The band YACHT, pictured in Mexico in 2011. Photo courtesy Claire Evans.

Tipped to this by the estimable Tim Johnson: Claire Evans of YACHT writes a great article about life on the road, “The World Turns Blurry When I’m on Tour with the Band”:

It’s taken me 10 years on the road to realise this. Just as it boggles me to imagine that the places I’ve visited continue to exist in my absence, the audiences we play for firmly believe that we are ephemeral. To admit that we perform in other cities, night after night, violates the terms of an unspoken covenant in which we exist solely for them and they for us. But we must keep moving, and so must they, countless trajectories of human life careening outwards from the moment the lights go down. A concert, in this sense, isn’t kinetic: it’s stillness itself, a world briefly paused.

In other news, on repeat, with joy: “Oh Come On” by The Julie Ruin. Their record Run Fast is out 9/3 on the Julie Ruin’s TJR Records. (If you haven’t watched the “Friendship Game” with Kathleen Hanna and Kathi Wilcox, watch it now.)

Our friends over at Fun Fun Fun Fest and Transmission Events (our partners on the At the Drive-In reunion show) just released the second wave of bands playing FFF8 in November. Already confirmed are The Julie Ruin (YES!), Bonobo, Judge, The Walkmen, and Ice-T (!), and now we hear that FLAG (one of two Black Flag reunions, apparently), Deerhunter, comedian Kyle Kinane, Daniel Johnston, Star Slinger and Big K.R.I.T will join. More info over at their website:

http://funfunfunfest.com/

On July 9, they’ll release the final FFF8 line up and host the Austin premiere of Vannin’ (a documentary about custom vans and the vannin’ lifestyle, natch). More info here, tickets onsale July 10 at 10AM CST.