A day in the life of… Porches

You know what’s easier than following around your fave pop stars, day in, day out, to see what they’re up to right that minute? Asking them. This month, we nab Porches.

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9:00am → Alarm goes off, rub eyes, jump up, splash water on face (maybe), put clothes on – anything will do for now (later I will think more about what to wear). Swiftly make my way downstairs to my secret coffee shop that I will usually not run into anyone I know at. They know my order there; I say small black coffee, and they give me a nice big one but charge me for a small. I’ve been going there for about five years now. Then I’ll sit outside, smoke the first cigarette – what a joy and what a horrible habit. A fresh new day. I will not be looking at my phone at this time so as not to throw a wrench into the precious first hours of my day.

10:00am → Close book, light second cigarette of the day, and do a lap around the parking lot on my way home to shower. Shower hot for however long, cold for last minute, refreshing eye-opening clarity, alert now. Pick out a banging outfit. Take care of whatever chores, business, bills, calls I have to clear head/plate before heading to studio.

11:00am → Walk or Citibike to the studio, depending on how fast I want to be there. Stop for a second coffee at a bougie little spot; they know me there by now, too, and hook it up with the “neighbourhood discount”. Smoke a third cigarette with coffee out the front studio, and then go downstairs. Start to work on music, a new idea? Something I worked on the night before? A remix that I’m meant to do? Maybe I have a session with an artist that day? Who knows… but it’s down to the basement for, let’s say, the next six hours. I try to remain calm, focused, and centred, I do not want to derail my mind too early in the day.

3:00pm → Come up for air and light; it’s time to eat. I should’ve eaten two hours ago, but I got caught up. Hungry. I wish I packed lunch so I didn’t have to burn money, but I didn’t. I’ve been hooked on these sandwiches from this Italian spot called Alidoro – very good, big sandwich; you can eat the first half for lunch, second half for later. This is how I justify the 20 dollars down the drain. I’ll probably call my girlfriend for 10 mins to see what’s up about her day and such, check in. Helps me feel grounded.

3:45pm → Smoke another cigarette after lunch; this is a good one. Don’t need more coffee; these days, it makes me anxious, but maybe I’ll get one anyways. Back down to the studio, my ears feeling a little fresher after resting a bit. Continue doing whatever I do down there; maybe it’s going well, maybe it’s a disaster. Take stock, try and proceed calmly, maybe proceed desperately, depending on the day. Either way, try to wrap it up around 6 or 7.

6:00pm → Call a friend: Lucas? Dev? Phil? Madeline? See who’s up to what and where. This might be my favourite part of the day – a social interaction, an absolute must. Usually involving a beer, or a few, or something else to drink. Maybe it’s nice, so we sit outside; maybe it’s cold, so we cuddle up inside. Will take about an hour for the spirals in my eyes from the studio to slow down. God bless my friends for bearing with me. Who’s up to what? You seen this video? Couple good laughs? How’s your day been? You seeing anyone? Shoot the shit as they say, this and that, beautiful. 

9:00pm → Dinner time? Head home to see my girlfriend, who has probably started making something beautiful and healthy for dinner for us. I am a lucky, lucky man. But let’s say we do something else; maybe we meet out and grab a slice? Or get something at this Italian restaurant near our spot, a martini? Pasta something, eggplant, salad. And then let’s say a show is happening, a friend is playing somewhere, let’s go. I’ve been interested in seeing live music again recently; I like to check in on the scene, see what everyone’s been up to. Support a friend, judge a stranger. Just be out of the house, in the world. I love to watch the people, talk to them sometimes, feel the energy, soak it up. It’s just beautiful, intense, throbbing, inspiring. Maybe it’s at Baby’s All Right, maybe it’s a DJ set somewhere, maybe it’s a house show, maybe it’s a church, maybe it’s jamming in the basement. Let’s say all this goes on till about midnight.

12:00am → It’s either home or something cheeky. Birthday party? House party? Something party? Let’s say home tonight, though; that sounds good. Nashville, the TV show, has been good to watch, about the music scene in Nashville. Connie Britton is just, I love her. Go downstairs to smoke the last smoke of the day. Okay, winding down, eyes starting to get heavy, drag my girlfriend into bed, lights down, heaven, tomorrow is a new day, and most nights I look forward to them. A clean slate, a cold shower, a cup of coffee, and all the potential in the world. ■

Taken from the August 2024 issue of Dork. Porches’ album ‘Shirt’ is out 13th September.