ATP vs Pitchfork

I spent hours last night listening to Curt Kirkwood. The Meat Puppets played 'Plateau' and it was truly awesome to behold.

I sat among a revolving cast of drifters for hours, Curt huge like a bear in his deer-printed house coat, listening to him talk about anything at all. I restrained myself but it spilled from me, meaningless words, an illustrated book about birds. And finally after a cumulative hours of reverence, I asked for stories of Kurt Cobain. I got them, along with Stipe and Coyne, a hundred bands I don't know but probably should, stories and spin and tales of a life lived.

ATP vs Pitchfork, Camber Sands, Sussex. The best music festival I've ever been to, where I saw the least amount of music. Still, I saw a bit.

Ween, that's pretty much it for Friday night. On Saturday, Bonn Iver were a bit discordant and twelve for me. Meant to see Howlin Rain after chatting with the cute bass player, but like so many times, didn't manage to leave the chalet. Les Savy Fav had hilarious antics, pink panther suit spotting, luring, taking and destroying. Black Lips were fun and prime-time, Hot Chip were super.

Sunday started with Jens Lekman at 2pm. I saw Black Mountain and loved them, just the right spacey Mazzy Star style vocal crossed with fast dirty rock. Pissed Jeans I caught by accident and was completely captivated for a whole song as I walked by. (That might not sound like much, but it was a rare band of which I saw an entire set). The singer looked smashed and he bawled into the microphone as he leaped around the stage. Walked past No Age since I'd bought one of their t-shirts. The Meat Puppets were pretty much the last band I was to see. 'Plateau'. Imagine. Later they did 'Oh Me' and also 'Lake of Fire'. Sweeeet. That is how I will remember the music.

Non-musical revelations are far too many to think about thinking about. Stunning weather, abundance of good company, good cheer, and good sound. Visits to the beach. Stacks of bands I'd never heard of. An unlimited supply of interesting strangers to accost. I had such a great time that I took about three photographs.

I'm looking forward to getting some sleep. ATP - best music festival in living memory.

catching up

Prior to my departure for ATP vs Pitchfork at Pontins in Camber Sands this evening here's an update on me. First, some advice on clicks elsewhere - go here to see the beginnings of my photos taken while touring Switzerland and France with Jakob. And then go here to see a video of me which I made on my birthday.

I had a great weekend away being a tourist on tour, although that felt a bit wrong so I made a place for myself helping out on the merch table most evenings. Stick with what you know! Switzerland was beautiful, as was France, and so hot! I swear it was hotter in Feyzin than a NZ summer. I was not prepared for that. Also, France was very pretty, even at the service centre truck stops we frequented. Lots of green and the fields of rapeseed were spectactular.

Most of the days were spent laxing in the van en route, which was huge and well kitted out. There was a lot of sleeping, a lot of potato chips, and time spent reading and watching movies. This is not to mention gazing at the beautiful scenery passing by the window. Following the final show of the tour in Nancy, we had a fun night of revelry and said goodbye to Thad and Justin of the Austerity Program, as they were leaving early in the morning. I got hassled for the lack of early Shihad on my ipod, and slept on the floor. Justice!

Next morning we drove north to Antwerp and there said goodbye to the unflappable Joris of Conspiracy Records, and the guys from Isis. We missioned on to Amsterdam, where we observed a strange sort of street fight between gangs of teenagers in an outlying suburb. It was a situation of, "Quick, get the gear into the van, jump in, lock the doors!!" They seemed to be hitting each other with sticks. We left as the police arrived, and drove on to our box airport hotel.

I spent the last day partly with Peter the Isis discographer (every tour needs one!) and Peter the soundman, and then on my own, cruising around Amsterdam revisiting old haunts.

Back to London for a few days, then along with group of mates drove down to Newquay for the weekend. Great road trip, in a great old van. We saw Stonehenge, some pubs, the inside of the van, Fistral beach, the Fort Inn. Then we drove back again.

An amazing thing happened during my lunch break today. As I waited at the lights after buying tissues, painkillers, ear drops (my hearing is severely diminished today), jaffa cakes and twix bars in preparation for ATP, I heard a little voice at my left elbow. "Can I cross the road with you, love?" A small elderly lady was beside me. Taking her bag, I offered her my arm. "I'm afraid my kneecap will go in the middle of the street." Quite a reasonable request. Once the green man appeared, we set out, with the lady thanking me repeatedly. We continued in this way to her bus stop, just near my office, where she thanked me some more. Truth is, I was grateful to be asked. The experience took me quite out of myself.

Final thought before I take off. How is it that it's taken me eight months to notice that the return and enter keys on my keyboard are navy, rather than uniform black? So many lessons to be learned.

Living the dream

It's my birthday in two days' time, and I'm excited to be heading off on a much-anticipated adventure. Tomorrow, Anzac Day, I fly out of Heathrow's Terminal 5. That's not supposed to be the adventurous part. I land in Zurich mid-afternoon, where I intend to wander around a bit before hopefully meeting up with Steve, whom I got to know across the bar at Indigo, now known as the San Francisco Bathhouse.

I've tired myself out attempting to budget in foreign currencies, still a bit sore from last night's excess. Must remember, large dinner of sashimi counts for naught in the face of a beer and wine assault. It was a great evening out with Jo and Erica, in honour of my birthday and providing the perfect opportunity to catch up with the girls.

Not long after I meet Steve, I will meet Jason, and Jeff and Maurice. Jakob! The subsequent days will take me through France, Belgium and the Netherlands. I think. There and back again! That's the loose plan. I'm taking my camera, and some t-shirts. That should do it.

No more dreaming for this one. I was shaken awake, which I didn't like, but what can you do? Keep walking.

The Breeders at Koko

I saw the Breeders perform this evening for the second time in my life. The first time was at Indigo, way back in 2003, supported by Paselode although Kylie and I messed up and missed their support set. I had bought the last ticket for the show from Ticketek, and was incredibly drunk and moshed right up the front having the most violent and best time ever (until I saw the White Stripes later that year, which was perhaps as if not more violent. Those days are gone).

Tonight was different in that I wasn't trashed, hadn't got the last ticket and didn't mosh. I was pretty close to the front though, and a little violent in that I clapped so hard I broke my ring.



They played loads from the new album 'Mountain Battles', which is really very good and I like it a lot already, and also a lot from 'Last Splash'. I could hardly believe it. It was awesome. I can't even remember if they played 'Do You Love Me Now?', which is the tab in the picture - if they did, surely I would recall? Anyway it's the only Breeders tab I could find, and the scrawled fretboards are from when I discovered something exciting about barre chords, and now it's time to go to bed.

Just before I do - this morning I was catching Ange up on recent events, and she told me about the tragedy at OPC in the Tongariro National Park. We'd gone there with most of our friends when we were 16, too. At work, I read the news stories on the NZ Herald site and despaired for the communities of those who died. And felt indignant that the Herald said the Mangatepopo River is in the Ontario National Park. Have some respect for your country.

backyard with snow

Timely for the revelation of my current backyard - what a great surprise to wake up to this morning!

PS Take a look at the fantastic new video from the Phoenix Foundation - it's brilliant.