my trip!!!

so, i keep making references to my big trip, upon which i am embarking tomorrow evening. i would like to share with you the details of my journey.

the main reason that i am going is to see conor oberst. of all of the bands and musicians that i love, he is by far the one that i feel the most connection with, lyrically. hearing his songs is like reading his journal and i have always had a very deep connection to what he has to say. he sings freely about his depression and how it affects his life. for about ten years now i have anxiously awaited his cds. he is currently without a backing band, so he has chosen

the felice brothers to be his band for these four shows (only four!). as you know, i also adore the felice brothers. while ian's songwriting is entirely different, it is still incredible, more storyteller-ish. there is something so real and true and raw about this band; i cannot describe what draws me to them. it is certainly not their appearance. while looking for this picture, i kept passing over photos because they didn't look good until it hit me that they just don't look good. (i actually had an etsian send me convo about how much she loved the "among the white storks" necklace, and how she watched the video and how unattractive the singer was. sorry, ian.) anyway, they will not only be conor oberst's backing band, they will also open for him.

in san francisco, they will be playing at the hardly strictly bluegrass festival, where will oldham (a.k.a bonnie prince billy) will also be. if you listen to my little playlist here on the blog, you are familiar with his songs. i've also been a fan of his for a very long time and have seen him live and met him several times. he is an amazing musician, incredible songwriter, and quite an eclectic performer. i am very much looking forward to seeing him! also at the festival will be the avett brothers, gillian welch, jenny and johnny lewis, and lots of other great acts.

i am camping outside of flagstaff, az the first night, then staying in santa barbara the next night. i got a super-cheap four star hotel that is on the beach through hotwire.com. the show that night is at a club. then i head to big sur, where i am staying at the campground/resort where the show will be. then on to san francisco! there i am staying with the woman, stephanie, that i met at the durango arts festival who so generously offered to put me up.

this is the pick i will be giving to conor.

(the lyrics are from a very old song of his, haleigh, haleigh)

and this one is for mr. oldham

(lyrics are also from a pretty old song of his, based on a buddhist teaching)

and this was inside my fortune cookie; how can i argue with that?

i will be back on monday night, but i may be posting along the way. i look forward to sharing my adventures with you!