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Oct 04.2009
Last night we played at the magical Festival Temps D’Images in Marnes La Valée. It was the first day that really felt and smelled like autumn, which made us all really happy. The festival grounds looked just amazingly beautiful with all leaves swirling around in the breeze.
The show went well, despite my voice being a bit tired. The crowd was really great though, so once again we took a photo!
Oct 03.2009
So after a subdued Tuesday night concert in Alencon, we awoke to discover the beauty of the center of town. Great bakeries, really amazing old buildings. It was just very lovely. Here’s a couple shots…
After a bit of walking around we had to head straight away to the city of Rennes to play at UBU. I am very appreciative of having the opportunity to play this venue as the owner, Jean-Louis, had booked me two years prior into the Transmusicale festival which I got too sick and had to cancel! So it was great to have a second chance!
We had been told that the venue was very special, if a bit strange. It turns out the venue is shaped like an ear! We were a bit perplexed and wondered how well it would go.
We were really happy to have quite an energetic, responsive crowd and the show went so well! Probably one of my favorites so far.
After the show Jean-Louis came up to us and congratulated us heartily, so I felt really happy to have given him a good show.
Afterwards we hung around in the front meeting some of the very kind fans. I have written this one fan’s name down and can’t find the slip of paper! But I will eventually and edit the blog! If you see this, here’s the shot! Send me your email and I’ll email a high res to you.
Last night we played Laval, which was quite subdued, despite it being a Friday night. I think it was the proximity of the bar. Personally I don’t like to perform when you can hear people talking throughout, but it’s something I suppose I have to get used to. And actually, I think all in all folks enjoyed the show. It was one of our best performances too, as I think we felt we had to work a bit harder for their attention.
Today we drive to Marne le Vallée. Then just one more show for this first leg of the tour. I am starting to really miss home.
Live from the Ososphere Festival!Oct 03.2009
Hi there,
I have lots of new news and photos, but first just wanted to post a link to the first twenty minutes of our set at the Ososphere Festival. That’s the big, raucous, fun festival which I wrote of previously as being a massive challenge for us which turned out really well! If you’d like to watch, you can see it here:
Fredo Viola Live at the Ososphere Festival
Le VaubanOct 01.2009
Basically the trip has been, as Mido the tour manager put it, “quite gentle” with all of the performances separated by a day or two or sometimes three in between. Until now… We have just completed the second of 5 performances performed in a row. It feels good. You don’t really have enough time to worry too much about anything.
Anyway, the first, and for me the most memorable, was in the city of Brest, by the Ocean! Being a big fan of both Fassbinder and Genet I had heard a lot about Brest throughout my college years. Apparently all but two buildings were bombed during WW II. After that they built new structures right on top of some of the ruins! ??? There are basements in some of the buildings of Brest with old street signs!! And if they need to do construction (this part I find a bit hard to fathom...) the whole city has to be evacuated just incase they hit a buried German bomb and it sets off a chain reaction of buried bomb explosions… ??!!!
hmmm… well, my experience of Brest was memorable indeed. When we arrived at Cabaret Vauban, the venue at which we would be playing the next day, we had a peak of the performance space and were all brimming with excitement. This club had been built and decorated in the 50s and 60s and had not changed a bit!!! It seemed so David Lynch to all of us and we couldn’t wait to perform the next day!
In the morning we took a walk around the hotel, down to the water. There’s a fortress wall that really reminded me so much of Old San Juan in Puerto Rico. Also of Querelle, minus the… well, you know… kissing sailors.
The folks at Vauban were so very nice. One kind gentleman by the name of Philippe had seen a performance of me and Ben on One Shot Not a few months ago and came specially to the show!
He was very kind and bought us all beers after the show and talked with us. Vauban’s owner was very kind as well and asked us to sign his club book, which had been signed by the many artists who played there since 1950.
Truly the best part of these shows has been the reaction of the audience members and the great conversations we have had after the shows. Here’s an image of two more of the folks from Brest, Fred and Dominique.
Sadly I didn’t get a shot of Dominique’s husband Yvon. He was also very kind to us. Thanks to all of you for a really great time. We really hope to return soon!
Anyway, next stop was Alencon, and Mido has had to leave for another gig, leaving Finian as both the audio engineer and tour manager. He’s doing a great job, but merch sales after the show were extremely difficult and awkward! Anyway, thanks for everything, Mido!!
