ok - a quick glance shows we have been neglecting the HL blog for far too long.  We have long since missed the timely opportunity to summarize our mini-tour to Eastern Washington with the Memphis Radio Kings in April.  Now summer has arrived and various band members are peeling off here & there to venture off into vacations…

What we can say is “Yes - the band is still alive.”

We will be playing a week from Sunday (July 12th) at the West Seattle Music Fest at 12:45, The Alaskan Stage.

We also have a show coming up at the end of the month at the Comet.

We’ve just added (finally) an mp3 pop-up player to the site for you to listen to some Half Light tunes (no more “please click through to the MySpace  site”  link).

That’s about ot for this quickie update before everyone starts worrying about blowing off appendages with explosives for the holiday weekend.

Looks like our cd just got reviewed over at The Big Takeover by Marcel Feldmar.  Here’s a little snippet:

“This music feels like dusk and flows like dawn, and though it seems like it’s all tied to your dreams, it won’t let you sleep. It lifts you up and holds you brightly, showing you the chords and choruses that bring you back home.”

Wow.  Talk about amazing, kick ass sets by both Secret Highways & Levator.  These bands are flat out awesome. Also - great DJ-ing by DJ Jimi C.  What a freaking incredible evening - & a big thanks to all of the folks who turned out to share a night of music with us.  Best of luck to Levator on the tour.  We’re all gushy gushy happy over what a great time we had last night.  Next up for Half Light - some initial tracking for the new cd & then The Comet Tavern in March.

It’s been added to our press section, but we just wanted to share the good word with everyone…

From 2008 Year in Review: Klepac on the Best Seattle Albums of 2008,  Christian Klepac ranked us fourth on his list, and we’re keeping some really good company…

“This band’s Best Kept Secret status is under serious threat, as their impossibly heavy live shows win them a growing legion of converts. Druggy guitars, a cello, spectral female harmonies, a thunderous rhythm section, everything you could need for a classic 4AD-style blissout. Do not listen before operating heavy machinery. “

Hey folks,

I want to reveal my favorite restaurant in the world.  Bizzarro Italian Cafe in the formermly overpaid Wallingford neighborhood of Seattle.  The reason you may not have heard of it is beacuse us regulars didn’t want other people going there.  You see it is so perfect, and too many people knew it.  You had to wait for a table, Bizzarro does not believe in reservations.  Sometimes you had to wait 45 minutes, and I would wait.  The staff is super nice, and would let you drink wine while you wait, which is a bonus.  Once, we showed up roughly the same time as some other regulars, who recently became engaged, and it was Prosecco on the house for all of us while we waited. 

So why let you in on the secret now?  Well, thanks to our fine economy I am worried about Bizzarro.  It is one of these stories people love.  The long time, hard working, know-your-favorite-dish-when-they-see-you-walk-in-the-door employees,  bought the place recently.  These wonderful people brought the best dish ever back to the menu, the Forest Floor Frenzy.  The last 3 times I’ve been there, I have not had to wait.  It was not full.  There will be some tragic losses in our horrible economy, but Bizzarro can not be one of them.   So to all the regulars, I know we will regret it later, but you have to tell people that Bizzarro is among the best, and they should spend their hard earned cash there.

So what is so great about it?  Well they have dishes to please meat eaters and vegetarians alike.  The pasta is always cooked perfect. The sauces are amazing.  The bread wonderful, and the soups and salads stellar.  In fact, at almost all restaurants I have only one dish that I order.  At Bizzarro, there are so many great dishes (and there are only probably 15 main dishes), I often don’t know what to get.  I am generally too full to have dessert, but have tried many of them, and the panna cotta is awesome, as is the chcolate vesuvius. I have never understood how their prices can be so low.  Most dishes are about $16 and that includes bread and soup or salad.  Usually it is about $60 for two people for dinner and wine.   

So support local, support consistenly outrageously good, the secret is out.

Oh and by the way.  There is a cell-phone surcharge.  Turn your phone off.  Whatever you do, don’t answer it in the restaurant. 

We required the requisite 2 hours to get rolling in the morning.  Barb and Mr. Breakfast located the best breakfast in the Tri-county area.  It was big, it was greasy, the coffee worked.  It was Barb’s birthday.  She bought us breakfast.  We thought this was kinda upside down given it was her birthday, but she would have none of us buying her birthday breakfast.  She had informed us that she would not be repsonsible for driving after the show.

So off to our next show in Fresno.  Mega thanks to the Sleepover Disaster, who set us up with a gig.  I was nervous to play with them because their recordings sound amazing.  They were playing with lablemates Light FM. We were excited and hit the road.  The scenery reminded us of our own Eastern Wa.  I got to see the backside of the “Plains of Giant Webbed Feet,” from the Half Light tune, Golden West, one of the first songs I wrote, many years ago, on my first tour ever.  This is alot of what we saw:

We made it to Fresno in the afternoon.  We weren’t sure what to do there, we found the venue:

The venue was not open, and there was no where to drink in the immediate vicinity.  We called our friend C-monster, to hook us up with the local microbrewery. One can always count on Charlie to be at or near a computer, ready to hook you up.  We eventaully made it to Seqoia brewery where we found a parking spot that would allow us to keep an eye on the gear (the van), always essential.  Here is some artwork in the parking lot:

They also had a happy hour, and well it was still Barb’s birthday.  They had the best Stout we had ever had, on nitro tap and everything.  I seriously considered getting a growler of it to bring home, but quickly realized that it would never make it, and someone would be too drunk to drive and that would not work.

We still had hours to kill. Some folks hung out in the van, some went shopping.  I needed a feline fix, so went walking in the neighborhoods, it wasn’t long before I was treating a sweet orange tabby to a killer petting session.  Finally I went to a great record store where I couldn’t afford the records I wanted, but I did pick up a sweet paisley dress for a Halloween costume.  Because, at this point it still seemed reasonable that I would survive the mega hour drive and make it home in time to go out (and want to).

Finally, we got to the Tokyo Garden and it was open.  It was quite some time before the other bands showed up.  Of course, we drank in the meantime.  Check out the Karaoke this place offers:

The proprietor is super nice.  He poured stiff drinks.  A super nice guy, who also served as soundperson, opened the show.  He had a really tasty Gretsch guitar, and great songs.  I am sorry I don’t remember his name, thought he is partially responsible for that, since he bought us all drinks at the end of the night, and that was a full Markers Mark.  Next up, Light FM, they were really cute and great.

We played, it was really fun.  Then Sleepover Disaster took the stage and slayed.  Anytime a guitarist is playing a Jazzmaster and splitting the signal between a vox and fender…well I’m a sucker for that, throw in some Ride-style drumming and killer bass and vocal harmonies….

Please buy all of Sleepover Disaster’s CD’s.  You will enjoy them.

Alright - we somehow managed to get our stuff into the van (it was actually raining in Cali) and get on the road about 1:30 or so in the morning.  Thus began our 18 hour drive home.  The first driver was Brian.  It was rainy.  The road between Fresno and Sacramento totally sucks.  Barb was co-pilot.  I got a bit of sleep.  So we have 6 people- driver, a co-pilot, 2 to the next seat, and 2 to the next seat and then a bunch of gear, surrunded by our backpacks and such.  It really isn’t very comfortable.  I slept for a couple of half hour stints.

Next it was Scotty’s turn to drive.  It was dumping rain.  It was dark.  I don’t remember much of it.  It was then about 5:30 am.  Scotty was beat, no one was up.  It was my turn.  I put in 7% solution’s classic “All About Satellites” and tried really hard to stay awake.  I had only been up for about 20 hours at this point, so it shouldn’t be too hard….I only hit the rumble strip once.   I assured Scott that I was just fine and finally found a place to get crappy coffee.  The crappy coffee burned such a hole in my stomach that I was kept awake not by the caffeine, but by the pain.  Ah, the road.

I played Lupine Howl, “Bar at the End of the World.“  Finally, it was almost getting light, but still dumping rain.  Scott had had it, and Jefff took over as co-pilot.  We made it to a pass, and put in Neko Case’s new record.  We found a hippie mart in Shasta and I got a great sun-dried tomato and corn Quiche.  It was awesome.  They were playing the Dead in the store which made me happy, because Half Light would not let me listen to the Dead (though, my accomplice slipped some in while they were sleeping…).  At about 9 am, Barb took over driving and I took co-pilot, which I was pretty useless at.  We finally made it to Oregon, and the sun came out, and we saw a rainbow.  Remember when I said the van wasn’t that comfy to sleep in?

I finally managed to utilize some skills I’d seen cats do, and curl up on the floor somehow.  I got a little sleep it was great.

Eventaully, we made it to WA:

Brian drove the last shift, and we rolled in around 7:30 pm.  I rushed home, didn’t even take a shower, threw on my paisley dress and go go boots (it was Halloween) and headed off the the Hight Dive to see Black Daisy.  I should have been tired, I’d been up for esentially 36 hours, but my body would not stop.  They were great.  I went home, and still could not go to sleep.  I thought this would be my last tour ever, but it was actually really fun, and I’m ready to do it again.

Well, we managed to get rolling on the lovely, typically sunny, california morning of October 29th.  My body was extremely pleased that I had hit the hot tub the night before.  Collectively, we had to do a little laundry and got some of the killer crepes from the killer crepe place in Pismo Beach.  Yumsters.

Then it was off to San Luis Obispo.  The first gig we booked on the tour.  A gig we had obtained press for.  A gig that we had lined up a local band for.  We had heard that SLO is a great college town and we were ready for a little juice bar and coffee shop action complete with a great gig.

SLO is actaully not far from Pismo beach, so we got there early.  Early enogh to hit the park for some relax time:  Some folks read, some slept.  Scott and I wote a new tune.

\

We killed a lot of time, and tried to stave off drinking until a somewhat reasonable hour. We made it until about 4pm, when we hit Downtown Brews.  DTB do actually brew their own beer, but being the northwest beer snobs that we are, we didn’t think it was amazing, well except for the happy hour $2 pint.  Half Light supports $2 pints of microbrew.   We also really want to play at DTB next time we hit SLO.  Some band called Senses Fail was playing there that night.  A lot of cute little punk/goth teenagers were lined up to see them.  I have to say I pretty much loved every single concert I got to see as a youth, but looking back on how it felt compared to how it feels now - well, I wish I would have known to love them even more.

we found a nice bar called the library directly across from the Frog and Peach where we were to play.  Now, they too had a nice happy hour and the extremely lovely bartender actaully topped off my generous pour of saphire gin before I left the bar for a comfy window perch.  This place could easily be a location for a scene in a David Lynch movie.  Half Light loved it there:

Well we cheked out the Frog and Peach, it was going to be a new record for fitting HL on the stage.  Luckily, the extremely cool and nice booker Hank, had let me know that we would be running our own sound that night, and the house PA was small (no monitors.)  I put my amp on the bar itself.  I have been a sound person before, so I dusted off the PA and got my mic plugged in and off we were.  The band we were going to play with had had a recent falling out with their drummer and were not going to make it, we weren’t checking our myspace regularily so we did not know that.  We waited a bit for them then we went for it.  We played ALL of our songs.  Dayna S., with her broken wrist and all.

Have you heard a band say, “well if it meant something to one person then it was worth it?”  I would like to extend a gracious thanks to the tye-dye hippie dudes that were dancing, and the nice young gentlemen at the bar who listened to our whole set and bough our CD.  The place was so not full, and the majority of people so not paying attention that i actaully manufactured cricket noises in my head after our tunes, beacuse most people did not notice that the band was playing.

We went back to the hotel, the first night that we had two rooms, and after the boys downed a 12 pack of PBR and the girls hit the Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey, we got some sleep. It was the first night that I had slept in a bed in a week, and it was nice.  Next off to Fresno, then home….

Our next gig was on Oct. 29th in San Luis Obispo, or as the locals say SLO. SLO is not very far from LA, so of course, Half Light decided to spend the day at the beach. Pismo beach to be exact. We had a stellar time, relaxing, playing guitar, numbing our bodies in the mighty Pacific and drinking. There was a swing set on the beach:

We stayed at a fancy motel:

We saw yet another awesome sunset - from the bar of course, they had pitchers of margaritas too:

Now, if you haven’t read the Purr’s show updates, you should. When they stay anywhere “Planet of the Apes” is always on TV. Well, when Half Light stays anywhere “The Omen” (any version or number) is on. Tonight was no exception. We watched the Omen. We ate snacks. We went to the beach at night:

While at dinner, we picked up a copy of the New SLO Times, where we got a write up for our show the next night, “Seattle-based act Half Light will roll though town this week to promote their debut self-released CD Sleep More, Take More Drugs, Do Whatever We Want, a swirling semi-psychedelic rock album fueled by the ethereal vocals of two Daynas: Dayna Loeffler (rhythm guitar, pedal steel) and Dayna Smith (bass). Between the harmonizing and soft-fuzz guitars, Mazzy Star certainly comes to mind. They play Wednesday, Oct. 29 at Frog and Peach with local band Quality Fridge Buzz (never heard of them!).” Thank you kindly to Glen Starkey for listening and helping us out!

Glorious Los Angeles… after a pit stop at a gas station to remove the jellified carcasses & entrails of the teeming hordes of insects who decided to have the last thing pass through their minds be their arses before they became acquainted with the Silver Bullet’s windshield & a rather ripe gas station bathroom, we departed for the last stretch towards the City of Angels. We passed right by the club, The Scene Bar on the first attempt, but managed to circle the block & arrive safely.

The front door had the look of a bomb shelter, and there were no windows to the venue at all. Our friend who had recommended it (thanks again Amy!!) had described it as her favorite dive bar. After some waiting around & deciding the cruise the neighborhood for some Thai food, we returned to find the club still closed. Finally, someone showed up & let us in (load-in is evidently a little later in LA than we are accustomed to in Seattle).

Once inside, we were impressed… it was a very cool venue - with “Poltergeist” playing on the projection tvs & a mammoth green room behind the stage large enough for all 3 bands to store/stage their gear. Seattle clubs could take a nod from this place to step it up (before Mayor Nickels tries to shut them all down).

We’d like to thank our friends in LA who dropped my to check out the set (as well as our Seattle friend Patrick who was in LA for a conference & came on down to see us)… we definitely dug this venue & had a great time paying here.  This bill was kind of scrambled together at the last minute (so I couldn’t find a listing with the other 2 bands names on it), & I confess to throwing back 3 or 5 too many catching up with friends to have caught (& most importantly RETAINED) the names of the other two bands.  They were both ver cool & super nice to us non LA folks.

Sleeping in the van, in the parking lot, next to the highway, in Half Moon Bay was really nice. The heavily oxygenated sea breeze carrying the ever-present hint of eucalyptus was soothing. Thanks to the Jamaica and Vodka drinks I should have had a hangover but did not. By the time I went up to the hotel room Mr. breakfast had already let us know where to go get breakfast. At the airport of course:

I started the day off with a fresh squeezed orange juice mimosa, and plenty of coffee. Everyone was most pleased with their breakfast, though this place is packed and you will have to wait..but its worth it.

After everyone had enough coffee to make decisions we decided to continue on down the 1 to check out Big Sur and eventually find a place to sleep. The road was windy, the scenery fantastic and I was really glad it was not my day to drive!

We stopped in Big Sur, which I always imagined amidst the crashing waves, but is actually in a nice little forest along a river. Barb knew of some pastry place - Big Sur bakery - I think, and well, we all needed more coffee so we stopped. This little stop had the bakery / resataurant, a gas station, a lovely garden and some shops. The garden had all these cool places to chill, including very large human sized nests that you could climb up in. Dayna S found an mbira tuned to aqualung. No kidding. I got two loaves of incredibly delicious free bread because it was closing time. This bread saved many a hungry Half Lighter on multiple occassions. Here is the surrounding scenery:

We continued down to San Simeon, but we were too late to tour the Hearst Castle. We went to the pier, and saw pelicans!

Half Light on the pier:

By now our Mexican food and Margarita jones was getting bad. We found a strip of hotels, and checked in. After a short walk, and a frogger-like jaunt across the highway we were at a sweet little family run joint. They had pitchers of margharitas, we had many.

Of course, the only reasonable thing to do when you’e had pitchers of margaritas, and you see a motel 6 with a bar, is to go in for tequila shots and/or beer and/or whiskey:

After all those drinks Jeff and Barb and I thought it a great idea to hit the hot tub. It was great. Cool, fresh air, PBR, a buzz and a hot tub is a fine combo. It was time to pass out after that. Folks had starting catching on to the joys of sleeping in the van, and that night Dayna S took a turn. We did see a family of fierce looking ‘Coons underneath it, but all survived the night.