By Cassie Taylor, Bassists, Vocalist
Cassie Taylor band, Vocals, Bass
Otis Taylor Band, Bass, Vocals
(me:)
Mono Case©
Producer Bag
Maiden Voyage In Phone Photos March/ Arpil 2009;
Limoge France, Paris France, Amsterdam Holland
Photo #1 DAY 1AIRPORTAfter claiming our bags at Charles Degaulle Airport , the mono bag sits perfectly atop the complementary international luggage cart. Other bags look downright jealous. I am so tired right now i can't write anymore.
Photo # 2 DAY 1TRAINMy mono bag, with its protective padding and structure doubles as a pillow on the 4 hour train ride from Paris to Limoge. I am so jet-laged i don't even realize im drooling- thank god for water resistant!
Photo #3
DAY 2
HOTELWe just returned from an amazing meal at a Michelin rated restaurant called Amphitryon. We ate there last night as well, and i must say it is AMAZING. The food is superb and the wait staff is professional as well as friendly. Last night i had a four corse with filet of veal and today filet of duck. If you happen to be in the area, visit this restaurant! my suggestion is go for lunch, for 25 euro you can have a 3 corse meal, this is so cheep for a Michelin rated restaurant- in Paris it would be a 120 dollar meal- at least. Another mention worthy restaurant is La Table Jean, although more country style its presentation is great, and the wine sauce they have is incredable. Now I am going into a food coma,and have to lay down for an afternoon sitsta. My bag sits next to my lap top where i was working on a new song, an inspiring back drop of french rooftops, is the perfect artist atmosphere.
Photo #4
DAY 3
HOTELI may not be the most organized person (ask my mom) but the mono bag seems to keep me organized no matter what!
what's in my bag currently:
left side pocket:when you are a touring musician its hard to eat on a regular basis, and eat healthy, I keep fruit and nuts stored so i can get a quick pick me up, or curb my hunger.
Currently; kiwis, almonds, orbitz gum, orange, dark choclate
left front pocket:I have some many gadgets and cords fro them, i use this pocket for my small electronics such as my phone and ipod, as well as storing their chargers and my laptop charger.
right front pocket:i consider myself easygoing girl except when it come to make up. I have on obsession with Sephora, and will not leave the house with out mascara on! This pocket is devoted, and filled to the brim with makeup.
Currently; Sanitis skin care (another sponsor)- Moister Mist- PeptiDerm Anti Aging serum- Topical C, Ponds on-the-go face wipes, Degree travel sized Deodorant, Buxom Lash Bare Minerals Mascara, NARS Cream Blush in Cactus Flower, Vincent Longo Body Bronzer in Cassata, Bobbi Brown Shimmer Brick in PINK, NYC Liquid eyeliner in Black, Covergirl Tinted moisture, Buxom Lips Bare Minerals in Bambi, Sephora Brand coverup, Urban Decay eye Shadow in Peace. wheew!
right side pocket:Another one of my weakness is caffeine. I love coffee and tea, and always seem to be sipping on something. It's hard to find coffee to-go in many european countries, and it's just more eco-friendly to bring your own mug!
Currently; XOX mug- its lock and seal- LEAK PROOF.
hidden inside pocket:As Adam Sandler say in the "Hot Chick", "you can stick your weed in there", this would be a great place to hide your stash, but too bad for me i don't smoke, anything, so this pocket is devoted to sharpies, felt tip markers, and HB pencils.
I love to sketch, and Im an avid list maker (can you tell?).
main pocket:this is where i keep my wallet, glasses, vitamins and prescriptions, sketch books, and any other random things i might need when i don't have access to my checked luggage.
lap-top pocket:ummm, my lap top.
back pocket:I keep my tour itineraries, contact information, maps, and tickets in this pocket, it has easy access which means i don't have to dig around for them when im boarding planes, trains, or looking for directions.
Photo # 5
BACK STAGEthe WIFI connection in the hotel was not working, so in attempt to keep connected to my life, and my facebook account, i took my laptop to the gig in hopes that the preforming arts center we were playing had wireless. Well they didn't have wifi, but they did have ethernet. Success!
Photo #6
TRAIN STATION
DAY 4I didn't sleep a wink last night, i tossed and turned for hours until my wake up call at 7am. I didn't relies that the reason for lack of sleep was the 3 espresso that i had with dinner and after dinner in the dressing room. Not sleeping was a small price to pay for being awake during the gig last night. Traveling over seas is so hard some times! Well continuing on... waiting for the train seemed to take hours though it was only about 20mins, but i was so wrecked/ tired/ freezing that it seemed to take forever. When we gout on the train i passed out on my mono bag again. It really is quite comfortable. The only time i woke up was when i had to pee- got to love the 32 OZ evain water!
(Ben Lee and I)
Photo #7 & 8
DAY 4
Hotel Lobbyfor some reason we had to wait an observantly long time for our hotel room to be ready, so we went for a walk, ate lunch, stopped at an antique music store, and had coffee and my all time favorite desert Macaroons. Upon our return we had to wait a few more minuets, which was ok because we ran into Ben Lee at the concierge (Australian singer made famous by dating Clair Danes). The Hotel is an amazing Boutique hotel in the hear of the Beastie, super posh and quaint- a well kept secret- so i wont mention the name. HA. But anyway i feel so chic with my mono bag, it defiantly fits in to the modern decor of the hotel lobby.
Photo # 9 & 10
DAY 4
Hotel RoomSo... 3 hours into our stay in Paris and i have managed to trash my room- not literally, but there are socks, musical instruments, and diet coke bottles strung about. Im waiting for Otis (my dad/ band leader) to finish up an interview, then its off to the Sunset for a sound check, dinner, then gig. Shamika Copeland is also playing in Pairs and we might swing by after our show to say hi. She is one of the nicest blues women I know, and i always enjoy chatting with her, she is my like my big (blues) sister! So my hair is done and yes, i am wearing leather pants, the top i have on is a vintage Taos T-shirt i found at a thrift store- thrifting is a hobby of mine. So im about to run off to the gig, i hope it goes well-
Photo # 11
Day 5
Fast Train to AmsterdamIm on the fast train to amsterdam, and with the 6 hours i slept last night all i want to do is sleep. Its been a whirlwind trip thus far, and although i am having a great time, i just wish i could have an extra day to sleep in a relax. The hotel last night was amazing, but of corse the general rule on tour is "the nicer it is the shorter your stay". The gig last night was successful,Shamika Copeland came to sound check and did a bit of jamming. We also had a bit of time to talk after the sound check and got some great advice from her. Another highlight of the gig was I got to open both sets with solo, and play some of my own stuff. I got some great feed back from the promotors and paris publicity crew. Hopeful in a year or so i will be back in paris preforming with my own band.
Photo # 12 & 13
Day 8
Paris Hotel, and Terrace SO...... Amsterdam was OUT of control. I don't know where to start. We arrived in Amsterdam by train at 2pm or (14:00), and from the train we went to the hotel. We stayed at the NH hotels, its super new and modern. When your on the road as a traveling musician i can't tell you how nice it is to have a good bed to sleep in, as well as good food.
Then after we checked in we went on a boat ride thought the canals of amsterdam. If you happen to be traveling to Amsterdam, defiantly make sure to take a ride in a boat. You get to see so much more architecture, and sights! After that we went to a traditional dutch bar, and after we had dinner at the "Five Flys" a super nice restaurant where we had for courses and where i got to try the traditional dutch liquor Jenever, which tasted like a cross between sake and gin. After dinner (around 11:30 they eat super late) I went to a HUGE latin Techno dance fest (like 10,000 people) and i danced all night long. The next day we went to our gig and played at a beautiful renovated warehouse. After we played there was a awesome reggae band with Traditional african drummers, who had drums on their heads and danced around. Then after a huge communal Thai BBQ with the promotors and some new friends. Then early in the morning we work up and got on the train to france. Now I am sitting in the hotel blogging some more. In a little bit im going to walk around and maybe try and find an H&M- which happens to be my guilty pleasure.
Photo #14
Day 10
Back Homewhat a day,
started out in Paris, and am now 5,000 miles away, back home in Boulder Colorado. It feels good to finally be home, but i am so tired that i can't really wright anything now... more later...
Later....ok, so i must say the Mono Case is amazing, not only did it protect my stuff, remain seemingly durable, fit in every overhead compartment, and under airplane seats, but keep me organized, but it was so easy to carry around. It is a great investment to have as a touring musician, and i reckon that it would be if you were a graphic designer, artist, or just in an everyday commute to work. I have traveled with every kind of bag there is, laptop, duffel, rolling, side-bag, purse, and non of them ever seemed to do the job and stay chic. But the mono bag did all that. My trip was amazing and i can''t wait to return to europe, and to use my mono bag. The next stop in our tour in Memphis May 6th, and you can bet you butt that I'm bring the bag.
.jpg)
