kirsten opstad

If I have learned anything from this tour, it’s that I am not great at keeping up with the internet. Also, my blog posts are FULL of typos. I apologize for that and for the abismal overlooking of important details.

Day 26 - Train to Chicago - If you follow me on Twitter (primarily used as a public soapbox for complaining about corporate entities), you know how that train ride was (lame).

Day 27 - I arrived in Chicago on Saturday around noon and headed over to a friend’s place in Logan Square. That night I played at Nothin’ Less Coffee, which was nice and intimate. It was awesome to see old friends, their new friends, and to see an old school fan from Somerville who’d driven all the way from Alabama for the show. It’s that kind of thing that makes this whole endeavor worth it.

Day 28 - Sunday was day one of tourism in Chicago. I think it was sometime around Sunday afternoon that I realized I needed to begin my return to real life (i.e. returning emails, setting up work, etc.). I got some delicious tacos and checked out the Second City e.t.c. show at night. I’ve only been once before, but I always leave that show excited about writing. Which is good because we head right back into production at Improv Asylum when I get back.

Day 29 - Monday was day two of tourism in Chicago. Actually, there wasn’t much tourism. I did get a chance to go to the Art Institute, which is an awesome museum. Following the advice of a friend, I was able to find some clarity about my own work by studying the work of others. Because, you know, I’m like an artist…

Day 30 - Today is my last on-the-road show as a feature at an open mic called Homolatte. My kind of crowd, I think. Most of the day I’ve been jumping from free working place to free working place, trying to be productive while spending no money. This is my life on the road.

A full tour run down will follow my triumphant return home to Boston tomorrow. There will be facts, figure and links to pictures.

Written yesterday, posted today.

Day 23 - Tuesday I had my Pittsburgh show, which was incredible. In-cre-di-ble. It was the first show I’ve played with my friend Lauren, even though we were both playing out in Boston when she was still living up there. Now she plays with The Color Fleet in Pittsburgh and they are awesome. It was a Tuesday night show, which generally is hard to get people out to, and yet the room was full of people. There’s nothing better than playing for a room of people that are listening and who don’t know what to make of you yet. The Color Fleet finished off the night with an acoustic set and totally killed it. Their EP isn’t out yet, but you can listen to two songs on their Bandcamp then go Facebook page.

Day 24 – Wednesday morning I left Pittsburgh for Philly by bus. When I got to 30^th St station, desperately looking for the right trolley, I met another musician and accepted a ride over with two strangers. I know, it’s kind of stupid, kind of dangerous, but look, I like to be stupid and dangerous. It’s like instead of having a drug addiction I trust people too much. That doesn’t make sense. Anyway, my time in Philly was brief. It was a small, intimate show at an art space on South Street. I got to visit with a couple college friends and hand out stickers to bros and riff raff, so all in all, not a bad stop.

Day 25 – Yesterday (Thursday) I bussed from Philly to New York and had a meeting with a couple reps from SESAC, a performing rights organization (basically a company that helps songwriters make money for what they do). I got to see New York from the 57^th floor of 57^th St building, play a song in their office, and left an affiliate. It probably won’t change my life, but it definitely bolsters my confidence and has me excited about pursuing music in a serious way. I also got lots of swag. The show at Parkside was awesome. Awe-some. There were so many friends and friends of friends that I fucked around more than I usually do and played more old songs than normal. I love New York and I love all of my New York people; I always leave eager to return.

Today I am travelling to Chicago by train. Before leaving, I got to swing by Washington Square Park to finally try the famous vegan dosa cart and meet up with another friend. Now I am singing the Mike Doughty cover of Train to Chicago in my head until I arrive tomorrow morning. I’m also making enemies.

Day 19 - I spent Friday morning in Raleigh, first fetching the car from the airport and then visiting some of Raleigh’s free museums. The hour and fifteen minute drive to Greenville flew by. When I got to Greenville I checked in at the Tipsy Teapot, drank a beer and headed over for the show at Art Avenue. It was round robin singer-songwriter style and I had a longer set at the end. It was such a fun show, tons of talented people and a really engaged and supportive audience. I left wishing I could stay longer. When I got back to Raleigh late that night, the couch surfing host I stayed with gave me a lesson in music theory. I now have a chart of the circle of fifths to keep my five changes of clothes and laptop company.

Day 20 - Saturday I rode the bus from 10am till 12:45am. We drove through Richmond, D.C. and Baltimore. This was probably my grossest day of eating. I listened to a bunch of podcasts, finished a book I was reading and let myself be carried northward. The only downside was the inevitable butt cramping, isolated in the right cheek.

Day 21 - The night before, I stayed up late catching up with a friend so I wasted half of Sunday asleep. The other half of Sunday I explored Pittsburgh with a friend. It’s a cool town.

Day 22 - I got to spend Monday with a couple other Pittsburgh friends, one of which is in the band I’m playing with at Shadow Lounge. We took a very cute dog to a very beautiful park.

Day 15 - This was a day of catching up on tour stuff, including finding a place to stay for the next few stops. At night I got to see Florencia at the Denver Center - the first time anyone in our family has seen my sister’s professional opera work! It was first dress and the wigs & make up looked great (big ups Sarah), but I’ll admit hearing another lighting designer get notes at the tech table will ALWAYS give me anxiety. I was glad to simply be an observer.

Day 16 - Tuesday I went up to Fort Collins to play the feature slot at Avagadro’s Number, a bar that my dad said he’s been to. I scored a t shirt and some new friends in northern Colorado. They had great french fries and craft beer. Here’s a fun fact: gas is $1 cheaper in CO than CA. How is that possible? What’s the deal, America?

Day 17 - Wednesday was a day of visiting with my sister Sarah. We made breakfast, drove out to Red Rocks then went on a brewery crawl, hitting Coors, Golden City Brewery, and the Great Divide Brewery. The combination of the altitude and the high alcohol content put me to bed very early. Luckily, I got in a second trip to City O City, where I gorged on some vegan gravy fries, wings, and a huge cookie. I’m going to have to check my gut on the flight back to Boston.

Day 18 - Thursday (yesterday) was a day of traveling to Raleigh. I was met at the airport by my super friendly Couch Surfing host. We got dinner and went to see another couch surfer’s set at an Irish pub called James Joyce in Durham. It was great! I went up and did and impromptu set, making some new friends out that way.

For more pictures & stuff check out the tour photo album on facebook on Kirsten Opstad Doesn’t Have Fans! K love ya bye. ;-)

Day 13 - Saturday was the second drive back from San Luis Obisbo, this time with my cousin Kelsey in tow. I got back to LA in time to see a few great friends who are living out there and play with the cutest puppy of the year (see photo for evidence). Had a small St Patty’s day get together at my sister’s place and schooled everybody on how to play Bananagrams. WHAT YOU WANT LOS ANGELES?

Day 14 - Sunday morning (yesterday) I took a very turbulent plane ride to Denver, where I was met by my sister Sarah’s housemate. They fed me coffee and company and I rested up until the Lion’s Lair show. Oh and I stopped in at City O City to binge on vegan hot wings before heading over. Sarah brought a ton of folks out for the show and I met a few new friends at the bar. It was probably one of the divey-est bars I’ve ever been to, but one of the best crowds of tour.