Tour Blog of My Time Drumming with Conan Neutron and The Secret Friends.
With all the obstacles and grief this year as thrown my way, I am so grateful I had the opportunity to go on a fun West Coast tour playing drums for Conan Neutron and the Secret Friends on their “Adult Prom Tour” with the band Lung.
When Conan first messaged me about playing drums on this 9 day tour, it was the night before I was leaving on my Yosemite National Park vacation with my hiking buddy Jazmin. I was like “Yes…well I mean probably yes, but I have some questions, but I can’t talk for like 4 days. Can you hold my spot til then?” Thankfully he did and after nice chat it sounded like it would be a good fit and I said OK.
I did a “practice” show with Conan and bassist Tony in Kentucky in September. That was a fun experience, although there was very limited practice time together as a band. I mostly studied and learned the songs alone, and we got one long practice in the day before the gig. It was a bit rough, but I was able to make notes on the parts I could improve on, nail down the tempos, and be even more prepared for the tour.
The first show of the tour was in Phoenix, and I flew in the day before. Conan picked me up and we went to meet Dusty at her job at Fender Headquarters. This was the 1st time I had met Dusty, but it was instantly apparent that she was a genuinely sweet person who was also a badass musician and super knowledgable about guitars. Getting a tour of Fender HQ was awesome, I don’t think I have ever seen so many guitars at one time.
Due to Tony’s flight being delayed, the only practice we got together as a 4 piece was 5 hours the day of the first show…in the 100+ degree heat of Phoenix. A small reminder that being a drummer is an actual “job” and very hard work that takes focus and discipline.
The first show went pretty smoothly and the four of us jelled well together. It was also my first night meeting the band Lung. Three super down to earth and kind people. Daisy is the drummer, Kate plays electric cello and sings, and Rochelle does all the art. I had checked their music out before the tour and loved what I heard. It was even more impressive live!! I was so excited for the LA show and for all my friends to catch them.
The second show was Los Angeles. I was only in town for about 15 hours. I did get to sleep in my own bed though, and lots of good friends came to see us! The rest of the tour included San Francisco, Sacramento, Reno, Eugene, Portland, Bellingham, and Seattle.
I was so excited about the Seattle show. For one, my best friend Joe Ross came and I got to stay with him and have some nice catch up time with one of my oldest friends! It was also a festival and the stage we played was in the middle of a roller rink. We also got to play with a long time favorite band, Big Business!
This tour was such a fun experience with some kind and supportive people. It was a much needed escape from the challenges and grief I have been facing. I am excited to play with Conan, Tony, and Dusty again in the future, and I can’t wait for the next time I get to rock out to Lung.
Mindee Jorgensen 