It took only about 2 seconds for me to realize that Lauren would be an amazing addition to Ramona Falls.  We’d been introduced by (former RF guitarist) Matt Sheehy the previous day, and were playing together for the first time, in my living room.  Not only was she shredding on Violin, but her voice — wow.   She’d nail the female vocal parts on “Intuit” songs, (no offense to the male dudes who’ve approximated these parts with falsetto over the years).  That she’d passed the audition was so obvious, I almost forgot to say it aloud.  When she agreed to come along for the tour, I was on cloud nine.

A few weeks later, Lauren and I were performing alternative arrangements of Ramona Falls songs as a duo.  Our first show was at a (Halloween-themed) Costume Party in Boise at Neurolux.  We dressed up as The White Stripes, courtesy of the red shirt and pants I bought at a thrift store before our sound-check.  We burst out laughing as we butchered “Seven Nation Army” among other White Stripes covers, between our songs.

We joined up with Portland heroes The Helio Sequence at a packed Dan’s Silverleaf show in Denton, Texas.   I’ve looked up to those guys since back in the day, when they helped Menomena get its start.  Their new album “Negotiations” is breathtaking, and just about every night, Ramona Falls would converge and dance together during (my new favorite of their tunes) “Downward Spiral.”

We picked up (drummer) Paul and (bassist/guitarist) Brandon at the Austin airport about an hour before our Fun Fun Fun Fest gig.  It was great being back in Austin.  I fell in love with that town last March when Ramona Falls played SXSW.

For election night, we played our first ever Missouri gig in the fine town of Columbia at Mojo’s.  We were in Todd Akin’s home district the night the electorate found a way to shut his whole thing down.

When the Canadian border guards at the Detroit/Windsor crossing decided to detain us for a hour long inspection (flipping through both of my journals and thoroughly searching the contents of my laptop) I found myself wishing I had something scandalous for them to find.  Maybe next time I’ll bring baggies full of baking soda along.

It’s now two tours in a row that Washington DC wins the award for “Most Exuberant Crowd” (this time at The Black Cat).  You guys really know how to make us feel like rock-stars!

HUGE hugs and thanks to the friends, family, and gracious strangers who let us crash on your floors.  To everyone (booking, label, promoter, venue, pr, and especially The Helio Sequence) who helped the shows succeed, we hereby sign over irrevocable and perpetual rights to our spare kidneys.

Last, but certainly not least, THANK YOU to everyone who bought tickets to see Ramona Falls perform live in concert.  We are so grateful to you for your support.

Plans are already being hatched to bring Ramona Falls ’round the USA one more time.  I’m excited to bring you the details once they become more clear.  Be well and thanks for listening!

<3 B of ®ƒ