The Rough & Tumble

It’s one more weekend of lonesome shows before the big one! Come see us to remember what we look like before we grow two more heads and turn into Rough Romance!

Friday, 6.19 Thacher Hall Yarmouth, MA
Saturday, 6.20 Merryall Center New Milford, CT

Sunday, 6.21 we’re back with Flagship Romance in West Newbury, VT.

Here. We. Go.

PC Robert Hyman

Yesterday, Magpie Mae made her departure.

This was a dog that didn't sit on stage (well, once, and that was a disaster). She came to us through a friend of a friend, having spent the first four years of her life in a room, breeding, with breaks into a small yard. When we got her, she was anxious, graying, ill behaved, and potentially a very big mistake to take on the road.

In the seven + years since then, she has seen (and tried to bite) every body of water that borders the United States, climbed the highest mountain east of the Rockies, spent countless nights on the road, earned a degree from Harvard-Tufts in Canine Musicology (in a study she was submitted to for dogs who sing), made it on to our record Howling Back at the Wounded Dog, and was a very good friend to Mud Puddle, and to us.

She never quieted down, and has been known to knock around a few ear drums from her barking, but she also learned how to self soothe with a "stuffit," and would search for a toy every time a new person walked in the room so that she could approach less chaotically. She was vocal. Unruly. Difficult. Food obsessed. Energetic. Chronically underfoot. She was also a pile of love who wanted nothing more than to be here, right now, with whatever person was in the room. She learned not to jump on people. She was smart. She was also, occasionally, conniving.

Due to her early days, her anxiety never quite piped down from large crowds, and would actively seek her own space in the camper. Which meant a lot of people didn't get to meet her like they do Puddle. And you know? That ended up being just fine by us. Not everything we do has to be about performance (although this broad could howl some Patsy Cline like none other). And it was maybe because of that, that this loss feels very personal. We were the ones who saw her progress, who could alone (along with her favorite across-the-river pals Rowe & Laurie) celebrate her wins in a life set-up that was not in her favor. We could not change who she was or the world she was brought into, but we did everything we could to make it a little easier for her to navigate. We learned a lot from her. A lot about not controlling the narrative. A lot about letting others be who they are.

She spent the last two days doing her favorite things. We even bought meat and cooked it up for her (a weird sensation for these vegetarians). She got Pup Cups from the local ice cream spot. Her favorite puppy pal came over and ran with her one last time-- to the best of Mags' ability. Which here at the end, was waning. Her cancer was quickly catching up to her unbreakable spirit, and we sought it as one last act of making the world a softer place for her by letting her end on a high note.

Yesterday at 4PM, our local vet came to our house. We and Rowe & Laurie and Puddle hung out with her on the porch while the doc administered a great relief to her hurting body. She was wildly happy to be surrounded by the people who loved her best. Finally, at last, she was center stage. Everyone really had come to see her. She was calm, ate several last treats, and fell into a sleep more peaceful than she was ever able to get here. Following, our friends helped us lower her into a grave we dug this week in our yard, just outside our bedroom window, near where Goo rests in the raspberry garden. We covered her, and planted a garden above her.

This morning, when we had a morning coffee in bed, we could see her garden from where we sat. We aren't together anymore, but we're still close. And that's as much as we can ask for.

It's been a sad day here. Puddle hasn't quite been herself, either. If you think of it, howl back for us. And make it a loud one for Magpie.

It was a loooong haul back to New Hampshire, and we’ve got a few people to thank for the journey! Dee V, Clifford M, Jean C & Lynne B— thanks for the fill up and the joy of having you along for the ride.

Next up— we’re meeting down in Canton, MA this Friday for a house show. Then it’s SUMMER CAMP where we four will be huddling down at NH HQ for some serious tour prep.

Y’all— it’s happening! Our most ambitious tour yet. And in so many ways, thanks to you.

This is our nephew. He just became an Eagle Scout (congrats!). He’s also a teenager, which means he knows cool. So even though his aunt and uncle are sometimes cringe (gah, adults 🙄), he’s still sporting this v cool R&T-Shirt.

These ones are out of print and are on super sale for our Summer Fuel-a-thon! We gotta make room (and lighten the load) for this giant tour. Help fill our tank AND be as hip as our nephew.