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Posts Tagged ‘Spanish Tour’
Wednesday, September 23, 2009
El/Le Tour Blog #3
Right, where was I?
Valencia was the next city and the venue was Durango Club. Another great venue with fantastic artwork and facilities. It was a Friday night but when the weekend comes in Spain, people don’t believe in starting off their nights until it’s the early morning. We didn’t quite get into the swing of the whole siesta thing so we were pretty wrecked by the time we went on stage. The energy of the crowd got us through the show though, helped by a few Kalimotxo’s (Red wine, Cola, ice and lime) introduced to us from a German couple who drove 150km to see us. Kalimotxo’s became the drink of choice for the remainder of the tour. Gig went grand.
By the next morning the tour was beginning to take its toll. On the way to the next place, finding a pharmacy was top priority. Luckily the nearest pharmacy was just beside the Valencia sea side. Popped into the Med for a quick paddle and with ear, throat and head medicine purchased, we were off to Barcelona. Rocksound was the venue. More crazy Irish were at the gig. The Diamond Rings made their voices heard and a few others from Dublin helped contribute to another fantastic night. And Barcelona beat Athletico Madrid in La Liga that evening so everybody went home happy.
Only an hour journey to the next place on the Sunday, so we had a few hours to spend doing whatever we pleased in Barcelona that morning. Some hit the beach and some wandered around the city gawking at Gaudi’s astonishing architecture. Departed for Salt/Giorona after our dose of sun and culture. The venue was La Mirona. Another venue that couldn’t really rely on passing trade, kind of in the middle of nowhere. But a good crowd showed up and our final Spanish show went swimmingly, and that’s taking into account John’s mid-gig stomach exhumation.
Said goodbye to Spain on the Monday morning and made our way towards Cergy, on the outskirts of Paris, France. We spread the journey over 2 days. Gonna be doing a bit of recording in the venue from Tuesday to Friday before our show on Saturday night, a possible new EP in the pipe line. I’ll let you know how we get on.
Talk t’ya then.
Damo – JS
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Friday, September 18, 2009
El Tour Blog #2
Hola again.
Just dropping by to give a quick update with the tour.
Last time I was talking to you was on our day off in the town of our next gig, Vigo. The gig that Monday night was in La Fabrica de Chocolate Club. It was a little disappointing, not a Wonka bar in sight. Great gig though, with a great crowd, especially for a Monday night.
The next day, we knew the chips were stacked against us with a 6 hour journey to Madrid and both Athletico and Real on the box that evening. One encouraging thing was the arrival of Dermot, Debs & Rachel from Ireland for extra support. The gig that evening in Gruta 77 went brilliantly. It was like when the final whistle of the footy blew, people poured into the venue. This tour has been full of pleasant surprises like that.
Another 5 hour road trip greeted on Wednesday. Granada was the next city and Planta Baja was the venue. On arrival, the people at the venue showed us some features about our gig in some local newspapers. One paper had an interview with me in it. If anyone has read it, I was mis-quoted. The gig started of very worryingly with only about 3 people in the venue 5 minutes before we were to go on stage. Possibly because there was more Champions League football on, but, after a few songs the place was fairly full. We even got an extra cut from the takings at the door because of the unexpectedly large crowd.
Stuck in the van again for another 6 hours on Thursday. The gig that night was in the Japan Rock Club, Vila-Real. It seems like all we’re doing is sleeping, eating, sitting in the van, gigging, sleeping again and then starting the cycle all over the next day. Not complaining though. I wouldn’t have it any other way. It won’t be too bad now with only short trips left as we make our way up the East coast of Spain. It pissed out of the heavens all day long. Saw something on the news about Spain getting flash floods and tornadoes n’all. The lightning looked spectacular where we were. Again, a surprising amount braved the elements to check out the gig. 2 encores and we felt that a splendid time was had by all.
Also, if anybody has pictures or videos from our gigs, we would love to see them so get in touch.
Next – Valencia.
I’ll keep you up to speed. Talk t’ya in a bit.
Damo – JS
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Sunday, September 13, 2009
El Tour Blog #1
Hola Everybody.
Damo from Jaded Sun here, keeping you up to speed with what’s happening with us on our tour of Spain and France. We’ve got 4 gigs under our belts so far and we’re currently on our way to Vigo, on the West coast of Spain near the Portugese border, for the next show.
The shows so far have surpassed our expectations with fantastic crowds and excellent treatment.
Arrived in Madrid Wednesday morning after leaving Dublin at stupid o’clock, pretty bolloxed but we got a snooze on the way to the first town, Hondarribia, so it worked out ok. The venue was a big outdoor marquee/tent type of thing and the town was just kicking off a local festival and we were headlining their opening night. The gig went great and it was a privilege to play in such an amazingly beautiful town on the North coast of Spain.
Next to Estudio 27 in Burgos. Small venue attached to the local football stadium, straight across from a big bull fighting arena. I think we got that day’s loser for dinner! Gig went fantastically. We got a much bigger crowd than expected.
The next day we had a short journey to Vitoria. Arrived early to the venue – Helldorado – but no one was there. Actually nobody was anywhere. The venue was smack in the middle of a not-so-busy industrial estate. This got the nerves jangling. Went off and checked into where we were staying. Came back, to sound check when it opened, to find a brilliant venue with a massive stage and fantastic artwork on every wall. Went for dinner after sound check and came back to do the show, the place was full. It turned out to be one of the best gigs we have ever played on tour before. After the show, we were not long finshed patting ourselves on the back, when Thomas, our sound engineer, came in to say that some guy had tried to steal Sean’s pedal board from the stage. He got as far as the front door until the owner of the venue gave him a knuckle sandwich to the eye socket! A Spanish Mickah Wallace, if you like? We got the pedal board back and packed up our gear as quick as we could so to make a swift exit. Whilst packing up, Eorann discovered that 2 of his harmonicas had disappeared! This really pissed everyone off and what could’ve been a triumphant evening turned bitter fairly quickly. No hard feelings against the lovely people of Vitoria, 99% of the people who turned up to the gig and came up to talk to us were dead sound, but karma caught up with one culprit instantly, so the other guy better chew his food carefully.
The next gig was in Dom Pedro’s Rock cafe in Gijon, another spectacular, scenic city. Gig went great, 3 encores. Afterwards we had a few beers in a 1950′s, rock’n'roll themed bar. Pretty nuts.
(Jaded Sun paella!)
Anyway, day off today. One or two of us are nursing sore heads. 7 gigs on the trot from tomorrow. I’ll keep you in the loop.
Talk t’ya again soon.
Damo – JS.
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