We did The Late Late Show in Dublin with Fionn Regan.
Thus I have returned from India (via Dubai) slightly bronzed, slightly jetlagged.
I had been dying to return since my first trip in 2007 and upon learning that my Uncle - a photographer - was staying a few months on the Keralan coast I booked my flights! Excellent.
I spent most my time lazing about the cheery seaside resort of Kovalam, daytripping into Thiruvananthapuram, and laying low with the array of expats who would be staying as long as their visas allowed.
After a week I headed north to Varkala by train for a few days. Subsequent to the British residing of India for some 300 years, hanging out the side of a train has become an integral part of Indian culture.
I passed my time in Varkala on the beach reading The Crimson Book of Pirates courtesy of my good chum Jon. A century or two back there were lots of pirates and privateers around these sandy coves and of a moonlit night you can almost hear the sound of their oars fighting the current just beyond the beach...
Unfortunately all was not well in paradise. I was due a shave and thus set out tentatively one morning to find a barbers. The day started strangely when I got a free lift in a rickshaw - unheard of India. Us white folk would generally be charged two or three times the going rate on the assumption we have loads o' cash. Nevertheless, shaken but unperturbed, I ventured into the village barbershop where my new friend (soon to be enemy) Babu generously offered to shave me for 100 rupees.
Sometime later (I forget how long), having finally negotiated him down to a more reasonable (but still expensive) 30 rupees, I began to communicate with great animation that he was not, on any account, to go near my much prized - if underwhelming - moustache.
Needless to say he went at it like a man possessed, hacking and thrashing away at the left side (only) with a pair of old tailors scissors. This horrifying response in a country where 99 percent of males over 12 have moustaches. Ineveitably I was furious, though as a friend pointed out - perhaps he just didnt see it?
Oh well. Back to Kovalam for a few more days to sulk.
Be back soon India, missin' ya already!!
I'm headed to India for a couple of weeks (via the Betsey Trotwood in London for a Champs press show tonight).
Don't worry, I won't forget your postcard
One of my favourite bands.
Ghosts and Vodka stem from Cap'n Jazz, a highly influential Chicago-based early emo band active in the early nineties (listen to Oh Messy Life on Analphabetapolothology).
Sadly they split up all too soon, their entire catalogue collated on a single retrospective album. However, their being sowed the seed for several other great Chicago-scene bands to come and go over years - a couple of my other favourites are Owls and Joan of Arc.
I discovered Ghosts and Vodka quite organically in a journal about constructing communities through independent music subcultures in Chicago that I was reading as part of my research for my dissertation. I loved 'em from the start and listened loads when I was living in Canton, Cardiff.
Unusually for me (at least nowadays) it's entirely instrumental. But don't be scared! Dive in and have a listen to Andrea Loves Horses and It's All About Right Then:
For me it's all about the guitarist Victor Villarreal. His unique sound and style define everything he's involved with. Unfortunately he succumbed to the temptations of the rock 'n' roll lifestyle, which was probably partly responsible for the band splitting in 2001 (again their entire catalogue sitting comfortably on an appropriately-titled single album: Addicts and Drunks...)
From what I can gather, they never really achieved much outside Chicago. Heck, I guess that's part of the charm for me. Being in bands and making music is a great way to live your life, and these guys were doing it and being great at it.
We ventured out Dublin way for a really great Champs/Fionn show amidst the snowfall...
...Dublin looked great in the morning light...
...I picked up a great pair of Tom Ford MAX Sunglasses in the duty free...
...Sunday night we headed straight into Islington for Growlers 30th Birthday celebrations at the Lexington. Happy returns to the chap! What a great guy.
Merry belated Christmas also. I've been uber busy lately - lots of exciting happenings planned for the new year - not to mention blogs upcoming of my recent BOV victories!!!
...of winter in Oxfordshire today.
I've a sure feeling it'll be a white Christmas next week...!
It's been a fun filled few days.
On Monday Dusty and friends (including Jason Russo who was over with Mercury Rev and his fine friend Alex, fresh from NYC via Paris) recorded at Coldroom in Oxford with the Sam Williams.
Sam was great, and it was a real eye-opener
First thing Tuesday morning, Growler and I flew over to Cork, then drove across to an old fishing village called Dingle right on the Atlantic.
Dingle was a quaint place with an interesting but really nice and remote atmosphere. The tannoy system dispersed around the village playing old Christmas carols and hymns probably contributed.
We were there to do a TV show called Other Voices with Fionn Regan. The show airs in a series of 6 episodes early each year. Filming takes over the village and there were a few familiar faces at the bar.
On the evening of the Tuesday we performed a short set in the church. Before us played The Temper Trap and Brett Anderson of Suede. It was a slick operation, and having never done TV before, quite exhilarating!
Then on Wednesday morning, feeling slightly the worse for wear and requiring significantly longer in the makeup chair, we did an acoustic song in an incredible (if suspiciously named...) drinking house called Dick Mack's. A sign outside read "Where's Dicks Mack's? Opposite the church. Where's the church? Opposite Dick Mack's." Amazing.
Check out the stylish barman:
All too soon we were headed off. The scenery on the way to tiny Kerry airport was incredible.
Hope to be on the Dingle peninsular again some day...
On Monday Dusty and friends (including Jason Russo who was over with Mercury Rev and his fine friend Alex, fresh from NYC via Paris) recorded at Coldroom in Oxford with the Sam Williams.
Sam was great, and it was a real eye-opener
First thing Tuesday morning, Growler and I flew over to Cork, then drove across to an old fishing village called Dingle right on the Atlantic.
Dingle was a quaint place with an interesting but really nice and remote atmosphere. The tannoy system dispersed around the village playing old Christmas carols and hymns probably contributed.
We were there to do a TV show called Other Voices with Fionn Regan. The show airs in a series of 6 episodes early each year. Filming takes over the village and there were a few familiar faces at the bar.
On the evening of the Tuesday we performed a short set in the church. Before us played The Temper Trap and Brett Anderson of Suede. It was a slick operation, and having never done TV before, quite exhilarating!
Then on Wednesday morning, feeling slightly the worse for wear and requiring significantly longer in the makeup chair, we did an acoustic song in an incredible (if suspiciously named...) drinking house called Dick Mack's. A sign outside read "Where's Dicks Mack's? Opposite the church. Where's the church? Opposite Dick Mack's." Amazing.
Check out the stylish barman:
All too soon we were headed off. The scenery on the way to tiny Kerry airport was incredible.
Hope to be on the Dingle peninsular again some day...
From a review of the recent Fionn tour:
"The Paul Dano lookalike drummer battles away behind his kit to keep things nice and loud as he tries his hardest to join the Movember movement, and the rest of the band equally keep the momentum going."
Many good times and Fink Brau were had at 24 Treorky Street. Normally, the two went hand-in-hand.
Actually, back then most things went Fink Brau-in-hand.
Actually, back then most things went Fink Brau-in-hand.
This amazing bottle of Champagne (it's actually brandy) was in my shop today. It's from 1812 and apparently sailed to this country on a ship with Napoleon. It was found in someones garage during a house clearance and has been sent to auction with a estimate of £600!
I spent the last two weeks rehearsing and then touring with Fionn Regan and the Champs.
It began with a long Monday morning queue on the M40.
We rehearsed in Shepherds Bush next door to Alison Moyet.
Next we headed out on tour. First stop: Glasgow.
Manchester was a cool venue with a maaaaassive d.i.s.c.o ball!
London was great.
Next up was Cardiff where Tom was hard at work mixing the amazing Man Without Country tracks in his crunked-up bedroom!
And finally Brighton. The weather was gale-force but doesn't Growler look victorious in the van.
Unless I'm mistaken, every night was sold out. Good times!
It began with a long Monday morning queue on the M40.
We rehearsed in Shepherds Bush next door to Alison Moyet.
Next we headed out on tour. First stop: Glasgow.
Manchester was a cool venue with a maaaaassive d.i.s.c.o ball!
London was great.
Next up was Cardiff where Tom was hard at work mixing the amazing Man Without Country tracks in his crunked-up bedroom!
And finally Brighton. The weather was gale-force but doesn't Growler look victorious in the van.
Unless I'm mistaken, every night was sold out. Good times!
As fate should have it, there did turn out to be an amazing pair of boots waiting for me at BOV!
Rev was on good form as ever. She's off to Canadia for some 6 months of ski mania as of Sunday - sad times.
It's party time in her honour tonight, then I'm rehearsing and touring with Fionn Regan for two weeks as of Monday - expect more bloggings. Until then...
Rev was on good form as ever. She's off to Canadia for some 6 months of ski mania as of Sunday - sad times.
It's party time in her honour tonight, then I'm rehearsing and touring with Fionn Regan for two weeks as of Monday - expect more bloggings. Until then...
Found these boots reduced at the Tommy Hilfiger store at SOV yestereve.
They're just right for winter 09/10, but sadly the last pair they had were uncomfortably small on me!
In other news I'm on an outlet-village binge so headed out to BOV tonight with Rev. Who knows, perhaps fate will have a pair waiting there for me...
UPDATE: This page seems to be getting a lot of hits! Do you know where I can get a pair of these? If so let me know in the comments!!!
They're just right for winter 09/10, but sadly the last pair they had were uncomfortably small on me!
In other news I'm on an outlet-village binge so headed out to BOV tonight with Rev. Who knows, perhaps fate will have a pair waiting there for me...
UPDATE: This page seems to be getting a lot of hits! Do you know where I can get a pair of these? If so let me know in the comments!!!
Subsequent to our victorious trip to Mallorca, Danny and the Champions of the World headed out to Belfast's11th Open House Festival where we played with the incredible Foy Vance
Went for a pint with Dusty on Monday
I'll say it's about time for a couple of updates after a busy month out and about.
At the start of September I went to visit Lee in Stuttgart where he works as a Fliesenleger (floor tiler) - not a Fleischerschlachter (slaughterman) as my poor accent led people to think I meant...
You may notice a pink flamingo soaring about the upper right side of many of my photos. His name is Aubrey and he flew into my life when I dropped my Viewty camera-phone. As fond of him as I am, I don't intend for him to be around for long.
Anyway. The weather was great in Deutchland all week and we partook in many beers by many pools.
As you can see, Aubrey had a wonderful time meandering about TV Tower:
Stuttgart is home to Western Europes largest mineral spa. Swimming in the water is like being in a bottle of lucozade and the water has a strange fizzy metallic taste.
Ludwigsburg Palace was amazing. While walking around the grounds, we stumbled upon...
...the 10th Annual Pumpkin Festival where famous fairy tales had scenes modeled entirely from pumpkins! Quite disconcerting.
The festival also featured an impressive display of pumpkin strains from around the world...
One pumpkin too many more like.
Moving on.
Finally we went to the amazing Mercedes Benz museum. Much like Oxford, Stuttgarts economy relies heavily on the automobile industry.
Then I flew home (Aubrey close below).
Next up: gigs with DADS and Champs at home and away...
At the start of September I went to visit Lee in Stuttgart where he works as a Fliesenleger (floor tiler) - not a Fleischerschlachter (slaughterman) as my poor accent led people to think I meant...
You may notice a pink flamingo soaring about the upper right side of many of my photos. His name is Aubrey and he flew into my life when I dropped my Viewty camera-phone. As fond of him as I am, I don't intend for him to be around for long.
Anyway. The weather was great in Deutchland all week and we partook in many beers by many pools.
As you can see, Aubrey had a wonderful time meandering about TV Tower:
Stuttgart is home to Western Europes largest mineral spa. Swimming in the water is like being in a bottle of lucozade and the water has a strange fizzy metallic taste.
Ludwigsburg Palace was amazing. While walking around the grounds, we stumbled upon...
...the 10th Annual Pumpkin Festival where famous fairy tales had scenes modeled entirely from pumpkins! Quite disconcerting.
The festival also featured an impressive display of pumpkin strains from around the world...
One pumpkin too many more like.
Moving on.
Finally we went to the amazing Mercedes Benz museum. Much like Oxford, Stuttgarts economy relies heavily on the automobile industry.
Then I flew home (Aubrey close below).
Next up: gigs with DADS and Champs at home and away...
I've been a busy boy!
First up was a Tuesday night trip to London to see Sophie...
...then on Thursday a journey to Cardiff to hang out with Beautiful Matt and Jon. We went to see Man Without Country...
... on Saturday we headed to Nottingham to celebrate my mothers' 60th Birthday!
Then finally back to Oxford in the evening for a great gig with Dusty & The Dreaming Spires supporting 22-20s. What did you think girls...?
Ha.
Anyway, no rest for me just yet - tomorrow I'm off to stay with Lee (via Heathrow T5!) for a week in Stuttgart.
I should get packing.
First up was a Tuesday night trip to London to see Sophie...
...then on Thursday a journey to Cardiff to hang out with Beautiful Matt and Jon. We went to see Man Without Country...
... on Saturday we headed to Nottingham to celebrate my mothers' 60th Birthday!
Then finally back to Oxford in the evening for a great gig with Dusty & The Dreaming Spires supporting 22-20s. What did you think girls...?
Ha.
Anyway, no rest for me just yet - tomorrow I'm off to stay with Lee (via Heathrow T5!) for a week in Stuttgart.
I should get packing.
Recent Comments