It’s Sunday morning and you know what that means? It’s my birthday! First on my agenda was getting a workout in before hitting the road, which meant getting up extra early (boo). Second was eating the patty I hadn’t been able to finish the night before, thank you anxiety! First tour, suddenly going on a ten day road trip in an unfamiliar country with people I didn’t know super well? Listen, I’d do it again in a heartbeat but my stomach was protesting by way of nausea whenever I tried to eat for the first two days.
I don’t remember most of the drive to Atlanta, aside from Jonathan asking if I was planning to do anything for my birthday to which I laughed, gestured generally, and went “this! This is what I’m doing!”, and a text coming on the display from “DJ” with the associated passing thought of “I wonder which DJ’s name is saved as their job.”
The other thing I remember is that one of my friends back home, Dove – the one who was bringing me to the airport for the winter 2023 tour – had been messaging me more than usual over the course of the day. When not driving I was trying (and failing) to sleep, so she wasn’t getting much out of me, which wasn’t ideal. See, about six weeks before I left for tour it clicked that, yeah, I was going to be on the road for my birthday. Andddd that if I wanted to do anything to celebrate, it was going to be on me to figure that out.
So, I decided on birthday donuts! An easy task, right? Less so when you have dietary restrictions, and are limited to looking at places a reasonable distance from the venue who offer delivery that might work with when you will be at the hotel. And you don’t know the hotel you’ll be at. Or what time you’ll bere there.
Long story short, Dove took on this task for me after I spent a month trying to get in touch with a small business right by the venue. She wanted an ETA from me as she was in communication with Revolution Doughnuts to figure out when they’d be able to make this delivery. Me being mostly unavailable was not particularly helpful.
By the time we arrived in Atlanta, my decision to get up early and go to the gym was really kicking my ass. I was deeply looking forward to getting a 20 minute nap before leaving for soundcheck, and at that point my brain was focused on sleep and sleep alone. While checking in I’m told I have my own room – a birthday present from Dove, the sweetie! The lady at reception mentions something about having checked Dove in previously and I don’t bat an eyelash – Dove has friends around Atlanta, so obviously she stayed here last time and made such an impression that this lady remembers. That we happen to have had the same person checking us in is a wild coincidence, but also kind of lines up with how life’s been going for me lately. Armed with my fun little anecdote to text my friend about after taking a nap, I’m ready to reach that room!
Whiccchhhh involves what I’m unaffectionately referring to as the elevators from hell, because who decided curved elevators where the only not-glass part are the doors was a good idea? Do you have a ranked list of least favourite elevators? I do. These ones are at the top, or at least they were until the elevator at the venue in Washington. We’ll get to that one.
Of the six elevator rides I take over the sixteen or so hours we’re at this hotel, I get these elevators five times. There’s at least eight others that could have arrived but no, it’s these ones that have me white-knuckle gripping anything in reach that consistently show up. Happy birthday to me.
On the ride up, Jonathan apologises for having ruined the surprise. I have no idea what he’s talking about and don’t have the mental energy to: a) communicate this, or b) figure it out.
When I turn down the hallway leading to my room and see someone at the end of it, I don’t think anything of it. It’s a hotel, people are around. What I was not expecting, and yet somehow makes perfect sense, is that it’s Dove – also known as DJ – at the end of the hallway.
She coordinated with Jonathan to come out and surprise me for my birthday, and had been fake posting on social media to make it look like she was. You know. Not in Georgia.
A BUNCH of things suddenly made way more sense to me when I see her! And what a surprise, right? One of your best friends flying several hours south to surprise you? My friends are incredible and I learn so much about love, care, and support from them.
“You’re most excited about someone being able to bring stuff back for you,” she joked once we were in the room – which had the promised doughnuts, and several balloons, and listen. Listen. Was there some stuff I realized I didn’t need, like long-sleeved pyjamas in a climate I was consistently too damn hot in? Yes. Yes there was. Was the prospect of not having to lug stuff around that I wasn’t going to use something I was obviously and outwardly excited about? Yeah! She had every right to tease me about this!
I did not wind up getting that much desired nap in.
The Masquerade was an incredibly cool venue. Loading in from not a front door was great, and the winding backstage passage leading to the stages (and going past all the individual dressing rooms) was a moment of realising I hadn’t been backstage anywhere since high school theatre. Getting to see behind the curtain is a neat experience for sure. Being able to pack all the gear up and roll it out rather than carry individual items back and forth? Magic I tell you, magic. I spent a few minutes running around during soundcheck, figuring out where the best angles to get crowd footage during “Seven Safe Places” would be, got merch setup with Dove’s help, and the rest of the night was just a blur.
“They’re waiting for you,” someone said when we got back after doors opened and identified ourselves as merch for Urban Heat -another night of tossing my stuff in a corner and immediately jumping into chatting with people! Full love to Dove, but having someone else at the table (on my birthday) meant me abandoning her to go dance in the crowd during Urban Heat’s set, stopping by once to make sure she was okay with the “here’s how you do merch” crash course I’d given her, and another time to grab the camcorder. When I got back to the spot I’d been dancing in, camera in hand, this very nice person insisted I step in front of them to get a better shot – I was there for about half the song before jogging up to the balcony going “sorry, excuse me!” all the while.
During Twin Tribes’ set Dove went over to the restaurant to get our food. When I ran backstage to the dressing room to scarf that down, was hit by just how tired I really was. I’m in a comfortable squat, 1000 mental miles away, and munching on cucumber and hummus like it’s the best thing I’ve had in days (I will always be excited for veggies, I promise). More than once I’m told I can you know, take a seat, and I just shake my head, “it’s all over if I do that, if I sit I’m done.” which is met with deep understanding. I’m exhausted but wow, what a birthday. What a life.
The crowd at this show takes a long time to disperse! It’s the only venue where I see security subtly moving people towards the door before the announcement goes out that everyone but artists and crew should now be exiting. It’s at about that point that Jeremy comes to the merch table. Oh Jeremy.
Jeremy and his friend were at the show because he’d just been rejected by the person he was interested in. His friend had wanted to cheer him up, and some unknown number of drinks and a great show later, they were at the merch table buying a long-sleeved shirt each! Jeremy, bless him, insisted I sign his shirt despite me trying to explain multiple times that I do merch and am not you know. Part of the band. Wouldn’t hear it! Really wanted that signature! Hope you’re doing alright Jeremy, you were going through it. But, by all apperances, also had a great night! And will be remembered by me, at least, for being the first person I’ve ever signed something for.
I’m pretty sure there was a post-show doughnut before bed, but couldn’t tell you for sure. What I do know is that this was a birthday I won’t soon forget. What a day!
Want to keep up with Urban Heat? They’re fundraising to get to Europe later this year! Otherwise, you can check them out on TikTok , or find them on Instagram!
That’s all for this week! Until next time, stay cozy, and if you want to join your companions around the cauldron, signup for email updates below!
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