ML in Arkansas near Devil's Den State Park - 8/8 {pictured above}

On 8/9 from Arkansas we headed west to Dallas.  There we stayed for two days at the now underconstruction, XPRMNT Labs via Jerett Fulton.  We go way back with him to as early as 2007 in Lawrence, KS at MixTape Soundlab on New Hampshire.  Sharing studio space at that time then w/ such Lawrence notables as Archetype, Fourth Of July, Andrew Morgan, DRI, Boo And Boo Too, and The Noise FM to name a few.  It was like a taste of home down south.  The same mixing/ control board and monitors, outboard gear and racks, black leather studio furniture was all there... it really got nostalgic.  Arriving just in time to meet Jerett and get the full tour, we caught a lift and filled the room up w/ a MixTape classic, ie Smoke Rings via DRI out of the same studio equipment and monitors that the album was mixed on by Jim Vollentine {Spoon}.  SOO sick!!  Look for that studio to be up and runnin in the next few months.  Pictured below in front of the same control board that ML used to record An American Movement in Lawrence at MixTape back from 2008 - 2010.  

Our show on 8/10 in Dallas at 2826 Arnetic was canceled due to conflicts w/ the venue that were outside of our control.  Apparentley there were internal friction within the venue caused by staff, etc that resulted in the bar being closed all together for a few days.  No sweat, we roll with it, we roll with it.  Picuted below in Quanah, TX off of Highway 287 on 8/11.  

On 8/12 we landed in the southwest; first up Albuquerque, NM.  That afternoon Neil's taste in style and philosophy brought us to a full on Native American hand made retail store w/ beautifully crafted jewlrey, head dresses, and satchles.  Among many other fine trinkets.  Elizabeth and Neil both found prescious items worth picking up.  Some how we stumbled upon a 16" pizza for $9.35 that afternoon too... somehow.  Budget & warm food on the road is the key to my heart.  That night was a 2nd round visit to none other than Burt's Tiki Lounge.  We performed at this same venue on last summer's tour as a 5-piece... w/ such a small stage, I've got to be honest... it felt quite nice having a lighter load.  The venue was well attneded for a showcase that featured not only us, being that we are a Lawrence group, but an Austin band as well, ie The Dry Season.  Midwest represent.  Headlining was Albuquerque locals, The Glass Menageries.  Pictured below is ML at Burt's.

The Glass Menageries had a close friend named Kate who lived in the SouthWestern buttes of Cedar Crest, New Mexico... she put us up that night and her backyard was insane.  Pitcured in the morning of 8/13 below their crib a bit, albeit in their neighborhood; srrrsly.  

Tucson, Arizona had a show for us the evening of 8/13 at Plush on the magical 4th Avenue strip... so similar to Mass Street in Lawrence; it has quickly become another one of our favs.  Plush treats us very well and we have begun to build a strong relationship with resident bad ass, Kris Kerry.  Currently residing in St. Louis, he is bringing Plush to the MidWest!!  Billed that night w/ Tucson staples, Mr Free & The Satellite Freakout; they raged.  They've also got this legit screen printing set up at their merch table... get your shirt printed right in front of you the night that you were at the show!!  Slick.  

We got held up in Tucson for a few days as we had our Rogue Bar show on 8/15 moved back to Tuesday the 16th.  As a result we just crashed on 4th Avenue until 8/15 and got in the feel.  Check us busking ML tunes below!!  In the process we did discover The "Burger Stand" of Tucson.   On 4th Avenue, hit up Lindy's... best burger we've had on the road.  House sauce is a combination of Chipolte and 1,000 Island dressing... rivals the coveted Mac Sauce anyday.

8/16 we arrived in Scottsdale, AZ... always up for an adventure here {due to last summer's visit}, we came in expecting about anything.  Manny and Rogue Bar were kind enough to pitch us on the bill that night due to lack of local billing on our 8/15 show.  Right next to a gas station w/ bars on the window and the proprietor of the store packing a pistol on the hip... the atmosphere is a bit crazy here.  Next to our Pathfinder in the parking lot of the venue, that night another touring van got broken into and their Bass and Bass Amp got stolen right in front of the Rogue Bar's front door... wild.  The show was great fun all considering, good bands... wild kids in attendance.  Rogue Bar.  Oye!!

Kix Mead playing a serious game of Tetris everynight we finish up a show... she masters the art of fitting puzzle pieces together.  Always the gamer.

After spending the time that we did in the SouthWest... soaking up that 115 degree, dry heat... California started to sound pretty good.  Arriving here on 8/17 we hit up San Diego first... keep your eyes peeled and we'll have the California leg of the ML (dot) com tour diary up in a few short days.  Until then, we'll keep enjoying this Bay Area weather of 70 degrees... hey-o!!!