Andrew Vladeck

Europe, Days 10-16, Kind of…

Apologies for the disjointed - typo-ridden blog post.  I hope it gets the point across.  I’ve had little time in front of a keyboard, but want to share my trip with you as much as possible.  It’s been so densely, richly laden with all sorts of good things.  First, here’s a video as we Zip along the Autobahn (and More photos posted on Facebook):

Drove from Modena, Italy to Chemnitz (former GDR) in one day.  Gorgeous and fascinating to be able to cut through the formerly impermeable Alps in one afternoon.  Made me thing of Hannibal leading his calvalry of Elephants through the Alps to attack Rome way back in the day - didn’t work out so well.   Anywhoo, for us it’s working great.   Such different terrain, people, language, food, culture, weather.  It doesn’t seem possible in one week, let alone one day.  But that is the wonder of Europe.

Zittau - an amazing club (Emil) with a wonderful community feel.  tons of kids came out, and students from the university.  since Zittau is off the beaten-path, and my show was featured in the paper, people were excited for my arrival.  And so was I.  Really down-to-earth, earthy, crowd.   We were fed an amazing 3-course vegetarian meal my Chef David.  So incredible.  I’ve never been asked for so many encores as I have on this tour.  As headliner, I’m already playing shows that are already an hour-and-a-half long, and still I have to cut them off after the third round of encores.   It’s madness.  and very, very sweet.

Leipzig - a breathtaking venue (Moritzbastei) in the bastion of an ancient fortification in the center of the city, which the promoter and the lighting designer made beautiful.  as usual, many of completely new faces.  The language barrier is particularly steep, in conversation, yet during the show, people are still engaged.  I must admit that this phenomenon is curious to me, but I’m grateful for the attention and patience.

Drove through a cloud lying across the rolling farmland and modern windmills of the former German Democratic Republic.   I’ve been feeling more than ever in a bubble.  A “tour bubble.“  haven’t read the paper since sept 13.  i know what town i’m in - that’s the fun part - but lose sight of the time and the day.   no watch, no phone (left that in vienna anyway).  No text messages, or iPhone anything.  Limited laptop time.   it’s such a radical change. At first I was going through withdrawal, but now it feels good.  It kind of feels like I’m meditating, all the time.   I haven’t even carried a wallet, as the venues provide dinner and and the accomodations often provide breakfast, and otherwise my tour manager has been handling the cash.   It’s like i’m 10-years old.   Language barrier has been great in the East and the South (of Germany) and in Italy - it’s hard to find other anglophones other than my friend and tour manager.   In each new city there’s usually one person I meet - the promoter - whose english is very good.  Some towns, there’s no one.  It’s very curious to see the reaction to the music and the stage banter.  At at some points I feel like i’m a crazy person talking gibberish to myself, in a crowded theater.

It’s interesting how eastern and western Germany are different, as any German (east or west) will tell you.  It makes sense, as it was literally walled-off from Western Europe for almost 50 years.  50 very formulative years - the post-war development, the continuing march of modernization, technological revolution, cold war, English-learning versus Russian-learning.   Anyone over a certain age grew up learning russian, which explains why so few speak English.   as a result it’s a slightly different place.  i wonder if it will always be.  i think it has a lot of soul.  in some ways feels closer to Poland and the Czech Republic than to Frankfurt and Berlin.

Frankfurt!   The language barrier has come down -  what a difference that makes!   I did a radio show on one of the stations earlier that day, and with the press, there was a wonderful audience.  I was happy to have the local artist, Ina Simone (that’s her real name) open up the show with her gorgeous piano-based alt-folk-pop songs.  I’ve been a fan of hers for a while, so it was a real thrill.   I had a great time playing, the sound system was amazing,  and a great responsive crowd.  It was electric.   After the third encore I had to sneak out the side door.  That felt good, and it’s just so hilarious.  It was fun to hang out with the various other people and musicians after the show.

Berlin!  amazing.  My show was featured in several of the leading print papers, in Berlin and that drove up attendance quite a bit… which is awesome!   especially since most of these shows have me headlining with no support.  I’m very thrilled that the response has been so good, because I’m as new to town as one could get.  Had a neat moment when one of my songs mentions “Berlin” and I got to sing “Berlin” in Berlin!  Very cool!  Also a bunch of friends came out, including my cousin Tom (who had run the marathan earlier that day (an incredibly rainy day).  

After 5 more shows in Germany, we’re driving to the Netherlands today, for a radio show in Rotterdam, and then a show in Belgium in the evening.   Three countries in one day, bring it on!

Oh!  and here I am backstage with Ina Simone and David of The Lonesome Thrones in Frankfurt, Germany at Hazelwood Studio’s Yellowstage.

Posted on 09/30/10 at 05:11PM | Filed under: blog