Greg and I just returned from Solomon’s Castle in Ona, Florida, as another installment of our regular mini adventures; this time, it was to celebrate our anniversary. This is an anniversary of, most centrally, discovering infinite possibility and the best version of oneself in the eyes of another. Secondly, it is the anniversary of the founding of our band. But, altogether, it’s the anniversary of the penultimate collaboration.
Greg scooted off this evening to tend bar where he makes enough to pay the bills; I’m about to do the same. But, in six months, we have plans to turn our mini adventures and our short tours into a whole lifestyle. A lofty goal, tis. It’s all encompassing.
We purchased a 1979 A-Frame camper for a thousand dollars off craigslist in November. My dad, the handy one, is just as excited as we are. He comes over to the house every few weeks to prod me about the progress I’ve made. I think he’s proud of the daughter he raised, especially the part that spent most weekends in his hobby woodshop in the garage, learned a thing or two from him. So far, we’ve removed all the existing cabinetry, replaced the flooring, created a draft of our interior cabinet blueprints, and made a cardboard mock-up of a two-level kitchen (video to come soon). It’s currently my backyard fort, and I must say, it’s pretty swanky. The heavy stuff, though, still lies ahead, with a full roof replacement.
We’re also about to break open our ten brand spanking new 1/4” tape reels tomorrow and lay down some basic tracks for an eight track full length album. We’re scheming up fundraiser ideas to raise money for vinyl, the aforementioned roof repair, and an emergency fund.
To get there, we need to examine every aspect of our life and how to streamline it. There are SO MANY components that will be different. Fortunately, they’re all small things, like condensing a houseful of instruments and furniture and clothes and stuff and stuff and stuff into 72 square feet of camper. Takes small living to a whole new level, I know. But we’re also able to expand our experience wish list by many miles: swim in a river in every state, see the Badlands, play in Canada, stay in more castles…
Year three of Greg and Erin: Ultimate Collaboration Edition is an all-encompassing life preparation. Ideally, we will book tours in two month blocks and rest for a week or so close to our respective families in Pennsylvania and Florida. We may take breaks to work on farms and write new material. I hope we can write at least a few new songs in a barn. And although I’m sure it’s beautiful, we will avoid Canada in the winter months.
Today, we stopped at a farm and picked tomatoes and strawberries. It felt fantastic to be back driving on country roads, where Greg and I do most of our bonding.
It feels fantastic to be more in touch with the future.
xo
Erin (Mustache)
