San Antonio, Y'all: A Drummer's Dizzying Detour
okay, so. san antonio. i wasn’t supposed to be here. touring with the Static Echoes got canned - something about a rogue hamster and a cancelled festival in Iceland. long story. so, i’m kinda stranded, right? and my usual gig-finding methods aren’t exactly working when you’re suddenly in Texas.
I just checked and it's…a sort of muted grey outside, like someone drained all the color from a watercolor painting. sixteen point nine degrees, feels like fifteen. not exactly beach weather, but hey, I’ve played gigs in worse. the humidity’s clinging to everything, though. feels like my sticks are gonna sprout moss.
I’m crashing at this weird little motel off *Alamo Plaza. The wallpaper is…a choice. Think faded roses battling a beige nightmare. But the AC works, which is a win. I spent the first day just wandering, trying to soak up the vibe. It’s…a lot. Like, a lot of history crammed into a surprisingly modern city.
I stumbled into this amazing little taqueria - El Fuego - on Southtown. Seriously, the al pastor was life-changing. Someone told me that the old guy running the place, Abuelo Miguel, learned his recipes from a traveling chef from Oaxaca. Apparently, he’s got a temper, though. Don’t ask for extra cilantro unless you want a lecture in rapid-fire Spanish. I didn’t risk it.
I’ve been trying to find some decent drumming gigs. The local music scene seems…divided. There’s a lot of country, which isn’t really my thing, and some surprisingly intense Tejano bands. I overheard some drunk guy at a bar saying, “If you can keep time with a Tejano accordion, you can keep time with anything.” I’m taking that as a challenge. I checked out a few listings on San Antonio Music Scene. Nothing solid yet, but I’m putting feelers out.
I spent a few hours at the River Walk. It’s…touristy, obviously. But there’s something kinda charming about it, even with the crowds. I saw a guy playing a surprisingly good rendition of “Stairway to Heaven” on a saxophone. It was…an experience. I also saw a family of ducks. Very San Antonio.
“Don’t go near the Pearl District after dark. Heard there’s some…interesting characters hanging around.” - A very serious-looking woman selling churros.
I’m trying to find some vintage drum gear. Apparently, there’s a shop called “Rhythm & Relics” over near Military Base. I’m hoping they have something cool. I checked Yelp - Rhythm & Relics. Reviews are mixed, but people seem to agree that the owner, a guy named Earl, knows his stuff.
If you get bored, Austin and Houston are just a short drive away. I might take a day trip to Austin. Heard the music scene there is a little more my speed.
My gear list so far:
My trusty Tama Starclassic Maple kit (obviously)
Vic Firth 5A sticks (can’t live without ‘em)
Noise-canceling headphones (essential for sanity)
A slightly battered copy of “Kind of Blue” (for inspiration)
A ridiculous amount of caffeine
A phrasebook for basic Spanish (still working on it…)
Pro-tip: learn to say “¿Dónde está el baño?” It will save you a lot of awkward situations. Also, drink all* the iced tea. Seriously. It’s a thing here. I’m also checking out TripAdvisor for more hidden gems.
Honestly, San Antonio is…unexpected. It’s not what I pictured, but it’s growing on me. Maybe this unexpected detour won’t be so bad after all. I’m even starting to like the muted grey weather. A little.
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