Jodie Ponto Photography

As this year’s Summer Tourcation comes to a close, I’m left with a stockpile of photos that will forever be lost in the bowels of my hard-drive if I don’t do something with them now. So without further ado, here are a few tales from the Vangina.

The Vangina

The Vangina came into our lives early in the tour after the tragic demise of the trusty ol’ Mama Dragon and our home sweet trailer Ruby. This is what she looks like when she’s packed to the roof with 5 stringed instruments (including an upright bass), a drum kit, 2 amps, a full PA, a merch set-up worthy of a farmers’ market,  luggage and sleeping implements for 6 weeks, 10 hats, and 4 ladies:

Once in awhile we do have guests in the Vangina. Meet Hairold.

A pictorial representation of Breathy Betty (the GPS, that is).

The Cream of Happiness

Nothing makes a morning happier than Carolans in your coffee. We consume so much of this creamy delight it’s a wonder they don’t sponsor us.

The Health Test

It’s important to keep active on the road. With that in mind we have developed a daily health test that would make Hal Johnson and Joanne McLeod proud.

Paul Lake is Our Bathroom

Using Paul Lake as our own personal bathroom to get ready for a gig.

The Shit Sprawl

After living out of a suitcase for awhile, home becomes wherever you happen to sprawl your shit.

Home-ifying some motel room with a classic shit sprawl. JP washes her filthy clothes in the sink while I take mine off and get to work in my bed turned office.

Sleepovers

As I’ve touched on before, to survive on the road you have to become one hell of an adaptable sleeper. You must develop the ability to sleep when you can and where you can, or you will die a haggard sleep deprived death. As per usual, over the past 6 weeks I’ve gotten my dream on in more places than you can possibly imagine. These are perhaps my favorite:

Tarynn & Merlin’s Magic Tree Castle in Ucluelet. Visit them at the Ukee Treehouse B&B next time you’re on the Island. And yes, that is a king sized bed.

The barn loft in Twin Butte, AB.

The Drummer Who Wasn’t Allowed To Drive

The one and only time our colonial cousin and English drummer Nurse Layhe was allowed to drive.

The Rogue Smell

One of the major enemies you have to battle when living out of a minivan with numerous people for long periods of time is The Rogue Smell. Sometimes the smell is so assaulting and elusive that you are forced to call in a rogue smell expert (yes, I’m talking about you, Nathan Rogers). In this case, a simple tear apart and sniff down of the minivan yielded the nasal assailant – a bag of vegetables that had managed to slip away under the seat and turn itself into sludge.

Workplace Injuries

Bass Fingers.

Guitar Fingers.

The Jam Factory

Edmonton.

Victoria.

Vancouver.

Duncan.

Nurse Layhe says outdoor bathing could possibly wash away the tension and stress of daily life.

Nurse Layhe says avoid rough edges.

Nurse Layhe says with the companionship of a rat, or other animal of choice, life could possibly be less lonely and more fulfilling.

Nurse Layhe says a glass of wine a day could possibly help reduce bad cholesterol in arteries, lower blood pressure, reduce chance of heart attack, and increase general merriment.

Sleep ins, beach burritos, quadruple margaritas, sunset walks, movie nights … I had forgotten real live days off even existed.

Last week I got down with Miss Quincy and her new smokin’ hot all girl band at The Prophouse Cafe in Vancouver for a gloriously fun photoshoot. Said band is still without name, so if the photos below inspire any softcore badass suggestions please offer them up.

To see the outtakes from the photoshoot click here.

Miss Quincy

Hannah (Or, Nurse Layhe)

Shari

Miss Quincy and The ????

My favorite photos are often discovered amongst the outtake debris on the cutting room floor. Great outtakes are especially plentiful when your subjects are a gang of overhung gals.

To see photos of Miss Quincy & co. that made it off the cutting room floor click here.

Divas dining.

Nothing rids an overhang quite like a quick zip on a stationary bike.

Shut eye between shots.

Loosening up with a little Phantom of The Opera sing along.

Miss Quincy just got the call …

Shari’s inner spirit animal rears its head.

The Gun Show.

I want to ride my tricycle. Part one.

I want to ride my tricycle. Part two.

Nurse Layhe really knows how to nurse an overhang.

Law and Business Administration in Canada proves to be a tough read.

Shari knows how to keep fit on the road …

And look like a rock star while doing it.