Milwaukee Mishaps & Muddy Boots
okay, so, like, i’m pretty sure i’m running on fumes and lukewarm coffee. 4997384 and 1840003173… honestly, those numbers just felt… heavy. i landed in Milwaukee yesterday, and it’s… well, it’s Milwaukee. gray. perpetually gray. i just checked and it's...there right now, hope you like that kind of thing. the humidity is clinging to everything like a damp wool blanket, and the pressure’s sitting at 1018 - feels like you’re underwater, you know? 981 sea level, which is… fine, i guess.
I’m a touring session drummer, so my priority is finding decent rehearsal spaces, but Milwaukee’s a bit of a ghost town for that, apparently. Mostly just dive bars and pawn shops. which, honestly, is kinda cool. i stumbled into this place called ‘The Rusty Nail’ - smelled like stale beer and regret, but the drummer was solid. we jammed for a couple of hours, mostly just trying to avoid hitting the wrong notes. it was… therapeutic, i think.
I’m staying in a converted warehouse downtown. it’s got exposed brick and a surprisingly good soundproofing system. the landlord, a guy named Silas, keeps leaving cryptic notes about ‘the spirits’ and ‘keeping the rhythm.’ he’s a bit of a character, that Silas. someone told me that he used to be a competitive ballroom dancer. wild, right?
I spent the afternoon wandering around the Third Ward, checking out the art galleries. it’s a weird mix of trendy boutiques and antique shops. i found this amazing vintage leather jacket - seriously, the best find of the trip. it cost me $80, which is basically highway robbery, but i couldn’t resist. it’s got this worn-in feel, like it’s seen a thousand gigs.
I also hit up Lakefront Brewery. they do these crazy tours - you get to see the brewing process and then they force you to drink a ridiculous amount of beer. i’m not complaining. i heard that their German Cream Ale is legendary. i’m pretty sure i’m going to need it.
Speaking of locals, if you get bored, Madison is just a short drive away. Apparently, they have a thriving indie music scene and a lot of farmers markets. i’m not really into farmers markets, but i’m open to suggestions.
Here’s the gear list, because someone always asks:
My kit (obviously) - a battered but reliable Pearl Export.
A Sennheiser HD25 headphone - my ears thank me.
A Roland SPD-S - for triggering samples and creating weird soundscapes.
A ridiculously large backpack - because i overpack everything.
* And a whole lot of caffeine.
I overheard some guys at the brewery talking about a haunted brewery just outside the city. Apparently, it’s called ‘Blackwood’ and it’s got a seriously dark history. someone told me that the original owner died mysteriously and his ghost still roams the halls. i’m not usually into ghost hunting, but i’m intrigued. maybe i’ll check it out tomorrow.
Seriously, Milwaukee is… interesting. It’s gritty, it’s weird, and it’s got a certain charm. It’s not the prettiest city, but it’s got a pulse.
Check out this map of the area:
And if you’re looking for some good eats, Yelp has some decent reviews: https://www.yelp.com/map-listing?fid=67881&rid=934811&city=Milwaukee&state=WI
Okay, gotta go. My eyelids are starting to feel heavy. Don’t forget to check out TripAdvisor for more Milwaukee tips: https://www.tripadvisor.com/Tourism-g29081-Milwaukee_Wisconsin-Vacations.html
Peace.
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