We had two days off in NYC which can be either a blessing or a curse, depending on ones perspective. From my perspective it’s a blessing. Despite the noise, the crowds, the constant wafts of garbage and piss, despite the way that cash seems to flow unabated out of ones pocket, I heart this place.

I took advantage of the two days and my wife joined me for a much needed break from the reality of having three kids and no husband. We walked the streets until our calve muscles ached, we ate over-priced food, drank over priced beer and wine and loved every minute of it. We also went to see a show of some of Enrique Martinez Celaya’s new work (the artist who put together and published our book XX): it’s a stunning collection. We also saw A Year Of Magical Thinking on Broadway, a play based on Joan Didion’s book of the same name. Joan Didion also wrote the play, a one woman show starring Vanessa Redgraves. A Year Of Magical Thinking was one of the books that I was reading while writing the new album and it’s influence can be found throughout. It’s a great book.

A few members of the band took the boat cruise around Manhattan, which is something that I’ve always wanted to do. They said it was great.

All in all it was a very fun, very expensive two days off in the big city.

The gig tonight was at the Concert Hall at the New York School for Ethical Culture. We played this venue about a year ago, it’s a very beautiful hall. It was kind of a searching night for us. We couldn’t seem to connect with our sound and with each other on a consistent basis, but there were definitely some very fine moments. The night was helped by a very enthusiastic and intense audience.