It’s snowing heavily. We pulled into town about an hour ago and I’m just holed up in my hotel room. I didn’t get to sleep until 6:30 in the morning, but still don’t feel much like sleeping. Don’t get me wrong, I’m tired as hell, and my body feels like rubber, but it’s just not happening. Those days spent in a daze in San Diego took a pretty big toll on me. Truth be told, I probably should have gone home. Unfortunately, in my profession, those that the public perceives to be at the top of the totem pole are usually at the bottom in such situations. The mantra – always keep going.
In the past, that reality has cost me a great deal, probably years off my life. And it doesn’t end with being on the road either. It creeps into your personal life as well. When I was married, I had a young wife that had grown accustomed to enjoying a very nice lifestyle. Because of that I felt immense pressure to make concessions that I probably wouldn’t have in the past simply because of the financial benefits. When you’re the breadwinner in a marriage in which your better half has a tendency to spend her days having martini lunches and shopping, the stress involved can become quite significant, especially when your efforts are ‘expected’ and not appreciated.
So here I find myself in the home of the Tribe, flurries abounding outside of my window, wondering what I’m going to watch later being that I’ve watched just about every film available on the ‘Movie On Demand’ channel (what do you guys do here when it’s like this anyway?). It’s times like these that I wish I could spend the majority of my time simply making records, just recording song after song in some unimaginable universe where budgets and the politics of this industry don’t exist. Now that would truly be something.
Watched August Rush last night. As lame as it might make me appear, the damn thing had me in tears.
Anyway, here’s the set list from last night’s show in Detroit. Not much of a surprise from those preceding it…
I’m A Window
Suburbia
99% Of Us Is Failure
Born Losers
Load Me Up
Strange Days
A Silent Army In The Trees
Black Helicopter
Alert Status Red
She’s In It For The Money
Avalanche
Apparitions
Encore
Champions Of Nothing
True Love Will Find You In The End
I hope you do get some rest, Matt. I’ll echo what’s already been said before: You’re health comes first.
Take it easy there, Cowboy.
If you’re bored watch “Into The Wild” and think you could be in Alaska on the magic bus
What to do it Detroit? Try not to get shot!
Oh wait, that was yesterday. Cleveland’s cool, lots of good restaurants. Watch the 30 Rock episode about Cleveland — good stuff.
Um, I’m not in Detroit.
Wonderful show in Detroit last night, Matt. Unfortunately, my fiance and I got lost about 20 times on the way back home. I was starting to think that perhaps purgatory is driving down W 275 staring at detour signs for a promised 75 S that never comes…
I sincerely hope you take a much needed rest after this tour. You deserve it.
Quoting Pauly:
He’s already watched it.
http://www.matthewgood.org/2008/03/viewing-and-reading/
Hope you are able to rest at some point tonight. I feel compelled to write you an email regarding one of your latest entries that I could, unfortunately, relate to very well. Perhaps I’ll do that soon - I just have to get my thoughts down first. And, I agree with the many that have already commented: Your health should always come first. A broken Matt is no good for us! (And, well, most importantly, no good for yourself either! =P)
sounds like it’s time for a new “dear san diego” letter
i imagine it would go something like this…
dear san diego,
thanks for the memories, you prick
I’d recommend ‘Once’ - great movie and a great soundtrack to go with it.
Quoting beniboo:
Odd. On my way back into Indiana after the Chicago show, I was beginning to think the same thing about the detour signs to I-65 that had me lost in Gary, IN for about an hour. Not sure which is scarier though, Detroit or Gary. lol.
If you go to surfthechannel.com you might find seasons of a television show you find appealing if you are sick of movies. Hope that helps. See you in Rochester!!! Here’s hoping the border won’t be crazy busy Friday morning.
:)
Aren’t some of your friends on tour with you? All I could suggest is spending time with them or making some phone calls. Take care!
get rod to make a US itunes account so you can rent some movies :)
Thanks for posting the setlist (I was looking for that.) Great show last night. I hope you feel better soon. See you in Sarnia!
Unfortunately, this is the craptastic weather that Cleveland gets 9 months out of the year. As far as activities, I would suggest bowling or going to the museums. Hopefully tomorrow is better. Can’t wait for the show.
Matt. Happy to see you made it Cleveland. I haven’t seen you perform since Buffalo 07..Hope your health is holding steady and only getting better.? Screw Lobster Tail.. “When the sky is grey and the sun is locked in the clouds, just dream”… If you can..? Seems that’s a dream all itself these days…. And or Drink and play guitar…. This town is like most, you have to find the fun.. Or create it yourself… The rest will follow…. The more distant from the mind, the most distant your expectations…? Then you wake-up and all the shit is in the same place….. Where are you hanging 2nite… ??? In your room? or out…. ???……. Can’t wait to see your show….. See ya..
Eek, I’m happy to see that tour dates keep getting added, but I’m a bit surprised considering how down and out you’ve been the last few days. Like everyone else, feel better but don’t push it! If you can keep the hectic schedule, there may be some consolation from this weekend on-no/little snow on the East Coast !
Quoting feelingfalling:
That was a very sweet movie. :)
Lust, Caution was excellent.
I didn’t like Redacted or Goya’s Ghosts. The Atonement was on the pay per view in Portland. I have it rented and will watch tonite.
I don’t know how far you are from the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. I liked it. I was there when the big John Lennon exhibit was there.
Call in some broads!
Quoting Karl Hungus:
hehehe
I love it, you’re such a softy.
Yeah, what DO we do?! Try living in Petoskey, Michigan during the winter! It’s a SAD sufferers worst nightmare. Me? I make myself get outside and live in it: hiking, snowshoeing, snowmobiling - whatever it takes! (Yeah, and lots of movies on demand….or books…)
If you’re bored, here’s an interesting read about a new friend of mine. While his situation will make you cry, his smile will warm your heart:
http://homelessmanspeaks.wordpress.com/
I moved from Cleveland to Atlanta back in July.
In a very weird way, I miss the snow. I miss Cleveland. Wish I could make it to the show!
I want to see August Rush, I absolutely love Keri Russel since Felicity days.. And the kid from Finding Neverland and The Willy Wonka movie… man he’s good..
http://www.ohioamishcountry.com/
Oh Matt you have to experience Omish country for once in your life if you already haven’t…. After they are done with that laptop of yours, you won’t know what hit cha…. nope, no phones either… go join…. you know you wanna.
try to get some rest matt, you look like you could really use it.
and as for movies, i really dont know what to tell you, you seem to have already seen everything aha.
Clay Pigeons has always been one of my favorite movies though, donno if youve seen it or not.. lol.
well, take care matt, just try n keep yourself occupied :)
Cleveland has the Rock N Roll Hall of Fame, if you want to see random memorabilia from random musical acts. The only other place I’ve been in Cleveland is… umm… the House of Blues. In fact, I should photoshop your face into the pictures from the show I saw there, since I wasn’t able to make it for your performance. How would you feel about having your head pasted on the body of a blonde rock chick?
I don’t know how far you are from the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. I liked it. I was there when the big John Lennon exhibit was there.
Call in some broads!
Okay you HAVE TO…HAVE TO go to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame! You being you will spend the day there and savour it all! I was also there for the Lennon exhibit and it stayed with me. In fact I would condsider that a defining day in my life.
I used to train Steve Page of BNL [yes, fitness, don't laugh b/c he did get stronger :-)] and he and his wife offered to take Untravelled Jenn on tour to help with his 3 kids back in 2001 or 2??. So in essence I went from fitness trainer to nanny. And let me tell ya, sleeping on a bus, occassionally in hotels, in and out of places, venues, all the people, nothing consistent, good food, bad food, drinking b/c you “should be” but not really wanting to, wanting to drink when no one else does, busy, moving and non-stop for even just one freakin’ moment to collect myself…..[my rant]. It’s a tough gig and I DO NOT envy it and trust me, most people simply could not do it. It sounds like fun but it’s not! Oh and getting back to sleeping on a moving bus….what’s the rule, feet toward the driver incase we crash? Nicccccceeee, sweet dreams?!
In any case, we stopped in Cleveland and I desperately wanted to explore a bit but of course, no one else did. So introvert Jenn mustered up all her confidence to walk out of the hotel room [sans the Pages] and walked to the RRHF by myself, map highlighted in hand [for sure I looked like a tourist]. In any case, I never expected to enjoy the day by myself so much. I walked through that place and looked at every little tidbit and I was amazed by it all. The Lennon Exhibit was absolutely fantastic! They had his blood splattered glasses displayed in a glass box and while that sounds gory, its really not. I found myself looking at them for the longest time thinking about many things. I also remember reading the letter from his teacher essentially belittling him saying he wouldn’t amount to much and letters from his aunt and mom who left him. All very thought provoking.
This could be good for you Mr. Good!
BTW: The Pages had to call me to return for dinner at Mortons. I must say, they did enjoy good foods and that was definately one of the perks of my trip. Eating at all these fancy restaurants for free!
Hmm. IF, by chance, you got the Sci-Fi channel, you could always watch Ghost Hunters - a rather entertaining show.
We are so excited to see you in Rochester Friday…we’ve tried to see you every tour, but had to miss last year’s Buffalo stop (sorry!). Quite possibly you’ll sleep well in Rochester (from a lack of anything else to do. Seriously.).
You have a strange definition for better half. Aren’t both halves supposed to want to give unconditionally. Wouldn’t that be a spoiled child, not a wife. Be excited you cut your losses in time, and thank her for the misery that caused you to create such beauty. Fuck man, there are amazing women in this world. Find the one you dream of and be happy- write a book.
Sounds like a fellow Starseed is burning out from too much creative output. My advice….take some time for yourself …….go find a pool…go skiing….eat junk food…have some fun. Being creative can be taxing and can feel like your working for others when you should and need to, find a balance between personal needs and creative output. Take a week off…………and if the PEOPLE get pissed about it, there is something called re-scheduling they’ll live…………….A big man once said “Relax…You’ll live longer”
Later
What do we do here? Uh, wait to go to Matt Good shows. =) And shovel alot, can’t forget that. Instead of counting sheep you could count orange construction barrels in town. Just avoid the sink hole. And please don’t mock the FREE stamp. Well, go ahead, it’s ridiculous. Personally, I’d say to go to the science center and just let yourself play. Be a kid. Rest when (IF) possible, it’ll do you good. Or you could go to the Rock Hall and gaze at George Clinton’s Atomic Dog shoes… which look suspiciously like Pound Puppies, remember those?! The Coventry neighborhood in Cleveland Hts (intersection of Coventry and Mayfield) might be a nice stroll for you Thursday - indy record shops… that still have ‘records’, some nifty shops (Passport to Peru). I could see you fitting in nicely there. Depending on your mood, there is Lakeview Cemetery. Seriously. People go there all year because it’s beautiful. The horticultural aspect may be a bit lacking at this time of year, though.
Knowing you have been ill, I feel sort of guilty about my level of anticipation regarding the show. Still, I’m almost vibrating with excitement. For a moment, I have something to look forward to. Thank you.
You know how you wrote a few days back something to the effect that your muscles felt as if they’d been removed from your body and put back in all the wrong places? Dammit, am I that susceptible to suggestion? ‘Cause that’s me, right now. In my feverish dreams, I’m going to start seeing Roy passing me soda crackers and Pedialyte.
I’ve been killing time with Twin Peaks DVDs, which I haven’t seen since it was on TV when I was in high school (and completely smitten with Agent Cooper). Probably not helping my dreams.
Martini lunches and shopping… damn, I missed the train, didn’t I. Is Agent Cooper still free…?
Best wishes Matt– if I had to tour in this condition, I’d… well, I’d high-tail it back home and act like a baby. Speaking of which… I need rest. Where’s Roy?!
Was really happy to see you in detroit last night. I dont know if this helps hang in there. My brothers gonna be mad. Sorry my brother acted up last night.
If you need to go home and rest, then fuck everyone else and do it ^_^.
The show in Detroit last night was great, Matt. Thank you
Thanks for playing load me up last night. Also Thank you for playing apparitions. I wish you played more of your older music.
People in Cleveland tend to ignore the weather because it’s too damn depressing. Want to come out to Kent during the day tomorrow? Check your @matthewgood.org email. You’ll find an invite with the subject “Visiting Cleveland.” Heh. No psychos in Kent… promise. The campus is nice and quiet because everyone is on Spring Break this week getting wasted in Cancun and competing for a job as the next Spitzer prostitue.
It’s supposed to be a bee-autiful 35 degrees with a 50% chance of Snow (up to 1 inch) tomorrow. Come on. It will be fun. Cities are overrated– come out to the boonies a little.
Quoting Matthew Good:
Amen….
As a Winnipegger I have extensive experience entertaining myself through lonely snow storms.
Number 1- Apple cider, it is an under-appreciated beverage.
Number 2- Three ingredients- graham crackers, marshmallows and hershey chocolates, combined together in sandwich form above a source of heat.
Number 3- Furry company, and by that I mean four legged animals and not circus worthy people.
Number 4- Any board game, although I lean towards Scattergories.
OK, so this sounds very much like a pre teen girl’s sleepover, but we all have to survive somehow. Besides Matt and Lance and the rest of the gang can give each other manicures and facials before the big pillow fight.
Number 2 = smoooooores.. yum!!!!
Oh, he could also go on facebook and play scrabblelicious.. I have friends totally totally addicted to that right now…
Dude, I know you cancelled your facebook, but make up a fake alias and go join the scrabble addicts…. you won’t know where the time went. Plus you can also see what were all talking about on the MG fan page…. tee hee
**we’re
…. no mo edit….. why o why?
Quoting filbertfancy:
I fully agree. Sounds to me like a spoiled child. Its unfortunate you had to go through such heart ache, over someone so childish, selfish and completely heartless.
You are an amazing man Matt, and you will find someone who will give you her all, without expecting anything back but uncondional love. You deserve that. Just so know, I’am available, willing and ready!!!! lol (I had to add that in there)
Matt, Billy Morris has Heavy Metal karaoke at the Hi-Fi club every Wed. if you are interested, since you are in C-town :D An yes, we are the home of the Tribe, but the we are a football town (American version)…
Not sure where you are holed up at….but if you can rent Into the Wild, I highly recommend it. It kinda F’ed me up inside watching that guy walk off into the “wild” and not be prepared enough to live through it. I’ve thought many times of doing that, but didn’t have the balls I guess.
See ya tomorrow night at the show.
Wow, too many beers and typos. I second Coventry, although it was way more cool in the early 90’s. Kent ROCKS! but it’s about an hour out of town…
I’m watching the movie Accepted right now… oddly enough, It’s set in Ohio.. Not sure if it’s actually Ohio but if so, I get to see what this place is all about… Jonah HIll is in this, so is Justin Long the dude from LIve Free or Die Hard…
Well, Matt flew the coup, I guess.. Maybe he found a local watering hole to go have some gin and tonic’s…
The weather isn’t bad right now in town. The roads are clean and it’s not too cold outside. The thing about Cleveland is that when it’s cold and/or snowy outside, the only thing to do here is eat and drink. The rock hall is a joke if you ask me (Madonna?) and it’s overpriced, but I guess it’s decent to see once, especially if you don’t plan to visit Cleveland again. The Cleveland Museum of Art is a very cool place, but they’ve been renovating it for the past few years and only the Arms and Armor from Imperial Austria Exhibition is open to the public.
You can get some really good food here though. Slyman’s at 31st and St. Clair is an amazing deli (known for it’s monster corned beef sandwich); The Sportsman Restaurant, also on St. Clair, has an amazing breakfas.; There’s Karl’s Inn of the Barristers on W. 3rd St.; We have Little Italy on the east side (Corbo’s Bakery and Mama Santa’s pizza is amazing and cheap); Lozado’s (Puerto Rican) on W. 25th and La Tortilla Feliz are both great latin restaurants; a small but deliciously good Chinatown (E. 30th/Payne area - Asiaplaza); La Bodega and Edison’s in the Tremont area of the city (close to downtown) are both amazing; Sokowlowski’s University Inn (great Polish food) is definitely a must stop. The list goes on and on…
Matt - I know it’s none of my business at all, but please, if you ever get married again, don’t marry someone who hasn’t supported themselves or doesn’t expect to keep doing it. You deserve much better than someone using you for the money you can make. I know you know that. I’m just telling you anyway.
i watched ‘august rush’ last night as well! it was certainly a moving film… i’ve had a thing for movies with a musical theme recently… across the universe was another recently watched one. i found myself pratically yelling at the screen at parts, i think because i didn’t want to wait til the end for it all to sort out… i was waiting for a twist, but then it didn’t come. and it was nice. made me wish i knew how to play an instrument.
if you want a movie that’ll make you cry, and give you a feeling of reassurance, i’d like to suggest ‘ps i love you’. something about it is just amazing
I just read through this post and I don’t think I’ve ever been so jealous in my life.
Regarding the RRHF: I live so close, and yet I’ve never been. It’d be nice to visit during a Beatles exhibit of any kind, but I’d be happy just to see it period. But alas, I don’t drive and I’d only be able to just afford the Greyhound bus to Cleveland.
Quoting jenniferlowen:
I have to say it…
I fucking adore BNL. They are right up there with the Beatles, Matt and the Who. Annoying to many, but once you get past One Week and singles The Man forced them to release after the hit, there is way more to that band that meets the eye. They are the true definition of pop/rock, they’re diverse and can switch genres with ease, fantastic showmen with musicianship unmatched by anybody I’ve hand the pleasure of seeing…I could go on. They’re just too awesome.
By the way, the first time I saw them: Hamilton back in 2001. :) Needless to say, I am extremely jealous of you right now…and good job in slimming Steve down! I can’t really imagine him any slimmer though. He’s fine the way he is and I’ve met many who think he’s hott regardless. Strange I know, but each to her own.
OMG since we’re meandering here a little I have to do the same.
I’m so devestated.. The writer-director of FOUR of my all time favourite movies has died. Anthony Minghella… I’m so sad..I will always have his movies but I looked forward to all his future projects….. I just loved his work.. he was 54!!!!
Not to be a total tool… but would you mind keeping Suburbia on the setlist for tonight? I really, really, really want to hear that song live myself. If not, it’s okay… I just thought I’d ask :) Then again, setting a precedent of crowd supplied “FREEBIRD!!!” is probably bad.
Had a great time at the show in Detroit Matt. It was awesome to see you stateside for once! Besides a few choice members of the crowd it was a great time. Hope the rest of the tour goes well for you and the crew.
Cleveland International Film Festival. Solves both problems.
Matt, you need to sleep. You know that. I think it’s time you do something to make that happen. I’m telling you, that was my worst symptom when I was ill and my doctor said it was imperative that I sleep. You know what can happen when you don’t sleep. Crash. The only thing that allowed me to sleep was Zyprexa. Miracle sedative for me. I hope you feel better soon.
S’mores?
Board games?
Sex.
Quoting Asleep For Years:
If I hear Freebird on the wind, I’ll know who is responsible… hey, you take requests? ;) And speaking of requests - going back a few… Tripoli. Lawd.
Quoting work_to_elevate:
It was great then, wasn’t it? Must say I hate the giant retail pharmacy there now - ew. I don’t know, each decade seems to have it’s own claim to fame there. I’d like to get a peek of my mom there, high as a kite in bell bottoms flashing a peace sign. =)
woohooo!!! we are Cleveland bound, baby!!
Can’t wait to see/hear you tonight!!
:D :D
Livewire…I still love Coventry, but the corporate takeover really bothers me.
Yes, seeing it in the 60’s or 70’s would have been great! My parents would have never come anywhere near there though…unfortunately.
I have a love-hate feeling towards August Rush. I bought it the day it came out because I never got the chance to see it in the theatre, but knew I would like it. I thought it was a beautiful story, the music was amazing, but the ending.. which had me in tears also frustrated me. I won’t give anything away for those who haven’t seen it. But for those who have seen it, do you feel the same way?
filbert, you just reminded me of something a friend of mine said a long time ago: “I always wanted a wife and child. I just never knew they’d be the same person.” It shocked me when he said it because his wife sitting right there, looking none too pleased.
livewire, I feel the same guilt about going to several shows on this tour knowing Matt feels poorly. At the same time, if he’s not cancelling, then going out to support the tour is a way of being helpful as well. I figure the more people I can bring out to shows, the better chance of future U.S. tours. And maybe next time he’ll feel better.
“The Wind That Shakes The Barley” is good if you have not seen it - takes the first couple of minutes to adjust to the heavy Irish accents - but a great film.
There really isn’t much to do in Cleveland when it’s all snowy, but next time you’re in Cleveland check out Coventry in Cleveland Heights. It’s a nice little area just outside Cleveland.
Quick question/suggestion: Have you watched Across the Universe yet? I can’t remember if I’ve seen you mention that you watched it or not.
Personally, I was expecting something a little more flamboyant a la Moulin Rouge, beyond the obligatory LSD trip. But, coming from a hardcore Beatle fan who is EXTREMELY picky about covers, the soundtrack is absolutely fantastic and each song they chose fits the story perfectly.
Does anyone have any extra tickets for tonight in Cleveland? I was scheduled to be out of town, but my trip was cancelled. I am dying to go tonight but it’s sold out…can anyone help ?!?!?
Quoting tracy-:
YES! oh my gosh yes! i understand why they left it the way they did…. but c’mon now…. i wanted to see everyone’s reaction to the ending, and that didn’t happen! ahhh! still amazing, but i’m so used to being told what happens afterwards that i don’t know what to do without it… why couldn’t they have added a little extra “one year later…” scene???
i absolutely LOVE August Rush.
Quoting work_to_elevate:
I agree, the fact that it was such a unique area and open to so many made it special. It was almost as if there was nothing you could see there that would truly surprise you, yet it all just fit. I can’t feel too ‘unique’ with the giant, what is it, CVS sign glowing down on me. It has lost some of what it was but still retains some of it. I’ll never experience it as my mom had yet I still enjoy it. My great aunt and uncle owned a small pizza shop/restaurant not far from there (Noble and Monticello) so in her late teens, she worked for them and consequently spent looots of time there. Interestingly, the pizza shop was razed a few years back for… another Rite Aid or something of the sort. Kind of sad, but perhaps each generation gets out of it what they need, which may not be what previous generations experienced. Makes me want to take a day trip there now!
Quoting KBryce:
Right you are! I have to keep in mind that Matt is a big boy and he’d cancel if he had to. Kicking and screaming of course, but he’d do it. Last year in Buffalo I took a friend with me for a show and she had a great time. Tonight I’m taking another friend/former co-worker (who probably knows about half of Matt’s songs from me playing CDs at work…) and he’s rather excited. I figure there is no way but to leave a show as a total fan. I’m working on converting everyone I know so that, like you said, US shows are more prevalent! I’ll see what I can do about a magic health elixer in the next few hours. ;)
Matt doesn’t hate the US.
An upside down flag is a sign of surrender - except in Japan…
We’ve all been over this.
Wrong thread PP.