ROAD JOURNAL
09.08. 2011
- Slow start for the autumn after a slow summer.
More gigs to come on September, but also other things to be done, including recording sessions for my own songs and two tracks for Simo Naapuri.
Simo is releasing the second single, 'Lisää Teetä', from his latest album, I'm also working on the video for the song. The title track 'Talvipäivänseisaus' will be released later this year, video will be released at the same time (although it's already on Youtube ;) shhhhh .... )
The picture on the right was taken in Turku, DBTL-festival during the R&J gig on the main arena.
I got this wierd and Makawise uncharacteristic desire for a 5-string Jazz bass during our spring/summer tour. I have a great bass and sound at the moment, but something makes me want to try the change ... no doubt watching and listening to Paul Turner's killer lines with Jamiroquai has something to do with it ... I've actually had this habbit of watching the Abbey Road recording of 'Runaway' on Youtube before every gig, whenewer there's been access to the mighty internet :)
See you
M
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17.06. 2011
- I managed to capture the first meter flown by the last young Great Tit to leave the nest ... this one, though, couldn't hang on to the plum tree and was eaten by our cat about 30 seconds later. Sorry.
This was the first time for me, and I can't help wondering how the hell do they know what to do ... I mean, how can they just climb to the edge and decide to fly! Just like that! One by one! After spending several weeks in the dark box with one hole on the side! "Oh, I think I'll fly now, and maby I'll land on that nice tree over there ... there I go ... done! ... what's next !?"
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22.05. 2011
- We're driving down from Haukipudas, just passed Oulu, about 9 hours to go... R&J played 4 songs last Friday at Captain Koivu's World Championchip -party in Turku. People went absolutely nuts even before Koivu, Lassila & the trophy entered the stage, just listening to Mertarantas' voice and living through the great moments from the final game last Sunday, it was quite freaky in a way ;)
Before leaving the backstage Mikko was kind enough to pass the trophy to me & Stone for a memorable photo for our M&S facebook diary!
Respect!
We still had to do a gig later that night at Huittinen, no problems on the way there. Yesterday, though, during our last song a young drunk dude decided to fall all over my effect board, so me and Pekka were re-connecting wires and re-attaching pedals as the rest of the band was finishing the encore, I think I was back for the last 4 bars or so, maby no-one noticed ...
Nothing was broken so I let the dude breathe freely for the rest of the night ;)
On this sunny Sunday afternoon few kilometers before Kokkola, watching the photo on the right I can't help feeling proud but maby a little bit embarrassed at the same time, as if I had anything to do with winning the trophy ... I was comfortable in my mum's livingroom, watching the game, shouting my ass off in silent mode (she went to bed after 2. period) enjoying a glass of red wine ... goddamit !
But I do feel proud, I mean, if I won something as big (not that I ever will) I would love to share the glory and make people happy and proud, that's a big part of the deal, isn't it !?
And I feel proud to dedicate the moment I got to hold the trophy to my father who I wish had seen the magical goals and saves made by this gold winning ice-hockey team of Finland !!! Turku 230
photos: M. Stolt & E. Mäkelä
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16.04. 2011
- played the first gig in Klubi, Turku, yesterday ... house full of partying, loud and well -dressed University people ... the place is like a small 'Tavastia' with a funky back-stage upstairs.
It's close to +15 outside and it's time for some D-vitamine !
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02.04. 2011
- Iskelmäbaari in Hämeenlinna, what a nice trip back in time it was! Back in the days it was called 'Kolibri'. Had you turned 18 it was the place to be, situated in the heart of the city, right where the streets were crowded with young generation every weekend, just walking around the block...
The place had not changed a bit, the stage was as good as I remembered from the spectators poit of view. I think it was the best place to go and see bands in Hämeenlinna back in around 1985, and it wasn't bad to play in 2011!
It was a long way home again, and it'll be a long way to Vuokatti on the 8th of April ...
enjoy the spring
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24.03. 2011 - a sweet but rare week of six gigs is half way gone ... today we head to Baltic Princess, and tomorrow we play in Hämeenlinna! We did 3 shows in Lapland first, even the monday show at Levi was a success ... our friend Jaba took some nice photos and we started the bus straight after the show ... 1050km is a long way home!
After Tahko we rest for few weeks and continue on April 8th.
Simos' second album "Talvipäivänseisaus" is out from the factory hopefully this week. It'll include the new video 'Silppua Sisältä'. photo on the right: Jan Baas
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20.02. 2011 - I finished Simo Naapuris' new music video on friday, I'll link it as soon as it's compressed for the mighty internet A brief visit by the Tawny Owl was sweet, it spent the whole day in the backyard sleeping. Plenty of birds and mice here to hunt :) peace
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17.01. 2011 - January half way gone. We'll start touring on February, so there's time to paint some unfinished walls back home... Turku is the Capital of European Culture this year. Doesn't get my thumbs up ... I truly hope we survive!All the best for 2011, may it bring wealth, power and respect to us all !!! I'll be back.
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