Hey peeps,
Wow! What a trip! This has been the trip of a lifetime. A tour where my darkness has faded. There are still elements there which come to the surface from time to time, but such is life. The dark side that lingers within is what makes me who I am. It drives my creative side and pushes it, but it no longer is at the forefront of my mind. The last few years have driven me to the edge, but the power of music, of songwriting, of composing and recording has driven it out. It's a therapy of sorts. Ridding the self of those daily crushing moments.
Thoughts of tour .....
I have been blown away by the reception of the audiences. Starting in Amsterdam 4 months ago ..... I remember it like yesterday. The nerves before the opening show. The reception of the audience who loved the performance. From Amsterdam to Berlin - wow! What a cool city! Here I met the most amazing musicians who were so welcoming at all the amazing venues that the city has to offer. From Berlin to Horlandz to Hamburg - Beatles Platz, playing in front of a random crowd of people who sang along with each song at the top of their voices. Another moment blown away. From Hanburg back to Berlin, home of the Dead Sea Captain, and onto Paris.... well .... no words but strolling around the city on a rare day off was a highlight of the weekend. From Paris back to Berlin - that place is like a magnet!
Upon leaving Berlin I spent a wonderful evening in Rennes, France. My hosts were wonderful, very welcoming with the most comfy bed! It definitely beat the backseat of a bus! A couple of days in St Malo playing at the Route du Rhum festival before heading to Jersey, where I had a great time with the kids. And played a couple of nice relaxing open mic gigs.
Since leaving Jersey in November, I have played in Lyon, Annecy, Chanay, Chamonix, Bellegarde and Geneva.
Some big thanks here to firstly the venue owners who have put up with me over, and welcomed me to their audiences. The Chanay Crew for providing laughter when I needed it most. You all know who you are. Thank you to the various hotels that put me up, and provided guidance on the best things to do in each city. Thank you to the drivers, am the worst sat-nav in the world so am glad you were able to find the way each and every time. A huge thank you to my management team, you deserve an award! Huge thanks to the fellow musicians who joined me on stage over this tour. You guys are amazing and I have a huge respect for you all! Thank you to www.wilsoncreative.co.uk for the fantastic work on the EP on CD and to www.lathetothegrave.co.uk for the amazing 7" vinyl. Finally, the audiences who have listened, who have enjoyed the gigs, without your attendance I wouldn't be able to express the feelings and thoughts that have been written into each song!
Best memory?
I'd have to be honest and say it's an amalgamation of all the times I played the single The Darkness Fades. There is a raw emotion in this song and the lyrics always take me on a journey. I find this song so powerful, depending on my mood it can be played quite softly with the rhythm swaying the emotion. But at times, the emotion is stripped back and I play the song with venom, anger and spitting out the lyrics, in a spirit of relief. That's the beauty of this song it kicks me in the heart, and I have to find the expression from within.
Thank you to everyone I've met on this wonderful trip.
I'll play a sneaky Belfast gig .....
Then it's back on the road on 13 January with a return to Berlin - the Barkett on 14 January!
Cheers guys,
Love J
Xx
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