Damo

Damo Suzuki with Tynder: Gary Evans (Drums), Martin Holland (Trumpet), Kris Jager (Guitar, Bass) and Tony Whitehead (Laptop, Guitar)
http://www.exeterphoenix.org.uk/

There were few times offers came from this Devon city for a couple of years. Finally I made it. Patrick the organiser pick me up from the railway station which is not so far from the venue and the hotel. Both you can reach in two, three minutes. Also, Hotel is just in front of rail station, I take train tomorrow. Practical…Perfect!!.

Sound carriers come slowly I was relaxing. They, Tynder saw in internet that organiser was looking for sound carriers for Network performance. And here they are. The venue is kind of art space, There is no stage, but theatre form. Performance place is bottom of the room and audience are on sheat on stairsteps. Felt many people are working here and also unvisual band is making their rehearsal somewhere in this building.

Sound check is over I went to restaurant nearby and other sound carriers came same place. They invited me to sit with them…but, I was hungry and my dishes are almost over. Sitting at restaurant and eat alone is not always nice. After I have much time too so went to Hotel for check in. UK is great place for performing with ever changing local sound carriers….even local small place like here or Winchester a couple of days before, you can find amazing sound carriers.

I took one or train earlier from London as I have to buy ticket (By accident someone lost my ticket) and also I am the person who try to go earlier for any kind of appointment. I have bad experiences that I arrived late. So, I like to wait than let people waiting.

There are many thing you can do like window shopping, and if you have enough time, you are much flexible and not in stress. And sometime happens things which you never expected It was cold wet day…let’s say normal British november weather…this is category typical England. So, I had not that much interest walk in pouring rain with suits case and hand baggage.

So, decide to sit in station hall……… suddenly I found the face I know from somewhere in all strangers pool. Ned!..Ned! what are you doing here? Ned is the guy who organised two shows in Huddersfield. He is attended by his wife..and dog. Since when you have dog? I got it today. that’ why I’m in Nottingham. We went to pub just in front of the station, for their train they have still 30 minutes to special small room that we can smoke. Things like this happens when you have time. It was nice to meet him unexpected.

Unexpected thing like this is always nice. The Lords is the band (or members of them) I performed several times not only in Nottingham also in Oxford. Chris is handicapped come with his broken feets with stock. He is guitarist so no problem…oh he use pedals as well…are you Ok to perform? He just come back with positive answer as if this is necessary.

Damo Suzuki with Irina (Electronics) and Hounting Lodge: Seth Cooke (Drums), Clive Henry (Bass) and Daniel Bennet (Guitar)

The venue is directly beside Tube Victoria line Highbury & Islington station. I use mostly public transport while I am on the road. Generally travelling alone.

In London my friend Geralad attend me always. He is the guy saw many my performance since couple of years also he is always at sound check and he knows what will be at the performance. Hounting Lodge is the band I perform with tonight and this will be their last performance. (their singer arranged this show) They will be aparted as members are now living/working in different cities and not possible to meet so often and practice. Good wishes to all members from here.

I met a lady met in Philadelphia few weeks before. The venue is just beside tube station is not that much necessary point if we finish performance late in the night.

Problem in this capitol is that public transport Tube close very early, sure there is night bus which takes quite long time to get you to your destination. Also you must have enough information to reach your destination, I guess…Pubs are closing also so early. As one of biggest tourist monopol in Europe, it’ impossible. I know British like to drink…where are they drinking after midnight? In all that night clubs? So, onliest transportation after performance is take taxi…which is not that cheap. Look! London is one of most expensive city beside Moscow in Europe.

Damo Suzuki with The Limes: Jez Cole (Guitar), Jimmy Fish (Guitar), James Moore (Drums), Ian Roberts (Percussion), Kneel Stainer (Percussion, Coarse Language) and Duncan Wilson (Bass) http://www.myspace.com/therailway

Winchester is really small city. Arrived early afternoon via Gatwick airport, went to pub with organiser and sound carriers , near railway few steps from railway station.Eat snacks. And this place, I perform.

Early afternoon Guinness. I had enough time to sound check, Jes the organiser invited me to come to his place to relax, also he is host of today.On the way cross this small town. Season off..but, still a few tourist in sight. Anything moving slow, feel deep middle in UK.

Shock of the day begun, my merchandising and train tickets were missing…there a guy much lazy than me, didn’t pick up anything for me. I have to say trust is one of most important thing in human society. Trust is also part or respect. Without this human society is a bit poor.

Damo Suzuki with Dimitris Kamarotos (Live Electronics, Wind Controller), Tilemachos Moussas (Electric Guitar , Loops, Midi Guitaritar, Theremin, Berimbau) and Savina Yannatou (Vocal improvisation)
http://www.kyttarolive.gr/

Back home 2AM, Wake up at 4AM to catch flight at 6:45AM. In flight my head was after party atmosphere…many sounds in brain hanging and hundreds of people speaking same time into my ear…. Landed in Athens in mild winter weather.

Antonis picked me up, told me he would like to shoot film with interview. And also he was meaning he organised my time table of the today until leave tomorrow. So, I would never get bored, I guess. First step was to Hotel, even I had not that much stuff for short trip to Greece. Rest for a while. He asked me what I like to eat. It took me not even second to give him answer. F-I-S-H!!! Oh, if I am in Greece like to eat ONLY fish. Very comfortable and friendly restaurant I met Tilemachos, later joined by Savina. Antonis was saying few interview…He arranged many people. Not only camera and light…I had to act myself door open a couple of females go into the venue then I as last I come into venue and at reception guy take my coat, He is Greece poet, They asked me about my work and Network, a lady who drive car to bring me here too translate my answer German to Greek then poet come again and he say something in Greece, and so on…

An another scene was one attractive young actress lay on stage and she had to improvise act with me and a drummer performing. She was very charming lady. The venue Kyttaro is institution..oldest Rock venue in Athen, mabe also in Greece. They closed for two decade and re-opened by founder’s son recently. Performance was 2 sets, first set without percussion. Savina is really amazing improvisor and done well.. .some places I went people spoken about her. Nowadays I perform often with “Another Vocal”..strange mainly ladies.