Stratford is a small, quiet suburb between New York and Boston. There are lots of trees and a river. It’s pretty. This town has been around for a long time. Back in the 1600′s they had witch trials here. Today though, there are no witches, just soccer mom’s in minivans. This is the place where Jason and Kori Hammel, The Mates of State, have decided to raise their raise their family.

Lewis and I flew in 2 nights ago to start rehearsals for an epic collaboration that we’re going to be doing with The Mates on our upcoming tour. Rehearsals have been going pretty well. This isn’t our first time playing with them – we toured with them a bunch last year as their string section and even played on Conan O’brien with them. This time out we’re doing a few new songs and playing a couple more instruments. I’ve been having fun playing country guitar on a Tom Waits cover and Lewis and I both get to play drums on one part of another song. It’s a good time. I think it’s going to be a cool show.

We have a couple more days of rehearsal and then we’re playing a secret show tomorrow night (March 31st) at Daniel St. Cafe – 21 Daniel St., Milford CT. We’re playing at 10 pm sharp. It’s Mates of State, not Judgement Day. Judgement Day won’t be on the shows until Minneapolis. Until then we are full-time Mates of State members. Bring it on!

-Anton