Upalooza, Volume 3: Last Exit

Today's drive from St. Louis to Chicago was eventful, if "farms, clouds, construction, and Chris listening only to Boss Springsteen" is an Event.  Also events: eating nothing but Fruit Roll-Ups, losing sunglasses, and wondering at what latitude Exxon becomes Mobile.

At what latitude does Exxon become Mobile?  These are questions I wonder whilst giving a quick round-up of St. Louis:

Favorite Moment:
A little boy in the audience danced during "If You Don't Love Me By Now."  Then he went to sleep.

Least Favorite Moment: 
A birthday girl's request for a Talking Heads tune went unanswered, because I didn't know it.  I lose.  Lame, Me.

Highway Weirdness:
In Arkansas, there are signs that say, "Hit A Worker: $10,000 Fine and Lose Your License."  In Ilinois, those signs say, "Hit a Worker: $10,000 Fine and 14 Years Jail Sentence."  And what I want to know is this: what judge decided, "a worker is worth exactly fourteen years"? 


More Highway Weirdness:
Outside of St. Louis, in the midst of construction, I entered a stretch of road named "Paul Simon Highway."  I started to pop in Graceland, but Boss growled at me.

In the Rearview:
Don't tell them this, but Arkansas might have the best sunsets.  Missing those.

Down the Road:
Tonight at Uncommon Ground, which I'm stoked about.  Last time I was here, it was in February.  I had to park a mile from the venue and lug my merch box in the driving snow.  When I hit the door, two staffers hugged me, gave me blankets, and carried me to a snuggly chair beside a crackling fire.  The only thing missing was a pipe, tweed jacket, and bread pudding.  I thawed out, played a few hours later, and had a blast.  Really looking to UG tonight--sans snow.


Weather's Here, Wish You Were Beautiful:
One of my favorite things about intimate shows--and last night's show was intimate--is the opportunity to try new things.  I debuted a new song last night called "From So Far Away," and will end with the YouTube video below.  I'm not 100% sure it's done yet, but it sure was fun to play.


"From So Far Away"




More soon from Chicago!  Til then...

Grasp and hold on,
CM

Upalooza Volume 2: The Waiting Drove Me Mad

I can tell you one thing: this could rapidly become "Chris's Starbucks tour of the eastern US."

And for all the hipsters out there: I got a gift card and there's free wireless.  And I like the chairs.  And I have a Pavlovian response to the way Starbucks smell.  And, alright, fine, I like Starbucks.  I really like Starbucks.

I've had some coffee today.  I hurry up to wait.  And wait.  And wait.

Anyway, I'm typing this from a Starbucks in a swank section of St. Louis that I stumbled upon after trying hard to get lost, and failing.  Everywhere I go, I see the Arch.  I accidentally went to Illinois, and still saw the Arch.  It's everywhere.

Soonly I'll head over to Pop's Blue Moon for tonight's show.  In the meantime I'm walking the tightrope between "caffeinated enough to piledrive a rocket" and "caffeinated enough that I'll never be able to sing again."  Guess which side I'm on?

Anyway, a few pictures from the road so far.  Enjoy, and check back soon!

Bow your head, tie on the feed bag.  Let us pray.

The view from Illinois.  Whoops!

I Am Giant.

Makes you want to sing some Mellencamp, don't it?  Nope?  Just me?

If you're thinking, "Chris, why the quizzical look?  You're at the Arch!" 

Word, but first: you missed the picture I took popping Cristal with Nelly and the St. Lunatics.  Totally different.

Second, I'm only responding to the Arch.  It's staring at me like I DID SOMETHING to it.  Look at that thing!  Just leering over my shoulder, following me to Illinois.  What gives? 

I like St. Louis--I always forget how much until I'm here again.  It's laid back and friendly and scenic in a "lots of railroads" kind of way.  Which I like a lot. 

Anyway, I'm looking for some new driving music for the trip tomorrow to Chicago.  Any suggestions?  Any places I gotta explore in Illinois?

Let me know!

Until then...

Finally here and I'm a mess,
CM

Upalooza Volume 1: Out of Reverse

Happy independence, Blogophiles!

As I write this, it's July 4.  Tomorrow, the Summer Tour 2K10 starts.  Because the tour promotes my new album--Up--I'm calling this tour Upalooza.

This time tomorrow, I'll be in St. Louis, sound-checking at Pop's Blue Moon, getting ready for a nightful of music.

This time next week, I'll be back in NYC, or possibly Brooklyn, enjoying a brief haitus before the next show.

This time next month, I'll be back home.  It'll all be over.  I will have played a dozen shows in twenty-three days, traveled innumerable miles, visited two countries, more states than I can currently count, met hopefully many new friends and fans, and reunited with my first, greatest, and forever love:

Ruby.

I'll post here early and often with updates from the road.  I highly recommend subscribing to the feed to get the latest.  As this is the first of VERY MANY Upalooza volumes, let's take care of the essential business and set the stage for the musings to come.  Enjoy, as I have a conversation with myself!

Chris, where can I find all the tour updates?  I don't just mean details for each show--I mean a fully interactive experience, where I can read the latest blog, see photos and videos from each show, drop you a line, etc?
I'm glad you asked, Chris!  Why, you can find all of that information at the newly re-vamped Tour section of the site. And, again, feel free to subscribe to the blog here.


Chris, is it true that you love your car in ways you've never loved a human?
All too true.

Chris, what if I want to RSVP to a show and invite friends?
I would toast your initiative and direct you here, to Facebook, where all things originate.

Chris, I'm bored at work.  Where can I find some past blogs from the road? 
All past "On the Road"-tagged blogs are here.  But here are a few favorites:
My LA trip January, 2010: Part 1, 2, 3, and 4
My letter to Nashville, October 2010 here.
My NYC trip, November, 2008:  Part 1 and 2
A Day In the Life: Nashville to Chattanooga, Matchstick Tour February 2007 here.

Chris, what time does Blockbuster open?
Chris, why do you still go to Blockbuster?

Chris, I heard you're giving out free copies of the new album to especially active fans.  True?
True!  Come early, tweet about a show, bring a big crowd...you name it.  Touring is all about word-of-mouth--your great recommendation to a friend means 100X more than my crazy promotion.  Help me spread the word and I got a merch-pack with your name on it (the actual name on it is "Chris Milam," but you get my gist). 

Chris, what's your favorite colour?
Ooh, British spelling!  Let's go "bournt sienna."

Chris, what show are you most looking forward to?
All of them, Chris.  All of them.  Especially the cities I've never played before.  But definitely the ones I've played before.


Chris, is it true that you spent twelve hours burning CDs and reorganizing your car's music collection? 
Maybe.  But yes, definitely.

Are you proud of this?
Very.

Chris, you're not coming to my city.  When are you coming to my city?
Soonly!  There will be another major tour in October, some weekend stints throughout the fall, and plenty more in 2011 (including the West coast).  Hold on--I'm coming!

Chris, do you take requests?  
Absolutely!  What you got?

Then go pack, for crying out loud.
Roger that, Chris.  My God, you are wise.

Finally, you didn't answer my question.  I have Upalooza-related queries.  What do I do?
Drop me a line, homey!  I'm an ear.

Tune in next time, when I stop talking to myself and leave shameless plugs somewhere on I40....

(Oh, and bonus points for each person who can identify the song I'm quoting in each Volume title.  For example, "Out of reverse.")

Want to be everywhere,
CM

P.S. Anyone have a food/drink recommendation in STL?  Any good BBQ in town?  Let me know!