FJORD DENT
Wow, I am well rested--when does that happen? I am in Oslo, rehearsing, writing and demo-ing with the Disciplines, and we have been productive enough that we knocked off around 8 last night. After this weekend we will have 2 great new songs demo'd and maybe a third as well. I arrived on Thursday and we had our first real photo shoot, but even after that we went to work in the rehearsal space.
Friday night there was a big party at the National Radio/TV broadcast house. There was a crap band playing, and free champagne (for awhile). I met many Posies fans, including many of the local music scene, receiving respectful honors from journalists, members of Turbonegro, etc etc.
I was home at the beginning of the week, and although we *didn't* make it in to the Syd Matter show at La Fleche D'or--we saw the crowds out front, and couldn't be bothered to be in a venue that full, so we went to dinner around the corner instead--we had plenty to do. I saw the excellent, and rather eerie film "Little Children", which chronicles the disfunction, conformity, and ennui of suburban American life, with an unnerving effect. I listened to my friends the Loud Famnily, who have a collaborative album with Anton Barbeau called "What If It Works?" on 125 Records (www.125records.com). It opens with a cover of the Stones' song "Rocks Off" and then, in Scott Miller's inimitable deadpan, comes track 2, "Song About 'Rocks Off'".
Also recommended: Adam Snyder "This Town Will Get Its Due" (www.adamsnyder.com) I met Adam when he was playing with Mercury Rev, on tour with REM. I *didn't* meet him when he lived in Seattle in the early 90s, but now he lives in Kingston NY, and writes intelligent celebrations and critiques of the common man.
Lydia Lunch: "Deviations On A Theme" A two disc retrospective of Lydia's musical and spoken word explorations. The diversity of this collection is really impressive, and Lydia's observations are always dead on, and uncompromisingly delivered. (www.lydialunch.com)
Poet In Process: "Free Way" This isn't released yet, but it's their upcoming debut album, check them out on myspace.
The Decemberists: "The Crane Wife" Sometimes they remind me of Jethro Tull--especially the medieval organ arpeggios...my long time colleague, John Moen, is now the drummer--I first new John in the 1980s when he played in the Dharma Bums...The Decemberists will play the Maroquinerie in Paris on the 22nd.
And the 3 "E"s--Ella Fitzgerald, Explosions in the Sky, and Elton John.
I don't recommend listening to Explosions on headphones, or in your car. But--as something heard in the background, it works.
And on that note...I will get some new photos up in the photos section this week when I'm back in Paris. Or maybe tonight...or tomorrow...we'll see!
Love
KS
Oslo NORWAY
