SUNDAYS AT THE POST OFFICE
We started a conversation one day about acoustics in post offices. It seemed to us that there was some consistent resonant thing happening in post offices that made them a great place to sing a song. In particular the post office in Sebastopol seemed such a place. This conversation eventually took a turn where we decided it best to test the theory.
Our first Post Office excursion was here in Forestville. Our second foray was to Sebastopol, which was sort of silly because we already agreed the acoustics there were sweet. It became clear quite quickly that we were making some people a little nervous. We thought maybe the fact of it being nighttime was problematic, and decided to try daylight hours instead. Not wanting to make a big deal out of the whole thing, we opted for Sundays at the Post Office.
Bill came up with the idea of leaving a “Tonebent was here” card at each P.O. Some friends asked ”if you’re going to be playing at our post office would you let us know ahead of time so we can come listen?” We’re pondering this one.
Forestville • first PO, hometown
Sebastopol • third-best sound (formerly first-best)
Boulder City, Nevada • best view of a raptor
Marshall • best view
Tomales • best audience
Nicasio • second-to-the-smallest
Occidental • most likely place to run into another choir member
Healdsburg • worst vibe, most soulless
Valley Ford • most cold, most bovine-odorous
Jenner • smallest, barely room for both of us and two guitar cases
Duncan's Mills • most charming, third-best sound
Morro Bay • first performance for postal emplyoyees through a mail slot
Cayucos • best sound, first communication with a postal worker
(sorting mial in back behind PO boxes) and we quote, "right on!"
Harmony • least believable as an actual post office.
Philo • newest
Inverness • thinnest walls, second-best sound (except for traffic noise)
Monte Rio • first inaccessible PO on a Sunday
Guerneville • longest corrider, great sound — best for a new PO
Rio Nido • second inaccessible PO on a Sunday
Santa Rosa • most enthusiastic audience member, Mika the very small dog