I don’t know when I will be able to get this posted, I don’t have reliable net access at my accommodations or the studio, and the long studio hours mean I will have just a few minutes each morning to quickly compile a few thoughts. In the interest of trying to maintain my weekly posting routine, I’ll possibly not have to time to elaborate ad nauseum, infinitum, hoc or any other ad possibilities that you’ve become accustomed to from me. Produced by Ad Stasium.
The Duloks: I spent 2 outrageously fun days in London working with the Duloks, producing 3 songs in a bubbling burst of fun. The Duloks are a band with no weak points—the songs rock; the are minimalists making a lot of joyful noise with just one keyboard, an electronic drum kit, and voices; they are intelligent and charming; they have that Beatles thing where, should you become a fan (and you will, soon, my friends) you can discuss which one is your favorite Dulok; Mar Dulok is from East Van., yo!; they temper their songs with (one might even say propel them with) humor that is both goofy and witty; they are all three sweet as pie but also highly sassy cityfolk; etc etc et fucking cetera. Peter fucking Cetera. We had a super time, and the songs turned out very well, I gave ‘em a few suggestions but mostly just let ‘em rip.
Natxo and Caro: these are my hosts here in Barcelona; Natxo is the brother of a friend of mine, the tres celebre chef Sergi Arola, on Sergi’s good word Natxo and his g.f. Caro took me in sight unseen and have been absolute dears. We went to a fantastic kind of Catalan bistro on the night I arrived, the place is called Cal Boter and it’s where Sergi got his start, evidently. It’s here I discovered grilled pig’s feet, which I have had a couple of times on this trip, now! And Catalan-style Escargot. Well. C & N have been just brilliant, lovely people. And they have a great cat. Natxo also plays in a band called Poet In Process who will be releasing their first CD soon. They are playing soon here in town, we might take a break from our work to see them.
Lydia Lunch: Lydia I have known for a decade or so, since we did a reading together in Seattle. She has settled here in Barcelona, in some part as a total rejection of the American system and in some part as the city suits her aesthetic senses. We had lunch this last weekend, and among other things she showed me many of her recent photographs, including some jaw-dropping photos of an abandoned Spanish town called Belchite. Belchite was carpet bombed in the Spanish Civil War, and left as a standing ruin. Belchite’s former opulence is grotesquely still evident. The distinction of Belchite is that it is the only city carpet bombed by its own countrymen. Perhaps Lydia has some of these photos on her website lydialunch.com, but at the very least she will have compelling images and words to peruse.
Redd Kross: are playing here tomorrow night. We are hoping to go see them if the studio hours permit it. Steve McDonald joined us for lunch yesterday however and it’s always a pleasure to see him. It’s kind of amazing that I’ve known him for 17 years, and been a RK fan for almost 20.
The Cosmopolitants: thought I’d never get around to * what * it is I’m doing here in Spain, didn’t you? I am here producing a local band called the Cosmopolitants. I was originally going to do this recording in September but it was postponed until now, they have been superbly gracious about accommodating my insane schedule. We have been cutting tracks at tiny studio in the Gracia neighborhood. Gracia is a tight little honeycomb of alleys and squares, packed with incredible bars, restaurants and interesting shops. We have eaten lunch at different spot nearly every day (I had to go back to one spot a second time as they were out of conejo the first day. They had it today, and, my oh my, was it worth the trip. As for the music of the Cosmopolitants, they have some great songs, and they are starting to take shape. The studio we are working in has a blue “Vistalite” drum kit, made by Ludwig in the 1970s—these are the drums made famous by John Bonham. The kit kinda made Jonathan, the drummer sound a bit like Bonzo. And, in fact, I saw him drink 18 screwdrivers before driving a Bugatti into a trout pond after playing that kit.
A Certain Kind of Death: is a documentary I watched the other night. It’s about the process of dealing with the remains and effects of deceased persons who have no apparent next of kin. Something I know you haven’t thought about, ever. The film is more sad than gruesome but it does have its moments of unsettling imagery.
Miss Shapen Fingers: is the nom de plume of a young man from near Angouleme, France (he supported my show there this spring in fact). He has covered my song “Spanish Waltz” and has it available as a free download on miss-shapenfingers.com or you can order a CD of this and various other original and cover songs, called “Kissed or Killed but Living and Loving”.
Phone cards and call centers: I have been using these multiple times a day to keep in touch with Dom and Aden. If I call from a land line to a land line with the “EuropaTaxi” card I got at the call center next to the studio, I can get 1500 minutes for €6.
Slovenian Euros: I believe Slovenia is now on the Euro. I have yet to see a Slovenian Euro coin, tho. Dom and I have a bet as to whether one will turn up in our change in Paris before or after August.
OK, I now face the very real possibility of getting 8 hours of sleep…unheard of during the recording process…
Love
KS
Barcelona SPAIN
