Silver Skunk Mobile.

"At least it didn't have time to spray us."

Jack - "Actually, it's glands explode..."

Jack was right. Poor skunk.

This tour has been going really well. Kingston was a pretty loud and rowdy show. A good turn out, the bar was made very happy by the drinkers. The bands played fantastic. I'll be honest, it was my first time hearing Bruce Peninsula live, and they rule. It makes me want to practice more.

Thanks Meg and Ben for offering me a room to sleep in. It was great. You two rule.

After a breakfast of a veggie burger at The Sleepless Goat, we headed off for Ottawa. Walks around the water, lots of driving to bond with the band. We played the Rainbow Bistro that night. "Home of the blues." Why did we play there? who knows, but it was another very loud show. Great venue. Bar tending was questionable, but I'll leave it at that. The Australian sensation Mason Rack was a good dude to share a stage with. Very friendly dude.

The Ottawa valley is beautiful. We headed to Simon's parents house in Renfrew. His parents are bee farmers who supplied us with our Honey Bears for merch (it's awesome honey and it comes with a 6 song ep of Entire Cities songs). That night we rolled up to the Neat Cafe in Burnstown. Man! I have never felt so at home since... well being home in Grand Falls - Windsor, NL. This room was so full of love. There is no other way to describe it. The room was full of people who just wanted to listen and devour the music.

I am sitting at Bar Tapengur in Sherbrooke, Quebec while watching Bruce Peninsula play. They rule. What can I say? I am really digging the community vibe between these bands touring across the east coast together.

It's been a lot of eggs and toast, late night snacks, honey (so much honey!!!), lots of floors to sleep on, and great company. Here's too what feels like a great family and community.

Also, while in Ottawa I managed to find time to cross the bridge into Quebec to Marche Jovi for a lovely beer run. I'm excited for the contents. Monseigneur D'Esgly, Joesph Bellarmin from Microbrasserie d'Orleans, DDC L'Aphrodisiaque, Unibroue Raftman and Don De Dieu and Les Trois Mousquetaires Porter Baltique.

Huzzah.

Cheers,

- Bartle

Sailing On The Waves of Rock n' Roll

It feels like Christmas Eve. No, it's not the chill that is lingering in the air, or my new toque that is already been put to use. It's the excitement that is building in anticipation for the "Pull Together Tour" with Entire Cities and The Weather Station that kicks off tomorrow.

Kingston, ON at the Mansion is the first stop of many. It seems like I've been waiting for this opportunity for a lifetime, yet I only really found out about the tour just over a month ago. Likewise, I only really got familiar with Entire Cities around the same time that I joined the band. Yeah, I'm the new guy, and yet it feels like a perfect fit.

Posters and press are being posted. I feel like a broken record promoting and hitting every resource from Toronto to Halifax to spread the good word. On the topic, I was interviewed recently on the subject of being the new kid on the block. Also, Simon and Ruhee were interviewed by the Kingstonist.

I have a good feeling about this. There is a rumbling in my belly [nope, not the hummus and cuke sammich] that tells me this is going to be an experience I won't soon forget.

My memory does indeed serve me well, however I will be blogging and documenting via video camera and standard pictures along the way to ensure all the key moments are captured. I'll leave out the boring stuff like my laundry that really needs to be done, or filling my stick bag, or sitting on the floor with all my cymbals lined up while trying to decide what ones to take and what sad soul will be left behind.

...are we there yet? Maybe it is the toque. Maybe it's the Erdinger Weißbier Dunkel. Maybe a little of column A and a little of column B. Maybe I really love a season of roasted malt in a well crafted beverage. I hope to encounter a few local brews and breweries along the way of my high hopped adventure. Any suggestions for the road are more than welcome.

Here you can read first hand what it's like to tour through the eyes of a drummer.

Here we are, sailing on the waves of rock n' roll.

High-ho silver, AWAY!

Cheers,

- Bartle