Band on the Diaper Run: Training Day
The band takes on This American Life; Magnolia takes on the potty.
by Mates of State
March 22, 2007
The question of the week from our friends and family: "How did you guys get this gig?" 
Magnolia and her doll practice their new skill set; above, we try to please Ira Glass. We feel the same way. How the hell did we land this tour with This American Life host Ira Glass and some of the most talented, funny and inspiring people we've ever been around? We'll be playing Lincoln Center, The Boston Opera House and the famous Chicago Theater, to name a few. So with that come the perpetual insecurities about our performances and the idea that if we mess up, no one will ever ask us to do thisagain. We can't possibly be professional enough. We have been basically shitting bricks between every song and cue from Ira — who has, by the way, one of the most engaging voices I've ever heard. He can say something off-the-cuff that you totally believe in and
want to build a religion around. And he's witty and articulate while somehow making everyone present feel included in the joke. (We feel dumb.)
The question of the week from Magnolia: "Do I get a gummy for going poopie in the potty again?" She has potty-trained herself. I swear, if you don't pressure your child into this milestone, you are better off. She watched this '70s-style video called Once Upon a Potty and she was hooked. She does still get gummies for pooping in the toilet, but we are weaning her off the sugary reward this week. The only downside to her training is that she wakes up at three in the morning to take a dump. And you can't just say, "Nope, not now, please just do it in your diaper this time, potty training doesn't count at three a.m." You have to be encouraging, even if it means waking up in the middle of the night only to sit next to your two-year-old in the wee night hours, grunting and standing up after every grunt to look if anything came out. For twenty minutes.
Up next: Lincoln Center, and a new rock-and-roll parenting manifesto!
©2007 Mates of State and Nerve Media
About the Author
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Kori Gardner is the organ-playing half of the band Mates of State; her husband, Jason Hammel, plays drums. Known for their vocal harmonies and euphoric melodies, Mates of State has been described by critics as "unabashed joy", "honesty at its best", a "two piece with balls", and "a band that you must see live." Their daughter, Magnolia, was born in 2004 and started touring with the band at 10 weeks. Hear their latest album, Bring it Back, at www.matesofstate.com. |
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