Salt Lake City, UT: I like to get the bad stuff out of the way first, so that’s what I’m gonna do.

6am, this morning, the phone rings. Unknown number. I answer. Automated voice on the line. The cold digital spikes in the language. Something about suspicious charges on the band account. Don’t let your imagination get ahead with you. I’ve heard this tune before. Back in August we were unable to fill our gas tank in Jersey at 2:30 in the morning because Bank of America also had these suspicions. I called the next day to take care of it. It’s surprising since we’ve been on four previous tours and never had any issue with multiple out of state purchases. I don’t know if they’ve tightened up their system to be in line with the prevailing paranoia and overprotectiveness that’s so rampant in this country, but it sure seems so. After complaining about the freeze on OUR money, I asked what can I do to avoid this in the future being as we do a lot of traveling and had this big tour coming up. The rep made a note in the computer and said I should be good.

Well, to their credit they didn’t freeze any purchases, but they did wake me up from an already toss and turn kind of night in Salt Lake City at 6 o’clock in the morning. So, there’s that emotionless digi-voice. I’m asked to enter the last four digits of my SSN to verify charges and that’ll be that. Of course, it doesn’t recognize the numbers and I’m transferred to a rep who asks me why I’m calling. Of course, they called me. I start to explain my situation and how I’m going to switch banks. You see, BOA has done this to tons of people when they go on vacation particularly when they go overseas even after they call the bank to let them know. I already have a huge problem with calling the bank to report my whereabouts, so they’ll allow me to use my money. It just rubs me the wrong way and BOA is full criminals anyway, so what better time to switch. It’s not the end of the world and I’m happy to have everything back in place now, but at 6 in the morning I was livid. At least we had a good laugh about it after. Hey, it’s all “for your protection”. You might ask why we were with them from the get go. They’re a national bank, so it’s easier to make deposits on the road, but if they’re going to give me problems using the money we make, why bother?

On to the music and more important things…

We took the day off on Monday to get the Aloud van checked out. The service engine soon light came on. Mark at Carworks of Longmont in Colorado is awesome! He gave us some good advice and got the van in order and it seems to be going ok. Probably ready for a bigger van when we get back though. Tuesday, we had a double header of gigs. First in the afternoon was Front Range Community College in Westminster for their Rock the Vote event. Thanks to Jason Wright for making us feel at home there. That night was our gig in Boulder at a very cool DIY venue called Astroland. Zach and the rest of them are really sweet, helpful guys who really care about what they’re doing. Greg Hoy also played with us. We’ve played with him several times in NYC and he’s moved back to Boulder. It’s so good seeing familiar faces on the road.

Like these…

Henry, Jesse, Tim and me

It’s a bit dark, but that’s Jesse (Aloud’s former drummer Ross’ brother) and Tim (a good friend Henry and I once worked with in Boston). Moe’s was a good time. The venue made some amazing BBQ and Danny who put the night together treated us with much love. It’s been overwhelming how genuine and loving people have been. Truly amazing.

Wednesday we spent the day driving to Salt Lake. 8 hours driving and then some rest (till 6am of course). After splitting from the hotel and sending some of you postcards, we headed to the Great Salt Lake.

Thirsty?

It’s surrounded by a bunch of dried up clay and the you can see out on that water. Very salty smelling as one would expect. Drove through downtown Salt Lake and posted ourselves at Millcreek Coffee Roasters for some bagels, coffee and wifi. Tonight, we will rock the Woodshed just down the street with LaFarsa and Bronco. It will be most excellent.

Cheers,

Jen