bavarian busking 2
Touring is generally a fun experience. It can be a lot of work and somewhat tiring, but there is always a plethora of wild experiences, interesting people and breathtaking tunes. Power und Beauty tour was no different. Our last show in Kennewick felt bittersweet what with not knowing when we will have time to perform together again. I think we were at our best that very last day after a few shows in a row and some good practicing. After a 6 month hiatus it can be hard to get back into the groove of the accordion. My back and shoulders had to grow accustom again to the weight and different use of muscle.
After staying near Wenatchee at a camp, we headed to Leavenworth in the morning. With a quick stop at what is probably the only bavarian themed Starbucks in the world, we donned our suspenders and headed toward the high traffic area of town. Generally, bands that require 8 microphones and switch between melody and harmony vocals within songs several times have a lot of trouble with sound systems and sound techs. It’s like theater on crack. Well, that’s us. So, the perfect situation is small quarters where people can gather around and listen to the organic flow of the music. We feel much more comfortable mixing our own voices and we sound much better. Busking and houseshows are obviously agreeable and that’s why we ended up in Leavenworth. I mean what could be more perfect? A fakely German-pop-themed accordion band of cute girls with their suspenders and knee high socks on the streets of a fakely German-themed town in the middle of Washington State. Ummmm, you tell me.
We wandered up and down a few streets, puttering about and arguing about what street corner would be the most accommodating. Half of the perfect spots had speakers blaring real German polka. So, we ended up in front of a telephone booth next to the new york times newstand. Seemed like a public enough area, not distracting from any cute little candy shops or bratwurst eateries. Pretty soon groups of 10s and 20s were trickling around passing their little ones quarters to drop in the accordion case. I watched as smiles emerged from somewhat drearily bored tourist faces in enjoyment of our harmonies and trash can lid beats. There was radiance and community for about a half hour on that gray spring day in Leavenworth.
Then, what we feared the most. Angry shopkeeper lady emerged from a nearby taffy store not once but twice, and informed our friends who were there watching us that we were participating in illegal activity and the police would soon come if we didn’t leave. We thought about finding a different corner to continue on, but the polka blaring speakers seemed to have grown in number and beers and bratwurst were sounding more and more appetizing. Anna and I tried to go in and apologize to the angry lady, but not before we got an earful about how it takes lot of work to maintain the german image in the town, which I guess we were taking away from. And if people wanted to see street performers, they could go to Pikes Place Market in Seattle. Well, maybe we just weren’t German enough. A lesson we would like to pass on to you; be sure to dust off your authentic leiderhosen before you busk in Leavenworth. Suspenders just will not do.
