15.4.09
8.4.09
I'VE GOT RESERVATIONS.....
....about so many things but not about you.Wilco all day today. This band are amazing and strangely seem to be soundtracking my life right now.
The day goes fast, a little too fast. Friday creeps closer.
7.4.09
26.3.09
Sleepingdog Tour pt5
EDINBURGH
Shit. I just realized I didn't finish the tour diary.
Well Edinburgh was a hoot... man I love that place. I've played the Wee Red Bar like 4 times in a year now, the people there are so nice and friendly and the task is set to make it 4 out of 4 in terms of Edinburgh being the best night of every tour.
Chantal is tired from driving and disappears off for a walk while Christophe and I set up. Alex (the sound guy) is always so good in getting exactly the sound you want in there - quiet or loud. Every time.
It's great to see Euan again, we've made a really nice friendship over the past year or so and tonight I play on a song by his band The Kays Lavelle. I am a band whore.
Esperi is up first tonight - Chris is clearly mega-talented just from watching him soundcheck and he plays are really great set, Chantal is in love with him as he is cute and sings about dogs. He's in Leeds in a couple of weeks so it will be nice to hook up again.
Heidi and Ally are here! Two of my good Scottish friends who always turn up to shows, its so nice to see familiar faces when you are on the road.
The Kays Lavelle play a nice stripped back set and I join them on the last song 'December'.
There is a nice vibe about the venue and everyone is sat quietly and listening intently. We have some sadness for the last show of the tour but we all seem in good spirits and really focused tonight. Again the show is emotional I feel and really intense, total silence again from the crowd. It's the best we played all tour and such a good atmosphere in the room. The best show goes to Edinburgh again.
We have to drive back to Leeds and I try to stay awake with Chantal by drinking a lot of red wine but we end up talking some real shit and I trade the front seat with Christophe after passing through Newcastle so I can sleep in the back!
The next morning is sad goodbyes. I have felt something new on this tour and learned a lot about myself and about playing music. It's been a really emotional week for a lot of reasons but one I will hold dear for a long time to come.
Shit. I just realized I didn't finish the tour diary.
Well Edinburgh was a hoot... man I love that place. I've played the Wee Red Bar like 4 times in a year now, the people there are so nice and friendly and the task is set to make it 4 out of 4 in terms of Edinburgh being the best night of every tour.
Chantal is tired from driving and disappears off for a walk while Christophe and I set up. Alex (the sound guy) is always so good in getting exactly the sound you want in there - quiet or loud. Every time.
It's great to see Euan again, we've made a really nice friendship over the past year or so and tonight I play on a song by his band The Kays Lavelle. I am a band whore.
Esperi is up first tonight - Chris is clearly mega-talented just from watching him soundcheck and he plays are really great set, Chantal is in love with him as he is cute and sings about dogs. He's in Leeds in a couple of weeks so it will be nice to hook up again.
Heidi and Ally are here! Two of my good Scottish friends who always turn up to shows, its so nice to see familiar faces when you are on the road.
The Kays Lavelle play a nice stripped back set and I join them on the last song 'December'.
There is a nice vibe about the venue and everyone is sat quietly and listening intently. We have some sadness for the last show of the tour but we all seem in good spirits and really focused tonight. Again the show is emotional I feel and really intense, total silence again from the crowd. It's the best we played all tour and such a good atmosphere in the room. The best show goes to Edinburgh again.
We have to drive back to Leeds and I try to stay awake with Chantal by drinking a lot of red wine but we end up talking some real shit and I trade the front seat with Christophe after passing through Newcastle so I can sleep in the back!
The next morning is sad goodbyes. I have felt something new on this tour and learned a lot about myself and about playing music. It's been a really emotional week for a lot of reasons but one I will hold dear for a long time to come.
21.3.09
Sleepingdog Tour pt4
NEWCASTLE
Hangover.
The lovely English weather continues and Newcastle arrives in a sunny haze. John and Narbi greet us and look after us well. John plays a really nice set and the crowd are very polite and quiet. Today I feel ill and the whole show is a massive struggle for me, I'm almost sick while we play and I feel bad that this is the only show that I haven't enjoyed.
We take in some beers at the Head of Steam after the show and the Pulled Apart By Horses guys are in the bar which is a pleasant suprise! We head to John's place and attempt to play various Low songs whilst polishing off the previous nights whiskey.
Hangover.
The lovely English weather continues and Newcastle arrives in a sunny haze. John and Narbi greet us and look after us well. John plays a really nice set and the crowd are very polite and quiet. Today I feel ill and the whole show is a massive struggle for me, I'm almost sick while we play and I feel bad that this is the only show that I haven't enjoyed.
We take in some beers at the Head of Steam after the show and the Pulled Apart By Horses guys are in the bar which is a pleasant suprise! We head to John's place and attempt to play various Low songs whilst polishing off the previous nights whiskey.
Sleepingdog Tour pt3
LONDON
Our new friend Antony (of Konntinent) and his lovely housemates make us feel so warm and welcome... we really have met some beautiful people on this tour.
Today Christophe joins us from Belgium to play the rest of the dates with us, the three of us have never played together before so more interesting times ahead!
Most of the day is spent chilling around, catching up on work and drinking too much tea and coffee.
My last experience of playing the Macbeth wasn't very pleasant. this time however is quite the opposite. My old friend Tony is here and my beautiful new friend Faye. It's an emotional evening and we are drained after playing - Chantal especially. The three of us seem to gel on stage straight away which is a relief.
LEEDS
Today is one of the hardest days I've known. Faye leaves for Paris, goodbyes are so difficult sometimes. I can't really put into words the emotions of today. Much staring and pondering is done on the journey north to Leeds. Chantal didn't sleep last night (not on purpose) and so the drive is hard work.
The amazing people of 1 Moorland Avenue greet us with such warmth. Rebecca cooks a huge meal for everyone and as people arrive for the house show it's a really wonderful atmosphere. Everyone eats together and then we move to the basement to watch Eric Chenaux who I have got to play with us tonight. Eric is a sweet guy and his music is whispered and heartfelt.
To play in a basement with 30+ people crammed on the floor in front of you is a special feeling, especially with so many good friends here. Again playing the songs is a real joy. Sophie joins us on Prophets with some lovely violin. The rest of the evening is somewhat blurred as red wine and whiskey take hold. Kind folks put me to bed!
Our new friend Antony (of Konntinent) and his lovely housemates make us feel so warm and welcome... we really have met some beautiful people on this tour.
Today Christophe joins us from Belgium to play the rest of the dates with us, the three of us have never played together before so more interesting times ahead!
Most of the day is spent chilling around, catching up on work and drinking too much tea and coffee.
My last experience of playing the Macbeth wasn't very pleasant. this time however is quite the opposite. My old friend Tony is here and my beautiful new friend Faye. It's an emotional evening and we are drained after playing - Chantal especially. The three of us seem to gel on stage straight away which is a relief.
LEEDS
Today is one of the hardest days I've known. Faye leaves for Paris, goodbyes are so difficult sometimes. I can't really put into words the emotions of today. Much staring and pondering is done on the journey north to Leeds. Chantal didn't sleep last night (not on purpose) and so the drive is hard work.
The amazing people of 1 Moorland Avenue greet us with such warmth. Rebecca cooks a huge meal for everyone and as people arrive for the house show it's a really wonderful atmosphere. Everyone eats together and then we move to the basement to watch Eric Chenaux who I have got to play with us tonight. Eric is a sweet guy and his music is whispered and heartfelt.
To play in a basement with 30+ people crammed on the floor in front of you is a special feeling, especially with so many good friends here. Again playing the songs is a real joy. Sophie joins us on Prophets with some lovely violin. The rest of the evening is somewhat blurred as red wine and whiskey take hold. Kind folks put me to bed!
17.3.09
Sleepingdog Tour pt2
BRIGHTON
The last time I came to Brighton with Glissando in February it snowed like a motherfucker. Today there is no snow so already an improvement. Tonight we play the Prince Albert which is a really beautiful venue and it also has a piano which makes Chantal a happy girl.
The crowd is so silent when we play we could really have been playing to an empty room. The songs tonight took on a whole new form for me and an intensity which is very different from playing in Glissando. I feel so peaceful and calm playing these songs.
We have no where to stay tonight so after surveying the room there is more girls than guys so I have to ask the audience and hope someone is kind. It works and we stay with a lovely lesbian couple who look after us well.
The last time I came to Brighton with Glissando in February it snowed like a motherfucker. Today there is no snow so already an improvement. Tonight we play the Prince Albert which is a really beautiful venue and it also has a piano which makes Chantal a happy girl.
The crowd is so silent when we play we could really have been playing to an empty room. The songs tonight took on a whole new form for me and an intensity which is very different from playing in Glissando. I feel so peaceful and calm playing these songs.
We have no where to stay tonight so after surveying the room there is more girls than guys so I have to ask the audience and hope someone is kind. It works and we stay with a lovely lesbian couple who look after us well.
16.3.09
Sleepingdog Tour pt1
CHICHESTER
Having lived in Leeds all my adult life the prospect of walking through town at 7am for a 4 and a half hour coach journey to London isn't a great one. This morning however is a cold but rather pleasant one and the city is quiet.
My journey today is to Chichester to play the first of a week of shows as part of Sleepingdog. National Express coaches are generally not much fun but today is an exception. Nice old ladies feed me hard boiled sweets and I pass the time watching the new Her Name is Calla DVD and listening to Neil Young.
At the moment this feels like the Glissando tour we did back in May, purely on trains and coaches, but without Elly asleep on my shoulder and telling me where to go.
I get to London in time to watch the Man Utd / Liverpool game which is indeed a grand affair.
Trains that split in two half way into the journey are all well and good providing that all the stops are read out so you know which half of the train to be on. i take a chance and stay on the one to Littlehampton, only because it's the only place I've ever heard of before on the list.
The man opposite me appears to be about to die. I hope he doesn't. He's also lost his ticket and doesn't know where the fuck he's going. I feel bad writing about him when he's staring right at me.
I meet Chantal at the venue and seeing as we have had no rehearsals at all for the shows a long soundcheck is most welcome. Tonight is a free show so the usual crowd divide happens but the people seem to enjoy it and we suprisingly play without fucking up.
Chris the promoter and his sister take care of us after traveling for 10 hours each to get here, sleep is very much needed.
Having lived in Leeds all my adult life the prospect of walking through town at 7am for a 4 and a half hour coach journey to London isn't a great one. This morning however is a cold but rather pleasant one and the city is quiet.
My journey today is to Chichester to play the first of a week of shows as part of Sleepingdog. National Express coaches are generally not much fun but today is an exception. Nice old ladies feed me hard boiled sweets and I pass the time watching the new Her Name is Calla DVD and listening to Neil Young.
At the moment this feels like the Glissando tour we did back in May, purely on trains and coaches, but without Elly asleep on my shoulder and telling me where to go.
I get to London in time to watch the Man Utd / Liverpool game which is indeed a grand affair.
Trains that split in two half way into the journey are all well and good providing that all the stops are read out so you know which half of the train to be on. i take a chance and stay on the one to Littlehampton, only because it's the only place I've ever heard of before on the list.
The man opposite me appears to be about to die. I hope he doesn't. He's also lost his ticket and doesn't know where the fuck he's going. I feel bad writing about him when he's staring right at me.
I meet Chantal at the venue and seeing as we have had no rehearsals at all for the shows a long soundcheck is most welcome. Tonight is a free show so the usual crowd divide happens but the people seem to enjoy it and we suprisingly play without fucking up.
Chris the promoter and his sister take care of us after traveling for 10 hours each to get here, sleep is very much needed.
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