Notes From The Road...

Thursday March 12, 2009 - Sydney, Australia

Hard to believe, but we're almost through the Australian leg of the tour. I wish I could tell you where the last 7 days went, but I haven't a clue. Tonight's show was number two of four in Sydney, and the ninth overall. This venue is by far the biggest we've seen on the tour, but the Sydney crowd has made us feel right at home. Jonathan, Grasshopper and I had a busy morning, running around town doing a few radio interviews for JJJ, 2SER and F.B.I. before soundcheck. We were allowed to hi-jack JJJ for an hour this morning, just long enough to play a few of our favorites. Tomorrow is a day off, maybe a little time at Bondi Beach is in the cards... SPF 50 anyone?

Thursday March 5, 2009 - Melbourne, Australia

It's a soggy morning here in Melbourne... and the rain-slicked blue hard-courts surronding the Rod Laver Arena are a beautiful sight to behold. I finally had a chance to catch a little bit of Decoder Ring's set last night from the side stage area, I plan to watch from a better vantage point this evening... really gorgeous sounds, their 25 minute set is not nearly long enough. There seems to be a wealth of really strong, innovtive music coming from Australia and we're happy to be sharing the stage (or at least the front portion of it) with them. One more show tonight in Melbourne and then a little DJ action tomorrow night before heading off to Brisbane.

Tuesday March 3, 2009 - Melbourne, Australia

Melbourne from my hotel window... the venue is the slightly blue-ish constellation on the right. We're now a few days in and starting to get our legs (or wings, if you prefer). We've all had a chance to meet Chris, Will, Guy & Johnny from Coldplay & crew and a nicer bunch you will not find. They're keeping us on our toes with song requests at soundcheck... how does that old song go? Hoping to find a little time for a tram ride to St. Kilda tomorrow, we'll see... Goodnight for now,

jeff

Saturday February 28, 2009 - Perth, AU

That's no arena... that's a space station.

And on the third day, there was jet-lag. Today I think we're all feeling the thousands of miles travelled and the sleep deprivation, but Perth is beautiful and I have to tell you, it's pretty nice to be delivered from the grasp of a Hudson Valley winter into a tropical paradise. Two shows in and it's still something of a blur... it's a funny thing being on stage for 40 minutes, and playing in the Perth ridiculo-dome to boot, but it feels good to be out playing shows again after almost two months off. We're on our way to Melbourne in the morning and a day off, oh it's torture let me tell you. More later... Jeff

Friday November 14, 2008 - Oxford, UK

Today we find ourselves in Oxford for our last UK show of this tour. Thanks to everyone who came out to Shepherds Bush last night for a truly memorable show. For those of you who missed it, the set list went something like this: Snowflake In A Hot World, October Sunshine, Holes, Black Forest, The Funny Bird, You're My Queen, People Are So Unpredictable, Frittering, Tonite It Shows, Tides Of The Moon, Dream Of A Young Girl As A Flower, Opus 40, Goddess On A Hiway, The Dark Is Rising & Senses On Fire... whew. Tomorrow is a quick run in to London for an early morning radio appearance on "Loose Ends" and then on to Europe!

Tuesday November 11, 2008 - Brighton, UK

Another lively one tonight at Concorde 2 in Brighton, thanks for everyone who came out. And and extra-special, enormous thanks to Howling Bells for yet another great set last night. For those of you who haven't yet heard them, they are truly a pleasure to see (and hear). Bristol is next and London soon too... more soon-ish.

Thursday October 30, 2008 - Waterford, Ireland

Tonight marks the first show of the tour, and what a way to begin... after playing mainly festivals so far this year, it's a real treat to play a small venue again. Many thanks to the good people of Waterford for their love and enthusiasm. Tonight's set went something like this: Snowflake In A Hot World, October Sunshine, Holes, The Funny Bird, You're My Queen, People Are So Unpredictable, Tonite It Shows, Frittering, Opus 40, Dream Of A Young Girl As A Flower, Empire State, Goddess On A Hiway, The Dark Is Rising, Senses On Fire.

Thursday September 24, 2008 - Mexico City, 3:30 a.m.

We touched down about an hour late tonight, passed mostly un-noticed through the red light-green light game at customs and found just enough time for a little drive around town. A quick bite to eat the an American-style diner called the Baracuda and a cold beer next door. Tomorrow is mostly free and we're hoping to do our fair share of exploring. But for now, sleep beckons...

Thursday September 18, 2008 - London

Sitting in Shepherd's Bush, getting ready to split town... here are a few pics from yesterday's pre-record of the Dermott O'Leary show from the Bing Crosby room at BBC studios in Maida Vale.

Monday September 15, 2008 - Paris 1:27 a.m.

It's an early start tomorrow morning and sleep is looming large. Back in the van at dawn as we drive our way back to London for a BBC radio session on Wednesday... One more chance for bad food on the ferry across the channel? Think I'll opt for the deck and the fresh sea air.

I just wanted to take a moment to say thanks to Michelle & Bernard at The Black Sessions. It is always a pleasure and we look forward to many more. Goodnight Paris, see you in November.

Sunday September 14, 2008 - Catskills/New York/London/Dorset/Paris Re-cap

Hours of sleep: 6 - Breakfast: berocca - Current iPod track: Mr. Amateur by Midlake - Outlook: tempered optimism

It's been quite a while since the last post, maybe a couple of years... we'll see if we can't keep things a bit more current this time around. There was a lot going on this past week, where to begin? First off, thanks to everyone who came out to see the show at The Stone in New York last Wednesday. High marks to Jeremiah who was extremely helpful manning the door and taking care of our needs at the venue. Also, kudos to Alex Chechile and Jonah & Steve from Feedtank for making the show, well... a show. One last plug to Bob Huott for creating that one-of-a-kind instrument that you may have seen me playing... THE BEAN. With any luck, we should be doing more shows like this in the very near future.

At this very moment, were speeding down the motorway trying to make a 2 p.m. ferry across the channel and then on to Paris for tomorrow's performance at The Black Sessions. Last night's show at End Of The Road was a rare treat... the more we do this, the more i begin to appreciate the smaller festivals, something to be said for intimacy I guess. Thanks to everyone for coming out and braving the mud, but then again, what would an English festival be without a little mud. More later (or tomorrow) from Paris. Maybe some picutres...Jeff