Portraits of Backway Wisconsin

Having gotten so far off of the main drag, thanks for the most part to a pesky county policeman in southern Wisconsin, I had decided long ago to just take all the backways -- the whole way up north. And I was starting to really like it. And I was starting to really get the "way of my road" deep in my bloodstream -- finding myself waking up in front of some inane television report in a smoky room somewhere right next to a trucker, and gambling away half my money at one of those damn quarter games they have, where you think you can tip a whole ton of quarters right over the edge, but then you end up losing eveything and more. Passes the time anyhow.

There's a rad bluegrass scene down here I guess, that kids from the backroad towns of Wisconsin totally really dig. The folky indie hippie types and what-have-you are into it anyways. Check out my buddie's band (i.e. the jam crew of a dude I chilled out with after connecting with his ex-girlfriend for a ride) the Ultimate Frisbee Orchestra. Mad props.

Had just the greatest time hanging out in the local bar, and having a big family dinner and everything. A real slice of rural America. Imagine Ryan Adams getting roughed up a bit and rolling his own tobacco. And there was something surreal about the red light that just hung so thick in the air inside the bar as a movie with UFOs or a SciFi plotline played out on the little TV screen way up in the corner. The bartender When the bartender moved, he almost floated -- although he barely moved at all.

I remember telling Beth to toss on the perfect song for the atmosphere and all that, as we cruised between small towns I don't know the names of. And I remember being totally chill and satisfied with a song she played that I had never heard before -- "The Story" by Brandi Carlile -- which sounded real sweet. So thanks.

And before I left, for more run-ins with the law on both sides of the border, "Gramma" made me sandwiches on fresh bread and made sure I had enough homebaked cookies.

From the Ultimate Frisbee Orchestra's song "Backroad Stretches" - "In a couple a' days I'll be comin' home soon. Trying to make my way by the light of the moon. Standing on the road, trying to hitch a ride...Singin' oo-oo me oh my..."

Listening Guide: -Black Moth Super Rainbow "Spinning Cotton Candy in a Shack Made of Shingles"
-The New Pornographers
-Ryan Adams "Come Pick Me Up"
-Ghengis Tron "Warm Woods"
-The Appleseed Cast "A Tree for Trails"
-Brandi Carlile "Wasted"
-Sun Kil Moon "Floating"