Have you ever had a day where everything is just going right?
We'll admit it's hard to recall those days. Not because we don't have them but because it's easy to focus on what's going wrong. It's part of our human evolution and what keeps us alive most of the time. It's the primitive part inside us that tells us to watch out for predator, not touch bright red things in the woods and the reason you sometimes feel like you're falling when you're about to doze off. While all these things are important they can have a tendency to make us forget all the small things that go on in our lives that make things go right... Like fuel pump relays.
We almost didn't make our first show of Fall tour.
We got the van back from the shop and loaded up to head out to Valdosta, GA, our first stop on our Fall tour. You can check out where else we'll be at www.roshambeauxmusic.com/tour-dates Everything checked out and we were excited to get back on the road after a much needed break. We loaded the last piece of gear, did our last "idiot check," got in the van and... nothing. The van was struggling to turn over. We'd replaced several culprits recently (starter, plugs, wires, battery, alternator) so we weren't exactly sure what would've caused it. Our mechanic had closed up early and wasn't answering his phone so we knew towing it to the shop would have to wait until Monday. We unloaded, called the venue and tried to figure out options. Acquiring a rental would take to long to make the show and fitting everything into a Ford Escape was laughable to even entertain (we folded the seats down and measured, though). We just had to cancel. It was a little heartbreaking as dumb as that sounds. The first show after a long break is like walking through the last turnstile before a roller coaster. All the building anticipation for a last minute letdown.
"Wouldn't it be hilarious if it just started now?"
J got in the driver's seat, stared, smiled and turned the key half way... CLICK! A loud one followed by the sweet quiet hum of the fuel pump engaging. "That wasn't there before," J said. "That Click was LOUD too. I wonder if the relay was stuck." He turned the key the rest of the way and it started easily. Too easily, if there is such a thing.
"Fuck, let's take it for a spin."
Worst case scenario we'd have to tow an unloaded van but we'd see if the fuel pump was working. It ran fine. The venue called back and said they were pretty sure they found a local band to cover the show. We had a decision to make. Do we cancel or load up the van and haul ass to Valdosta and "maybe" start on time? "We should probably cancel. What if it's a bigger issue than a stuck relay? Is this safe? Is that berry poisonous, lol." We told ourselves if the van starts 20 times we'll go. On the 19th time we left it running, loaded all the gear, bought a spare relay from O'Reilly, made it to the show, set up and only started 30 minutes late. Sometimes things just go right, too right if there is such a thing. We forget it takes a lot of small things to make that happen like $20 fuel pump relays, AAA towing packages and gut feelings that you'll be fine if you keep going, among other things.
Our new Single "Eyes Closed Shut" is available at www.roshambeauxmusic.com/shop Thanks to everyone who's already gotten their copy! It will be released to Itunes, Amazon, Spotify & YouTube Music (and a few others) in a few weeks. Just as soon as we figure out what genre to put it under, lol. Apparently, "Rocktronic" isn't a listed genre that those platforms accept. Maybe you can help us out? What genre are we? Leave your answer in the comments below. Shout out to Butch on Facebook. We actually can list "Sex Music" as a genre! Just need two or three more.