blogging. At this point I should be writing about Austin and SXSW, but... it was so long ago! And by "so long ago" I mean less than a week. So, in the interest of adopting this new strategy, which involves not letting days and weeks and memories pass between entries, I'm going to write about what's on my mind (and then maybe about Austin...) which is Joshua Tree.
Have you been to Joshua Tree? If not, let me recommend it with all of my heart. I literally feel altered after our stay there. We took a serious detour on our drive from Tucson to Los Angeles to stay with our - up until a few days ago - acquaintance Matthew, who lives in Joshua Tree, CA with Waldo, A.J. and Ophelia (ferrets!), a mysterious cat who was too shy to hang out, and Xena and Elvis (dogs!). It was - for me, at least - the favorite tour stop so far. Even before entering the National Park, the landscape and town of Joshua Tree had completely won my heart. We were welcomed with Indian food and a late-night excursion to To Pioneer Town - a "Wild West" film/television set on top of a mountain, where people now live? It was wild! We strolled around the streets in the bright California moonlight, kicking up dust and taking photos in the dark. The next day it seemed like one of the best, most surreal dreams I've ever had.
Tuesday we headed into Joshua Tree National Park, and our minds were completely blown. Spiritual, other-worldly, somehow campy and cliche -- the park had a really huge effect on us. I've never seen landscape like it. We climbed huge boulders, scraped ourselves up real good on cactuses and rocks, and had an incredible day. We can't thank Matthew enough for everything he did for us, and we can't wait to go back.
Prior to Joshua Tree, we played what was, on the surface at least, the least successful show of tour. There was another huge show going on the same night, and it seems that everyone in town was seeing Matt Pond PA and Aloha (a good show, we had to admit). Since it was St. Patrick's day, we had tried to invent some drinking games with which to engage the audience, but... there wasn't really an audience to engage with. BUT we still managed to have an awesome show (ask Salty, who liked it the best so far!) and had a great time hanging out at Grill in Tucson (a great venue!). Thanks to Luke, and to Malarky (who showed up late, but with enthusiasm!). We loved Tucson and can't wait to go back.

Austin, SXSW:
I'll be honest - I don't LOVE South by Southwest. There's too much going on, I feel like I can't focus on anything. All of those parties and shows with long lines and lists (and they always sort of suck once you get inside...). Not my thing, really (I'm speaking only for me, here, not other Besties). HOWEVER, I had a great week (or so) in Austin, thanks to our dear friend Gates, who showed us an awesome time, awesome food, and threw the rowdiest party we'd ever seen (which is saying a lot). We also all obtained "migas bellies" (which were, I think, actually "beer and tortilla chip bellies") from the copious amounts of Tex-Mex we were eating. Sigh.
Our SXSW shows were both great - Thanks so much to Chris for the house party (where we played with friends and favorites Poison Control Center and Fishboy) and to Michael for the great show at Waterloo Cycles. The highlight of the Waterloo Cycles show was, by far, being upstaged completely by a three-year-old who grabbed the mic after our set and proceeded to deliver the most soulful vocal performance we'd heard since Richmond, VA. Amazing!
I'll let someone else (Marisa? Salty?) say more about Austin later. We had fun, we love Texas, etc.

I've run out of time - we play LA tonight! I meant to upload more pictures but the internet is suddenly not cooperating. Sorry!
xoxo Kelly