Ok, so I have beyond slacked on keeping this blog posted on the goings on of this European tour. I'm going to attempt to play catch up by listing each of the shows with highlights that have gone on since my last post.
My last post was right before the Zakk show in Düsseldorf, Germany. This was the first show where we walked off stage totally pumped about the audience and our performance. This show just felt great and was so much fun. Since I personally started the tour having practiced with the band once, it took a few shows before I felt totally comfortable with the material and all that. Plus the audience was just awesome.
Mouson in Frankfurt was the next show. Also totally awesome. During my first song, the lights went out and I took pride in the fact that I did not miss a beat. I told the audience afterwards that practicing blindfolded had finally paid off. I loved the crowd and the experience at Mouson. There was a dark winding stair case which lead from the stage to the dressing room, which was totally unnecessarily treacherous. I was still carefully descending the steps when Johnny presented William with a drink (during his encore) wearing only a speedo. This is not a rare occurrence, as I now know, but at the time I was very upset about missing it and my plan to video tape it resulted in a video of me, on a dark staircase. After the show, Erin and I got totally lost in this maze of a venue and somehow ended up on an abandoned floor and then the roof. I got a great picture of the Frankfurt sky line, but we literally only found our way out by shouting out the window to the rest of the band for instructions. I may have had a few drinks prior to that experience.
Faust in Hannover was really also completely awesome. That string of 3 shows was a real high point. There was a window from the dressing room that over looked the stage, which made watching the parts of the show I was not involved in really fun. A high light of this experience was when Mario (tour manager) leaned on a poorly secured marble countertop in the dressing room and basically knocked over everything in the entire kitchen. I think the sound and clangs of dishes, glasses, pots, etc falling may have lasted a full 10 minutes. That's right. We get rowdy and break things. Or at least our manager does.
I love Bremen. It is a really, really cool city, and definitely one of the more memorable runs I have had, mostly because I got totally lost and had to ask for instructions back, but somehow managed to stumble across the venue and find lost computer charger, see all of the sites I wanted to see, and get back to the hotel exactly when I wanted to. It was magic. The show was really, really great, also, but we were definitely ready for our first day off, the next day.
The band played the "Imergut Festival" the following day. This experience was defined by the following: 1) The worst sound we experienced by far. The stage was feeding back when we were not even on it. We totally pulled it off though, and it was great, though I was definitely unexpectedly drunk by the end of our set. 2) Mosquitoes. William's back was completely covered. I had a delayed reaction to the bites and my back was completely covered a day later. These mosquitoes got us through our clothes. I don't like them. 3) THE OTHER BANDS!!! Lali Puna, Efterklang, and definitely a few bands I had not heard before and plan to look up. I loved watching them and had a seriously good time that night. 4) Josh teaching me how to say "I am drunk" in German, which I have remembered up until this very moment when it matters most. I will get back to you on that.
Erlangen. The first city I was really sad to not have more time in. Josh and Johnny stumbled upon a huge festival early the morning before we left. I was in dire need of sleep that day and kind of starting to feel a little under the weather, so I missed the excursion. The theatre in Erlangen was absolutely beautiful. It was a complete joy to play and the audience was absolutely wonderful. Just really loved the whole experience. We ended William's set by playing an accoustic version of "Good Morning" not from the middle of the audience, as usual, but split up in two opera booths (I don't know what they are really called) on opposite sides of the theatre. A truly fun experience in this city.
Munich for me was defined by myself and Mario running around trying to locate the CDs that were shipped there, post me selling out of my solo album. It was raining and I got stuck in the middle of the city looking for a customs office that no longer existed. I would say that moment was a low point, but it's amazing how the kindness of strangers and friends can really pull you through those moments. I had individuals help me identify the new location, get back to the venue, and our awesome tour manager made it possible for me to received the delayed package of CDs. All's well that ends well! Truly. And the show was great. Ha. It really was. A really fun venue, Feierwerk, named after one of my songs ;)
Haus der Musik in Vienna. What an incredible venue! In the middle of a museum, all glass surrounding an enclosed courtyard, which is where we played. There are some great pictures on facebook of this venue. It was absolutely packed. People I met afterwards have told me they came and could not get in. It was a wonderful time, really great people. Some of which gave me instructions for a run the next day that would ensure I saw all the sites there are to see. I really could have spent days in Vienna. Instead I ran for about 2 hours in the cold rain around the city, stopping to take lots of pictures. I was really fixated on seeing all I could. I did not make it to the Ferris Wheel or Prater, but did see it in close distance. Next time.
Hartberg, Austria. We played in a 500 year old castle. I really could just leave it at that. It was a really special experience. Erin got some great pictures of me by the castle gate. Did I mention how much I LOVE having another female on this tour. Erin is wonderful, and we have a lot of fun during our girl time. There were some great people in the audience, at this venue, who were fun to connect with after the show. I was not feeling entirely healthy at this show, so sleep and beautiful hotel room after the show were a major highlight.
Zurich! I have to say, I was SO excited to see Switzerland again, post my quick stop there in high school. But, man, I was feeling really sick during this show. Ibuprofen and cough drops got me through (once again, Mario saved the day by picking these up) and it ended up feeling like a totally solid and strong show, but I was just ready to pass out afterwards. I will have to get back to Switzerland, when I am feeling healthier. The crowd was extremely supportive of me! I could go into more detail, but I feel like I'm writing a book of a blog entry, so that's all for now.
Freiburg tonight!!!!! (I love this city. If I spoke German, I could truly live here.)
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