We picked up a new traveling partner in New Mexico. We’ve named him Lucky. When we hit a thaw we’ll find a stick and lay him to rest … but until then, he’s in for the long haul! (We’re in Iowa at the moment.)

Against conventional wisdom and our own better judgment, we’re heading out on a tour in the DEAD OF WINTER! I’m not sure whether we’re nuts or maybe just stupid. But we’re doing it!

We’re positioned in Santa Fe at the moment, preparing to delve car-first into the snow tomorrow en route to Denver. It will probably be snowy, it will definitely be FREEZING, and we’re heading directly into it. Go us!

Wish us luck, check Shannon’s tour dates page, and come see us if we’re going to be in your town!

Last week I remixed an Oakland hardcore punk record from 1995 by the Gimps! Super fun project. Those guys were only 17 when they made this record. I’ll have a song or two up on my mixes page when I get a minute.

Other than that, Shannon and I have been working full strength on her first full-production / full-length record. It’s coming along super well — great songs, great sounds, great recordings. Very exciting. The studio upgrades we did over the last year are paying off.

If you’re coming through LA, holler! We need something to get us out of the house every so often.

I just finished the absolute most fun little tour EVER, with a new band called Glasser. The music is great, and the people COULD NOT BE NICER. It was short, sweet, and highly entertaining. Did I mention how excellent the band are as people? Wow. I kind of lost a bit of faith in people during the first part of this year — these guys did a lot to help restore it. At any rate, if you’re not familiar with them, check them out. The music is unusual and very cool.

A new band called Twin Shadow joined us for 5 dates mid-tour, and that was a huge treat as well. They are fantastic. Every song is a hit. It’s like watching a John Hughes soundtrack you’d never heard before playing out live on stage. Great band.

We’re home now, for a couple months. We’ll be bunkering in, starting Shannon’s new record, and hopefully not going much of anywhere. If you’re in the area, get in touch and we’ll meet you for dinner or something!

I’m doing a quick getting-to-know-you gig with a new EMI artist named Sky Ferreira.

I spent the last few days in New York, in rehearsals, helping whip the live production and sound into shape. We did a couple rehearsal-room showcases for EMI staff and fans, and then this morning we flew into Cologne, Germany (of all places).

Today is a day off, then tomorrow we do a 3-song gig for a bunch of EMI record executives from all over Europe. Then we go directly home. Crazy. Everyone’s nice and my EMI buddy Matt Shelton is along for the trip, so it’s a good time, and plus I’ll be home before I know it. Little eight-day work trips are great!