Tacos are better on Tuesdays

Helllooooo everyone!
How ya all doing on this fine Taco of a Tuesday?

I thought to myself, its been awhile since I blogged, so I figured I should probably get to it with a little update from the road.

We are currently in Houston! Local time is 2:11pm.

We’ve finally gotten into a nice groove on tour, out here opening up for The Script! The guys are hands down, one of the nicest bands we ever met, and we: Steve Miller, Josh Dunahoo & I, are having a blast!

Its been fun to do an alternate arrangement. I am on guitar and vocals, Steve is on guitar, and a couple other 6 strings that he’s picked up along the way, Josh has a nice little world going on with keys, electric guitar and lap steel and shaker. Together, it sounds delicate, beautiful and full.

I am loving being back on tour, and playing all the new songs from Cedar + Gold. We get to play a 30 minute set each night, short and sweet, and often have a hard time coming up with a set list until shortly before we go on. We haven’t been playing much old stuff, I am so in love with these new songs…but I know when we head back out in 2013 for our headlining shows, we will be playing a much more rounded out set of new and old material.

Its been an interesting transition watching these songs and this new album unfold. I remember when I finished the record, I asked myself: Now what? Now I’ve got to go out and perform these songs, how am I gonna do that without crying? I remember my friend Parker Ainsworth sitting next to me at dinner, as we celebrated the finishing of my album, and him leaving for his adventures in India, as he said something like this to me, “The beautiful thing, is your fans will get to grow with you, as you feel, and break open and heal again…and eventually as you become ok.” I feel like I am finally ok. I am no longer in that space of sadness, or anger. I am content with all of it.

Does that change how I feel about playing these songs? Absolutely not.

Because they are written from such a real, vulnerable, honest space..its easy to access all that they encompass. And now, on stage, when I get to that place, I more think in my head: Wow, look how far I have come. I made it out alive. I made it out stronger than I ever could have imagined. I actually survived. And I am ok. And, most importantly, I am better for it.

Its a real honor to perform these songs. They have so many faces. They represent the journey of being lost, being found, jumping all in, landing ass-backwards on your face, finding the strength to get back up on your feet and not being afraid to do it all over again. This record is a reminder that to really live: You have got to play full out. Even if that means you get hurt along the way. When you put yourself all the way out there, when you be you, in all your YOU-NESS. You will never have to look back and wish you did things differently. Even if you take a risk, and you fall flat on your face, at least you tried. You followed your gut, you learned a lesson, and you most definitely came back stronger because of it.

I wouldn’t change any of my journey for the world.

And have I even began to mention all the wonderful people I’ve been meeting at the shows?! Ive always loved coming out to sign after my shows, and this tour is no exception. There have been lots of hugs, and laughs, tears and story telling. It is hands down MY FAVORITE part of touring.

Something that really touched me is seeing how all you guys help each other out. A couple weeks ago, a girl posted on one of my instagrams that she really wanted to come to the show, but that she was only able to save up enough money that month to buy my new CD. We were in Denver, and I don’t know a lot of people in Denver, so I offered to put her on the guest list. I am the artist, we have a guest list and when there are extras…I figure, why wouldn’t I gift those tickets to some fans that want to come to the show but for whatever reason cant. I grew up in a family that wasn’t rich, I never had anything handed to me. I have worked hard to be able to have everything I have in my life. But something that always shows up in my life, that never goes unappreciated: I have some good luck, karma, whatever you wanna call it, around me. And if I can pass that on, any chance I get, I shall. I don’t even think twice about it. I don’t expect anything out of it. It’s usually the first thing that pops into my head, I love stoking people out!

So many of you were blown away by this. It blew me away that you were blown away by! Ha….and what blew me away even more, was that I started to see all ya’ll do it with each other! Another fan, offered to meet up with the girl that I gifted tickets to. Another fan offered to mail a CD to a fan in a different country. And at shows, I meet people who have met on message boards, Instagram, twitter, etc…Its amazing you guys. Its fucking AWESOME actually. WE are a real living little community, celebrating life and music, and it makes me so happy.

So thank you, for being you. For being kind, for being generous, for sharing and caring about each other. And for doing things just for the hell of it! We all have the ability to make someones day and its nice to see that you seize the opportunity, just because you can.

You have definitely made mine over here.
Every night is a blessing. And I feel so very lucky that I get to contribute to life by making and playing music.
We are having a blast, and I hope everyone that has gotten to come to these recent shows has had a blast as well!

I am excited to tour 2013 away, and see you anywhere and everywhere.

The record is taking off slowly but surely. It’s definitely a word of mouth record, so keep telling your friends, and gifting it to anyone you know and spreading the word! Its working!

I so, so much appreciate all the love and support. And I dont plan to stop anytime soon. I can see the dream unfolding into reality, and I’ve never been so grateful.

Also, my heart is going out to everyone effected by Hurricane Sandy. My managers apartment building is flooded, his car is gone, power is out. Ive had some friends that have had trees fallen on their homes. I’ve seen pictures of walls ripped off whole sides of apartment buildings, and I cannot even imagine what it is like to be there in the middle of it.

Sending many prayers, love and light your way my east coaster friends, family and fans.

I don’t know what, if anything, will happen with our upcoming shows, but we will keep you updated.

Tons of love you guys,

TP

Date: September 30, 2012 7:01:47 PM

Subject: Greetings from the air! Greetings from the air!

Im currently flying home from SF where we had a wonderful day with Jayn and Marcus at Alice 97.3FM ‘s Now + Zen festival at Golden Gate Park. There was an estimated 15-20,000 people in attendance today and it was exhilarating. We played a short 20 minute set, which was pretty rocking and the audience was pumped. Thank you Alice and everyone in the crowd for being so kind to us! Yesterday, we were in Vegas doing the Bite of Las Vegas show with Mix 94.1FM. It was an equally incredible day. The limo that picked us up from the airport was enough to get me all hopped up!

I’m still amazed that I get to do this. Amazed when a limo comes to pick us up, amazed when girls in the crowd yell my name in unison, and when I walk over to them hug me and ask me to sign their jean shorts, arms and if they can record a video of me telling the one they love that they love that person. I trip out when I get to be backstage with artist like Ed Sheeran, Matt Nathanson, Adam Duritz, Alanis Morrisette and Rob Thomas. And I’m happy that’s get to share these experiences with my aunt, cousin and brother….and that was all just in the last 48 hours!

Sheesh. It has been quite the roller coaster lately. I’ve been traveling since late June and will leave tomorrow night, and will not return for at least a month. The record comes out in 2 days.

How do you feel? People ask. And I don’t really know. I feel calm, like its no big deal. This will be my 3rd album, and I’ve been working at this for 10 years. There’s some anticipation, but there is mostly gratitude for everything that has needed to happen to get me to this place. And even though I just had a mini melt down at the airport, that caused me to feel extremely sad, because I saw on Instagram all my friends attending my ex’s concert, and then another picture with his new girlfriend in it. I have to believe, absolutely have to believe, that the best hasn’t happened yet.

This record is my heart. It is my story. It is my struggle, my heartbreak, my sadness, my tears, and the journey of how I got out of it. How I truly tried everyday to stay focused on the positive, even when I felt like I was stuck in a bubble under a microscope. Even when i felt like the darkness may never dissipate. It is reminder, just as today is, that I am human.That I feel deeply. I am sensitive, vulnerable, that I cry, and have as many off days as I do on days. But that in the end, I will absolutely be ok. Because I am strong, and I am fierce and because my spirit will not allow me to be anything but that.

Somedays I feel like a whale, somedays my jeans fit tight, sometimes I take the comment some guy made about how I looked better when I was 23 and now I have crows feet, to heart. And somedays I can brush it all off, somedays I feel unstoppable. Strong and beautiful, like nothing could touch me.

And then I realize, none of it matters. Because it is always changing. Life is always adjusting accordingly to what it needs us to pay more attention to, learn from, grow from, or it keeps putting us through the same situation because we didn’t “get it” the first time. Or keeps throwing shit our way so we can learn to love ourselves, instead of relying on everyone else to assure us.

Am I sharing too much? I’ve had a lot of people thank me in the last week for being so open. It gets me wondering, how did I get to be ‘so open’ in the first place? I’ve internally been thinking about this all week.

I have to say, I think over the years I just seen so many people beat around the bushes that I had this epiphany of, OMG! Why don’t we just tell it like it is? There would be so much less confusion in the world. I also realize, that it’s easier said than done. I still find myself in situations, where its hard to tell the truth about things, cause you don’t want to hurt someones feeling, and then I think to myself, Who’s the hypocrite now? But when you start telling it like it is, or at least try to start attempting to speak your truth, as hard as it might be, you inspire others to do the same. And so I think subconsciously I’ve just been practicing ‘telling it like it is’. And it’s neither right nor wrong, bad or good, it just simply is.

And the more you do it, the easier it gets, until you think oh this is easy, and then there comes a challenge, where the universe is really asking you to step up and speak your truth, just to test you and see if you can do it.

Over the last few weeks, I’ve read and received so many beautiful emails and comments. People sharing their stories, and current situations, and thoughts. Its been quite amazing. We as human, just want to share, and talk and vent and tell our stories. We ALL have a story, and all of them are valid. And we all deserve to be supported and loved and befriended by people that CARE about our stories.

As much as I share, I also try to practice daily the art of simply listening. And also reaching out and letting friends and family know that I appreciate them and love them. It’s easy to go on and on about all the crap going on in our own lives, but equally important to remember that everyone needs someone to tell their story to, someone to lean on.

I am extremely blessed with a very well rounded group of friends and family, that keep me in check and hold me accountable, but at the same time let me be me. I try to remember that each and everyday and do the same for them. In the end, the relationships you cherish, work and fight for are the best ones you will ever have.

I’d like to take a minute to thank my dearest friends and family for sticking by me. For lending your shoulder to lean on. Shit got pretty depressing their for a second. You guys didn’t pat me on the back and tell me it will be fine. You guys simply let me vent, and cry and freak out. And you sat on the floor in my living room with me for nights on end, and let me hibernate in my house, and when I started to come out of it, and put it into music, you would listen with me, as I played them, and worked them out and sent you demos, and finally would feel comfortable to put it on my blog to share with everyone else.

(Continued today, 10/1/12 at 12:02pm)

I am crying my eye balls out as I type this (I just re-read what I started writing yesterday). Im pretty sure my period is coming tomorrow…Ay yi yi (Sorry if thats TMI) I have been so emotional lately.

My whole heart, on my sleeve, will be available for everyone to hear tomorrow. I cant believe I made this record.

I cant believe its mine. I cant believe how deeply its rooted itself inside of me and how beautifully it bloomed. Its the blessings of all blessings and I am just happy I get to share it with you. So thank you everyone, for everything, for being you, and amazing, for sharing your stories with me, and for sending me so much love. For telling me to go rent Good Will Hunting and make a big bowl of popcorn, for sending me flowers and letters, and taco coin purses.

I am just always so in awe of life, and the fact that I get to do this. Ill be forever grateful.

Enjoy the album, its out tomorrow! Available everywhere. Custom made from my heart to yours.

Here we go!!!!!!

Ps. There is so much snot coming out of my nose right now…HA.

I love you guys,

TP

Sent from my iPad

Thanks for your amazing feedback on the album!  As a token of my appreciation, here’s a free digital download of a limited edition Cedar+Gold lyric book, designed by Alexandra Valenti.  She also designed the album package which does NOT contain a booklet, so pull this sucker down and enjoy!  Click here to download: http://smarturl.it/tplb?IQid=tumblr