Editor's Note: J. Tom Hnatow from These United States is writing a tour diary for DCist chronicling the band's latest national tour.

Friday, August 3, 2007

Finally –- a day full of downtime. I restring guitars and work on my pedal steel and go over a few songs with Ben. (The glamorous and debauched life we lead.) Our host Megan makes us an amazing dinner. Then off to Johnny Brenda's, our favorite place to play in Philly. Our "home-team" band, Josh Read and Josh Wenk (J & J Music factory) took the train up from D.C., so we're back at full-band strength. I triple-shift the evening, playing a few songs with Cartright, then our set, then the entire set with the headliner Adam Arcuragi -- it's a long night. Then we make the long drive back to D.C. I drop Jesse off at his girlfriend's house, then exhaustedly make my way to Arlington. Just as the sun is rising, I'm home.

Saturday, August 4, 2007

The first day back is always strange. The rental car is unloaded and dropped off. There is tons of junk mail, and untouched New Yorkers. We get a quick touchup rehearsal in before the show, and head off to Iota for our "homecoming show" at my favorite venue. Thanks to everyone who came out and supported –- it was a great way to come back. For our last show with Cartright, Ben bought Jesse and I a huge silver medallion to wear (which I do, proudly and stupidly, for the entire show).

It always feels a little anticlimactic for me to be home. After having so much forward momentum, it is difficult to stop moving and go back to "real life." On the other hand, I think we're all pretty road worn this time. I'm definitely ready for a little downtime (which, for me, entails playing a number of shows this week, downtime being a relative term). Nonetheless, we're home for awhile, and I can't get that Nick Cave song out of my head:

"When I get home, I'm gonna unpack my bags
When I get home, I'm gonna wash these dirty rags
When I get home, I'm gonna pack 'em up again
I'm gonna go, I'm gonna go right back roaming."

Thanks to DCist for hosting this, and thanks to everyone for reading. Come on out to a show and say hi. Until next time – J. Tom