Travel Write Sing Tour

Julianne Mason, Tom Hoy, Hek and Luke Maguire Armstrong’s 2014 Travel Write Sing Tour

Being Buddhist In Thailand: Leaving The Monastery

On my last afternoon and Wat Klegonwan, the sky darkens, rains begin, thunder crescendos, the lights go out, and when trees begin crashing into the temple it becomes clear that this is no ordinary storm. The next day, a monk who has lived here for 23 years tells me it was the worst storm he…

Travel Write Sing Does Iowa

The last two stops on the Travel Write Sing Tour were in Iowa City and then in Julianne’s hometown, Marshalltown. The whole tour felt like a crescendo of music, friendship and of meeting the kind of people that you’re glad to know. The kind of people that make you glad there’s people in the world.…

Finding Ourselves At Our Wish Destination

But I will also have with me the image of Luke, Hek, and Tom. You guys, on your buses, with your guitars, walking in a gas station parking lot at night, lighting a cigarette, your thoughts and your secrets behind your eyes, and your rebel hearts totally undecided. Guest post and photos by Julianne Mason,…

The Power of Amazing People on The Road

Guest post by tour companion and friend, Tom Hoy I am hungry and tired. I have been hungry and tired for the better part of the last two weeks. When you’re on the road these states of being are constants. Food and sleep always come, but never regularly, and almost never to your total satisfaction.…

Following Dreams From Iceland To America

Guest post written by and photos provided by HEK. I gave away all my books and put my records in storage. I gave up my apartment and walked to the bus station holding a guitar and a suitcase. I was on my way to the airport. With a one-way ticket, I flew to New York…

Oakes to Bismarck: Travel Write Sing Tour Hits North Dakota

Growing up in North Dakota, I don’t see it with the fresh eyes of people visiting for the first time. My tour compadres who had not spent time in the state were blown away about the reception they’ve received in North Dakota. Kudos North Dakota, you may not have Mount Rushmore, but your people are much friendlier…

Travel Write Sing at The Red Raven in Fargo

“Fargo, like the movie where everyone dies?” Hek asks when we roll into town. “Yes,” I say, “but that’s movie is more a satire about small town Minnesotans than North Dakota’s biggest city.” Along the way we take a detour to detroit lakes where my three youngest siblings and Dad had just arrived at a…

Jungle Melodies At The Palace Stage In Saint Paul

First, just, thank you Saint Paul! Thank you Tim Houlihan and your band of music slinging warriors! We had so much fun. Too much fun. We had a massive basket of Easter egg colored fun. Our only complaint is no complaint at all, why did that bartender pour us a glass of Tequila in the…

Travel Write Sing Live at Black Dog in Saint Paul

In rural Iowa Julianne Mason said something I never expected to hear from her. She said, “Luke, I need you and Hek to dig a grave for Tom so that we can burn him in it.”   Granted, she was filming a music video, and Tom was still alive enough afterwards to play our first…