Greetings. On Friday we travelled to the most gorgeous cultural centre in Osterholz. Germany were playing but that didn't have much of an effect on the gig. We tried a new set up for the first time. An old bluegrass affair using just two condenser microphones. It has a nice aesthetic quality too. So me and Dodo share a single mic for both our instruments and vocals. It really makes the performance more together as it encourages you to really play together. Cill and Lorc share the other mic. Cillian gets to sit down. I think he's enjoying that. The audience was fantastic. I've never been privy to a group of people clapping in such perfect unison. It was borderline hilarious. While the Germany game was on TV upstairs Eric played his set. Unique moment of the night was during a pause in one of his songs when Germany scored. Rapturous applause upstairs. Awkward smiles, couple seconds silence, and Eric prompts the audience to celebrate and get it out of their system before he continued with the song. It was nice.
On Saturday we got into Bremen city for the first time since we arrived. I even felt bad filming the place for the lack of translation from the naked eye to the camera. We all agreed it was easily the most beautiful city we had ever seen. Kind of feels like a setting from a Brothers Grimm tale. I want to get in again this week and wander around the markets some more. There's a science museum too with hundreds of experiments on show, including a journey through the womb, reliving the big bang and a 27 meter tower of air. I dont understand what the latter is but I'm certainly interested.
That night we played a trendy little cafe in Bremen called Katja's Villa Kunterbunt. We played this one on our own while Eric was off in Lubeck. Longer set than normal but shorter than what I'm used to back home. Katja and her partner Troy were great. In the middle of the set we sat down for dinner. That was a first. Crowd really into it and got to talk to a lot of them. We're getting better at talking to the locals. Mostly dog english with a few German words thrown in when we can. Have yet to meet an asshole. Well, there was one. But maybe I was tired and my patience was thin. I don't think so though.
Sunday was busy and the first day where the whole band was noticeably exhausted. Early in the day we played a little red and green cafe called Cafe Kadinsky where the walls and ceiling were covered with the majestic home made arts and crafts (rainbow coloured cows, pipe smoking men made of cling film and tables filled with corks). Eric and Cillian made a 10x10 cork tower. Pride defined. Album sales have been really good. Almost hit the wall after the show. We went to a club in Bremen the night before called Modernes. Not my normal scene but I drank like I was eighteen and slept like I was five. Good times. Not easy when you have two shows the next day though. In our defense it was Eric's birthday. We had to celebrate. Even if he was in another country.
After Cafe Kadinsky we were straight onto another show in Delmenhorst. A club called Karem Kulturkneipe. Toughest of the tour so far. Just six people in the audience. Eric was on first and it quickly became apparent that it wouldn't be an easy night. But at half time we met the folk that had come in to see us, joined Eric onstage for one of his songs and he played our set with us too. Six people at the show. Three albums sold. Sure if you could sell to 50% of your audience every day you'd be on the way! Came home. Had a cup of tea. Went to bed.
Woke up this morning and recorded an hour long radio show for Radio Weser. I was hosting for an hour. I got to play what I wanted so it was nice to play a few tunes from friends back home. DJ work isn't bad. My face suits the work anyway.
Had a good night sleep. Donal bought me a savory breakfast and made me tea. Italy are in the semi final. Tonights gig is dedicated to Andrea Pirlo. What a penalty.......
Paul
On Saturday we got into Bremen city for the first time since we arrived. I even felt bad filming the place for the lack of translation from the naked eye to the camera. We all agreed it was easily the most beautiful city we had ever seen. Kind of feels like a setting from a Brothers Grimm tale. I want to get in again this week and wander around the markets some more. There's a science museum too with hundreds of experiments on show, including a journey through the womb, reliving the big bang and a 27 meter tower of air. I dont understand what the latter is but I'm certainly interested.
That night we played a trendy little cafe in Bremen called Katja's Villa Kunterbunt. We played this one on our own while Eric was off in Lubeck. Longer set than normal but shorter than what I'm used to back home. Katja and her partner Troy were great. In the middle of the set we sat down for dinner. That was a first. Crowd really into it and got to talk to a lot of them. We're getting better at talking to the locals. Mostly dog english with a few German words thrown in when we can. Have yet to meet an asshole. Well, there was one. But maybe I was tired and my patience was thin. I don't think so though.
Sunday was busy and the first day where the whole band was noticeably exhausted. Early in the day we played a little red and green cafe called Cafe Kadinsky where the walls and ceiling were covered with the majestic home made arts and crafts (rainbow coloured cows, pipe smoking men made of cling film and tables filled with corks). Eric and Cillian made a 10x10 cork tower. Pride defined. Album sales have been really good. Almost hit the wall after the show. We went to a club in Bremen the night before called Modernes. Not my normal scene but I drank like I was eighteen and slept like I was five. Good times. Not easy when you have two shows the next day though. In our defense it was Eric's birthday. We had to celebrate. Even if he was in another country.
After Cafe Kadinsky we were straight onto another show in Delmenhorst. A club called Karem Kulturkneipe. Toughest of the tour so far. Just six people in the audience. Eric was on first and it quickly became apparent that it wouldn't be an easy night. But at half time we met the folk that had come in to see us, joined Eric onstage for one of his songs and he played our set with us too. Six people at the show. Three albums sold. Sure if you could sell to 50% of your audience every day you'd be on the way! Came home. Had a cup of tea. Went to bed.
Woke up this morning and recorded an hour long radio show for Radio Weser. I was hosting for an hour. I got to play what I wanted so it was nice to play a few tunes from friends back home. DJ work isn't bad. My face suits the work anyway.
Had a good night sleep. Donal bought me a savory breakfast and made me tea. Italy are in the semi final. Tonights gig is dedicated to Andrea Pirlo. What a penalty.......
Paul