Our last stop was Harrisburg, Koji’s hometown. We were slated to play a Thanksgiving folkfest put on by Koji’s group, Colormake, but it was cancelled due to some unforeseen complications. Instead, we booked a house show for the two of us.

I was probably in the worst shape I had been in all week. My eyes felt worse and didn’t look much better. Fortunately, my mother has the same kind of allergies sometimes, so she recommended some eye drops that helped quite a bit. More than that though, I was so mentally and physically drained from fighting to keep my eyes open and my head clear that I was ready to pack it in before I even got to the show.

After about four cups of coffee, I felt lively enough to play. Considering how poorly I felt, I managed to play really well. Despite how I feel on any given night, the ritual of getting in front of people, playing my guitar and singing these songs alleviates the tension, pain, and distractions. I didn’t play the best I’ve played, and I don’t think Koji would say the same about himself that night, but it was a fun show. By the end of the night, we had all had at least a little to drink and sang along with Koji as he played his rendition of “Wagon Wheel”.

I hope to be back in Harrisburg soon. It’s a beautiful city and the people are really nice.

Set list from Harrisburg:

“Here Comes the Flood”

“Let’s Move to Vienna”

“Sensitivo”

“Settled In”

“Tell It On the Mountain” (Peter, Paul and Mary cover)

“O, Sparrow”

“Slower is Better”

“I Watched You Leave”

Another town, another college common room. We braved D.C. traffic (at 3:30 in the afternoon?) to play at American University.

Unfortunately, before we even left Fairfax, I took a turn for the worse. I woke up, looked in the mirror, and saw the most red eyes I’ve ever seen. Apparently, I have some killer allergies that I didn’t know about. There was no white in my eyes, and that’s no exaggeration. I had trouble keeping my eyes open all day, but, fortunately, it was all in my eyes and I felt up for playing the show.

American University has a really nice campus. I mean, this common room had a kitchen. We played for a nice crowd. Considering it was a Friday night at a university in the nation’s capital, there was a great turnout. Despite the red eyes, I played the best I’ve played all week. Things were clicking.

Some people who came to the show at George Mason the night before came up for the show, so it was good to see new and familiar faces. After the show, we played a rousing game of Mafia. Due to my red eyes, I was the first one outed as a Mafia member; turns out, I was indeed a part of the Mafia.

We had a lot of fun at American and parted ways with our new friends from American and George Mason. Thanks again to Nora and Caroline for putting the show together. Harrisburg tonight!

Set list from American:

“Settled In” “Sensitivo” “O, Sparrow” “Here Comes the Flood” “I Must Hide It Away” “Blue is the Dawn” “Slower is Better”

Last night brought us to George Mason University. The campus is so nice and new, like nothing I’ve seen in a college campus before. We played in a common room on campus that was small, but cozy. Before the show, we learned that there had been a pleasure party in the room the night before, and it involved sex toys. Since I went to a small private school, I had no clue what might be involved in a pleasure party. And, truthfully, I still don’t really understand what it is (maybe you can enlighten me?), but it didn’t stop me from wondering what goes on.

The audience was really great and attentive. After some technical issues through my first song, it was smooth sailing from there. A.B. Allen played second, and he was great. He has that Bert Jansch/Nick Drake voice I wish I had. Koji played a great set as well. It’s safe to say that he fought off his cold with vigor and sounded solid.

All in all, it was a great night. We both sold some records, met some great people and Invisible Children managed to raise a good amount of money. Oh, and did we have some laughs.

Onto D.C. tonight, where we will be playing at American University, this time without the Invisible Children team.

Set List from GMU

“I Must Hide It Away” “Sensitivo” “Here Comes the Flood” “O, Sparrow” “Settled In” “Slower is Better” “I Watched You Leave”

We started our short but sweet tour at home, for me, in Nashville at Lipscomb University. The venue was a theater/auditorium that, oddly enough, was linked to the food court of the school. It was really nice. It looked fairly new and there were flat screen TVs all over the room (but they weren’t on for us. Unfortunately, I can’t watch Law and Order and play a set at the same time everywhere I go. Thanks, Pleasant View, TN!)

Koji and I have been friends for a few years now, but we’ve never shared a bill, nonetheless seen each other play proper sets. Needless to say, it was a treat to finally sit and watch the other play. Koji commands a crowd like I’ve never seen before; it’s something you have to see for yourself (hint: Fairfax, DC, Harrisburg). But the most bizarre part of it all is that right before he went on stage, I thought to myself that this show could have easily been done without a PA. Then what does Koji do? He plays unplugged out in the seats. What a man.

After the show, the crew and some of the Invisible Children team went to Cafe Coco, a place I’ve never really warmed up to after living in Nashville for so long. They all asked me what I didn’t like about it, and I just couldn’t put my finger on it. But as the night went on, they all started to realize how bizarre and weird that place is, that they themselves couldn’t put a finger on it. I rest my case.

The show at Liberty has been cancelled due to some complications with the university’s Invisible Children club. So the next stop is George Mason University on Thursday night.