Our first day off after 10 shows in a row was spent driving to Zürich, Switzerland. It was a nice change of pace to step out of Germany for a bit and see such a fairy tale based town. I spent my morning walking around, shopping, and eating fine food. Our show was jammed packed in a small 100 cap room, our after party was long and late, and we met some classic great folks. It’s one of the shows that stand out in my mind on this tour every time I look back to past shows since I ended the night by laying in the middle of the street modeling for my friends. Afterwards we drove to Freiburg. An amazing venue in a unfinished subway terminal underground ran by the sweetest people. After the gig we blasted New York hip hop and had the place bouncin! In the morning the promoter and sound guy took us around the town, and hung out. Freiburg is built within beautiful canals and the black forrest. Its a must see spot! Luxembourg was another country that was beautiful to see. Another fairy tale city! Winding roads, canals, castles, and fine foods. We got hooked up with a lovely band apartment, and the venue treated us well. This may all sound repetitive, but I am having fun yo.
It was in late September when I received the news. Slightly rainy out, and the weather was still warm. I ate lunch, and discussed the future plans with the label for 2010. My initial idea was to may be work on a EP and keep touring til’ 2011 before ever making a follow up disc. Though my idea would not really make sense to keep pushing on something that trickled out since the summer of 2008, and got all it can get. From Sumi to Japan is hands down my favorite recording I have ever worked on since I released Sunday Theory (a mini LP about teen love and a car crash) when I was 15. Chris Bracco is a very smart and innovative man. He totally shaped up a batch of demos, and general full band arrangements to a better song and band for live representation. My work is not done with him, and I don’t plan on it ever stopping. I was born to drive him and his wife crazy.
The label felt it was time to write another record, and finally do my first release with them together. From Sumi to Japan was self funded, and shopped around a year prior to several major and independent labels before signing with Triple Crown. It’s been a very realistic experience, and I am content working with them. Our buddies at Favorite Gentlemen have been a big help for spreading the word about it all too. Our sophomore release is an opportunity to venture out for a new procedure, and growth. To try something you may have not, or work with someone you may not know. John McEntire (Stereo Lab, Broken Social Scene, Tortoise, Antibalas) will be producing our 2nd release this spring in Chicago and Brooklyn. McEntire has been one of my favorites since I was burned a few copies of Stereo Lab material when I was a teenager. Some of my favorite albums and captured sounds have been brought to my ears by him, so it’s mind-boggling for me to think he will be recording us. Listen to Johns current work for Broken Social Scene’s “World Sick” off there new album due out May. I will be reporting from our upcoming sessions to fill you in on the process of it all.
We had the chance to record a session for Daytrotter that will be up March 1st in December on tour with John Nolan. They helped us out on some songs, I’m excited to see the artwork and hear the session.
Stuttgart was a great time. As the dates go on, the crowd is becoming a bit more lively.. maybe it’s just us shaking off the jetlag. The venue was super neat, and the general area was nice to stroll around. At the end of the night we hung out with an American student that was studying in Stuttgart, and the bartenders for a bit. We watched MTV Germany and saw the new Sade video. Hot yo, Real hot. Our drummer, Mike Fadem, has had killer Wisdom Tooth pain – so please reach out to him about your best dental tips. Wiesbaden was fun too. The promoter was wild and loved my alter ego (who will be released later this year). We had the chance to play with Olympia’s Lake. All nice kids. Please check out there tunes. A short drive over to Hamburg the next day. It’s the second biggest city we have played on this tour since Amsterdam. Lots of amazing food, our buddy Andres, another nazi compound for a venue (which was a great sounding room), cool bars, and more. We all went out to eat German food at the end of the night and returned at 4 am. Tasty times. We also got a chance to hang out with the people who released Kevin’s records here, Artic Rodeo, super awesome guys. Check out there roaster! They have some of our friends bands on the label as well. I will put down Hamburg as a place revisit in the future, You got my vote. Erfurt was a lovely old historical town, we we’re in a church sight seeing that was built in 1125. The venue was pretty funky, it was the basement of a castle. All stone. The crowd was fun, and we ended the night somewhat early at a dope hostel. More to come.
We loaded out of the venue the next a morning with crossaints stuffed with Ham and Cheese. Our sprinter van is almost too big for us, but at least it is an automatic. Opening up the tour every night is a solo act named Southerly from Portland, OR. Krist is the frontman of the project and is traveling with us. Please check out his material on the net. We took a short drive into Germany to our first city (Munster) at a venue called Amp. Classy vintage patterned wall paper, couches, lamps, and framed painted artwork and/or photographs with cat heads pasted over human bodies. The show was fun and after our set the promoter DJ’d a killer session to a packed house. Serious dance party til 5 AM, followed up by Gyros. I didn’t expect to go to sleep with the sun rising on the 2nd night of a tour, but it happens. Every club so far has treated us so nice, and the sleep accomodations have been awesome. It’s one thing to hear about how you get treated in Europe, but to see it is different. I’m very thankful about it and this whole experience so far has been educational in a great way! We had a short drive to Bochum and I ventured out to shop at some clothing stores. H&M had some super neat clothing that I haven’t seen in the states and were cheaper! The crowd was very respectful and the venue put us up in a neat hotel who had a desk clerk that looked like Cory Haim. Throughout our drives we have been dipping into some gas stations, and noticing how fresh and tasty the food is compared to American gas station food. It’s pretty sweet. Next was Geissen at Muk; a lovely two floor art/music compound. The staff cooked up a delicious pot of lentils with curry, salad, and fresh bread. The owner and promoter gave me a prep talk to loosen up the initial “isolation and new comer to Europe vibe”. At the end of the night he took us into a Nazi bunker that was later turned into a police training operation. The walls, the ghosts, and the lighting were so intense. More to report soon.
When I saw America last I was crossing off my “to do” list, working on new material, finishing season 4 of “The Wire”, working and running around like a maniac. I said my Goodbyes over beer with friends, and spent the afternoon eating at my favorite Pizza spot with my best friend. Cab driver Mr. Michael Antepi drove us to Newark, and discussed his 2006 adventures in Amsterdam. Wild times. Our flight went by quick to Brussels and over to Amsterdam. I watched the original “12 Angry Men” again (one of my favorites). The promoter of the venue was sweet enough to let us have her apartment for the for 3 days, and much time was spent over at her boyfriend’s art, book, and record store called “Delicatessen”. We did dinner and a movie (Emilio Estevez’s “Repoman”). This apartment is lovely, and it’s a great way to start the rush of a tour in a country I have never been to before. I made my way to Tasty Bread Bakeries, and those wild coffee shop! Mike Fadem brought a special travel size coffee grinder and has made us all Stumptown Coffee with Ray Charles playing in the background. Born to Lose indeed! The venue was set up very classy, and people watched us over the balcony. Everyone involved with tonight’s show treated us incredible, and the crowd had a blast with us! All the locals made me feel welcomed. Amsterdam is very beautiful, special place. Please visit when you save up and get the chance. I hope to return here soon, but I can see how much trouble this place can be for the American party kid. I will post more photos from my cell phone I can’t upload. It’s refreshing and I needed this.
Morning cupcakes, Coffee, Nina Simone and I am off to Münster. The city was founded in 793 by Frisian Ludger.
On February 17th 2010, I will embark on a mission I haven’t been able to accomplish or yet discover. I already sense a strong feeling of enlightenment, and perspective change on this trip. Kevin Devine was kind enough to let me tour in his band in the United States of America the past two years, and this month he will be dragging my wild self with him to Europe. This is a dream of mine with lots of anticipation, and I will be reporting on the Bicycle Recorder from time to time while I do on preproduction for album #2. Below are the upcoming dates I will be with Kevin in Europe and US:
KEXP posted this video yesterday of us performing at the Cutting Room Studios (NYC) in November. The video is for the song “Judy the Alpha Queen” and brings back fond memories of that fine day. Check back soon for free mp3’s of the session!!!!
We would like to thank you from the bottom of our hearts to all of those who made there way out to 92Y Tribeca last night with Kevin Johnston and the Rockstar Society. I had a ton of fun hanging and watching both bands perform. We have never headlined before proper in New York City, and didn’t expect to share the night with such a supportive vibrant crowd. I wont forget this one, you’re the best!
We will be performing at Brooklyn Bowl on February 3rd supporting The Constellations. Doors at 6pm, Music at 9PM, 21+.
This upcoming week my brother and I will be a part of Kevin Devine’s Goddamn Band for a 101.9 RXP presents Celebrating the release of the Kevin Devine/Manchester Orchestra split 7″ “I Could Be The Only One” on January 27th.
A last minute reminder to those in the New York City area; we are playing a headlining show tonight at 92 Y Tribeca (check previous posts or our shows section for the details). Thanks to those who entered the ticket giveaway contest! The contest is now over and you should be contacted by this evening, so, thanks and we’ll see you tonight!
For those who are coming tonight we are playing with the full crew plus some bonus members and other surprises! Good times? You damn right!
