Where's Kailin?

My midwest tour begins this Tuesday. I’ll be in Kansas, Missouri, Illinois, Iowa and Ohio. I decided to call myself “the drifter “or vagabond. I’ve slept on couches, borrowed beds, floors and many other interesting places over the last few months. Not having a permanent home has actually been exciting and I feel so grateful for those who have opened their doors to me and have let me crash for a night or two. It might sound strange but I actually enjoy living out of a suitcase. Im not an organized person so just having a few pair of clothes and my guitar to manage has been perfect for me.  Reality will sink in when I return from this tour but I’ve decided not to think about that for now

I recently sang at a fundraiser called “Songs for Uganda.” Let me just say it was the most amazing, fulfilling experience I’ve ever had. I’ve dreamt of going to Africa most of my life and plan to journey there sometime in 2010. That evening, I performed a few songs before the talented choir from Uganda called, The  Destiny Africa Children’s Choir, performed. You can check them out here. They were absolutely incredible, I felt transformed listening to them! Just being able to hug these children and hear their stories gave me chills. There was something so honest and genuine about these children. Looking into their eyes made me feel at home and being in their presence was extraordinary. These kids have gone through so much, its unimaginable. To live in America is such a privilege that we take for granted everyday. I hope to raise as much awareness as I can about the atrocities that continue to exist in Africa.

Last night I returned from Kentucky. I showcased at a NACA mid America event and hopefully booked a few more college shows for the spring. I had a revelation on Friday morning. My revelation was COFFEE!!!! Ive always highly disliked the taste of coffee. Its bitter, makes my stomach hurt and gives me anxiety so I’ve stayed far away from it. Tea has always been my hot drink of choice. Well, I didnt get much sleep on Thursday evening and I was so exhausted that I decided to have a few cups. Let me just say, I was on top of the world after those 3 cups! I did eventually crash later on that afternoon but I am officially a coffee addict now and there’s no way to stop it!!

Alright, Im off to pack for my trip to the midwest now. Heres a review that was posted about my show in Potsdam, NY last week if you’d like to check it out here.

Peace & LOVE

Kailin

On 10/6 I played at Mary Washington in Fredericksburg Virgina. I drove from NYC that morning which turned out to be a pretty short drive considering the usual amount of time I spend in the car lately.  I’ve played there before but this time I played in a different location. Artists like Dave Matthews, Wilco, John Mayer, etc, have played in this building. The sound system was new and sounded incredible. The next day I decided to walk around the town a bit .. I saw where our first president roamed free as a boy and the North and South came face to face in battle. I explored the little antique shops and colonial houses along the roads, then went back to my hotel room for the evening. 

The next day I traveled on to Reading, PA. This was only a 3.5 hour car ride I played at Albright College that evening. The student activities board decided to put drawing paper on the tables so the students could draw while I played which was actually a cool feeling. We were all being creative together  and some of the pictures turned out to be quite beautiful. 

I drove for six hours to Erie PA the following day, the drive was stunning. Went through mountains, over hills, the foliage was extraordinarily beautiful.  The rain started pouring three hours before I arrived at my destination but I had Lennon blasting through the car speakers to keep me alert  the rest of the way.  Checked into my hotel upon arrival and went straight to my gig at Penn State Erie University. This was a great show. The students were so warm and friendly and really enjoyed my music. Sold a good amount of CD’s and went back to my room for the night.

Got in my car around 11am the following day and began my drive to CT which was approximately nine hours in total. The sun was shining, Bright Eyes was playing and I was ready for the adventure. Thirty minutes into the drive I was pulled over!!! I was apparently going about 85, It was a much cheaper ticket than I had gotten in the past but I slowed way down for the rest of the trip. My GPS friend, Jill, decided to stop working a few hours later  but luckily a gas station was right around the corner. Studied a map and continued on. I arrived in CT around 9pm! Collapsed on the couch and had a wonderful home cooked meal.

This Week I’ll be in NYC for the night on Tuesday, playing at the Red Lion on Bleeker St. On Wednesday I fly to St. Louis and play at Eastern Illinois University. 

More adventures to come.

Peace & Love

Arrived in Lubbock, TX this afternoon.  Yesterday I played a show @ Stephen F. Austin University in Nacogdoches. I usually have no concept of what the venues will be like for these acoustic gigs. My show started around 4pm and took place outdoors in a gigantic parking lot before their home football game began! I’ve played about 8 shows so far & by now Im pretty used to going with the flow…. There were all different events going on simultaneously in the parking lot, however,  I played with as much enthusiasm as I could give and it ended up being a great show! I’ve been playing this new song I wrote before leaving the city with a good friend of mine. Apparently I say the phrase, “Hell Yea,” a lot so we decided to write a fun song called “Hell Yea.”   It was literally written as a joke to me but we’ve decided I should play it live and its been received pretty damn well among these college kids, especially at spirited schools like SFA. The chorus of the song is something that anyone can sing along to, just answer the questions with a “Hell Yea” and you’re golden! Incase you want to check it out because its obviously that good You can check out a live performance of it from yesterdays show here .  Its just a feel good fun tune, not much to think about and that’s the whole point of it. 

Anyway, back to my flight this afternoon…. I was all ready to get on the plane and take a much needed nap, however, life had other plans for me! When I first began flying alone, I would walk on the plane smiling and open to anyone who seemed to be my “destined” seat partner. Over the years, I’ve changed that way of thinking and have put on what I like to call a “New York” game face which entails either A. not smiling B. Not looking the person in the eye or C. Pretending to be reading something extremely interesting(maybe even BE reading something extremely interesting.) Well, the first two never come easy to me but I’ve been able to do the last one pretty damn well. Today was a bit different, Texas just brings out the happy side of people it seems! I got on this packed southwest airlines flight smiling from ear to ear  and found my seat which was, by the time I boarded, the only seat left on the plane and was indeed a MIDDLE seat. Im an aisle person, I get claustrophobic on planes and cannot stand any other seat than the aisle. I feel as though I have nowhere to go and I might just hyperventilate. Today, I looked at my destined seat and decided to give into those demons that haunt my subconscious mind. I sat down in between a man who turned out to be extremely kind and full of Lubbock history as well as his grandson who was very pleasant to talk to.  By the end of the flight I felt so lucky to have been sitting there. I never knew Lubbock was the homeland of renowned musicians like Buddy Holly and Mac Davis. I’ve always believed in fate which usually transpires when I least expect it especially when traveling. So glad I didn’t close my eyes right away:)

Tomorrow I play with my friend and talented musician from the city, Derek James. He’ll be landing here in the morning and we perform from 12-2 at Texas Tech University! I’ve heard so much about this school and Im looking forward to checking it out and performing there.

I forgot to mention my Mom came down to visit me for a few days. One of her best friends from college lives in San Antonio so she met me there and continued traveling with me to a few different Universities. I think she definitely got a taste for the road and hopefully enjoyed herself. I know I was glad to have her here, it was nice to split up some driving time as well. She has much  better luck with speeding tickets than I clearly do

 Off to Delaware in a few days.

Peace & Love,

Kailin

Over the past two days I have driven for approximately 13 or so hours. I’ve gotta say, I do enjoy my alone time in a car listening to music, books on tape or just the sounds of cars passing me by. Its a feeling of liberation, looking straight ahead to a beautiful landscape knowing its all there for me to discover.  I’ve learned so much about myself traveling alone in a state I have never been. There have been ups and downs along the way which is to be expected and I’ve tried not to get too down on myself or too excited because I still have a LONG way to go. Yesterday I left Austin and drove to Witchita Falls. It was a 6 hour drive but I was ready for it and eager for a new adventure as always. I drove mostly on back roads which is what I wanted to do so I could take in the scenery along the way. The sun was setting, I was feeling good, Tom Petty was playing on the stereo and then all of a sudden BAM! I saw red and blue lights behind me. I’ll save  you the details and just say the end result was not a warning. I faced the same situation on the way to San Antonio yesterday as well. The problem is, well, first of all ME which I understand but second of all, Im driving on these miniature highways that turn into small towns. The speed limit goes from 60-35 in seconds and if I miss the signs, thats it! So, yes, I’ve learned a major lesson in the last two days. FOCUS FOCUS FOCUS and watch the signs around me at all times.

I wish I could say the speeding ticket yesterday was my only lesson, however, that would be false information and I want to be as honest as I possibly can to you wonderful readers. Well, I was driving along route 16, taking pictures along the way to San Antonio, happy as a clam. I looked out my right window and saw this amazing sign. I decided to pull over and take a picture which I will post later on this week. Well, I went to back up and get back on the road when suddenly my little black pontiac car slid on dirt into this rock filled trench . The car slid so much that I had to climb out of the door and realized it was halfway in the air.  Luckily, my savior was right behind me in a white pickup truck. This man and his son got out, chained my car to their’s and helped pull my car out of the ditch. I was extremely grateful and  offered money which they declined but did give them a few of my CD’s.  After that, I returned to the road and drove peacefully for the next five hours until I reached my destination. Like I said, there have been ups and downs along the way but DAMN am I learning as I go.

Let’s hope this is it for a while.

Peace & Love,

Kailin

Just landed in Austin, Texas. I’ll be in Texas for the next eight days. It really has been quite an adventure so far. Its only the beginning and I feel as though I’ve been on the road for a month or two already. Traveling sure does take a lot out of you especially when you’re feeling under the weather. I played at BC last night in Boston and stayed with my sister which was extremely relaxing. I haven’t been able to shake this cold for the last few weeks so my sister ended up taking me to a walk in clinic yesterday and it just so happened the doctor who saw me was Haitian. He runs a charity for homeless children and is also in the process of building a medical center in central Haiti. As Im sure you know, Haiti is one of the world’s poorest and underdeveloped countries. There is a strong need for medical centers and supplies. About 80% of the population are estimated to be living poverty.  This is something that I have always wanted to be involved in and I feel as though Dr. Marcel was a godsend yesterday. If I wasn’t sick, I would have never of met him and I don’t believe in coincidences. We are all on this planet for a reason and I know my reason is to heal through music and to someday run some charities of my own. He said he might want me come to Haiti this winter and perform a concert for the kids at his charity. Hopefully that will work out but if nothing else, Im glad I met him because I feel we’ll be doing some sort of work together in the future. 

Anyway, I’ll be playing in downtown texas tonight at a club called the Roadhouse rags with a good friend of mine and talented guitarist, Matt Smith. Im thrilled to see downtown Austin, I’ve heard so many great things about it! Tomorrow I’ll be driving to Witchita falls which is about a six hour drive to play at Midwestern State University. Then its off to San Antonio to play University of Texas, Commerce to play Texas A&M, and a few more schools after that. Im sure I’ll be writing another blog by then to fill you in! 

Texas Tech is playing this evening and apparently its a huge event here in Austin. Im staying with a wonderful couple right outside the city and Im due to meet them in a few to see what Texas tailgating is like

Peace & Love,

Kailin

Im in Spartanburg, SC at the moment. I played at Converse College last night and it was a great show! I’ve been coming to Spartanburg since I was 18 years old. This is the town I recorded my first CD in with members from the Marshall Tucker band who are now close friends. It brings back so many old memories being here. How young and naive I was about the business with no concept of what was to come! It feels good to have grown so much as a person and musically and be back in the same town where it all began. Ive been playing some new songs of mine the last few weeks and they’ve been received extremely well. Now I have to get them recorded which Im hoping will happen by December at the latest. I’ll be flying to Boston this evening and playing at BC tomorrow night. My sister lives there so it will be nice to hang in her environment for a bit. Off to more adventure.

Peace & Love,

Kailin

Hey there!

Life on the road officially begins today. Im currently in Manchester, NH. Today I played @ SNHU and this evening I’ll be playing at St. Anselm’s or St. A’s as they call it. At the moment Im sitting in a hotel room getting ready for my show.. I love the smell of hotel rooms, it might sound weird but it’s extremely comforting. To me, hotels symbolize change and adventure so maybe thats why I love the smell. Anyway, its nice to know that tomorrow I’ll be in a different location than I was today…pretty exciting! I have many new songs that Im going to be trying out on stage, let’s hope these kids like them.

Peace & Love 

Kailin