Packing List: Madison Cunningham

Joan Didion authored many American classics — her shortest: a packing list published in 1979. The list, from her collection The White Album, was kept taped to the door of her Hollywood apartment closet for utilization at a moment’s notice, and strikes us as one of those rare pearls so pragmatic it backflips to become borderline mythic. A tidy catalog of things that includes both stockings and bourbon, we often turn to Joan when staring down an empty suitcase.

All this to say, we’re excited to introduce Packing List — a new Reader feature chronicling the tried-and-true travel companions of the wayfarers we know and love. Singer-songwriter Madison Cunningham kicks off the series as she tours in support of her fourth studio album, Ace (a coincidence, we swear). We asked Madison about memorable packing mistakes (never getting the days-to-underwear ratio right), something new she’s bringing on the road (a mini steamer) and the essentials she never leaves home without. Here she is, without further ado.

Packing for tour usually starts with a frantic display of indecision. Every shirt (and jacket) I own gets laid out on the bed until I can convince myself to part with something. I think it’s the equivalent of my dog hopping in my suitcase the night before I go. It’s this fear and dread of leaving the comforts of home and the ability to change what clothing I’m feeling on a dime. I usually try to give myself a few days to talk through what the practicals are versus the variables. The number one rule is to leave space for a few fabulous items, and most importantly, space for a few souvenirs to bring home.

Everyday Oil: To make me feel like I smell classy enough to greet the world.
Salt & Stone Lotion: It keeps my desert skin sane. 
Dry Shampoo: For hair survival and confidence. 
Dry Brush: A tool to keep skin smooth and the lymphatic system moving. 
Vaseline Lip Therapy: It is always in my pocket. I put one in every strange compartment of my bag. It’s a strange addiction at this point but I don’t go seconds without it. 
Candle and Fancy Matches: Thankful Greetings matches and Flamingo Estate’s Adriatic Muscatel Sage candle.
Running Shoes: Running keeps my mind agile and makes me speak a little kinder to myself.

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