Iain Banks

I have friends, who for years have been telling me I should read this Scottish author Iain Banks, both fiction and Sci-Fiction books and for some odd reason I have not, until now.

Only the book I picked up years ago was neither. It was a non-fiction book on whisky, to be precise on finding the perfect whisky whilst driving up down and all around Scotland Raw Spirit; In search of the Perfect Dram, and including in his story telling are tales of cars, friends, escapades and many miss-adventures.. I have been laughing A LOT while reading this book, out loud and over and over... his style is exactly right for my funny bone.

So in honor of not even finishing the book (yet!) and planning a wee trip to the West Coast of Scotland (very very soon) I bought a bottle of Bowmore Single Malt 12 year old en route to the UK last weekend. A quick note on the Bowmore, from Islay. Salty is my first impression. I little more peat than my usual Speyside favourites but still a very nice whisky non-the-less.

Which has since become well dented after an evening in the Kelly-Moxham household on Friday. Several beers, 3 bottles of wine and rounded off with the lovely single Malt, between 4 adults and a house full of kids the bright and early the next morning was a great way to introduce a good hangover to all 4 adults involved. However, I could not think of a nicer birthday morning to be had as I was sung happy birthday in Spanish, English and the Sun will come out tomorrow by two enthusiastic kids, Gabriella and Tallulah. A very lucky me indeed!

I am hoping that whilst in Scotland I can find another bottle of the 1990 Clynelish Signatory Vintage which has been one of my best (and most expensive finds to date in Whisky). But other favourites as Dalwhinnie or Aberlour (which my friend Fiona introduced me to a few years back). But as I am discovering there are hundreds to choose from and not being a huge fan of a lot of peat I am guessing I could be still tasting whisky's for years before trying them all.

And other than that I will begin on the Wasp Factory as it has been sitting on my shelf for several years now (also courtsey of Fiona) as soon as I am done this book.

I Don't mean to be rude, BUT!

I had yet another delightful in-sight into the Fabulous and Fantastic Dutch Customer Service recently.
I was in a shop in the Hague called STEPS, I had bought 2 dresses not knowing which one I preferred and took both knowing Helen would have a answer for me.
Have checked carefully the return policy I brought the dress back within the 8 days they allow, having tried both on a total of twice.
As soon as I brought one of the dresses out of the bag the sales clerk started going over it with a fine eye picking at minuscule specks and then informed me because I said specks she could not return the dress but would have to ask her manager and if I would be so kind as to come back in 10 min. Which I did.
The manager seemed to be informed of my return and started humming and hawing over the condition of the article, checking the receipt and counting off on her fingers how many days had passed and then took the dress into the back room, for what I do not have a clue. Returning a few min later saying to me,
"I would normally not give you your money back as the dress is in this condition and ask you to take a coupon for the shop".
To which I said, "but I already bought another dress from here and do not want anything else."
She then said "I don't mean to be rude, BUT it smells!" My reply being that it has been sitting in the bag you gave me since I bought it and well the smell is not my problem.
Her reply was "No, I mean it smells of you!".
My mouth agape I said "Excuse Me!?" She said well some people have that 'problem'.
I will take my money thank you, later wishing I had told her that she was being bloody rude and she could then return both dresses.
Having to share such a wonderful experience I called Helen. Who told a story of the same manager in the same store a few weeks earlier that she was also looking for a dress and one of the sales girls was being very helpful and the manager had come along and in hearing distance said to her sales girl. "Don't waste so much time on her, She is not worth it I can tell".

Good management training program Steps has got. I find it shocking how rude and un thoughtful some people can be. And if this was a once-off experience I might not be so amazed. But things like this happen all the time in the Netherlands, so when you find a great sales team, shops, restaurant and so on, you keep going back. I written to Steps and complained, not that I expect anything to happen but it is better than stewing in the anger. They incidentally enough did not have an option for complaints, unless I missed the translation in Dutch and Compliment is the same meaning.

On the other hand I then went across the road to the Beijnkorf to have some shoe therapy and meet with a friend and was helped by a really nice sales clerk whom I have dealt with before. After finding by coincidence a really great pair of red wedge sandals I made sure to tell her it was a pleasure dealing with her as I had just had a terrible experience with someone else and she is and has always done a great job.

So my Hague friends, if you are tempted by the new Steps collection, be forewarned! It's a jungle out there.

Metric - Melkweg Amsterdam

Ahh Metric, metric, as any Canadian roughly the same age as me can tell you we suffer from the old cross over of Imperial and Metric from being neighbours with the US, being part of the UK commonwealth and wanting to be a modern country. Most Canadians I know will still quote height and weight in feet and pounds we drive kilometers and measure our recipes in Cups and tea spoons, but somehow this confusion and angst fits with the one the only really super cool band from... well lets just say Canada.

Their gear on stage is ridiculously Low Fi (in the coolest way possible), they use stage monitors, analogue key boards and effects and the guitarist has two Super huge Marshall Amps to feed back his super cool grungy punch pop sound back at him.

Any way you slice it though, this band rocks my socks off.. well I wasn't wearing any but if I did they would do it.

The gig started a little late but with some of the great new numbers from the new album Fantasies, when I first heard it online I was already hooked to the track Help, I'm alive but so many of the other songs are even more punchy, poppy and powered then you could ever imagine. Considering that the previous album Grow Up and Blow Away was great but much more subdued in comparison.

The average age of the audience at the Milky Way in Amsterdam was about 25 and a great deal of those were not Dutch, it was interesting to hear when I was asking some of the 'kids" around me how they came to know the band they almost all quoted Grey Anatomy.. but I guess in all fairness if it was not for 90210, The Barenaked Ladies would never have hit mainstream and if not for The OC neither would Death Cab for Cutie (who I still think are boring as frac live).

Anyway back to Metric, I saw them in Rotterdam at a similarly small venue RoTown in 2005 and loved the performance and the energy (check this blog 2005 for the entry). This gig though however, kicked some serious ass. Emily seemed more relaxed, feminine and sure of her beautiful self. What a treat to see her smile so much as well... Only one question remains, why do they not play Combat Baby? People love that song.
I hope you enjoy the photos as much as I enjoyed taking them. I was still so wired after the gig it took me ages to actually get to sleep, and that was also after meeting so many other Metric fans on the tram and train on the way home. Interestingly enough almost all the people we met came alone since their friends did not know the band and they loved them enough to make the effort.. right on.

All I can say it does not matter if it is feet or centimeters I still Love Metric!

The Greatest Boar in the world

And if you don't know what I am talking about you obviously have not cast your eyes on Voinic (The Greatest Boar in the WORLD) & the symbol of the French Ardennes. Well it made a one 3 year old I know very very happy.

The rest of Champagne make the other 4 adults of the party quite happy also.... what could be better than supping some of the the best bubbles in the world in the company of good friends and lots of Sunshine?

Washington Post MENSA Invitational

This is certinly not mine, but passed on from a colleague and then on and on . I have laughed so much at this I must share. Aedin has prompted me to post it.
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Here are the winners of this year's Washington Post MENSA Invitational which, once again, asked readers to take anyword from the dictionary, alter it by adding, subtracting, or changing one letter, and supply a new definition :
1. Cashtration (n.): The act of buying a house, which renders the subject financially impotent for an indefiniteperiod of time.
2. Ignoranus: A person who is both stupid and an asshole.
3. Intaxication: Euphoria at getting a tax refund, which lasts until you realize it was your money to start with.
4. Reintarnation: Coming back to life as a hillbilly.
5 Bozone (n.): The substance surrounding stupid people that stops bright ideas from penetrating. The bozone layer,unfortunately, shows little sign of breaking down in the near future.
6. Foreploy: Any misrepresentation about yourself for the purpose of getting laid.
7... Giraffiti: Vandalism spray-painted very, very high
8. Sarchasm: The gulf between the author of sarcastic wit and the person who doesn't get it.
9. Inoculatte: To take coffee intravenously when you are running late.
10. Osteopornosis: A degenerate disease. (This one got extra credit.)
11. Karmageddon: It's like, when everybody is sending off all these really bad vibes, right? And then, like, the Earth explodes and it's, like, a serious bummer.
12. Decafalon (n.): The grueling event of getting through the day consuming only things that are good for you.
13. Glibido: All talk and no action.
14. Dopeler Effect: The tendency of stupid ideas to seem smarter when they come at you rapidly.
15. Arachnoleptic Fit (n.): The frantic dance performed just after you've accidentally walked through a spider web.
16. Beelzebug (n.): Satan in the form of a mosquito, that gets into your bedroom at three in the morning and cannot be cast out.
17. Caterpallor (n.): The color you turn after finding half a worm in the fruit you're eating.

The Washington Post has also published the winning submissions to it's yearly contest in which readers are asked to supply alternate meanings for common words. And the winners are:

1. Coffee, n.: The person upon whom one coughs.
2. Flabbergasted, adj.: Appalled by discovering how much weight one has gained.
3. Abdicate, v.: To give up all hope of ever having a flat stomach.
4. Esplanade, v.: To attempt an explanation while drunk.
5. Willy-nilly, adj.: Impotent.
6. Negligent, adj.: Absentmindedly answering the door when wearing only a nightgown.
7. Lymph, v.: To walk with a lisp.
8. Gargoyle, n.: Olive-flavored mouthwash.
9. Flatulence, n.: Emergency vehicle that picks up someone who has been run over by a steamroller.
10. Balderdash, n.: A rapidly receding hairline.
11. Testicle n.: A humorous question on an exam.
12. Rectitude, n.: The formal, dignified bearing adopted by proctologists.
13. Pokemon, n.: A Rastafarian proctologist.
14. Oyster, n.: A person who sprinkles his conversation with yiddishisms.
15. Frisbeetarianism, n.: The belief that, after death, the soul flies up onto the roof and gets stuck there.
16. Circumvent, n.: An opening in the front of boxer shorts worn by Jewish men.

Easter Saturday

Nothing much to report other than the Hague was filled with heaps of strange people, but lucky for me I was able to spend a few great hours in the garden of my friend Geesije's wellness center this is a place I found I myself about two years ago working off some personal demon's. Easter Sat or Sunday for that matter was a great idea to spend some time.

And best of all the beautiful Beech tree is still holding the whole thing together.

Good Friday

Yesterday was a lovely sunny beautiful day off, I started with some distractions that came in the form of my Amazon package that was delivered... with new music and some old that I promised I would buy if I liked it. Elbow, Leaders of the Free World (one that gets heavy rotation just now on all my devices) and the Seldom Seen Kid. The Doves - Kingdom of Rust, Death in Vegas - The Best of DIV. And a new Murakami - The Wind Up Bird Chronicle (which Mac said was the best he has written) for my bookshelf.
Then out to meet Helen for decisions about a dress... then over to Crunch for coffee and juices and some more plotting before Joanne joined us for a bit. Had a good laugh. Then over to Wool where the lovely Pauline helped us out of our beginners knitting problems. After which Helen headed home to pack and I did some window shopping in town, which halfway through my sandal broke.. in the shop I actually bought it in! Unfortunatly they would not return it without a receipt which I will go and do today. So I had to buy a new pair.
Afterwhich I was feeling a little sorry for myself and decided nothing would make me happier than a Jever at De Paas, and appropriately enough this also means Easter in Dutch. Lucky for me I found a spare Chair and sat down and pulled out my knitting. In between beers, chatting on the phone and listening to music I caught a few glances one in the form of the singer from the John Deer Mowing Club who was coming across the road and did a double take and then the whole table turned around to watch me knit a cable stitch.. quite funny actually. My neighbours on my table and I started chatting.
Both of them Dutch, one from Limburg the other from The Hague. Nice couple. We chatting about weather (of course) how and why's I came and stayed in Holland, what I do for a job and how I was quite a paradox to them. Knitting while sipping on a .05 liter beer, then I happened to have my book with my concert photos in my bag so pulled that out to show them, both were well impressed and to confuse them further I also told them besides my job and photography hobby I also taught Yoga and have at the office for the past 5 years. They said it was great because I gave them something to discuss while sitting on the boat having a beer.
When I think back I don't think I have ever wanted to be "normal' to fit in and always did what I felt was right for me. I have to think that when others find something strange or different in someone else you should embrace it and be happy that person is able to express what many can't... their inner true self.
Now lets see if Saturday can be as good.

Marillion Weekend 2009

What a weekend, what a time. 3000+ friends and family, 3 nights of concerts, epic dance disco’s, great weather, cool drinks and fun had by all.
Already I can say this is the best convention yet as I was writing this Saturday afternoon, I have never remembered a convention where I have laughed and had as much fun as this one. Friday night started with a young lad named Toby Sebastian who wowed the whole crowd with his presence on stage as well as belting out quite a few mature and beautiful songs. Then onto the main event, Seasons End beginning to end, what a night. You can forget how great that entire album is until you hear it all again. What a great night, everyone I saw was smiling from beginning to end. The Party, Seasons End, etc etc etc.. not to mention my namesake song..

After seeing some old friends and meeting some new, headed over to Lucy’s rock disco. Where we saw even more friends and met even more new ones. The Canadians it was nice to see them in the usual spot showing off our country's wonderful flag.
I must give a nod to the God of Thunder Thor, who played a very mean plastic air guitar for hours a’ la Angus Young, and his back up axe air-goddess on stage. Who was that woman she had stamina like none other I had seen before. n.b. Carolien v/G has contacted me to claim her prize of Air Guitar goddess! Rock on girl!
Then on to the Norwegian party which has been as much a staple as the band and concerts themselves at the conventions. Our dear host Andreas was already several sheets to the wind but still was a genuine host and lovely man that he is (he's in the red cap in the party photo below).
I basically saw the first light of day and had a few hours shut eye before before heading out to day 2.
I began with a visit the Marillion Museum, and then headed out into the sun where
I found Angie who also had similar intentions and joined her for a pint before heading back for the signing session where 100 lucky people got to have their items signed by the band.
Then heading back into the sun where I spent the remainder of the afternoon in the company of many fine people. Toby's father told me that he was at Lucy's rock disco and said that everyone there was between the ages of 45-65..hahaha how cute is that....

On to the second night they were playing what they called the epics. I had a argument with a very very large and tattooed Dutch man who kept telling me he thought the set list was shite, and I kept asking him why I needed to know that? In the end I told him if in 100+ shows that he has claimed to have seen of the band, and this is the first one that he disliked, then he should shut up and get over it already since in my estimation that is pretty good going. In the end he agreed and thanked me for my reason and ever since has smiled and been nice. Anyway, when the show ends with the giant confetti filled balloon's how can you not be in a good mood?

Back to the Adventure Factory, which only really looks good when it is filled with the Freaks having a great time, the dance floor and stage packed for most of it and everyone having a laugh.. seriously YMCA?! So much fun was had that one of my new Glaswegian friends fell from a height and cracked his head open only to be taken to hospital. The next day he told me that he was the First casualty on a Saturday night in two years... MW 2007 anyone? The Doctors and nurses did not seem to mind, he said he was treated like a celebrity the whole time. Bless!
Back again to the Norwegian abode where I met a Norwegian Rush freak who could not get over the fact I came from Canada and did not care for Getty's nails on a chalkboard voice, I had to appease him by admitting that they were pretty phenomenal musicians but just not for me... when I told him Iron Maiden and Kiss where in the same bucket as rush in my books I was almost sure he was about to deck me.. haha, anyway I was rescued by a cool Fin called Lauren
(check out his blog http://www.navelfluff.org/elfluff.org).

The God of Thunder, had the good sense to have a micky of Famous Grouse, big kiss to you Thor! At that time in the morning (between 2-4) is a dam fine thing to taste, even Famous Grouse. I even popped next door Kai's party to check out the vibe, but have to say the party with the folk that were over 25 was a much better one, kids these days don't know a thing about ambiance. Even Kai said so as he came over to the dark side. Henk and Kees were there enjoying themselves to no end, both had been part of the film crew again and were feeling pretty good about the whole thing.
Again I think I was crawling into bed around the time dawn was breaking.
Sunday, hmm. knowing it was all coming to an end and yet still not sure what the day would bring I have to say I was eager to get up and find out for myself what Sunday had in store.
As I was leaving the apartment I could hear my Glaswegian neighbours laughing at their poor friend with the stitches. Everyone was still in a great mood.
Back over to find the Merch shop, where I ran into Jon and Alexis which was lovely to see them both, especially Alexis who I had not seen in ages and later that night her husband and old friend Rob, My condolances to them for the loss of their daughter at the end of last year. She was a very special girl. Then back thought the Market hall to find a handful of the Norwegians double fisting coffee and pints, and looking very very dehydrated... After a good laugh at them I went out for some sunshine and found Angie and Mark and a few others in the sun. Mark gave me his seat as he had to fix some kind of keyboard thingy so I enjoyed a pint before heading over to the Challenge the band session. This time the Cakey boys were running the quiz because they kept winning all the other years. This years' challenging team was called Susan's End, where Mark promptly make the joke., 'I look forward to beating Susan's End" And guess what? they did!
Went for some pizza and then headed home to get ready for the evening. Met my lovely Glaswegians in the bar for a pint then headed over to the tent for A Genuine Freakshow. Great band, reminds me a little of Ra Ra Riot when I saw them on stage but they have a great presence and might do quite well for themselves, fingers crossed!

The concert was a little late because h was doing poorly, there was a tense moment or two if he would be able to sing or not. But he did and it was beautiful. What a set list! I was teasing those who asked as I had seen it in the afternoon but gave nothing away, no one predicted the three oldies that got played... and the end with the confetti rockets during Neverland, sheer wonderful madness. What an amazing way to end. The last night always gets the crowd in such a mood where whole groups of fans gather for group shots and fun. And guess what next.... back to the bar for a last night of revelry. It was pure magic, although by this time the whole stage was getting filled by those who wanted to express their inner rock-god. But to save the day was the god and goddess of the blow up air guitar who put everyone else to shame. Everyone was in such a great mood.
One last night of fun with the Northern Men (and I must ask, where are their women?) It truly can be compared to Vikings who left their homeland and wives to travel across the oceans to pillage and plunder before coming home again. Thankfully there were no battle axes but only beer to fuel their fun. As predicted the party was great fun again, the brave souls of Genuine Freak Show were there and Erik who even made an appearance.. good fun again and back home before the first light of day.
Woke up after a few hours sleep and packed my things, drove over to wake up two of the Norse- men who I promised to drive to the Train station in the Hague, saw some more of the friends and said goodbye. As we were leaving the park Andreas's phone rang and it was Fish on the other line wanting to know how the weekend was... surreal of what?
Stein, Andreas and I sang along to 'old' Tears for Fears all the way back to the Hague. Where we tried to remember our five favourite snippets of the weekend, imagine if you were to make a trailer of your life for that weekend, what would it say, epic blockbuster or bitter-sweet drama? I'll get back to you on that one, cause now that I have make the first pass at my 2500 photos and am down to about 1700 I still have a lot of work to do.

So as I finish typing this I will crack open the very last can of strongbow I rescued from 345 and raise it in a toast to all you fine people who helped to make this the Most Memorable Marillion Weekend ever! Cheers!

Post script (26.03.09): Sorry guys I could go on and on but some really important people who help keep this big happy family together need ... A big Word UP! To my friends at the fan clubs, Germany, Holland, UK and France! (Laurent please send me your email).. you will be hearing from me shortly. kiss!

March 2009

Just hours to go before I head down the road to Centerparks in Ouddorp Zeeland for the next installment of Marillion Weekend. This is a great weekend where their amazing fans gather from around the globe for a music filled, fun, friends and fantastic atmosphere weekend.

I have had the privilege for attending ever single one since the beginning and can say they only get better and better. Sadly I will not be at the one in Montreal but I am sure I will get to hear all about it.

This year they are playing the entire record of Seasons End, which is one of the first albums with Mr. h at the helm or the Sure 58. I am certainly looking forward to that.

I have attached a couple of shots from MW 2007 for your viewing pleasure. A little crafty photoshopping and we have 2 fan clubs and Mr.h in one photo.

Don't forget to smile for the camera!!

Feb 2009

My friend Helen likes to kick my ass sometimes to post on my blog.. which is really a good thing. With all the other distractions in the ether world I sometimes find it hard to keep up to date.

Since the last entry 3 months ago (excluding 5 min ago)! Life has zipped by. Here are a few photos of what's happening in my world. Fisheye fun, glowing balls of light at kijkduijn. I have seen some great gigs the last two weeks.

On Valentines eve I got to see Marillion in Hamburg on their Happiness is the Road tour. The first time on this tour for me, which was nice because it has been over a year and a half since I saw them last. The crowd in Hamburg were fab and much more involved than 5 years ago when I thought them less than warm.

After seeing Emiliana Torrini on Friday night at the Paradiso in Amsterdam and the Kings of Leon at the HMH also in Amsterdam on Saturday.

Emiliana was wonderful, beautiful and so worth seeing. she is funny and charming and had so much charisma it was great to see her again.

The Kings of Leon... meh! I have typed it more than once now describing this gig, and I mean it. Not bad, not great.. mediocre. they rocked, played the songs and that was IT. I felt no love. I have the feeling they are all so fed up and actually might not even like each other any more.. I am glad I saw them in a venue that was not too big and before they beat each other up or stop talking all-together because fame has made their egos so big they can't fit through a stadium loading dock. The drummer impressed me the most, since he was playing, singing back up vocals and blowing bubbles with his gum, he actually had the most charisma and he looked like a slightly less hariy version of cro-magnum man.

Still was fun to sing along to the songs and have a night out again in Amsterdam. But give me smaller intimate venues or Bands that can carry their talent across any divide any day. So all in all, glad to have been there done that.. did not buy the tee shirt but will most likely not go see them live again either, you can get more enjoyment from the actual CD, LP's and imagine your own concert. I came to the realisation why I still love watching Marillion, cause they actually still like what they do, and it shows and the likes of Emiliana because she is not only talented but also sweet and goofy between songs, both artists perform and seem to care about what they are doing, they entertain! Whereas the Kings of Leon.. did not.
My only complaint AGAIN is why does the Dutch audience still insist on talking all the way through a gig. Even Emiliana had to ask them more than three times to be quiet because it was her gig and she had the mic. Why, why, why, even go to a concert if you are just going to talk all the way through. Can't you people just Shut the frac up, and enjoy what you paid for?!!!

Next stop March 20-22 Marillion weekend 2009, where they rent out the CenterParcs Port Zelande in Ouddorp, Holland for the second time and hold their convention. The others have been held in The UK and for the first time also this year Montreal Canada. It should be again a wonderful way to bring fans from around the world together. I am quite honored to have been to every weekend so far. Stay posted for more photos soon! For a better way of life, http://www.marillion.com/

January blues

Does anyone like January? The dark, the damp the cold and the back to work.

Trying to be the positive person I am, I took my new lens out a few times to try and find something nice on these cold, dark and dreary nights.

For the people: The Hague Spui/ City Hall square
I guess it could be worse, I could live in a Scandinavian country.

But now that it is February and I am quite happy that it appears January was not so bad. I got to spend a fantastic weekend in London with some wild n' crazy girls from Cork, good food, drink and especially company. I have not laughed that hard in a long long time. Check out www.eatlikeagirl.com for some great eats and treats out in London.

Buitenhof, The Hague

Crossing Border Day 3

Day 3 started with an interview of the 4 authors who were chronicling the festival http://www.crossingborder.nl/chronicles_en.php. Having met most of them it was nice to see them speak about their experiences. And later hear them read from their works.
The Cave Singers

After that I popped over to the NTG for yet another hairy band The Cave Singers, who were cool in a weird way, it occurred to me that almost all the bands I saw on that stage during the weekend with the exception of the Ra Ra Riot were hairy men generally coming from the vicinity of Seattle.. very strange coincidence indeed.
I left that to pop upstairs to see Eli 'Paperboy' Reed and the True Loves. Great swing band from the deep south of the US. Great energy and a pity really that they were not playing the bigger stage so people could move to the beats (which were considerable).
First Aid Kit

Eli 'Paperboy' Reed and the True Loves

Chris Killen

After that I ran back over to the main theater where First Aid Kit were playing in one of the small rooms. Wow! These girls from Sweden were the youngest singers at the festival and they wowed the audience with their beautiful harmonies and musical skills. I was sad to leave but more music and Chris Killen who was one of the Chronicles authors awaited. Chris read the first chapter of his forthcoming novel to the audience which was really great and well received. Then came Liam Finn. What can I say about this little power house from the land of the kiwis. It was incredible and amazing to watch the energy that was created on stage by just two people and they had the crowd from the get go, really great set. Of which I popped out to check out Pete Molinari in one of the tents and then back for the end of the Liam Finn set which ended with them using some effects and a thing that looked like a joy stick while they both were screaming like lions into the microphones. Hell of a performer.
Liam Finn

After that I had a little break while waiting for The Black Keys, chatted with our new found photographer and journalist friends from London and watched the crowd fill up the room with ever more anticipation for the band.
The Black Keys

The Black Keys are a two piece band, Guitarist/ singer and Drummer. They also were so energetic on stage I could barely take my eyes from them. Loved the set and almost reluctantly left to see Kathleen Edwards who hails from my countries capital city. She was solo on guitar but had a great presence with the crowd and told some nice stories. At the end we got her back for an encore and I yelled out for the song Hockey Skates which she played. So in the end it was worth me leaving the Black Keys for. We had a little chat afterwards and she was gracious and sweet. Actually the perfect way to end a wonderful weekend of music and words.

Kathleen Edwards

Only it was only the photography that was over I was headed over for the after party, Having attended every night of the festival it was bound to be a great night as everyone was winding down from the end of all their hard work. Quite incredible really how many people work in such an organisation and of course all the journalists, photographers, musicians and authors as well as all the hangers on.
What started out fairly sedate, chatting with the cool people you have met over the weekend and then I hit the dance floor cause the music was starting to really pick up. Helen and I were having a grand time they were playing Kashmir from the Zep and ACDC and then next thing I know is we were slam dancing with the singer from the Black keys and a bunch of other lunatics that were there.
Having switched from wine to whiskey part way through the night I had the feeling this was going to be the longest night yet, having left the after party ever later each night. I think we rolled in around 7 am this morning. But with smiles on our faces happy memories as we fell into bed exhausted.

Crossing Border Festival day 2

This was the day I was most looking forward to of the festival. The Swell Season, and how could you not want to see them if you have seen the movie Once. Being a big sucker for romance, music and the eternal love story it was great to see Glen and Marketa in real life and perform the songs they did so well in the movie. Of course I can see now that they were just acting themselves. But it did not bother me as I think Glen is a genuinely beautiful person and a pleasure to watch on Stage.

The Swell Season with The Frames

The Fleet Foxes The rest of the night was a mix of The Fleet Foxes. Which were nice but I had to leave as the overpowering stench of sweaty men was getting to me. After that I went out the back door and back in the NTG. Disappointing because they had let way too many people in and there was already overfilled to capacity for Fleet Foxes and then the huge line up inside and out for Ben Folds. Not allowing others in to see the other acts in the different rooms. Poor Martin, hopefully next time huh?
Then went back to the main theater for Tindersticks and during that I slipped out to see Tom Baxter in the small room at the top. And was more than pleasently surprised and how lovely it was. Happy to leave the Tindersticks after a couple of songs as they all started to sound the same to me.

Tom Baxter

After that the after party was a nice laugh and we got to chat and meet a few new folks which is also nice... as well as having a chat with Tom Baxter who informed me that yes they can hear people in the audience when they chat and talk.

Now shortly onto Day 3.

Tonight I'm looking forward to Kathleen Edwards and The Black Keys.

Crossing Border Festival 2008 - Day 1

Last night was the first night of the 15th Crossing Border Festival in The Hague. I have only ever attended once when it was held in Amsterdam, where I got to see my hero author Douglas Coupland speak about his love of musc and literature.

So last night I started the night with the Scottish Band Frightened Rabbit, which was in one of the small tents. After this we went over to check out Cass McCombs and then onto Ra Ra Riot which were great large band from NY State.

Ra Ra Riot
Stef Kamil Carlen's Bob Dylan Tribute
Carolina Chocolate Drops
then back over to the Main Theater for the fabulous Carolina Chocolate Drops. And finally back to the NTG for Death Cab for Cutie. Which if I have not already complained about I will here. They suck live!!!! I loved Transatlanticism but I have seen then a twice in the last 6 months and both times I have walked out because of boredom, annoyance and bad sound. Blah! But the rest of the night was great! Looking forward to tonight even more.