The Wilma Theatre is a beautiful large venue. It felt cool to arrive to sound check and just stand on the big empty stage thinking about all the legends that had performed there. We went on right at 8, which felt weird because it was still bright as day out, and finally a reasonable temperature. So the crowd was not totally filled in when we went on stage, but we had some very supportive friends there, and people seemed to enjoy our set. We had a lot of expectation about this particular night, and it actually ended up being our least favorite one. The crowd was strangely chatty, unlike all the other shows we had played. I think we just got spoiled by the previous shows.. I was later told that Missoula is notorious for being super chatty at shows, and a lot of bands get kinda thrown off by it. People were super nice after, and I sold the most merch I've sold yet, so I was reassured that we made an impact, just a chatty crowd. The venue also wouldn't give us any drink tickets, which I thought was strange and a bit frustrating. Like I get that it's a privilege to open up for a band with an actual draw, and we didn't bring many people to this particular show, but we are still playing music and working hard and traveling very long distances while getting paid like shit. The least they can offer is one free drink..! Matt says musicians needs to band together and start calling out venues and asking for more rights. The more I think about it, the less it makes sense that it's abnormal for venues to offer musicians food and a place to stay. In every other industry a traveling worker gets a free place to stay... Luckily we have friends everywhere and are good at meeting people, so it hasn't been a problem on this tour, but not all touring musicians have that privilege, and it can be a huge financial burden to pay for a place to sleep each night. We were also not offered a meal or a buy-out (a small amount of cash for dinner) for most of the shows on this tour, which makes a big difference. I didn't mind for most of the tour, but this venue is just so big and established, it really bummed me out they weren't willing to fork over a couple beers and a burger. The Blitzen Trapper crew was also not impressed with that aspect of the venue, and were not treated particularly graciously either. They sounded amazing though, and Miss Ohio went very well, as usual. This one was captured by Reid! You can watch here ---> Miss Ohio with Blitzen Trapper
We slept at my friend Tomiko's beautiful house that night, and it was lovely to hang with her in the morning. I haven't seen her in 7 years, but it feels like just yesterday. We met up with the Blitzen Boys for coffee, and went swimming one last time in the Clarke Forke, and then were on our way to Spokane - the last night!
This was the smallest venue, and more of a bar atmosphere, but it was cool. Matthew decided he wanted to do our sound since, it was the last night. We were thankful, because we had a feeling the sound wouldn't be particular good at a spot like this. We had our last sweet hangs with the Blitzen boys, chilling in the bar, playing pool and being sweet and silly. They're all so sweeeeeet!
Matt and I played our last set and it was a nice and sweaty time. I didn't know if people were into it, but after everyone was sooo nice. People asked for hugs and signatures and bought tons of stuff. Luckily, cause I needed to get rid of as much as possible for my flight home! A girl told me she wants to raise chickens with me. She was so cute and sweet.
The Blitzen boys sounded maybe the best yet. I think the small venue suits them well. We said our sweet goodbyes and Matt and I headed to our airport hotel. Now I sit in the Dallas Fort Worth airport, heading to Boston in a couple hours! That concludes our epic tour with Blitzen Trapper. Thank you for reading!!!
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