Friends,
We are going on a hiatus immediately. Our dear guitar player, Nik, will be going under the knife for heart surgery, to repair a blocked left side, and recovery will take some time. Please keep him in your thoughts and prayers. We will keep you posted on his progress and let you know when we will be back at it. Thank you for your support.

LYLTB
The War I Survived

Wrap

As our tour has come to an end, I reflect upon our adventure together, and search my heart for answers to some of life's never ending questions. I've always believed that things happen for a reason, and as I age a little more, more things become apparent to me. One thing is clear, music is a gift, and I'm supposed to be on this path with the rest of my band mates sharing this gift with other people. But now that we're on this path together, it doesn't end there, this is only the beginning.

So, on this tour, I'm always observing and reflecting. Little things have always mattered to me, like how we treat people, and the ripple effect that has. Being a musician in the spotlight, no matter how small it is, makes the interactions we have with others that much more memorable, and the effect those interactions have that much more apparent. I've always tried to hold myself accountable for the message I deliver with the music I perform. Not only does that effect the words we sing, but the way we treat our audience. It's easy to say as a musician, I put on the same show for 1 person, that I put on for 100 people. But what about when you play a show for 100 people, and 99 of them scorn you, but there's a chance that 1 person will be forever changed by the message you have. Do you react and let your attitude reflect that of the majority, or do you hold fast and keep faith that one person might be changed for the better, and pass the good torch on.

I know what I want to do. I want to walk the narrow path. The one that's filled with love and joy and peace. And while I'm on that path, I want to use this God given gift of music to share that love, joy, and peace with those I encounter along the way. We sing at the end of our set, "let's open our eyes", and I think I'm starting to figure out what that means.

Love you, love the band. --Nik

March 2013 Tour Blog - Day 9 (last day)

Well it is the last day of tour, and I must say I feel pretty damn good. No major pains or injuries. I have felt worse after just one show in the past, that's for sure.

We take to the road early one more time. Had to do a little damage control this morning. Clean up the aftermath of the van mosh, but it didn't take long.

Little bit of a jog today. Around 4 hours to Cedar Rapids. Nothing we can't handle. Seems like we have put a lot of miles on old Veronica.

We stop in Iowa City for some lunch and meet up with Nalani's fiance Dustin. Hit up a couple video game stores and then back in the van to Cedar Rapids.

We get to the venue and load in right on to the stage. We play first, so after a quick sound check, we wait for the people to arrive. We rocked sooo hard. I had a few cable problems but it didn't slow me down. Got a good crowd response and had a great time. It was an early show so we had plenty of time afterwards to stop at our favorite burrito place, Pancheros. It's become quite the tradition to eat there after we play Cedar Rapids.

Now, sitting in the very back seat of the van going back home, I am thinking about all the places we have been.

I am so happy to be writing and performing with everyone in this band. All of us have been doing music for a long time, and I can't speak for everybody, but I couldn't in my wildest dreams put together three other people I would rather be doing this with.

My body is beat and my mind has crashed, but if there was a way to keep going for another week or two, nothing could stop me.

I know I'm going to go back to work Monday and hate my job so much.

Tour End. See ya next time. LYLTB!!! --Cole

March 2013 Tour Blog - Day 8

Drag ourselves out of bed. I tossed and turned a lot, but still got some rest.

Bagel and a cup of tea, then back in the van. We go back downtown and walk around Navy Pier for a little while. Ride the ferris wheel once around. Chicago is beautiful from the air like that. We stop at bopNgrill and have some amazing food.

With full bellies, we start heading back south. Takes forever with traffic. Fuck traffic. That is why I don't like large cities.

Anyway, we pull into Springfield about the time our stomach's begin to growl. We already know where we are planning to eat and wouldn't you know it, it is right across the from the venue we are playing at tonight. What luck.

A quick load in, as usual, after we fill up on amazing Italian food of course. Time to hurry up and wait. The down time in between load in and our set's drag me down. I just want to play. It also gives me the time to think and miss my family back home, which is a bad thing. I love thinking about them, but it brings me down at the same time.

Whatever. I still love the road.

We watch as Dog of Panic rocks us. After they finish and load off stage we set up. We play very well. Our set is so tight I can't stand it. The last band is a 3-piece acoustic band. Mandolin, acoustic guitar and stand up bass. We all get really into it. We are hillbilly moshing in front of the stage. We had a couple drinks, but what do you expect when it's "freeBR". As soon as the band is done we load our gear and get ready to shove off, but not before the singer/guitarist for the last band plays us off with a new cover he's been working on, out on the street.

We take an hour drive north to the house where we are crashing for the night.

On the way there. Somebody made the mistake of playing The Slats in the van at full volume. In turn, that made Nik, JJ and myself invent a new sport. Van Moshing. By the time we arrive at our destination, JJ is bleeding on his shins, my nose was kicked and is a little out of place and we all have rug burns all over ourselves. In addition, the van is now destroyed. Food is scattered everywhere. Our bags were tossed all over the place. In conclusion, Van Moshing, might be the greatest thing ever. I suggest you try it.

Now sleep. Last stop Cedar Rapids. --Cole

March 2013 Tour Blog - Day 7

Well last night was amazing.

If you are keeping up with these blogs, you already know that the show in St. Louis could have had more people but we rocked it regardless.

Huge thanks to Tori and Trista for a place to crash and an awesome night of drinking games and music.

I find out this morning that we must have kept Tori up a little late because he was over an hour late to work. Sorry about that bro.

Well...we shove ourselves into the van again and press on. Today we drive from St. Louis to Chicago. A long drive but we have all done worse. Before we even get out of the St.Louis area we receive a call from the band that we are suppose to play with tonight in Chicago at the Stage Bar. They are informing us that they will not be able to play the show tonight. Great!

Now we are left to fill the whole night ourselves. Fuck it. We will do what we have to.

Nalani and Nik both decide that they can play their solo sets, so we'll be fine.

After a could pit stops we arrive in old Chi town.

Our first destination is an internet radio station called Fearless Radio. The lady running the station Kris couldn't have been a nicer women. She interviewed us and played two songs off of The Great Expanse. Then Nik and Nalani did a live acoustic version of We Lie. Both of them sounded amazing. You can listen to the whole show HERE.

After the interview we travel north on Michigan Ave. to Millennium Park. Check out the bean and stop at a comic book shop for Nik. A quick beverage from Starbucks and then we are off to the venue.

A record fast load in and set up and we are ready to go. When we had pulled up to the bar I notice a man standing outside with a gig bag on his back. As I get out of the van he ask's if we are a band? We tell him yes and that we are playing here tonight. He goes on to tell us that a friend of his asked him if he would be interested in playing an acoustic set since a band dropped off the bill. We are stoked and greet him with open arms.

There is no body here but oh well. We get to play.

After our new friend, Jason, plays a quick acoustic set, Nalani plays a set of here own music accompanied by Jason on drums for a few songs. Then we all take the stage. The few people that got the chance to hear us, seemed like they liked it. We made good friends with the head manager of the bar, whom was impressed by our show and he is excited to have us back again sometime on a weekend when he will have a good crowd.

We made a good connection and that's all that matters.

We load the van and drive across town to the house we will be staying. My friend Ken and his wife Anka are happy to put us up for the night. We talk music for a while and then hit the hay.

Chicago can be a tough city to play in, but I think next time is gonna be better.

Springfield bound and down. --Cole

March 2013 Tour Blog - Day 6

After, what seemed like a short night of sleep in the T Dome, we pile back in old Veronica Van and continue our journey to the next city.

A quick gas station stop.

Then it's off to St.Louis.

With our new friends Suns playing through the speakers and feeling a little sleep deprived. I almost feel like I'm in a dream. So glad I'm not driving today. Thanks JJ.

Had to fix the van door this morning. Went fairly quick seeing as it had to be done once before we left. Getting pretty fast at it.

Getting into St.Louis, make a few stops. Drop in at Gooey Louie's and pick up some awesome cakes. We walk around a fancy pants mall for a little bit. Then we stop by Nik's uncle John's place and visit for a while.

John and his girlfriend Robin lead us to the venue, El Lenador. This place is kinda cool, but it is very cold and empty. Oh well, we get to play. Maybe we can get some practice in.

So... we play...in front of like 5 people. Didn't matter. We played the same show that we would have played in front 100,000 people. WE DO NOT CARE.

After the show, which we played by ourselves, no other band, and we played one of our brand new songs that no one has heard other than the the band, so... yeah. Wish you were there to now huh. Anyway, after the show we travel a little ways, following Nalani's friend and crash at their place. Well when I say crash I mean stay up drinking and playing the same card game that we played in Kansas City, that I will still not name and is still not strip poker.

So... after a lot of musical conversation, a few acoustic session songs and more drinking we are finally ready to call it a night.

As I sit here in a way to comfortable chair, passing out. I am listening to Dredg's El Ceilo and I am feeling so close to home.

I bid you all good day and good night.

Tomorrow, Chicago. Fuck yeah. LYLTB! --Cole

Halfway

Half way through the tour, and I've yet to write any of this down. The blog dialogue is always there in my head, but I don't always get it out. Last night was great, we played two shows. The first one was great. We showed up at the bar, and found an old dusty wonderland, with books on bookshelves lining the walls, and a stage that had been beaten down and worn by many brethren before us. We did what do, and it was well received. You know you are on the right path when you hear someone you've never met in the crowd say between songs, "that was a life changer!". One of my favorite moments towards the end of our set, when we are pouring out the last of what we have to give, I look out and see Nalani towering out in the crowd by the bar singing open our eyes, and I feel like we are totally immersed in this audience, baring it all and bringing it home.

Heading out into the country to our final destination of the evening, we joke that we are headed into a horror movie. We pass a sign that says "dead end", and I think yup... We are definitely off the beaten path. Even our guide jokes that he's an axe murderer, and we've been lead to our dooms as we pull up the long drive and see an axe parked in a log by a lonely country home. It ends up being quite the opposite of what we imagined, which is the case with most things in life I think. The place is a giant dome, one big room. A communal residence where nomads can converge, and share in the peace the countryside has to offer. We settle in, and the second show begins. I'm handed a classical guitar and called upon to share a tune, which I gladly accept and do. And in the spirit of community, we pass the guitar around. Nalani plays a few songs beautifully, and I sing the harmonies when I can. Our host shares a few tunes, complete with sing along parts and foot stomping on wooden floors. It's great. Once we're cashed out, everyone crashes in the same room safe and sound.

Morning arrives through giant windows with beautiful sunshine, and we all come to. We graciously thank our hosts, and hit the road. We'll surely be back to this town soon, but now we're headed to the gateway to the Midwest  Meet us there if you can. Love you, love the band. --Nik