I'm in Wales... the South of Wales in a beautiful cottage in the middle of nowhere. Absolute heaven. Thanks to Tom & his beautiful family for hosting me. <3
And thanks to "Daisy," my Sat Nav for getting me to this extremely remote farm in Wales:
p.s When you hear that beep, it's because I am speeding... Love how she keeps that in check. Annoying.
This is the gorgeous mostly from their farm dinner (and only home cooked dinner on round II of touring) waiting for me when I arrived:
Oh wait, let me show you the video of getting here... Um, a road that REALLY only fits one little car. I'm not sure how they decide who backs up and who doesn't but in my case, I looked so freaked out every car I came across backed up for me. heh:
Tom kindly offered to host me. He's a friend from my Innsbruck Expats group now back home in Wales and with his family while figuring out his next adventure. He's the real deal. Spent a year traveling the world by himself and along the way, met a girl in Spain which is how he had ended up in Austria... long story short.
So...
I don't even know where to start really.
Where did I leave off last time?
In Sheffield I think, on some days off? Early June?
So much has happened since then, I'll try to summarize it without leaving anything out.
During my days off in Sheffield (I guess that was around June 6-10 or something...?) I took a train up to Lancashire for an extremely fun BBC radio show called "Ladie's at lunch" where I not only sang of course but to my surprise (and only horror because I thought it was live radio) there was a live audience for this regular BBC talk show. Unfortunately I looked like I'd been run over by a truck:
I've seen better days:
Unexpected morning audience:
I sang a couple of songs but even more fun talked about a wide range of topics with the hosts and a couple of guests on the show:
We covered everything from health care in our own countries to health care abroad (which unfortunately I know far too much about) snoring & more... I even talked about my husbands snoring and considering he was listening from Austria, I'm not sure how well that went over. :-)
My dad also listened in but from America. Nice except for the part about me mentioning him marrying Cindy (his new wife) to get on her insurance. Not exactly what I meant (at all actually) as they are in love but just an example of the health care in America and the both of them having do it a little quicker than they had planned. He didn't get it:
I headed back via train to Sheffield and the following day or was it the day before? Geesh, I'm losing it. Had a really fun live interview and performance on BBC Radio Sheffield. My dad listened to that too and even heard his, "Angel you've come too soon" song played off the record for the first time:
Pete and Jane (and Pete's dad visiting from Florida Eric) were wonderful hosts and fun to be around. They made fun (lovingly) of my crazy raw food diet and were sweet in every way to both accomodate it and in general go too far out of their way to drive me to my radio show, the train station and most importantly, later that week host an excellent show at Pete's new venue The George. Sweet people all the way around.
I picked up a kettle at the start of my tour which came in handy that night so I could keep refilling my throat coat tea without bugging the bartendar. I got some loving grief for that too but it was all in good fun and you're not touring England unless you have yourself a cuppa or two.
The Bury show was also great and the co-bill with an excellent British songwriter named Steve Gifford. He reminded me a bit of James Taylor and overall was just so pleasant. Thanks for watching my salad while I ran around Steve! :-):
I ended round 1 of touring with the highlight of that tour - an incredible couple of days with friends just outside of Liverpool in Birkenhead. It was absolutely amazing to see and hear Jim Rae again and as treat this year, two other excellent songwriters he's currently collaborating with; Phil Chisnall & Joe Topper. Jimmy you are so bloody talented in every way and I love you. Come to Austria OK?!
This is us during the encore song. A last minute (that day) addition to the show:
And this is a snippet of me singing one of the first songs I ever wrote. A fan got me into singing it again, "Bus to the ocean.":
What an unbelievable night we all had - truly. A stellar way to end round 1 with very good friends and a reminder why I make music in the first place. Seriously.
Thanks to my beautiful friend Vicky and her gorgeous daughter Anabel for hosting me and if you try to give me your bed next time V, I won't let you! You're so sweet, thank you again:
I got back to Innsbruck for a much needed 5 days off but regrettably didn't get much of a break. Spent most of time shipping CD's out to pre-orders, family, agents etc... running off posters, had another call-in BBC radio interview. My poor husband took the remaining time which sadly wasn't much and said he was happy. It was hard being home for such a short amount of time. It almost made me miss him, my friends and home even more.
Euro 2008 was in full swing and the streets beautiful chaos. That was fun to see anyway and we did have a nice last evening together overlooking the city from a gorgeous panoramic bar. I don't eat dairy anymore but I decided to deal with the pain after and go for a gelato to top off the night. Oh yeah!
Glimpse of Euro 2008:
Round 2 of touring started off with the usual 3am rise, 4am dash to Munich for a 7am flight.
The first half from Munich to Heathrow was better than a couple of weeks ago when apparently the tower didn't "expect" our plane on the schedule. Craziness.
While sitting behind the counter waiting to pre-board for my puddle jumper to Newcastle I met a man. He started the conversation by asking, "Singing yer' way round' the world are ya'?" and we began to talk about the hardships of life on the road. He told me about his version of traveling from here to there and the difficulty of getting around since his hip replacement. He had a cane and while traveling through the airport. He was using an airport wheelchair which he was quick to point out was the way to travel through the madness.
I told him about my illness and hospital stays last year and the long break I was forced to take because of it. How I felt apprehensive to be back on the road but here I was... redefining and reshaping my life in music, as a tumbleweed.
We're really getting philosophical now when I asked him what kind of work he did that laid him on the sometimes hard & dirty road and do you know what he replied?
"I'm Darth Vader."
Seriously.
Dave Prowse, THE Darth Vader.
After he told me, I tried to listen close to his voice. I later found out his voice had been dubbed.
He's taking singing lessons now, working on some co-writing and a record, manages a few bands on the side.
Who would of thought Darth Vador would be in the music business.
.
His autograph sure came in handy later at the rental car company at the Newcastle Airport when I realized my credit card had been drained (not by me but the evil on the internet!) and we couldn't get the card to work to get my car! He said, "The force is with you!" and it was...thanks Darth!
And thank god for those words because for some crazy reason, my friends at the airport whom I am beginning to see every other week it seems, sorted things magically so I could get my hire. *whew* Thanks Dave and thanks Desmond & Brian. I can't wait to see you all again.
My first show was that night in Reeth.
I had a shorter set than usual but a good one. I decided to do tumbleweed which I choose carefully when I don't get a long set time (most of you know what I am talking about:-) My hosts John and his wife were adorable and hard-working with the show. Totally welcoming in their home and my god, what a beautiful little village Reeth is. It's in Cumbria and if you have never been in England, I suggest you get your butt there. Wow:
It was rainy and cold and after Reeth and I really just froze the whole time & HAD to get this handmade by a local hat to keep my poor little cold head warm:
My sweet hosts layered the bed with an electric blanket which was super helpful and cozy.
Although John Wright passed away recently, his band is continuing on with his 2008 booked shows. Pete from the band took over the lead and did a wonderful job. A gorgeous singer in his own right and the band were so talented it made my stomach hurt. The band each played no less than 6-7 instruments. I stopped counting.
I can't wait to get back to Reeth and out and about to see the guys again.
Here are a few photo's the day after before I headed out:
Doesn't the ivy look like a heart?
Tea house I thoroughly enjoyed:
That day I took a GORGEOUS drive through Cumbria along rivers and old villages, falling apart stone houses scattered throughout and pulled over to indulge in a bit of clotted cream fudge, watch the rolling hills and of course sheep for days - to meet and play for another great set of hosts Penny and Paul. What a totally gorgeous couple, with a great daughter, Rosie the dog and venue they have built up all these years:
I had a night to remember.
I made up a funny song on the post about Penny and Paul's sweet doggie Rosie but to my horror, sang about the dog and used their daughter's name Daisy instead! It was pretty funny though and Penny came on stage with me and got the audience howling. I wish I had that on video! Here's a photo from that moment anyway:
Penny and I stayed awake pretty late chatting it up below their house in their antique shop. I must say it was pretty cool sitting on the antique couch at the window of the shop in the middle of the night. Surrounded by my favorite things...old things.
It was pretty cold and rainy heading out when I left to drive to my friend Dave's house about 45 minutes away in Wigton but what a gorgeous drive anyhow. Cumbria is now on my list of must see every tour and for sure, come back and really spend time when not working. I stopped here to have some MORE tea and indulged in a big no-no, fudge...i.e "clotted cream":
When I got to Dave's we had planned to visit the Lake District but with the late arrival and the weather, we opted for take out instead. Something else I don't do anymore so it was a big treat to eat chinese!
And true to his nature David had a water bottle to keep my feet warm waiting in my bed. The kicker? It was wrapped up in a furry stuffed animal dog. He's onto me and my obsession (dog envy) while on the road:
I spent some time on Skype as well (internet is hard to come by on the road lately) and unfortunately, the business side of music along with the stress of touring, the cold maybe... threw my body into a fever.
It was on and off through the night and although I was with a sore throat in the am, I still had a great show that night in Wales.
I drove 6 hours down to Swansea which compared to the ridiculous amount of driving I used to do in the states is NOTHING but it wrecked me.
In and out of hired cars and planes, homes and hotels, stages etc... day after day, starts to wear you down in general.
I was pretty out of it when I arrived and although was dying to get through soundcheck and to my hotel to rest, really only had enough time to eat my salad beforehand and get in the shower.
My friend and promoter David drove me to the hotel allowing me to leave my car til after the show which was great.
And Dave... I don't know where to begin with this beautiful man except to say we have for sure met in another life - or were supposed to meet in this one. A true soul friend I am utterly in love with and will treasure. Love you D:
I had a great show and a few people turned out after reading the Maverick piece, word of mouth from other shows... yay:
In all the years I've toured around these parts, this is my first in Wales.
It really is different from England and without offending beautiful England which I love, the people just seem a bit easier.
When I drove in it was sunny and much warmer too - by as much as 10 degrees celcius actually. A huge difference. So that could have been part of the fresh and new feeling I got when I crossed the border. I'm not sure.
I just know I adore Wales and the Welsh and absolutely cannot wait to get back here.
Bulith Wells was another gorgeous, gorgeous village and the drive even more incredible:
I was awstruck. Despite the fact I was expecting to see a petrol station and I didn't and well, ran on fumes through the hills - I loved every second on the scenery.
The welsh are known for their sheep and they did not disappoint.
Everywhere.
On the streets, laying around as you turn the bend, roaming, hauling ass to cross, grazing just about everywhere. Truly a sight.
The view from my b&b:
Caravans are in their glory this time of year and Wales delivered in a huge way. Not so great for the speed of one way traffic but since I give myself so much time each day to travel, I didn't mind.
Passing the little snack trucks that seem to come every few minutes was nice, the rolling, rolling green pastures and flowers, farms and cottages, villages dotted along the way.
I listened to the new Emmy Lou all the way there, ate the fresh strawberries they sent me off with in Swansea and definitely hit my hobo stride.
My soundcheck with Ian, Tony and Alan was almost as much fun as the show!
The bursitis in my shoulder is really acting up lately & the fun started with Ian suggesting we hang me from a rope to stretch it. It turned into a Madonna'esc sound check from there and all I can say it was really the most fun I have had:
Despite not being huge numbers, it was a good-sized crowd and incredibly fun. A beautiful centre like a castle inside and nestled right next to the river:
We really had one of those nights.. me and my audience. The kind that make me want to cuddle and hug them all afterward. I loved every minute of that stage.
And as a bonus I made friends with Cath and Eileen at the b&b I was housed at and cannot wait to return as a tourist and really get to know Bulith Wells.
Speaking of my hobo stride...
I am in it 100% and although happy to be getting 2 weeks off coming up here, will be a bit sad that it's getting interupted.
It seemed to take longer to hit this time around & breaking it up is like doing to show sets - I hate that.
WIth that said, I have to admit the logistics of what I do are disheartening more often than not, exhausting and sometimes downright depressing. But I am happy to report all of the shows have been stellar and the souls I have been lucky enough to meet and call friends have made the other bits disappear slightly.
Those 90-120 minutes on stage take a lot to get to but at the moment I can say they are feeling mighty fine and the worth the hefty price. Mostly. Sometimes.
I say that today.
This feeling of road...show bliss comes and goes.
It's a never-ending thing with me I guess. The road, being home, the road, being home.
The other day I was in tatters over the business, with a fever and totally wiped out from the politics that don't go away in this soul-crushing business. Then the next, I am happily cruising along with just the right song on, the remainder of the show from the night before still in my body, the thought of the last hug I got from the new most likely life-long friend I just made, humming whatever song of mine that seems to be stuck in my head.
Today was a harrowing often hilarious drive down roads that I kid you not fit ONE car. No more than one. And barely that.
Roads that meant someone had to back down and hit reverse on the other end. Lucky for me it was clear I didn't know what I was doing and most backed up.
Don't believe me? See for yourself :-):
I am sitting in bed after spending time with the kindest Welsh family, eating food mostly grown here at the cottage, having great conversation and feeling more relaxed than I have felt since hitting this pavement again.
The show reviews have been great, lots of videos and photo's, live BBC interviews, invites to new venues. feedback from the new CD have been very positive and along with the usual newspaper online articles etc.. I got a great on tour write up in Maverick again.
I'll admit I'm not 100% convinced. Money is tight and logistics are sometimes paralyzing.
But I'm not going anywhere...
Exactly how it will even out only time can tell. But I can feel it beginning to smooth over the way it was always meant to be. Music AND a life. Wow, who could have imagined?
If you happen to talk to me on one of those days where my tires blew out or it was pissing rain and I was late for a radio interview, maybe lost on those crazy backroads somewhere, having a go with someone in the business, not getting enough sleep or food, had a night before of singing to hand-crossed punters who'd rather drink a pint and I'm a little cranky ... I hope you'll understand it's just a passing moment and I still believe... and am pretty much a happy camper, hobo, gypsy, wanderin', traveler, wife, friend, daughter and stranger. Remember, strangers are just friends you haven't met yet.
Sending you love from a cold footed American girl in Wales.
I need warmer socks!
love,
Chris
