Hey guys.
We've just finished the U.S tour and arrived in Europe. First show Edinburgh tomorrow night! Just want to say a huge thanks to John Browns Body who blew us away with the sheer force and style of their playing. New Zealand is in for a treat in November!
Also, a big thanks to everyone who came to the U.S shows. We sincerely appreciate your support. We'll be back in America very soon, and hopefully in Canada too.
In the meantime ... Solid Ground has just been loaded up onto AOL Spinner so check out the album in full here now. Enjoy! http://www.spinner.com/new-releases#/21. Peace.
Monday 28 September 2009
Thursday 24 September 2009
US Tour Doco 2
Checkout the latest shenanigans from our U.S tour, including getting stuck in lifts, strange fears of bugs... and even a couple of shows…
Wednesday 23 September 2009
USA Tour 09 Blog #4
Mishawaka tavern has so far been a highlight for me personally, although being at such an altitude is hard work the chur surroundings and the great vibe off the people sure made us feel very welcome!
We had come from Denver Colorado that day and pulled up to our more than pleasant hotel in Fort Collins itself it was an amazing day really hot! Craig gave the call as we were given our room keys “10 minutes back at the van leave for venue!” ha-ha 10 minutes slowly turned into 20 then 30 with questions been asked into the were abouts of Nigel and Dan. Craig looked everywhere they weren’t in there room they had disappeared!
40 minutes late Nigel and Dan walked out of the hotel only to have been stuck in the elevator for half an hour with a lady called Tina, help arrived the door was crow barred open and nobody was hurt, definitely provided a few laughs for us and some gold footage for our video blog! (http://theblackseeds.blogspot.com)
We had a nice drive into the country to the Mishawaka Tavern not only was it great to be in amongst some nature but was a good treat for the boyos! It was a mean gig and we were lucky enough to have it filmed so we have it on record forever yeya
Chur Mishawaka for a great time/gig/laugh
Andy.C
Tuesday 22 September 2009
10 days, 4000+ kilometers, 9 hotels, 6 states and 7 gigs.
The road-
We are past the half-way mark now after a mammoth trek across the Midwest. After a short stop in Iowa, corn capital of the U.S.A. we put the plains of Nebraska behind us and arrived in Colorado, home of the Rocky Mountains.
The band were all exited about checking the Rockies out and while driving into Boulder we got a glimpse (through the late summer haze). The word ‘vast’ comes to mind and we realized that to check out the Rockies properly you need to spend some time. Can’t wait to show John Browns Body the Remarkables in Queenstown when they tour with us in N.Z.
Boulder is a university town and was designed with the same concepts as a few other university towns in the US. These are really cool places with narrow leafy streets and open european style plazas. I love the feel of these towns.
The gig-
The Gothic theatre in Denver is an original vaudeville theatre built in 1908. It’s a classic old theatre and famous among musicians in the US for being a great gig. While it lives up to its name in terms of some of the gear, the atmosphere is thick with history and we had a blast. Very cool crowd and it was great to meet some of the US fans, in fact two people had driven from Mexico to see the gig. Right on!
One of the biggest questions that occurs in my day while on the road is what to eat.
My top three food stops in the US so far;
1. Any Whole Food Market.
These places are oasis’ of culinary paradise in the great strip mall of America. Organic food and products. Incredible salads, great coffee (!!!!) and more.
2. Short Stop Deli, Ithaca, NY.
The Grand Slam Ithaca Cheese Steak with horseradish was the best post-gig chow down I’ve ever had. If you go here, keep a good hour to get through one. Open since the sixties this place delivers the real deal. See photo.
3. Sals Pizza, NY, NY.
Many places claim to have authentic New York Pizza, this is what they aim for. The bass player from John Browns Body (respect) put me on to this one, cheers Nate!
So, onto Park City, Utah tomorrow and then the west coast. Cant wait to see the Pacific.
Ray Ray.
Sunday 20 September 2009
US Tour - Thanks Boulder, Colarado!
Heres a bit of onstage footage from our show in Boulder, Colarado on Thurs night. What an amazing crowd! Cheers Colorado. Hopefully see you again real soon!
Friday 18 September 2009
USA Tour 09 Blog #2
Day 4 - PHILADELPHIA
Well the day started like most other tour days, too early with too little sleep. Unlike most – we had had a night off the previous evening but I had decided it was a good idea to sample a few examples of the American classic “Budweiser” and as a token of their gratitude they had given me a mild hangover to help me enjoy my day with.
Morning routines completed I headed downstairs for some breakfast. Unfortunately my vegan dietary requirements had me heading back to my room empty handed apart from an OJ. I then attempted to open some granola packets I had purchased the previous day – obviously it was still too early for my brain to be functioning and I missed the easy to tear line and instead with all might sent almost half the packet showering over the hotel room (my apologises to the cleaner).
Breakfast completed met up with the rest of the band at the van. The van is like our home on the road – we spend most days in there often for long periods of time and often not in ideal comfort .It is a place to try and sleep (if your lucky) play play station, give each other a hard time, watch movies and basically anything that can keep us occupied whilst we traveling to our other tour favourite: the venue.
This mornings mission was to play four songs for the World Café Radio Show in central Philadelphia. Traffic was slow but allowed for some unscheduled sightseeing – I especially liked the building with a large whale mural across one side and also the building made entirely of mirror glass (it managed to camouflage itself in the clouds with its own reflection).
We were greeted jovially at the World Café – and we quickly got the gear inside and set-up. The studio itself was awesome! Nice acoustics and a relaxed atmosphere. We spent the next hour getting the sound right and then recorded our songs. A surprisingly good early morning effort from the guys had us all feeling good about the performance and leaving World Café in good spirits!!
The rest of the day was spent in the van driving – destination Iowa City!!!!
Cheers Nigel
Well the day started like most other tour days, too early with too little sleep. Unlike most – we had had a night off the previous evening but I had decided it was a good idea to sample a few examples of the American classic “Budweiser” and as a token of their gratitude they had given me a mild hangover to help me enjoy my day with.
Morning routines completed I headed downstairs for some breakfast. Unfortunately my vegan dietary requirements had me heading back to my room empty handed apart from an OJ. I then attempted to open some granola packets I had purchased the previous day – obviously it was still too early for my brain to be functioning and I missed the easy to tear line and instead with all might sent almost half the packet showering over the hotel room (my apologises to the cleaner).
Breakfast completed met up with the rest of the band at the van. The van is like our home on the road – we spend most days in there often for long periods of time and often not in ideal comfort .It is a place to try and sleep (if your lucky) play play station, give each other a hard time, watch movies and basically anything that can keep us occupied whilst we traveling to our other tour favourite: the venue.
This mornings mission was to play four songs for the World Café Radio Show in central Philadelphia. Traffic was slow but allowed for some unscheduled sightseeing – I especially liked the building with a large whale mural across one side and also the building made entirely of mirror glass (it managed to camouflage itself in the clouds with its own reflection).
We were greeted jovially at the World Café – and we quickly got the gear inside and set-up. The studio itself was awesome! Nice acoustics and a relaxed atmosphere. We spent the next hour getting the sound right and then recorded our songs. A surprisingly good early morning effort from the guys had us all feeling good about the performance and leaving World Café in good spirits!!
The rest of the day was spent in the van driving – destination Iowa City!!!!
Cheers Nigel
Tuesday 15 September 2009
USA Tour 09 Blog #1
NYC by Michael Fabulous
Arrived in Manhattan on a rainy afternoon on that infamous day, Sept 11.
The first thing that struck me was the umbrella’s everywhere. A Wellingtonian would never consider using an umbrella - the wind simply doesn’t tolerate them. (Wellington is the New Zealand capital where The Black Seeds are based, very windy).
We dumped the gear and had about 45 mins to get food before soundcheck. I set my personal music playing device to shuffle and had a very enjoyable walk, touching on Little Italy and China town…
List Of Top 5 Tunes From My Walk, in chronological order:
Three Minute Party – Disasteradio
Theme From Trouble Man – Marvin Gaye
Love And Happiness – Al Green
Du Ar For Fin For Mig – Dungen
Could We – Cat Power
The thing I’ve learnt about enjoying a city like NY is to not get sucked in by the crazy amount of attractive consumer options available. Even if you can’t afford anything, just looking at the shit is ultimately draining and soul destroying. You gotta not get sucked in and keep your eyes on the bigger picture to feel the city and preserve yourself.
That being said, food is a necessity as well as a consumer item, and as soon as I saw the welcoming neon green sign of the Excellent Noodle House, I knew that was me. I ordered Bok Choy with roasted garlic and dumplings (great) and Tiramisu (average).
Soundchecked, and did the gig not long after. It was fucking great to kill a show in NY at The Bowery Ballroom, great crowd. I really enjoyed myself and met lots of nice people. None of this would be possible with out JBB, who played a killer set to a packed house. Ups!
After, our friend Deva Mahal (great singer and songwriter – check her) took us to a great diner. I aced driving a 14-seater van in NYC on a Friday night! It seems like with NY in general, you just gotta jump in or you’re gonna get your ass whooped. Had an amazing waffle with rum butter, maple syrup and blueberrys. Thanks Deva!
Drove 40 mins to the accommodation, only to discover the Navman had reverted to LAST nights accommodation – another 50 min drive to the right place! Trying to get there before the hotel computers shut down at 5 am and we would be locked out till they reopened at 5:30. Made it, few hours sleep, back on the road.
I love you New York!
xx Fab
.
Arrived in Manhattan on a rainy afternoon on that infamous day, Sept 11.
The first thing that struck me was the umbrella’s everywhere. A Wellingtonian would never consider using an umbrella - the wind simply doesn’t tolerate them. (Wellington is the New Zealand capital where The Black Seeds are based, very windy).
We dumped the gear and had about 45 mins to get food before soundcheck. I set my personal music playing device to shuffle and had a very enjoyable walk, touching on Little Italy and China town…
List Of Top 5 Tunes From My Walk, in chronological order:
Three Minute Party – Disasteradio
Theme From Trouble Man – Marvin Gaye
Love And Happiness – Al Green
Du Ar For Fin For Mig – Dungen
Could We – Cat Power
The thing I’ve learnt about enjoying a city like NY is to not get sucked in by the crazy amount of attractive consumer options available. Even if you can’t afford anything, just looking at the shit is ultimately draining and soul destroying. You gotta not get sucked in and keep your eyes on the bigger picture to feel the city and preserve yourself.
That being said, food is a necessity as well as a consumer item, and as soon as I saw the welcoming neon green sign of the Excellent Noodle House, I knew that was me. I ordered Bok Choy with roasted garlic and dumplings (great) and Tiramisu (average).
Soundchecked, and did the gig not long after. It was fucking great to kill a show in NY at The Bowery Ballroom, great crowd. I really enjoyed myself and met lots of nice people. None of this would be possible with out JBB, who played a killer set to a packed house. Ups!
After, our friend Deva Mahal (great singer and songwriter – check her) took us to a great diner. I aced driving a 14-seater van in NYC on a Friday night! It seems like with NY in general, you just gotta jump in or you’re gonna get your ass whooped. Had an amazing waffle with rum butter, maple syrup and blueberrys. Thanks Deva!
Drove 40 mins to the accommodation, only to discover the Navman had reverted to LAST nights accommodation – another 50 min drive to the right place! Trying to get there before the hotel computers shut down at 5 am and we would be locked out till they reopened at 5:30. Made it, few hours sleep, back on the road.
I love you New York!
xx Fab
.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
