Our ride to Dresden was leaving at 10 am and we packed all our stuff and left for the Bahnhoff. Not once did we have to pay for transport in Berlin, we could just jump from train to train and get anywhere we wanted. We arrived in the East where are ride was leaving, and even though it was 9:30am, I bought a Berliner Pilsener and thoughtfully drunk it, thinking of how special a city and time we have had there. Our ride arrived and we set out South for Dresden....
On the morning we were leaving, Anja had made us a full English breakfast, and it was such a touching gesture and as we ate we spoke about our plans. Nizha realised that she needed to get to Paris to sort out paperwork for her stay here sooner than she thought, and on the journey there was resigned to having to leave Dresden for Paris as soon as possible. My plan was to go to Switzerland via Prague and Munich but it didn't seem right to part, so I agreed to go with her.
We arrived in Dresden and it was such a different atmosphere from Berlin, the buildings were so beautiful and it seemed like it was full of old people eating expensive strawberries and cream. We seen a few buskers and they were all playing really beautiful classical stuff. We began to feel like we were out of place a bit. We had a lot of luggage with us, and had to wait till 7pm to meet the girl who said we could stay with her. We heaved our luggage around, unable to afford a beer here, looking for a busking spot. I was starting to feel a bit like we would be too out of place here. We took a rest and bought some bread and cheese and a bottle of beer from the supermarket and had a little picnic while we made a plan.
We headed to the bridge we had heard the classical buskers and there was this accordion player, playing one song over and over. We said we would go on after him and waited for our turn. We played and immediately the tunnel filled up, people were stopping and watching our whole set, giving us flowers and candy and filming us. We made close to 30 Euroes in less than an hour and I was so relieved. We kind of felt we had injected a bit of rock and roll and life into the usually quiet city. With smiles and re found energy we made our way to Emilia's to sleep there for a couple of nights.
It was a nice time there, but most of our time was occupied in planning how we could get to Paris. There were no car shares heading there. The train was way to expensive and since time was running out we needed to find a way. It seemed the easiest option was to head back to Berlin and get a bus from there to Amsterdam, and from there to Paris. So after 3 lovely days of busking and exploring Dresden we caught a ride to Berlin and messaged Anja to say we were coming back, and could we stay a few nights. She welcomed us back with open arms and the moment we stepped out of the car in Berlin it felt great. Even just going away for a few days made me realise how great a city it is. And part of me was almost tempted to stay there.
We needed to make as much money as we could in Berlin as we knew Paris was no place for the poor, but it was hard cos acoustic busking is harder to find a spot. We tried Alexanderplatz and around the heavy nested tourist areas, but just didn't feel right there, so we took a chance and headed to Maur park and went around the corner from the main road. As soon as we started these two lovely young girls sat in front of us and started watching us. After a couple of songs we had finished our beer and one of the girls ran off, and came back a few minutes later with a fresh cold beer for us! She took her seat again and they listened for the whole set. We made good money that busk, and had found our spot. We took a break, drunk a beer and ate some chips and then went back for another set there.
After a few songs, a homeless guy who was sitting round the corner from us, came and sat right next to us. Singing a long and trying to speak to us in English. He put some pennies in our jar, and then after a few more songs the most touching thing happened. He went and bought us a beer. How can a man who has no home, begs for money and sleeps on the street be able to buy two English buskers a beer with the last of his money? We spoke to him for a while, and it turns out he was Latvian and had been living on the streets of Germany for a few years. We bade him farewell and took the metro home. A few days later we seen him blind drunk asleep on a bench at the station and our hearts ached a bit.
As the thought of Paris was becoming more a reality and we had only a few euroes to our name, I became worried of what the city would be like for us. One day we left for busking, and it hit me. My memories of the place last time. There is no free transport, no cheap way of life, no English speaking, I was a bit daunted by the thought, and Nizha and I took some time apart. I tried busking on my own, and it was horrible. I missed her more than I thought possible. I remember during the first few weeks of playing with her, I would sleep with her violin melodies playing over in my head. Busking was not good without her. I had one beer saved and 80cents so went to the bench and park where we first slept and did some drawing. I hadn't done much lately, and wanted to get back into it. I was sitting on our bench and these two German guys who couldn't speak English were amazed by my drawings, they went through every one with wonder and respect, and we tried to speak in the German that I knew, and the English that they knew. They shared with me a joint, and I shared with them my beer. Once they left, this girl sat right next to me, and was crying saying she hated her life, again she didn't speak much English, but we spoke a bit, and then she left.
I came home to Anja's and just gave Nizha a big hug, and we spoke and I said I may be daunted by Paris, but I am still coming. Life is about facing your fears, and I know that as long as we are together, we can get through anything, We both knew Paris was going to be hard, but as long as we stay strong and together we can do it. Thankfully, we would have a little stop off in our beloved Amsterdam before we hit Paris........
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Friday, 6 September 2013
Saturday, 24 August 2013
Berlin
Again, I have left this far too long to accurately get down everything that happened with our Berlin adventure. But let's take it back to the fusion and see how we get on.
On the last day of the festival, it had that 'party's over' type of atmosphere in the place. Tents were all going, the zombies were searching for the bass drum that you could still hear in the distance. We had put a sign on the coffee bar asking if anyone was going to Berlin and if we could catch a ride. There was no luck so far though. All through the festival we were camped right next to the Dub stage, and that bass line is still stuck in my head. When you lay your head on the ground to sleep, the vibrations rattled your ear lobes and brain. It seemed like it was just one bass line constantly for 72 hours straight. We hadn't had a good nights sleep or a hot shower for a week now, but on the last day we went for a swim in the cold lake. Then Jetske, who was with us at the coffee bar doing massages said she quite fancied an adventure in Berlin, and would drive with us to there. The sun had finally came after 2 days of rain at the festival, and on a gorgeous day we got on in the car and on the road again.....
The drive was nice, listening to Van Morrison, hitting some high speeds on the Autobahn. We were approaching Berlin and once we got there we fell in love with the place. The buildings were so colourful, the sun shone on them and brought out the pinks and sky blues, and murials everywhere. Graffiti on every bit of space there could be. But more than that, you could just feel an electricity in the atmosphere. The city was alive, and we got such a great vibe. The first thing we needed to do, was drink a beer and eat a falafel. And that we did. In Berlin, you are never more than five meters away from a cold beer for less than a euro and a good falafel. We walked round the city, seeing these gorgeous views and buildings. We had a contact for someone who said we could crash on their couch, so we needed to find an internet cafe to get online and get her details. Everything was so cheap! They still did things in cents, like 32 cents for half an hour of internet and stuff. 92cents for a beer, cheap chocolate and everything just seemed so good for us. We got the details of where we were gonna stay and drunk some more beers.
The telephone number she had given us wasn't working, and the address had noone home. Hmmm, we wondered what we could do and went to try and find a hostel for 8 euroes a night. We had left the festival with 50 euroes for our work and when the hostel was fully booked, we thought 'Shit, it's all gonna go if we get a more expensive one'. We couldn't find one though, everything was booked. Wherever we would go it was no vacancies. We prepared ourselves for a night on the streets. We were so tired from the festival, so dirty and just needing to lie down. We found a park bench, and Jetske kept the stuff in her car, and me and Niz slept for the night on the park bench. It was a strange experience, but I feel when I am with Niz, we can overcome anything. We are strong together, and after that night on the bench I fell in love with her even more. She is such a strong hearted, fiery girl, and when she accepted we were on the bench, there was no complaints or big worries, we knew our lucky stars would look after us. As the sun came up, we drifted in and out of sleep as people walked by, and the working day began.
On the last day of the festival, it had that 'party's over' type of atmosphere in the place. Tents were all going, the zombies were searching for the bass drum that you could still hear in the distance. We had put a sign on the coffee bar asking if anyone was going to Berlin and if we could catch a ride. There was no luck so far though. All through the festival we were camped right next to the Dub stage, and that bass line is still stuck in my head. When you lay your head on the ground to sleep, the vibrations rattled your ear lobes and brain. It seemed like it was just one bass line constantly for 72 hours straight. We hadn't had a good nights sleep or a hot shower for a week now, but on the last day we went for a swim in the cold lake. Then Jetske, who was with us at the coffee bar doing massages said she quite fancied an adventure in Berlin, and would drive with us to there. The sun had finally came after 2 days of rain at the festival, and on a gorgeous day we got on in the car and on the road again.....
The drive was nice, listening to Van Morrison, hitting some high speeds on the Autobahn. We were approaching Berlin and once we got there we fell in love with the place. The buildings were so colourful, the sun shone on them and brought out the pinks and sky blues, and murials everywhere. Graffiti on every bit of space there could be. But more than that, you could just feel an electricity in the atmosphere. The city was alive, and we got such a great vibe. The first thing we needed to do, was drink a beer and eat a falafel. And that we did. In Berlin, you are never more than five meters away from a cold beer for less than a euro and a good falafel. We walked round the city, seeing these gorgeous views and buildings. We had a contact for someone who said we could crash on their couch, so we needed to find an internet cafe to get online and get her details. Everything was so cheap! They still did things in cents, like 32 cents for half an hour of internet and stuff. 92cents for a beer, cheap chocolate and everything just seemed so good for us. We got the details of where we were gonna stay and drunk some more beers.
The telephone number she had given us wasn't working, and the address had noone home. Hmmm, we wondered what we could do and went to try and find a hostel for 8 euroes a night. We had left the festival with 50 euroes for our work and when the hostel was fully booked, we thought 'Shit, it's all gonna go if we get a more expensive one'. We couldn't find one though, everything was booked. Wherever we would go it was no vacancies. We prepared ourselves for a night on the streets. We were so tired from the festival, so dirty and just needing to lie down. We found a park bench, and Jetske kept the stuff in her car, and me and Niz slept for the night on the park bench. It was a strange experience, but I feel when I am with Niz, we can overcome anything. We are strong together, and after that night on the bench I fell in love with her even more. She is such a strong hearted, fiery girl, and when she accepted we were on the bench, there was no complaints or big worries, we knew our lucky stars would look after us. As the sun came up, we drifted in and out of sleep as people walked by, and the working day began.
Our first night in Berlin
When we got online again in the morning, we had a message from the girl who said we could stay with her, saying sorry she had given us the wrong number, and we could go there from 5pm that day. This was a relief. We just wanted a shower and a bed so bad, sleeping roughly for over a week takes its toll on you. When we got there, we were welcomed warmly and took a nice hot shower and lay down for a little bit. We went busking that night, and played right next to a main road that was so noisy, but we still made about ten euroes in total. Amsterdam is so quiet, and acoustic music thrives there, but Berlin was noisy and hard to find a quiet spot. From this point, we pooled all our money together. We became a closer team. Upto now, we were splitting what we made, but it was pointless, as I am bad with money, I just can't save it. When we did this, we became even stronger. We had spent 3 weeks together, and only bin apart for a few hours in total. I felt I had found someone really special. A beautiful and amazing violin playing girl, with a wild travelling heart, who brings out the best in me.
Busking in Berlin
We could stay with the girl in Berlin for 3 days before we needed to find somewhere else. We posted on the Emergency Couch group and received a message from Anja, who said we could stay with her for a few days. We both had a good feeling about it. Niz is never wrong with her feelings and we set out from East Berlin, to West. When we arrived at Anja's, it was like coming home. The place had such a warmth, and homely atmosphere and we met a very special family who will always have a place in our hearts. The daughter Layla, an 11 year old genius. Who spoke perfect English, with a beautiful tint of German Indian. The 2 boys, Lada and Bada, who were born to be Bollywood stars. So full of life and energy in their eyes. And Anja, a beautiful and strong woman and a natural mother at heart. For a few days, Niz had been craving Indian food, and when Anja brought out one of the best curries I had ever tasted we knew our lucky stars had looked after us again.
One night when we came back from busking, we sat with Leyla and talked about the universe and philosophy until midnight. She asked me if there were any questions I would love to know the answer to. I said, 'I like the fact that some things will never be answered, like what is infinity, and why are the pyramids there, what happens when you die'. Leyla reads a book a day, she sings perfectly the melodies she hears from Bollywood songs after listening only once, she is a truly gifted and brilliant mind and that night will always stick out for me. The boys had taken a liking to us aswell, and were calling us Uncle and Auntie, we would play with them for hours, and they would never tire. They have eyes full of love and life, and that is all because of the great mother they have. Anja brings those boys up with such love and strength that it was truly inspiring and heart warming to be a part of.
Anja and the kids.
On Sunday Anja took us to Maur park, and I know why she did. We were leaving for Dresden on Tuesday, and when we got to the park we were amazed and in awe even more of Berlin. There were musicians EVERYWHERE! Street musicians every few metres, just playing for the hell of it. People practising in the park, an ampitheatre that had hundreds of people seated, singing along to karaoke (I asked to do a song, but was just a few minutes too late, damn!'. We did a bit of busking ourselves, drank some beers, fell in love even more with each other and Berlin. We were very sad to be leaving for Dresden, as our plan was to head South as fast as we could and get to Switzerland via Prague, Nuremburg and Munich. But we would find ourselved back in Berlin and Anja's sooner than we thought....
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Download our album ‘Where The Days Have No Name’ full of harmony and love in every way.
Follow us on Soundcloud
Like us on Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/deadseacaravan
And visit our digital HQ at www.deadseacaravan.com
Friday, 26 July 2013
On the road again.............
Where can I possibly start this chapter? It has been nearly 2 months since my last entry, and so much has happened in that time. I think I will take it back to the leaving of Liverpool, and there were many fare thee wells.....
I left Liverpool this time full of life and energy for the next chapter to begin. It had been so great being back, I felt like a rich man I was walking around with pockets full of pounds from gooood busking, feeling very comfortable. When you have a little bit of financial freedom, it allows you to rest a little easier. I was busking hard though, over the weekend nights playing for 7 or 8 hours a day. Getting 40 quid drops and 20 and 10s and 5s. Was beautiful And I was a little sad to be leaving. I was eating well, reading a book every 2 days, seeing some beautiful friends and bands and really enjoying being home with my family. A violin player had got in touch with me after I posted an ad on a musicians site, looking for a travelling busking partner, and said she wants to come busking with me. All last year I wanted a violin player to play with, and was about to meet a special one..
I packed my stuff into my big bag, and realized how little clothes and stuff I actually had. The only heavy things were my amp, a warm coat, tea bags and multicoloured socks. Oh yeah, and lots of books and pads.Though sad I was a little to be leaving, I was looking forward to playing with a violinist. I set out once again for an 18 hour bus ride to my beloved Amsterdam to start the next chapter. I was meeting Niz (The Violin player) that night, and had been offered a gig at the bulldog, so thought that would be a good place for us to play together for the first time. I always think if you can just tune in with eachother without practising it´s a good sign.
I touched down in Amsterdam the next morning and popped in to see a few people and pick trigger up. I ate my favourite Albert Heijn slaad, bought my favourite La Trappe beer and smoked a joint in my favourite coffee shop De Graal. It was nice being back, but different. I knew I had my heart set on Berlin and other places this summer. But it always feels like a second home to me, Amsterdam. It was approaching the time for the gig and meeting Niz so I headed for a little back ride and to the Bulldog. I got in there and sat through the usual offerings of an open mic acoustic night. The host was quite excited to have me play it seemed, and I was quite looking forward to playing and seeing if it would click with the violin, if she made it in time. After my first glass of La Chouffe she called me and I went to meet her.
I liked her from the very first moment. I was so full of energy after a month back in Liverpool and being back in Amsterdam that she thought I was on drugs by how I was speaking (this happens a lot though) She understood what she could of me speaking as we went to the gig. By this time the noise of the place had got a bit loud, and I hate playing in loud places, we set up to play and I was getting angry by the almost deafening noise, so me and Niz just played for eachother. I put the mic to her so I could hear these perfect violin lines she was playing. We met that night, after our first jam at our first gig, all the signs were good. We shared our beer and I felt I had found a good travelling partner. And from that moment I went from being a lonesome traveller to a band of gypsies.
The next day we went busking for the first time at the tunnel under Vondel Park, the first three drops were 5 euroes! Another good sign. Then we went to Waterloo and played for half an hour and made another 20 euroes. Each moment I was liking her more and more. After a good first busking start, things started to get slower. We were making not much, but still going at it. That's the thing about busking, it is so unpredicatable! You never know how it's gonna turn out, and who your gonna meet. Some sessions we would get a great response, others hard and none. We were splitting our money at the start, and it always burns a hole in my pockets. I always spend it, but we knew after 10 days in Amsterdam we were heading to Berlin, and to the Fusion Festival, Nizha didn't have a ticket so was trying to save. It was hard when things were slow, we were leaving on Sunday and it was now Friday.
We were staying at Barts at this time and he was looking after us with that golden heart of his. It was approaching the night after being gray and rainy all day and we had 10 euroes between us. We were wondering wether to go out, when I looked out the window and seen 2 patches of blue. This was the sign! We jumped on our bikes and headed to Max Euweplein. The sky was clearing up and we were setting up. There was something good in the air, as soon as we started the drops came dropping in. People filming us, in an hour we had a pot full of coins and big smiles. A few days before, we had been busking at Rijks museum, and we seen this girl who was playing before us. She was playing bass accordion and singing these stunning opera songs. The whole massive ancient tunnel was alive with this beautiful sound and she had a crowd and a bag full of coins. After we had a few sessions of slow drops, we much needed a bag full of coins, and that night we got it.
As we were packing up to go, we got a phonecall from Bart, he was having a party at a house boat and wanted to see if we would come and play some music, there is a fridge full of cold beer and a room full of warm people. We got to the house boat and felt in such good company. We started to play and they really enjoyed it! We were in great spirits and feel it will always be a special night in our memories. Bart put the hat round and got us a donation for our rainy day fund to Berlin, and the next day the same happened! Another beautiful gig in a house boat with beautiful people and food. Another kind donation and we left Amsterdam that evening on a beautiful high. Whenever I arrive in this city, I will always feel I am coming home. Wherever I go or see, Amsterdam has a place in my heart like no other will and on that last moment as we were leaving Bart found a fusion ticket for Nizha, and everything just felt so right and perfectly in place. We had a ticket and a bit of money to get to Germany and a ticket for the best festival in the world.
Before Berlin we were stopping off in Groningen to stay with my dear Danni, Wytze and Flitz who I met and went through something big and special with at the first Magneet. I was gonna be working the coffee bar again with them, and this I truly LOVE! I take a pride as I am cooking the best coffee on the festival on a motorbike with an oven, baking the best most sweetest home made cakes on the festival, being with the best people you could be with. Danni is a festival pro, and seeing her at work is brilliant and good to feel a part of. It's a little festival family and we all just have a good party with eachother, eat good food and keep the coffee bar cooking with love and good coffee! You always feel at the end that you have just gone through something with someone that will always give you a bond. Me and Niz had become very close after spending almost a month living on the road and busking together. After over a week of not playing any music at the Fusion, we were excited by the road to Berlin and getting back to Busking and exploring the place we had heard only great things about.
Download our album ‘Where The Days Have No Name’ full of harmony and love in every way.
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I left Liverpool this time full of life and energy for the next chapter to begin. It had been so great being back, I felt like a rich man I was walking around with pockets full of pounds from gooood busking, feeling very comfortable. When you have a little bit of financial freedom, it allows you to rest a little easier. I was busking hard though, over the weekend nights playing for 7 or 8 hours a day. Getting 40 quid drops and 20 and 10s and 5s. Was beautiful And I was a little sad to be leaving. I was eating well, reading a book every 2 days, seeing some beautiful friends and bands and really enjoying being home with my family. A violin player had got in touch with me after I posted an ad on a musicians site, looking for a travelling busking partner, and said she wants to come busking with me. All last year I wanted a violin player to play with, and was about to meet a special one..
I packed my stuff into my big bag, and realized how little clothes and stuff I actually had. The only heavy things were my amp, a warm coat, tea bags and multicoloured socks. Oh yeah, and lots of books and pads.Though sad I was a little to be leaving, I was looking forward to playing with a violinist. I set out once again for an 18 hour bus ride to my beloved Amsterdam to start the next chapter. I was meeting Niz (The Violin player) that night, and had been offered a gig at the bulldog, so thought that would be a good place for us to play together for the first time. I always think if you can just tune in with eachother without practising it´s a good sign.
I touched down in Amsterdam the next morning and popped in to see a few people and pick trigger up. I ate my favourite Albert Heijn slaad, bought my favourite La Trappe beer and smoked a joint in my favourite coffee shop De Graal. It was nice being back, but different. I knew I had my heart set on Berlin and other places this summer. But it always feels like a second home to me, Amsterdam. It was approaching the time for the gig and meeting Niz so I headed for a little back ride and to the Bulldog. I got in there and sat through the usual offerings of an open mic acoustic night. The host was quite excited to have me play it seemed, and I was quite looking forward to playing and seeing if it would click with the violin, if she made it in time. After my first glass of La Chouffe she called me and I went to meet her.
I liked her from the very first moment. I was so full of energy after a month back in Liverpool and being back in Amsterdam that she thought I was on drugs by how I was speaking (this happens a lot though) She understood what she could of me speaking as we went to the gig. By this time the noise of the place had got a bit loud, and I hate playing in loud places, we set up to play and I was getting angry by the almost deafening noise, so me and Niz just played for eachother. I put the mic to her so I could hear these perfect violin lines she was playing. We met that night, after our first jam at our first gig, all the signs were good. We shared our beer and I felt I had found a good travelling partner. And from that moment I went from being a lonesome traveller to a band of gypsies.
The next day we went busking for the first time at the tunnel under Vondel Park, the first three drops were 5 euroes! Another good sign. Then we went to Waterloo and played for half an hour and made another 20 euroes. Each moment I was liking her more and more. After a good first busking start, things started to get slower. We were making not much, but still going at it. That's the thing about busking, it is so unpredicatable! You never know how it's gonna turn out, and who your gonna meet. Some sessions we would get a great response, others hard and none. We were splitting our money at the start, and it always burns a hole in my pockets. I always spend it, but we knew after 10 days in Amsterdam we were heading to Berlin, and to the Fusion Festival, Nizha didn't have a ticket so was trying to save. It was hard when things were slow, we were leaving on Sunday and it was now Friday.
We were staying at Barts at this time and he was looking after us with that golden heart of his. It was approaching the night after being gray and rainy all day and we had 10 euroes between us. We were wondering wether to go out, when I looked out the window and seen 2 patches of blue. This was the sign! We jumped on our bikes and headed to Max Euweplein. The sky was clearing up and we were setting up. There was something good in the air, as soon as we started the drops came dropping in. People filming us, in an hour we had a pot full of coins and big smiles. A few days before, we had been busking at Rijks museum, and we seen this girl who was playing before us. She was playing bass accordion and singing these stunning opera songs. The whole massive ancient tunnel was alive with this beautiful sound and she had a crowd and a bag full of coins. After we had a few sessions of slow drops, we much needed a bag full of coins, and that night we got it.
As we were packing up to go, we got a phonecall from Bart, he was having a party at a house boat and wanted to see if we would come and play some music, there is a fridge full of cold beer and a room full of warm people. We got to the house boat and felt in such good company. We started to play and they really enjoyed it! We were in great spirits and feel it will always be a special night in our memories. Bart put the hat round and got us a donation for our rainy day fund to Berlin, and the next day the same happened! Another beautiful gig in a house boat with beautiful people and food. Another kind donation and we left Amsterdam that evening on a beautiful high. Whenever I arrive in this city, I will always feel I am coming home. Wherever I go or see, Amsterdam has a place in my heart like no other will and on that last moment as we were leaving Bart found a fusion ticket for Nizha, and everything just felt so right and perfectly in place. We had a ticket and a bit of money to get to Germany and a ticket for the best festival in the world.
Before Berlin we were stopping off in Groningen to stay with my dear Danni, Wytze and Flitz who I met and went through something big and special with at the first Magneet. I was gonna be working the coffee bar again with them, and this I truly LOVE! I take a pride as I am cooking the best coffee on the festival on a motorbike with an oven, baking the best most sweetest home made cakes on the festival, being with the best people you could be with. Danni is a festival pro, and seeing her at work is brilliant and good to feel a part of. It's a little festival family and we all just have a good party with eachother, eat good food and keep the coffee bar cooking with love and good coffee! You always feel at the end that you have just gone through something with someone that will always give you a bond. Me and Niz had become very close after spending almost a month living on the road and busking together. After over a week of not playing any music at the Fusion, we were excited by the road to Berlin and getting back to Busking and exploring the place we had heard only great things about.
Download our album ‘Where The Days Have No Name’ full of harmony and love in every way.
Follow us on Soundcloud
Like us on Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/deadseacaravan
And visit our digital HQ at www.deadseacaravan.com
Friday, 24 May 2013
Cremate My Care
Last Sunday, that strange orange ball in the sky showed its wayfaring self. It had been lost behind chalky grey windy skies for the last week. I set out to town to do some busking, as the previous night I had spent my last penny on watching one of the best bands ever 'King Twit' and dancing crazily at Kazimier gardens. The worm came out, and tore my jeans, dirtied every part of me but it was worth it! The next morning, I felt hungover for the first time in a while. It dawned on me, that for the last 2 years, I have been drinking more days of the week than I havent. I thought will someone come and give me a mug of beer and say 'Congratulation, your are well on your way to becoming an alcoholic'. Although I wasn't in the mind set to go busking, I had to because of the weather.
When I got to town, it was crazy! For a start there were accordion players EVERYWHERE, then on church street everyone with their amps, I thought 'Shit, where am I gonna play' I was beaten to the best spot by seconds by this Dylan wannabe LIPA boy. He said he was gonna play there for 3 hours, and so I dug out a few spots to play till then. I was doing alright, made about 20 quid, couldn't resist a pint, and buying some tobacco. When I came back to the spot, he played for another hour while I waited.
The moment I set up, the drops came flying in. It had just turned 9pm, and there was a buzz in town. I made 60 quid in an hour ana half. And waddled to the train station with two back pockets full of silver and gold. Phew! I think part of the feeling of being down that morning was because my jar was empty. I had spent it all. I had used a big chunk for a disasterous busking trip down to Hebden Bridge, and going out on a few dates. But now I was back up to a jar full of quids, and could relax a little during the week.
Monday started with rain, wind and coldness all over. I always thought 50 shades of grey was just a description of the British summer! When the weather is bad, I stay in and learn and write new songs. The wind has lasted all week. Violent wind that makes a short dash to the smoking greenhouse a body tenser! So I bought some smoke, and just went about getting a few new songs together to maybe record. Plus I finished the book 'The Master and Margarita' which I reccomend to everyone! What a great book, a few of the lyrics of this new e.p are inspired by it.
Last night I went to the legendary Radio Ray's Moon Apple Studio (Radio Ray is the Mike Oldfield of Space Rock :) and recorded 3 tracks. The first one has some nice lyrical luminosity, the second one is a way of getting over a sad memory, and the third is just an idea for a big song in dropped D I am doing. 3 demos, but I like the freshness of them. It is a way to get things out of yourself, and release them into the world. And it worked! As I was walking home at 2 am it dawned on me that I love being single. Sure it's sad when you get really close to someone then break up, but recording this e.p made me feel much better about things, that's the power of music.
As I was walking home, the wind was calm, and I though, Fate! Tomorrow let's have a nice calm day, so I can get out busking! Alas, the wind is pushing as violent as ever and I'm debating wether to head out. The one thing that makes me want to leave England right away and head for Berlin is the weather. I cannot be arsed with a summer of grey after the Winter I have had. I think after the Free Rock n Roll weekend at Kaz Gardens will be my last weekend in Liverpool for a good while. I have really enjoyed this recharge but am prepping myself to leave her shores for a long while again.
Download our album ‘Where The Days Have No Name’ full of harmony and love in every way.
Follow us on Soundcloud
Like us on Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/deadseacaravan
And visit our digital HQ at www.deadseacaravan.com
When I got to town, it was crazy! For a start there were accordion players EVERYWHERE, then on church street everyone with their amps, I thought 'Shit, where am I gonna play' I was beaten to the best spot by seconds by this Dylan wannabe LIPA boy. He said he was gonna play there for 3 hours, and so I dug out a few spots to play till then. I was doing alright, made about 20 quid, couldn't resist a pint, and buying some tobacco. When I came back to the spot, he played for another hour while I waited.
The moment I set up, the drops came flying in. It had just turned 9pm, and there was a buzz in town. I made 60 quid in an hour ana half. And waddled to the train station with two back pockets full of silver and gold. Phew! I think part of the feeling of being down that morning was because my jar was empty. I had spent it all. I had used a big chunk for a disasterous busking trip down to Hebden Bridge, and going out on a few dates. But now I was back up to a jar full of quids, and could relax a little during the week.
Monday started with rain, wind and coldness all over. I always thought 50 shades of grey was just a description of the British summer! When the weather is bad, I stay in and learn and write new songs. The wind has lasted all week. Violent wind that makes a short dash to the smoking greenhouse a body tenser! So I bought some smoke, and just went about getting a few new songs together to maybe record. Plus I finished the book 'The Master and Margarita' which I reccomend to everyone! What a great book, a few of the lyrics of this new e.p are inspired by it.
Last night I went to the legendary Radio Ray's Moon Apple Studio (Radio Ray is the Mike Oldfield of Space Rock :) and recorded 3 tracks. The first one has some nice lyrical luminosity, the second one is a way of getting over a sad memory, and the third is just an idea for a big song in dropped D I am doing. 3 demos, but I like the freshness of them. It is a way to get things out of yourself, and release them into the world. And it worked! As I was walking home at 2 am it dawned on me that I love being single. Sure it's sad when you get really close to someone then break up, but recording this e.p made me feel much better about things, that's the power of music.
As I was walking home, the wind was calm, and I though, Fate! Tomorrow let's have a nice calm day, so I can get out busking! Alas, the wind is pushing as violent as ever and I'm debating wether to head out. The one thing that makes me want to leave England right away and head for Berlin is the weather. I cannot be arsed with a summer of grey after the Winter I have had. I think after the Free Rock n Roll weekend at Kaz Gardens will be my last weekend in Liverpool for a good while. I have really enjoyed this recharge but am prepping myself to leave her shores for a long while again.
Download our album ‘Where The Days Have No Name’ full of harmony and love in every way.
Follow us on Soundcloud
Like us on Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/deadseacaravan
And visit our digital HQ at www.deadseacaravan.com
Tuesday, 21 May 2013
HomeOfMusicEverywhere
It's been two weeks back in Liverpool now, and God, do I feel good! Life is good as a busker and someone who needs music all around him. I have been making very very good money from busking even in comparison to what I made in Amsterdam! And even though there are buskers EVERYWHERE here, I can still make almost a hundred quid each day. My diet has been bacon, egg sausage, beans, bread, chips, pasties, tea tea tea, and all the good food I was brought up on. I have loved it. Seeing my family, friends, bands, places, bumping into people I know several times a day. But where were we?
I watched the sun rise on the English channel. We had been on the bus for about 8 hours. I hadn't really slept. I forgot to bring a book, and for the first 3 hours of the journey, there was this beeping buzzing sound that was almost sub conscious, I thought am I getting tinitus or is it someones phone, or wha? I never found out what it was, but that made sleep impossible. I was feeling good about getting back though. The driver of the bus, was a southerner, but with one of those proud manners of being a bus driver. You know that kind of Britishness you get from someone who enjoys his job a bit. It was a good sign, and made me realise I was ready for a little dose of home.
On my way to central station I found ten Euroes at our busking spot. I thought, 'thank you Amsterdam'. She always looks after me! When we got on the ferry I bought a pint of stella and a bag of crisps with it. Tasted gooooood, was so windy smokin outside on the deck, but I could start to taste and feel England getting closer. When we got back on the coach I smiled as we were driving through the English roads and sign posts and language. Hello old blighty.
I left a heatwave in Amsterdam, the weather was gorgeous. And was forecast to be for a while, then when we hit England, it was cloudy grey and rainy. That's the only thing bothering me, as I know last year England didn't get a summer at all really. A few nice days, but heavy heavy rain that some places even got badly damaged from floods. I have just spent winter outdoors, and really fancy some sunshine. We got to Liverpool and it was still cloudy, but then once I started walking down the streets it cleared up and went so beautiful When the sun shines on Church Street it looks like the pavement is gold. There was only one place I was heading...
Hello Mello Mello....The hub of the creative, crazy and beautiful souls of Liverpool. It just oozes music into the city, is built on good motives by people who are all brilliant musicians, acrobats, poets, producers, actors, directors and sometimes all of those! I enjoyed a cup of coffee and catch up and got myself on the guest list for the Sound City at the Kazimier later that night. I arrived back in Liverpool with the same clothes I left in. Those brown pants were done for, no buttons at the font, holes in the crotch, but they served me well! Anyway, I looked like a tramp, hadn't slept, was dirty and didn't have a penny to my name. I jumped the train to my mums house and like the last time I took the journey, felt like I had never been away......
My plan was to make use of the fact that you don't need a permit to busk in Liverpool, so I could use my amp and maybe even save a little money! I hadn't told anyone I was coming back, as it was all a last minute thing, but my sister told my mum the day before so she was expecting me. We had a good cuppa tea, egg and bacon butty and I dug out an old pair of jeans and top, showered, and got some batteries for my amp.
I got the train to the city and there were buskers everywhere! I thought shit, I won't make anything here. But I set up in between a few and started 'singin me heart out' within ten mins I had made a tenner, and then this girl came and set up right next to me! I kept playing, but then the pain of hearing two different songs playing stopped me and I went over. I said what's up love? Why you setting up right here? Noone wins then, we just make a bad sound. She said she always plays here, I tell her I have just got back from Amsterdam and will be here a lot over the next month. I let her keep her spot, as the one at the top of church street had just become free.
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I dashed up and played, within the hour my bag was full! Made over 50 quid, and went to the gig at the Mello and Kazimier. Enjoyed a nice drink, seeing my friends but most importantly being around musicians and music. There were bands everywhere as it was sound city, and I met an old friend Alicia at the mello who said I could crash at hers. We went back accompanied by an Argentinian Rock band who then played a gig in her house. Not sleeping for 2 days, I found a floor and crashed to the sound of music being played in a living room, with 2 lovely dogs sleeping by my side.
The next morning the sun was beaming! It was derby day, Liverpool V Everton and town was buzzing! I found my spot and played for an hour, people were really responding to me. Talking to me, girls dressed in cow outfits dancing and shaking their udders in front of me. The electricity of Liverpool was buzzing, and I realised more and more how special a place it truly is. Though there are buskers every few metres, here it is something that is respected, people happily give. It reminds me of that saying that the poor are the most generous of people. They respect musicians here. They don't video or take pictures, just come and chuck in a few quid, dance, sing along, or kiss you. The streets are alive with the sound of music and love.
Download our album ‘Where The Days Have No Name’ full of harmony and love in every way.
Follow us on Soundcloud
Like us on Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/deadseacaravan
And visit our digital HQ at www.deadseacaravan.com
I watched the sun rise on the English channel. We had been on the bus for about 8 hours. I hadn't really slept. I forgot to bring a book, and for the first 3 hours of the journey, there was this beeping buzzing sound that was almost sub conscious, I thought am I getting tinitus or is it someones phone, or wha? I never found out what it was, but that made sleep impossible. I was feeling good about getting back though. The driver of the bus, was a southerner, but with one of those proud manners of being a bus driver. You know that kind of Britishness you get from someone who enjoys his job a bit. It was a good sign, and made me realise I was ready for a little dose of home.
On my way to central station I found ten Euroes at our busking spot. I thought, 'thank you Amsterdam'. She always looks after me! When we got on the ferry I bought a pint of stella and a bag of crisps with it. Tasted gooooood, was so windy smokin outside on the deck, but I could start to taste and feel England getting closer. When we got back on the coach I smiled as we were driving through the English roads and sign posts and language. Hello old blighty.
I left a heatwave in Amsterdam, the weather was gorgeous. And was forecast to be for a while, then when we hit England, it was cloudy grey and rainy. That's the only thing bothering me, as I know last year England didn't get a summer at all really. A few nice days, but heavy heavy rain that some places even got badly damaged from floods. I have just spent winter outdoors, and really fancy some sunshine. We got to Liverpool and it was still cloudy, but then once I started walking down the streets it cleared up and went so beautiful When the sun shines on Church Street it looks like the pavement is gold. There was only one place I was heading...
Hello Mello Mello....The hub of the creative, crazy and beautiful souls of Liverpool. It just oozes music into the city, is built on good motives by people who are all brilliant musicians, acrobats, poets, producers, actors, directors and sometimes all of those! I enjoyed a cup of coffee and catch up and got myself on the guest list for the Sound City at the Kazimier later that night. I arrived back in Liverpool with the same clothes I left in. Those brown pants were done for, no buttons at the font, holes in the crotch, but they served me well! Anyway, I looked like a tramp, hadn't slept, was dirty and didn't have a penny to my name. I jumped the train to my mums house and like the last time I took the journey, felt like I had never been away......
My plan was to make use of the fact that you don't need a permit to busk in Liverpool, so I could use my amp and maybe even save a little money! I hadn't told anyone I was coming back, as it was all a last minute thing, but my sister told my mum the day before so she was expecting me. We had a good cuppa tea, egg and bacon butty and I dug out an old pair of jeans and top, showered, and got some batteries for my amp.
I got the train to the city and there were buskers everywhere! I thought shit, I won't make anything here. But I set up in between a few and started 'singin me heart out' within ten mins I had made a tenner, and then this girl came and set up right next to me! I kept playing, but then the pain of hearing two different songs playing stopped me and I went over. I said what's up love? Why you setting up right here? Noone wins then, we just make a bad sound. She said she always plays here, I tell her I have just got back from Amsterdam and will be here a lot over the next month. I let her keep her spot, as the one at the top of church street had just become free.
I dashed up and played, within the hour my bag was full! Made over 50 quid, and went to the gig at the Mello and Kazimier. Enjoyed a nice drink, seeing my friends but most importantly being around musicians and music. There were bands everywhere as it was sound city, and I met an old friend Alicia at the mello who said I could crash at hers. We went back accompanied by an Argentinian Rock band who then played a gig in her house. Not sleeping for 2 days, I found a floor and crashed to the sound of music being played in a living room, with 2 lovely dogs sleeping by my side.
The next morning the sun was beaming! It was derby day, Liverpool V Everton and town was buzzing! I found my spot and played for an hour, people were really responding to me. Talking to me, girls dressed in cow outfits dancing and shaking their udders in front of me. The electricity of Liverpool was buzzing, and I realised more and more how special a place it truly is. Though there are buskers every few metres, here it is something that is respected, people happily give. It reminds me of that saying that the poor are the most generous of people. They respect musicians here. They don't video or take pictures, just come and chuck in a few quid, dance, sing along, or kiss you. The streets are alive with the sound of music and love.
Download our album ‘Where The Days Have No Name’ full of harmony and love in every way.
Follow us on Soundcloud
Like us on Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/deadseacaravan
And visit our digital HQ at www.deadseacaravan.com
Sunday, 19 May 2013
Better You Give - Better We Live II
With every part of me, I hoped, felt and thought that March would be a great month. I felt it was gonna rain down spring blossoms, and tulips everywhere, and that I could finally say the Winter was over. Instead, it snowed, rained, the wind blew harder than before, and I would have to wait a bit longer to welcome in the spring.....
So after the Reggae album, I was a bit detached from recording, I just wanted to busk. As did Dominik, who had given up his job, spent his last bit of money on a portable PA system and loop station. We became a team, and we were getting a good set together. We never rehearsed once, we just went straight to playing. We had a golden ticket with the busking permit and the equipment to put on a real show. We didn't want to waste a second, and all through that miserable March month, we gave Amsterdam a shine with our music.
It was a Friday, and I looked out the window in the morning and there was some nice blue skies, it was still bitter cold, but I had a good feeling about it. We met at Central Station, smoked a joint and drunk a coffee and was about to set up when a dark grey cloud carrying some snow unleashed itself on us. Dominik is a very determined lad, and was still eager to set up and play. I worried about the equipment and said maybe we should play just at the entrance to the station. It was unheard of in Amsterdam, you cant just set up a PA inside the station and play, but we did, and the police came on us in a second and once they seen our permit wished us good luck.
We had just set up, and then we heard a voice coming from the station, 'You can't play music here' it was Virgillio! The brilliant percussion and drummer from Italy who had been involved in the reggae album. He had just come back from a trip to London and was with his guitarist friend. They played the set with Dominik and made a nice chunk of money, I felt a little left out just watching but left them to it.
Although it ended badly with the reggae album, I had good feelings towards all the people involved except one. Raffa, he was poison and a con man who pretended to have cancer and couldn't walk. But people had saw him walking. The rasta was a legend, but turned on me because of Raffa. Virgillio was just an amazing musician and guy, lot of respect for him, and his guitarist friend. Even Gabriel Cage who funded the whole operation was a good guy at heart, with all his mad characters. Dominik was a good friend though. I liked his mentality to just steam roll ahead and do it. After their set, me and Dom went for a smoke, then went back to Central at the same place and played a set. We did great and made even more than what they made just before.
It was snowing all day, and biting cold, but we still stuck at it. We had 3 days a week we could play on the permit, and so we were not gonna waste a session. We started to overwork the spot though, playing there 3 or 4 times a day, then the spot starts to reject you. There is this woman, who sells a magazine like the big issue, and she constantly says this 'Dog daaa, dog do daaa' or something like that. But her words could not be heard over our playing. We seen her say to the police and point at us, so then came 2 officers who were hunting for blood. They looked at Dominiks permit and said that Central station is seperate to the city, and the permit has no ground here. They then came to me, and said that because I have no permit, they will be arresting me. I had no ID or nothing, as they routed through my wallet they found my BBC ID, some business cards, letters, photographs, but were still intent on arresting me. I tried to be as charming as I could and said how much I love the city and stuff. After a while they backed down, and said they would let me go, but we cant play together anymore, and especially not at central station.
I was starting to question busking with the PA and stuff. I felt it was taking me away from acoustic busking, and the road I had set out on. It seemed like Amsterdam didn't like loud music, and it was creating a bad energy. Plus the bike we would carry the gear on was massive, it would hold up all traffic, run into people, and was so heavy to ride. After playing just acoustic on quiet street corners, and feeling that the city really did love that, to blasting out a PA with a trumpet and disrupting the city I was doubting wether it was the right thing for me. It attracts the police in a second, it stops the homeless from selling their mags, it just felt like it was the wrong energy for Amsterdam.
We were making quite good money though, but we were spending it as fast as we could make it. Enjoying the Amsterdam ride. I had kind of moved in with Maud and said I would pay her some rent, as I really thought March would be the start of making good money from busking and the tourists would double. I was still busking with Dominik, but told him about my doubts. I was feeling we were not respecting the city and it was starting to reject us. I thought of how me playing at Waterlooplein even in the winter would sometimes look after me with like 30 euroes an hour, I always felt I had to respect the city, not be a burden or a noisy disturbance. Amsterdam is such a quiet city, and they like it that way.
Download our album ‘Where The Days Have No Name’ full of harmony and love in every way.
Follow us on Soundcloud
Like us on Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/deadseacaravan
And visit our digital HQ at www.deadseacaravan.com
So after the Reggae album, I was a bit detached from recording, I just wanted to busk. As did Dominik, who had given up his job, spent his last bit of money on a portable PA system and loop station. We became a team, and we were getting a good set together. We never rehearsed once, we just went straight to playing. We had a golden ticket with the busking permit and the equipment to put on a real show. We didn't want to waste a second, and all through that miserable March month, we gave Amsterdam a shine with our music.
It was a Friday, and I looked out the window in the morning and there was some nice blue skies, it was still bitter cold, but I had a good feeling about it. We met at Central Station, smoked a joint and drunk a coffee and was about to set up when a dark grey cloud carrying some snow unleashed itself on us. Dominik is a very determined lad, and was still eager to set up and play. I worried about the equipment and said maybe we should play just at the entrance to the station. It was unheard of in Amsterdam, you cant just set up a PA inside the station and play, but we did, and the police came on us in a second and once they seen our permit wished us good luck.
We had just set up, and then we heard a voice coming from the station, 'You can't play music here' it was Virgillio! The brilliant percussion and drummer from Italy who had been involved in the reggae album. He had just come back from a trip to London and was with his guitarist friend. They played the set with Dominik and made a nice chunk of money, I felt a little left out just watching but left them to it.
Although it ended badly with the reggae album, I had good feelings towards all the people involved except one. Raffa, he was poison and a con man who pretended to have cancer and couldn't walk. But people had saw him walking. The rasta was a legend, but turned on me because of Raffa. Virgillio was just an amazing musician and guy, lot of respect for him, and his guitarist friend. Even Gabriel Cage who funded the whole operation was a good guy at heart, with all his mad characters. Dominik was a good friend though. I liked his mentality to just steam roll ahead and do it. After their set, me and Dom went for a smoke, then went back to Central at the same place and played a set. We did great and made even more than what they made just before.
It was snowing all day, and biting cold, but we still stuck at it. We had 3 days a week we could play on the permit, and so we were not gonna waste a session. We started to overwork the spot though, playing there 3 or 4 times a day, then the spot starts to reject you. There is this woman, who sells a magazine like the big issue, and she constantly says this 'Dog daaa, dog do daaa' or something like that. But her words could not be heard over our playing. We seen her say to the police and point at us, so then came 2 officers who were hunting for blood. They looked at Dominiks permit and said that Central station is seperate to the city, and the permit has no ground here. They then came to me, and said that because I have no permit, they will be arresting me. I had no ID or nothing, as they routed through my wallet they found my BBC ID, some business cards, letters, photographs, but were still intent on arresting me. I tried to be as charming as I could and said how much I love the city and stuff. After a while they backed down, and said they would let me go, but we cant play together anymore, and especially not at central station.
I was starting to question busking with the PA and stuff. I felt it was taking me away from acoustic busking, and the road I had set out on. It seemed like Amsterdam didn't like loud music, and it was creating a bad energy. Plus the bike we would carry the gear on was massive, it would hold up all traffic, run into people, and was so heavy to ride. After playing just acoustic on quiet street corners, and feeling that the city really did love that, to blasting out a PA with a trumpet and disrupting the city I was doubting wether it was the right thing for me. It attracts the police in a second, it stops the homeless from selling their mags, it just felt like it was the wrong energy for Amsterdam.
We were making quite good money though, but we were spending it as fast as we could make it. Enjoying the Amsterdam ride. I had kind of moved in with Maud and said I would pay her some rent, as I really thought March would be the start of making good money from busking and the tourists would double. I was still busking with Dominik, but told him about my doubts. I was feeling we were not respecting the city and it was starting to reject us. I thought of how me playing at Waterlooplein even in the winter would sometimes look after me with like 30 euroes an hour, I always felt I had to respect the city, not be a burden or a noisy disturbance. Amsterdam is such a quiet city, and they like it that way.
Download our album ‘Where The Days Have No Name’ full of harmony and love in every way.
Follow us on Soundcloud
Like us on Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/deadseacaravan
And visit our digital HQ at www.deadseacaravan.com
Thursday, 9 May 2013
Better you give, better we live.....
Now I am back in Liverpool, I want to try and document all the stuff that I haven't yet about this past year, before it becomes a memory with more reverb each passing day, lets call it a conclusion, or a ramble, or a brief history, or something less..............
I started to miss Amsterdam a little bit today. My leg muscles have altered themselves to get used to all the walking I am doing now. My shoes last much longer over there because I ride everywhere. In the Winter I purchased the best pair of boots, a pair of Dutch leather Van Bommels. They were a well made pair of boots. Strong sturdy, great shape. They had a good, almost military stomp as you walked. They lasted me well, but a few weeks ago they perished. Holes in the soles. I would have carried on wearing them, but they were taking out a pair of my bright socks each day. I have a nice comfy pair of trainers now, but I often think of those Van Bommels. I got them after I had made a good busk at Waterlooplein, my other pair were in bits, they had no zip, holes, were hanging off my feet. I walked through the market, and my eyes spotted them immediately. I tried them on, and they fitted like a dream. I asked the guy how much, and he said 10 euroes. I said 7.50 but it felt wrong trying to haggle as they were such a good pair of boots. I said, my good sir, you have a deal. R.I.P Van Bommels.........
I think one of the best memories of Amsterdam, was the garden house. After the festival season, I was very empty and tired. Maud had gone to the States for 2 months. I wanted to hold out for her, cos I felt we had something special, while she was away, I was living in a garden house. It is in the East of Amsterdam in this garden area. Because everyone lives on top of eachother in Amsterdam, there are no gardens in the houses, lots of lovely balconies, but not gardens. So for those with the green fingers they can buy a patch of garden in the East. Cato has a great one. In each plot of land people build little houses and sheds and there are some beautiful ones. Catos was a vintage one from the 30s. It has a little wood oven, a gas oven, places to sleep. It is a really amazing place.
I would cook my coffee the way I learned from Danni, the Moka way on the wood fire oven. It would take 30 minutes to heat it up, and slowly fuse the coffee with slow steam. I would mix in some milk, and some chcoclate sometimes. It really was the best coffee ever. I would drink them until 9pm just playing guitar, singing so loud cos not a sole was around for a mile. I would wonder why I couldnt sleep, but I just couldnt resist those coffees! There was no distractions there. No electricity, just a guitar and a very good acoustic sound. No light, just candles, I really would play for hours and hours, then go busking, then go back. It was the first time I really felt I had my own place in Amsterdam. I watched the season turn into Autumn there, the leaves falling one by one, the squirrels burying nuts, a beautiful change to yellow and gold and red.
It was the perfect remedy after a heavy festival season. I have not even mentioned I dont think, Fusion festival. That is mostly because it is still like a dream to me. It was June, I jumped the train to Groningen the other side of Holland and met with Danni. We had done a couple of festivals together over the last few weeks, the squatted villages of Ruigoord and ADM. Making good coffee and food, sleeping in the camper van. Taking in the sunshine. We took an 8 hour ride in a massive van to Germany. The camper was a big one, and had a kitchen, it was carrying all the stuff and even the motorbike we cook the coffee on. It was a great ride, with the open skies and fields infront of us. Cruising along at a slow 70km all the way. Feet up under the window. We got to Fusion and it was a strange atmosphere at first. But once we were setting up some lovely German lads came and helped, drunk a beer with us and I got a great vibe.
The festival started to build, and it was special. There was not one security guard around, just people. It was a massive festival, but such a calm atmosphere. I loved working the coffee bar, I would take pride and make it with love, people were quite fascinated by me. I met some really amazing people there, and got a great feeling towards to German people and language and all. I would wonder around in a crazy trip all evening watching guys fight with lightening, amazing bands, a hammock, a pale crescent moon on a clear summers night, just good people. Once sunrise came, I would snap out of it, and go and get the coffee bar running. The coffeebar is a motorbike with a wood oven on the front, and is this amazing creation. I would wheel it to a good spot and watch the sunrise making and selling coffees, having great conversations. Wow, such a warm smile just thinking about it.
As the days passed the party became even grander. Saturday night was the peak. After experiencing such amazing things, a guy on a piano, on wheels cycling all different directions, singing mad lyrics. Fire shows in the middle of nowhere. All through it, the lyrics to a hard rains gonna fall was going through my head, and all the imagery that it conjoured, I felt I was living. On the Saturday, Danni said to secure my tent, as a storm is coming and a hard rain is gonna come tonight. After the final show, 2 am a hard rain fell. A thunder and lightening show. It was God's show. And it was beautiful. I lay partly sheltered under a cannopy laughing and smiling and watching the skies change so intensely beautifully, I watched a guy just stand in this flood of rains getting drenched just holding his beer in the same pose for hours. I still cant fully explain what happened there. But as the lightening and storms screamed and sparked, the grand finale, I felt to myself that I could die right this minute and be happy as I have lived truly something special through this festival.
Festival season has just started again in Amsterdam and last week I played a gig at Ruigoord. It was an International troubadours contest. I really enjoyed it, I played 3 songs and got some great responses. They gave me second place for it, which I was quite flattered by. The skies were perfectly blue outside, the fire was burning, beautiful girls in summer dresses, the start of festival season. It was when I saw some of the old faces, and the regulars, I asked myself if I truly wanted another season on the festivals in Amsterdam. I loved them, but they are heavy times aswell. Good parties, but I think I want to be somewhere else this summer, my heart is set on Switzerland and Berlin. But back to Amsterdam......
I am still to write about what happened at the end and after the reggae album, but it is late now, and I think I will save that for a fresh as it's a biggy. End of part 1
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I started to miss Amsterdam a little bit today. My leg muscles have altered themselves to get used to all the walking I am doing now. My shoes last much longer over there because I ride everywhere. In the Winter I purchased the best pair of boots, a pair of Dutch leather Van Bommels. They were a well made pair of boots. Strong sturdy, great shape. They had a good, almost military stomp as you walked. They lasted me well, but a few weeks ago they perished. Holes in the soles. I would have carried on wearing them, but they were taking out a pair of my bright socks each day. I have a nice comfy pair of trainers now, but I often think of those Van Bommels. I got them after I had made a good busk at Waterlooplein, my other pair were in bits, they had no zip, holes, were hanging off my feet. I walked through the market, and my eyes spotted them immediately. I tried them on, and they fitted like a dream. I asked the guy how much, and he said 10 euroes. I said 7.50 but it felt wrong trying to haggle as they were such a good pair of boots. I said, my good sir, you have a deal. R.I.P Van Bommels.........
I think one of the best memories of Amsterdam, was the garden house. After the festival season, I was very empty and tired. Maud had gone to the States for 2 months. I wanted to hold out for her, cos I felt we had something special, while she was away, I was living in a garden house. It is in the East of Amsterdam in this garden area. Because everyone lives on top of eachother in Amsterdam, there are no gardens in the houses, lots of lovely balconies, but not gardens. So for those with the green fingers they can buy a patch of garden in the East. Cato has a great one. In each plot of land people build little houses and sheds and there are some beautiful ones. Catos was a vintage one from the 30s. It has a little wood oven, a gas oven, places to sleep. It is a really amazing place.
I would cook my coffee the way I learned from Danni, the Moka way on the wood fire oven. It would take 30 minutes to heat it up, and slowly fuse the coffee with slow steam. I would mix in some milk, and some chcoclate sometimes. It really was the best coffee ever. I would drink them until 9pm just playing guitar, singing so loud cos not a sole was around for a mile. I would wonder why I couldnt sleep, but I just couldnt resist those coffees! There was no distractions there. No electricity, just a guitar and a very good acoustic sound. No light, just candles, I really would play for hours and hours, then go busking, then go back. It was the first time I really felt I had my own place in Amsterdam. I watched the season turn into Autumn there, the leaves falling one by one, the squirrels burying nuts, a beautiful change to yellow and gold and red.
It was the perfect remedy after a heavy festival season. I have not even mentioned I dont think, Fusion festival. That is mostly because it is still like a dream to me. It was June, I jumped the train to Groningen the other side of Holland and met with Danni. We had done a couple of festivals together over the last few weeks, the squatted villages of Ruigoord and ADM. Making good coffee and food, sleeping in the camper van. Taking in the sunshine. We took an 8 hour ride in a massive van to Germany. The camper was a big one, and had a kitchen, it was carrying all the stuff and even the motorbike we cook the coffee on. It was a great ride, with the open skies and fields infront of us. Cruising along at a slow 70km all the way. Feet up under the window. We got to Fusion and it was a strange atmosphere at first. But once we were setting up some lovely German lads came and helped, drunk a beer with us and I got a great vibe.
The festival started to build, and it was special. There was not one security guard around, just people. It was a massive festival, but such a calm atmosphere. I loved working the coffee bar, I would take pride and make it with love, people were quite fascinated by me. I met some really amazing people there, and got a great feeling towards to German people and language and all. I would wonder around in a crazy trip all evening watching guys fight with lightening, amazing bands, a hammock, a pale crescent moon on a clear summers night, just good people. Once sunrise came, I would snap out of it, and go and get the coffee bar running. The coffeebar is a motorbike with a wood oven on the front, and is this amazing creation. I would wheel it to a good spot and watch the sunrise making and selling coffees, having great conversations. Wow, such a warm smile just thinking about it.
As the days passed the party became even grander. Saturday night was the peak. After experiencing such amazing things, a guy on a piano, on wheels cycling all different directions, singing mad lyrics. Fire shows in the middle of nowhere. All through it, the lyrics to a hard rains gonna fall was going through my head, and all the imagery that it conjoured, I felt I was living. On the Saturday, Danni said to secure my tent, as a storm is coming and a hard rain is gonna come tonight. After the final show, 2 am a hard rain fell. A thunder and lightening show. It was God's show. And it was beautiful. I lay partly sheltered under a cannopy laughing and smiling and watching the skies change so intensely beautifully, I watched a guy just stand in this flood of rains getting drenched just holding his beer in the same pose for hours. I still cant fully explain what happened there. But as the lightening and storms screamed and sparked, the grand finale, I felt to myself that I could die right this minute and be happy as I have lived truly something special through this festival.
Festival season has just started again in Amsterdam and last week I played a gig at Ruigoord. It was an International troubadours contest. I really enjoyed it, I played 3 songs and got some great responses. They gave me second place for it, which I was quite flattered by. The skies were perfectly blue outside, the fire was burning, beautiful girls in summer dresses, the start of festival season. It was when I saw some of the old faces, and the regulars, I asked myself if I truly wanted another season on the festivals in Amsterdam. I loved them, but they are heavy times aswell. Good parties, but I think I want to be somewhere else this summer, my heart is set on Switzerland and Berlin. But back to Amsterdam......
Download our album ‘Where The Days Have No Name’ full of harmony and love in every way.
Follow us on Soundcloud
Like us on Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/deadseacaravan
And visit our digital HQ at www.deadseacaravan.com
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