KGB at Langenberg was the last show that we played on our 2020 tour, just a few weeks before covid became reality and touring became a long lost dream. They are good people in this little town, and a beautiful venue in a converted rail yard with great sound, lights, and listeners.

This was one of our last chances to see some of our best friends — and meet a few others who play with them in Garda.

I can’t recommend listening to Garda enough — they feel like an alternate reality version of The National from Germany — maybe a bit more on the singer-songwriter side, but still creating these big swarming soundscapes and dynamics that swell and pop and dissolve back down into just a voice and acoustic guitar.

We were treated to two special collaborators on our set — Filip plays violin in Garda and joined us to play fiddle during “Ohio.” Thousands of miles away, it felt just like a laid back session with friends. Gunnar also stopped by the show; he ran sound for Lilly Among Clouds when we opened for them on a string of dates during an older tour, and he asked if he could run sound again for old times sake! He got behind the board, and it was the best sounding set all tour (at least in my opinion).

We had some hangs outside the hotel, breakfast together, and said our goodbyes. I’ll be missing them for a long time.