Houston, We Have a Humidity Problem (and I Kinda Love It)
okay, so. houston. i’m back. and i’m pretty sure my hair is permanently frizzy now. i’m a touring drummer, right? I’m used to weird climates, cramped vans, and questionable hotel breakfasts. But this… this is something else.
I was only supposed to be here for a week, laying down tracks for a new band - some indie-rock outfit called ‘Static Bloom’ - but honestly, i’m already feeling a weird pull. It’s not the music scene (though that’s pretty solid, apparently), it’s… the vibe. It’s thick. Like, you can almost taste the air.
I just checked and it's hovering around twenty-five degrees, with a humidity that feels like you’re wrapped in a damp towel. Hope you like that kind of thing. Seriously, bring a dehumidifier if you’re planning a visit.
I’m staying in Montrose, which is… interesting. Lots of vintage shops, quirky cafes, and murals that look like they were painted by someone who’d just had a lot of coffee. If you get bored, Galveston is just a short drive away - beaches, seafood, the whole shebang. I spent a day there, mostly just trying to escape the city’s… intensity.
Speaking of intensity, the food. Oh. My. God. The food. I’m pretty sure I gained five pounds just from brisket alone. I stumbled into this place called Truth BBQ - seriously, look it up [https://truthbbq.com/] - and it was life-changing. I overheard a guy at the bar, clearly hammered, telling everyone that it’s “the only reason to live in Texas.” I’m not sure I’d go that far, but it’s definitely a contender.
I’ve been trying to find some decent drum shops, and it’s been… a quest. Found one, Drum Cave [https://www.drumcave.com/], but the selection was a little limited. Still, the guy who worked there seemed to know his stuff. He gave me this weird look when I asked about vintage Ludwig kits, though. Like I was asking for the secret to immortality.
“Don’t go near the East End after dark,” a woman at the coffee shop warned me, stirring her latte with unsettling intensity. “Things… happen there. Things you don’t want to be a part of.”
I’m not sure what to make of that. Probably just local color, right? Still, I’m sticking to well-lit areas for now.
Someone told me that the Museum District is amazing, but I haven’t had a chance to check it out yet. Too busy eating BBQ and battling the humidity. I did wander through Hermann Park [https://www.hermannpark.org/] though. It’s surprisingly peaceful, a little oasis in the middle of all the concrete.
Okay, quick gear list for anyone else thinking of braving this place:
Dehumidifier: Seriously. Don’t leave home without it.
*Moisture-wicking everything: Shirts, socks, underwear… you name it.
*A good hat: To protect your scalp from the sun and the humidity.
*Earplugs: For the aforementioned questionable hotel breakfasts.
*A sense of humor:* You’re gonna need it.
I’m checking out some local music venues tonight. Apparently, there’s a pretty thriving blues scene here. I found a few on Yelp [https://www.yelp.com/search?find_desc=live+music&find_loc=Houston%2C+TX]. Wish me luck - and send help if I start speaking with a Texan accent.
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