And thatโs (just about) a wrap on the SHOW LOBES tour. ๐ We have a two-lobed cherry๐ to plop on top this week: Philly tomorrow night (our 352nd show at Johnny Brendaโs), and NYC Friday (at trusty Bowery Ballroom). But the last big contiguous run of North America came to a close in DC a few days ago, and we are now swimming in a sea of relief, disbelief, and pride at what is undeniably a good, solid year of touring. (Form your arguments and share them below โย we doubt youโll be able to convince an impartial third party that 2023โs SHOW LOBES touring wasnโt good, yet solid.)
Here to discuss this is us, Keith and Chris:
A hearty welcome to our newest subscribersโฆ
If you signed up for our โmailing listโ while visiting the merch booth at one of our recent shows, this may be your first sense of the repercussions. Welcome to Slow Descent Into Radness. FYI, we often send out songs, as in this recent series of posts that dribbled out an acoustic version of the latest album.
Sometimes we do โstoop chats,โ as demonstred above, which are like podcasts but drunker (hereโs a nice one we did a couple weeks ago with tour-mate and pro-podcaster Brett Newski).
And occasionally we just type, type, type. But thatโs uncommon.
All our posts are free, but if you sign up for a paid subscription, we promise to use your fees to buy beer that we ingest. (Many newsletters make the beer promise but then dump the drinks down the drain ๐ฅบ.) (There will also be occasional perks for paid subscribers, such as the ability to download the acoustic Lobes album (coming this Friday๐ฅฒโจ).)
Please make yourself at home in the comments by sharing thoughts on We Are Scientists, the films of S. Craig Zahler, or whatever topic is drawing your fancy of late. Just please donโt reignite The Great Gollum vs. Jar-Jar Debate โย after nearly 500,000 comments in the first half of 2023 alone, the S.D.I.R. community has agreed to table TGGvJJD discussion until Star Wars: Easter On Hoth airs next year.
A couple things of interestโฆ
Zeno Pittarelli, who plays bass in the Sean McVerry band (our support on half of the recent tour, and this weekโs Philly and NYC shows), has released a bunch of music recently, including a great double-whammy yesterday that you will surely admire.
Weโve heard a rumor, over the years, that โNobody Moveโ is popular for pole dancers. Like, not strippers, per se, but just people who want to learn to pole dance, and so they pick a song to dance to, and this song is a popular choice. Maybe strippers also like it? Probably, right?? Anyway, we were never sure whether to believe it, but Azealia Banks has put our doubt to rest.
Sean McVerry, unsurprisingly a member of the Sean McVerry act, also released a new tune recently, and itโs a beaut. Heโs been opening his set with โCovering My Eyesโ at our shows, and itโs a wonderful feeling to have it frozen inside our iPads. If youโve caught it live, you remember it. If you havenโt yet, make a plan.
Thanks, fren. Weโve got a damn good acoustic cover coming to here early next week, so now would be a tragic time to smash your laptop, frisbee your phone, and go off the grid.
Stay sane, stirred, and sorrowful, in appropriate measure.
๐,
Keith & Chris
Iโve loved following this tour, not only by physically attending a show (which was incredible btw) but also through the online offerings from yourselves (acoustic Lobes and the Dirt from the Road podcast were absolute treats - so excited that another chat and that download are happening!), and from other fans sharing concert footage and photos from gigs. Very much enjoyed Seanโs opening act but Iโm a little gutted not to get to see Newski, as well. Very jealous of everyone going to those last two concerts!
Nearly a year on, I am still completely in love with Lobes and I have had an amazing time listening to it (a lot) and also seeing you guys perform it live. I look forward to seeing what next year brings. Have a great time tonight and tomorrow and then take a well-deserved rest. You have 100% earned it.
If I'm not drumming on a steering wheel I simply cannot drive ๐ฌ Oh, I'm at Heathrow Airport!!! ๐ค๐ฝ๐