Damo

Damo Suzuki with Popiro and Phased: Michael Guellinger (Bass), Marco Lehtinen (Drums), Narco Papiro (Synth) and Chris Sigdell (Vocal, Guitar)
http://www.hirscheneck.ch/

Basel is very famous for it’s chemical industry. 3rd biggest city in Switzerland after Zurich and Geneve. The city settle up both left and right banks of Rhine. It’s on three country corner, France, Germany and Switzerland. This international Geo situation was also with formation of sound carriers tonight. all four members are from Sweden, Norway, Italy and Switzerland.

In fact there is many immigrant family here. The guy who performed as supporting art, he lives in Amsterdam with his girlfriend from Finland. They come at first to the venue and I thought they will perform with me. Seems to be many Scandinavian people are living here. Climate and living standards are quite similar to their home countries. Switzerland and Norway has most high level of living standard in the world. Even now a days many Germans changed their settlement move to Switzerland. Specially medicine, doctors and any academic class people.

Four sound carriers had never instant composed in front of audience, they said and they’re looking forward to this evening show. Monday show is something not promoters likes to do. It may be geographic fortune place like here Basel. Many young people showed up. Also some of faces I know in audience. They promised me to come whenever I perform at this part of Switzerland. They brought their friends.

My accommodation tonight is at this venue upstairs. When I left venue (mostly I leave latest) still there were some people drinking and dancing. Upstairs ……tonight nobody, just me at upstairs. From window I watch at night sky and I slept slowly down. Maron, who runs this venue, came exactly in time like he said for breakfast…and he told me one interesting thing that this house is spooky, some bands who stayed here saw ghost and not for few times…many times. Did you feel OK?…..hey,hey,hey……

Phased website, you may find review in German
http://www.phased.ch/?s=reviews&c=deutsch

Damo Suzuki with Xavier Amor (Keyboards, Electronics), François Chabbey (Guitar), Stéphane Loup (Guitar, Vocal) and Guido Wiss (Drums)

Where is snow? This is the first question I had to give myself when I entered in Switzerland, expecting white dreamy snow world in mid-January…Middle in winter. After around 7 hours from Cologne by train….three changes in Basel, Bern, Visp then arrived finally in Martingny. All Switzerland through from window there few snow…even you can see here world is getting warm…….global warming. Martigny is quite closer to Italy. Small town, I guess most economical stuff is tourism..specially in winter time.

This season is so less snow you have to go higher than 1,500m meter from sea level to walk, to ski on natural snow. This area of Switzerland is gourmet temple. Franz List, Goethe were here and enjoyed foods. Even Hannibal with 37 elephant was here when they attacked Roma at around 200BC…humm quite a long ago.

I found it very peaceful here. A young guy picked me up from tinny railway station and brought me to Hotel…a very quiet hotel in middle of the city. Concert organizer Balthazar had been at Network performance in Geneva a couple of years before and he invited me…when I get invitation… Martingny?..I never heard of this town also invitation is in winter time…In Switzerland!!!…Am I able to survive there? Is there any people who has interest in my kinda music? When I come to the venue found this was not necessary thought. Some young people are working and they brought me drinks and snacks…. Most western countries, now a days, no smoke at public place. Switzerland is not so…

Sound Carriers showed up a bit later. Most of my shows I’m earliest person to come to venue. …there are many reasons. I’m traveling, so I have enough time. link to transport arrival time. Sound carriers have mainly their regular job, they come from far etc, etc. Also I’m kind of easy person like to be in venue and wait for people. Next day, a break day, continued stay here rather than to travel to city.

First time I enjoyed Cheese Fondue (Maybe some of you know this is Swiss specialty), sound carriers and some friend brought me to domestic restaurant and this was really enjoyable and yummy! Yes, in restaurant you cannot smoke even here in Switzerland…maybe this is better so. Smells of smoke is disgusting when you are eating.

Damo Suzuki with Nazim Communale (Piano), Francesco Donadello (Drums), Enrico Fontanelli (Synth, Electronic), Luca Giovanardi (Guitar, Electronics), Olivier Manchion (Bass), Jukka Reverberi (Guitar, Electronics), Luca Rossi (Bass) and Giulio C. Vetrone (Guitar)
http://www.calamita.net/

Last night I stayed at Luca and Ricci in Reggio. Today’s performance at Cavriago is few cat step from Reggio Emilia. I woke up quite late, it was already noon. Ricci wrote note that she will come and pick me up as both has appointment with Luca’s parent.

They made appointment at the restaurant which is closer to both. I was once there at that amazing restaurant, that time mother of Luca invited us. His parents were already there I see Mr.Giovanardi, the world business man for first time. Food here is really great…I forget the name of the place…I have to ask Luca next time I see…maybe end of this year. After the lunch Luca brought me to Olivier, with whom we release half of double CD HollyAris, he is calm French smart guy married with Italian lady…he really looks like French with his big nose settle in middle of face. Once I said to him or he find his joke if he is as Jean Paul Belmond…I didn’t see him for two years, in between he is proud father of Matthiew. He seems to be not good to sleep like every young parents and take care of his small cute son. Very relaxed afternoon…

The venue Calamita, I performed once a couple of years ago, last time with whole members of Julli’s Haircut. This time selection of sound carriers curated by Luca…Including Olivier.

Review & Photos: http://www.calamita.net/damo.html

Damo Suzuki with Francesco Donadello (Drums, Synths), Luca Giovanardi (Guitar, Synths, Tapes, Effects), Olivier Manchion (Bass) and Andrea Scarfone (Guitar, Effects)
http://www.myspace.com/locomotivclub

I have been here quite often for transit. Bologna is very old city and had oldest university in Italy, probably oldest one in Europe. Strange there was a bit hassle at airport even I flown from Sicily…within Italy….a civil security guard checked flight ticket and my baggage. Also small dog was sniffing my perfume.

Arrive early, had enough time to take walk in this old beautiful interesting city. Young friendly guy (Sorry I forget your name) attend me brought Lunch, where normal Italian people meet..no tourist place I mean. So, real Italian atmosphere. Everywhere else too,but specially in Italy to be in such place like here you have to have local guide.

Then He brought me to radio interview which reporter promised me to talk about I am doing NOW and further. He put on turntable a piece from Italian sound carrier friend Zu. He had only my old pieces from early 70’s.

The venue is quite new opened. Scaffo and Luka both Julis Haircut Joined.

Damo Suzuki with Nicola Giunta (Electronics, Casiotone, Bass guitar, Acoustic guitar, etc), Pietro La Rocca (Guitar, Clarinet, Drums) and Salvo Rizzo (Electronics, Electric and Acoustic Guitar, Samples, Voice, Objects)
http://www.candelai.it/

Even this time of the year I was expecting sun once I come to very southern part of Europe like here ….Sicily. I was wishing to get a bit of sunshine… No, hope whole day raining seems to be endless. Just around two hours flight from Cologne I landed at airport. Girlfriend of Giovanni pick me up from airport. Palermo was city of Mafia, was once most dangerous city in Europe, beginning of 80’s of last century every third day one person killed. Now criminal statistic changed better way and now rank 15 in Italy through initiative by politicians, artists and citizen. Palermo is 5th largest city Italians and end station of Berlin – Palermo railway line.

I come here for very first time (I was willing to come here once, now finally!!!) First I went to the venue. The hotel is near to the venue, in old town with narrow street, small family atmosphere one, I was tired from early flight and also weather is miserable, I took rest for a couple of hours…but, there is construction at the hotel, even loud music in headphone doesn’t help, so actually it was not really comfortable to take rest. Anyway it was best thing I could do even I was curious about the city. Rain was just hard rain.

The venue was until 20 years ago brothel, now is art space. High to ceiling. I never have been in brothel, first experience. Local sound carriers comes a bit reserved, after sound check everybody was comfortable. At the show found young people.

Photo at http://www.flickr.com/photos/v_/2204484538/sizes/o/