New city .... first gig .... hmmmmm

So arrived in the new city .... did a little exploring yesterday, didn't pick the guitar up until I arrived at the venue. So far I have found everyone welcoming and friendly ... until I got to last night's venue. The owner was the most sullen-faced rude owner of a venue that I have ever had the displeasure of meeting. To open the door was a chore for him. He greeted us with a grunt. We ordered a few drinks for the dressing room, which could barely fit one person let alone 5! To receive said drinks we had to leave €50 behind the bar. So we kindly turned down said offer.

I decided to introduce myself to the soundman. Well introduced myself to he who seems to love feedback, muffled vocals, who ended up like a band member he spent that much time on stage trying sort out the sound.

Frustrated, annoyed, fed up, I took matters into my own hands, left the stage ... turned the PA off (got glares and stares for that) and played a full on unplugged set. I implore any musician never to go to this place. If you are a muso and want to know the name... just email me and I'll let you know. Am not gonna name and shame on here ... that's not me.

But today is a new day ... and I play a new venue tonight... and it'll be better ...

J xxx

Leg 3 of Tour.... complete!!

https://youtu.be/LKd2kwskOrY

Well .... this leg of Tour is finished. I couldn't be happier with the experience I've had here. I've been welcomed with open arms into the music scene, and played some amazing venues with some incredible musicians. I have future gigs already booked and can't wait to go back in Novemeber for a couple of amazing gigs! I'll miss this place but it's one of those am ready to move on to the next area.

I have spoken with Jive Records - a record label from Berlin about collaborating in their collective. We'll wait and see the outcome as things transpire.

Thank you guys ..... couldn't be happier with what we are doing, achieving,
Big thanks to the German sound engineers who are quite simply phenomenal at what they do, and thank you to all the venues who have welcomed me and the amazing musicians I've shared some of the best stages with.

And what can I deduce from this tour so far ...... Don't be afraid to go out there and just enjoy life, do what you believe in, follow your heart, listen to what your soul is telling you and go down that path cos if it fails ... it actually won't cos you've succeeded by trying it!

Thanks to all of the wonderful people I met!

J xxxx

Gig Number 2 @ Lagari

https://youtu.be/6FZegcQ8zsg

Musician Jam

So in my previous post I had said that I would love to play the Lagari again, well .... last night I had that opportunity to do so, and it was a lot of fun. A different crowd last night, really loud, but I think as a musician you need to try and control that, to give something, like an edge to the performance, so I opened up with a couple of angry songs from the album, songs that even put me on edge due to the lyrics and I reckon it paid off. 

Had a great start to the evening  as the musicians involved in the gig, we all had a massive random jam with Hendricks on the piano, really belting it out on those keys, shouting out chord changes as he felt the groove. It was amazing to be part of as we all just grabbed instruments and played. Unfortunately I only filmed the last section but we had been jamming for about half an hour at that point. One person who had walked in on the sound check asked - what is the name of your band? 'I'm a solo musician', WOW! THIS IS YOUR BACKING BAND! AM STAYING!!! 

Good times people... but it's time to move on for now. 

Love always 

J xxxx

Gig @ Lagari

Last night I played at Lagari, I shared the stage with Stella, and Hannah, who were both amazing players and songwriters. Again a very attentive crowd who bought CDs and some vinyl after the show. From the moment I was on stage there was an instant connection made with the audience. By the time we got to singing 'Stuck on The Tube' I had the whole crowd singing the outro..... that was a beautiful moment, even continuing to sing the outro when the song ended.
This is a venue I'd absolutely love to play again!

Thanks to the wonderful hosts, and lovely audience.

Peace and Love

J xx

Gig @ Fraulin Langer

https://youtu.be/ItnGmwvM30o

Played in a wonderful intimate venue last night called Fraulin Langer. It's is cosy venue with candles everywhere, and furnished with really old 1950s props. Very different to the venues I've played so far. But really cool concept. In order for the audience to properly listen to the intricacies of the guitar parts and, which most Europeans I've met so far, most importantly to listen to the lyrics and the message of the songs, each audient is given a set of wireless headphones. So guitars are mic-ed up, and mics are placed at reasonable distances from the artist. Made night even better with 12 fresh strings on the guitar... fell in love with that beast all over again!
Apologies it was very dark in the venue so you gotta close your eyes and imagine being surrounded by candle light in a very cosy environment! 

All pretty cool really! 

Once again thank you people of N, Europe! 

Gig @ The Prachwerk

Stay Strong - I'll Be Your Guide & The Darkness Fades LIVE

 View of stage from Sound Booth

 View of stage from Sound Booth 

 Backstage in the Green Room 

Outside venue 

This evening I played at The Prachwerk, probably one of Berlin's greatest venues. It was my turn to open up the night with this awesome batch of musicians. The crowd were very attentive and enjoyed the show. I recorded a snippet of my set - you can hear on by clicking on the link at the top of this post. There was an eclectic mix of performers on the bill tonight, which was both impressive and enjoyable to watch. And also really great atmosphere back stage. There is an early show at The Prachwerk on Friday - doors opening at 7pm, Kacey (who performed at the Barkett and again tonight at The Prachwerk)  and Mauvey will both be on the bill. Bound to be a very good show! 

Once again thank you Berlin for being such a great audience!! 

Peace J xx

Me ..... silent ....... What?

I’ve been struggling with a throat infection for about 5 days now. Agony to swallow anything, but drinking lots of lemon, ginger and honey tea, and not missing a single gig. Believe it or not, and this may come as a surprise to most of you, I really don’t mind spending the day in silence. Yes me, the chatterbox, I enjoy my fortress of solitude that I can build up every so often. May be a bit disconcerting to those am on the road with but the past 5 days they are probably enjoying the fact that apart from out 90 min sets in evenings I am quiet the rest of the time! Tonight I’ll be playing in Pratchwerk, the 12 string has been restrung so it’s gonna be a belter! Show starts at 8pm til late.