I first saw La Brass Banda in Amberg, Bavaria (Near Stockau) a few months ago. They’re friends of my friends Kofel Gschroa, (an amazing Bavarian acoustic ‘Techno’ Band) – and I have to say I hadn’t been to such a good concert in a long time. Even though I couldn’t follow the lyrics (it was Bavarian) it didn’t matter – the music was raw, yet perfectly crafted, full of energy, yet at times beautifully mellow and entertaining from start to finish.
I was playing a session in Munich last week when by chance that Stefan and Manu were there too – and they invited us to come and play with them for their opening piece at the Krone-Circus in Munich. There must have been around 40 musicians that joined in with a most impressive opener as we paraded through the audience and the band climbed onto the stage, then we were free to enjoy the show and the after show party!
The group are coming to the UK in November and we’re currently trying to find a venue for them on Sun 22nd – we’re working hard but we know it’ll be well worth it – we then just have to persuade lots of other people too and it’ll be a great night!
Ian flew over from the UK and Bernhard (originally from Austria) drove from Alsace, France to play on this very mini tour in Bavaria and Batten-Wurtenberg. The first gig was in Munich at the very underground music club that is Feinspeiserei – we supported a great group from Prague called Ocean versus Daughter – although I think only one of them was Pragien, the others were from America, Devon and Birmingham (Brummies are everywhere). We recieved probably our best critique from a heckling woman, who eloqeuntly shouted ‘How about you go home and never come back!’ followed by some incoherent words to do with whistling and train tracks, which was ironic because our next GT gig was in Stuttgart at a very cool place called the Wagon. A very alternative underground part of a very conservative city that is in danger of being shut down next year. Apparently completely illegal, although it has survived for 10 years it is a train carriage that has been converted into a music club, complete with tiny stage that unbelievably has held a band of 8! It still sits on the disused rail line, other carriages are home to locals, one carriage is surrounded by intriguiging sculptures made by an artist from the middle east.
It was a great night, with the wood burner keeping everyone warm (if perhaps a little too warm, I suffered sweat in my eye during one song) and the people that came were certainly music lovers and a mix of very interesting people. The highlight has to have been Putte’s beautiful graceful rabbit dancing. Hopefully we shall return before it’s demise, which we hope won’t be for another few decades at least.
We had a lil acoustic jam off before heading to the open mic night at The Cross last night. We played in a nice cosy space above Gwen’s mum’s organic shop and drank delicious herbal tea. Ian and Mafro drank beer cos they are real men.
I really liked Mafro’s song ‘Mad Cow’ not because it is about me and full moons, but the raw, visceral energy. Us ladies were inspired by the middle section and inserted some untactful moos. We really like it and want to use it, I heard some Hendrix style chords in there which are splendidinio!
the other day i saw this dude called fernando, searching for giant otters, on the tv. he wasn’t actually looking for them on or inside the telly, he was on a programme which was on at the time. he had been watching them( in real life not on the tv) for 4 years and would make strange noises to attract them.
they are bloody big, hence the name giant otters, they can grow upto 27 meters in length and they live mainly in the water but occasionally go on land to play darts and watch jazz bands.
their diet consists mainly of fish with sharp teeth but they’ve been known to eat gregg’s ham and cheese slices.
The Brum bound lot had loads of fun jamming and going through some sketches Friday night. We were very, very poopa noodled – it being the end of the week and all. Most of us played our instruments on sofas or lay on the floor, we were all a bit shy for the first hour too! Awww!
Sam (guitarist) and Gwen (singer songwriter) came along which was kool!
I have uploaded some (very) rough audio – sketches of my song Humanoid – it is going to sound more folky/swing-time, written mainly for ukulele and banjo. We had some lovely slide bass guitar a la Lobby!! Just got to sort the arrangement and claza part etc.
Then Gwen’s song – think it’s called Sign – kind of reggae fueled.
Jammed – it got a bit Latin/Brazilian towards the end, gonna use the chord progression I played on keys for a new song.
It was such a good laugh, props to everyone who came along: Lobby, Mafro, Whitmore, Sam and Gwen!! Watch this space for developments.
Mafro is going to bring a song next time which is going to be very exciting! Woohooo!
I’ve been learning to yodel amongst other things over here is snowy Bavaria – Our Villa is located next to a huge lake and on the horizon we have a clear view (on a clear day) of the Alps – so it seems we’re in the right location for it.
The 2 Austrian musicians know yodelling well, infact 2 nights ago they were outside my window on the balcony serenading me at 1am in the morning – apparently it’s all the rage in Wien for seducing, but I wouldn’t let them in OH NO!.. I have my reputation to think of (they were also with Joseph too anyway)
Anyway, I have a sore throat now and I think it might be from all the unreserved yodelling.. here’s a little yodelling from one of the workshops
Most of the UK bound GT lot had a meetup where we got very tipsy and went through music making ideas. I think we are going to have lots of jam sessions and use the sessions to trial new material/song ideas, I think Mafro and Lobby are cool to sing, myself and Ian hid under the table. I am very excited – yippe yay!
I was kindly informed by a Mr. Lobby about the Dirty Old Folkers Christmas video shenanigans viewable online. I was meant to go along as a panda but didn’t make it in the end.
I do like this song, it’s by The Lazy Lizards (who were part of the panto) and I have included the words so you can sing along. The song has a ’spurious link with the panto proceedings… a lewd relationship with an oversexed panda’. Need I say more!
I’m Bobbie – a newish member of the collective, I thought I’d write a blog post, since this webspace looks a little lonely. Awww!
I’m trying to get Mafro blogging too – I reckon I can coerce him. He he!
It has been a mighty pleasure to play claza and keys for the Gurdan Thomas collective, especially since I hadn’t played in a group for ages.
I was given a lovely opportunity to rekindle my love for music making/performing, so many thanks to the group for assisting – especially to Mafro for added amusement and Gurdan for the invite!
Whilst the gnome lover himself frolics with Bavarian sausages, Wagner memorabilia and ‘Teach Yourself How to Speak German in 3 weeks’ tapes, I have spoken to a few proprietors who are interested in the GT lot playing a gig March time, including, Lee at the Prince and maybe Rosie at the Pangea Project in London – who strangely knows one of my old uni housemates – small world!
Hopefully the rest of the gang will be up for some jamming, been writing quite a few sketches and hope to guinea pig them. We have a meeting this week to discuss ideas…
Best wishes to GT – stay well sausaged or drunk! Either will keep you warm!
Well – I’m just getting ready to head off to Bavaria for an exciting 3 months working with musicians from Istanbul, Vienna, Genoa (one of the musicians is a Russian who used to work as a street performer with an amazing voice), Sighisoara and of course some superb musicians from Munich.
I’m driving across in Paca (who is just having his parts welded back together as I write this) – I think I have everything I need, chocolate, tea, a woolly hat (and thermals), ipod and sat nav! Woohoo!
I’m hoping to stop over in France with a friend I met in Vienna, Bernhard, who played bass when I performed at Verein 08 during the Soho Ottakring Festival. He’s organised 1 gig for me on my return on 29th March – and there may be more later.. Looking forward to having him onboard the Gurdan collective for that!
Maybe I’ll actually get to learn German while I’m there – Ya!
I’ll be off to Bavaria at the beginning of January, probably the 2nd or 3rd. I’m preparing for the journey, as my plan is to drive over in my Transit van (hope I make it).
I’ll be staying in the Villa Walberta with musicians from Romania, Genoa, Istanbul, Vienna and Munich making lot’s of new music, learning some Bavarian instruments and playing at plenty of Hoegartens!
I do wonder what the rest of the Gurdan Troup will be up to while I’m away – although they did threaten to come over and play..
I was going to add an audio file, but it says the only audio files allowed are jpg, png, doc, pdf (these aren’t audio file formats?!!) – doh!
Hello, I am Gurdan Thomas – I have lovely ink drawings on my hands from someone who attempted to tell her bike-life story in pictorial form. Here is a link to my myspace, it’s mine, my own, my semi-precious.
