teatone.net
TheBed
England & The April
Glen Strachan
JEEPS
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Tue 4th June I've come to visit the rabbits one last time, in their buttercupped meadow. They bob up around me, wrinkling their noses in curiosity, and mirror my wide-eyed wonderment. We used to toboggan down these hills in the snow. Easy-drifting coupled ducks make light of love's impulsions, and I'm tempted to join them. It's dreamy weather. |
Mon 3rd June There's acres of land here, and nobody around far as the eye can see. My first instinct upon arriving the other day was to rush home & bring someone back with me to share in these wild hollows, or take some photos to post, but I've shared too much of myself already and what do you or I benefit? Could I but lift your heart enough to ease carriage of it's own weight for the duration of one simple rhythm. Been thinking about Richard Hate, alone in his cinema. It's interesting how some people can inspire loneliness in others. I was probably guilty of that sometime, frightfully clever & damn foolish to boot. But I can roll, and roll, as you turn and turn again. I asked a woman what she was reading on the train. She held it up to show me the cover - "How to meet Mr. Right." End of conversation. |
Mon 3rd June I'm lying in the fields where long ago I leaned to ride my bike. Been taking walks round my childhood neighbourhood & rediscovered some long-hidden areas of this leafy town, and this slow-yielding soul. The germ of acorns, sparking, wriggling free from some barren fold of fortune in the dark-furrowed deep. By ten this morning I'd written two songs, and written them off by noon. Days like this I imagine following a deeper penetrating path than that of pen across paper. There's the water, and a rope-swing that's been there for over 30 years. |
Wed 29th May There has been a lot of talk recently about people changing, "He's changed, you've changed" - that kindof thing, and I've become increasingly intolerant of it. For myself, I know how people expect me to behave in certain situations, and in most cases the instinct to act or react in 'character' is still present, but I like to try a different approach during various stages in my life. Is that a change in me or just a decision to tread the same path with different shoes on? Hehe what a silly analogy, sorry, but you know what I mean right. Our actions are but clothes, and our wardrobes vast. Lars has found a job in a German beer cellar in East London & will be around for the time-being, he's joined us on stage for recent shows & we have first rehearsal with a fantastic new (female) drummer on Sunday. I'm recording Nick Towler on Thursday & after a few very bleak weeks I'm regaining my strength day by day & this year is getting back on track. We've not a single show booked & this time is being wisely spent for a change. This morning, like the spirit of a youth That means to be of note, begins betimes. This is a soldier's kiss. |
Wed 22nd May Cleopatra Where is he? Charmian I did not see him since. Cleopatra See where he is, who's with him, what he does: I did not send you: if you find him sad, Say I am dancing; if in mirth, report That I am sudden sick: quick, and return. Charmian Madam, methinks, if you did love him dearly, You do not hold the method to enforce The like from him. Cleopatra What should I do, I do not? Charmian In each thing give him way, cross him nothing. Cleopatra Thou teachest like a fool; the way to lose him. Charmian Tempt him not so too far; I wish, forbear: In time we hate that which we often fear. |
Mon 20th May Playing Crown & Treaty all-dayer this Sun 26th May, acoustic set with special guests. Cornermoon single will be released early next month. Niandra Lades & Garciaphone's show at Power's Bar on Thu 23rd has been relocated to the George Tavern in Shadwell. Won't be updating the blog often for while. Ting too much. Talkin' to myself & feeling old. Many of you may have met my good friend Tom: young guy, good hair. I first met him 6 years ago today at an England & The April show at Brunel University. Hi Tom. |
Wed 15th May Lordy lordy. So we hit the road for France around 2am Friday morning, and got to Lyon four pan au chocolat's later via Belgium & Reims cathedral. Met up with Lars Koch in Lyon by another horse statue (standard practice), delivered a message in a bottle to the Saone & crashed out 5 people in a 40 Euro hotel room. Got to Clermont-Ferrand the next day for the show at Le Baraka, which was an amazing place; they fed us, beered us, and even asked us to sleep there; kindest venue in the world. Ended up at the top of a set of traffic lights with Eddie singing Off The Wall to passing traffic. Actually that was only half-way through the evening, we really ended up on the floor in some other club across town, had another pan au chocolat & crammed into a hotel room. Next morning we took the long drive to Paris reading kids books in French that Lars nicked from the hotel. In Paris I met up with Korean/New York friend Jiyuun, got blanked by my French ex & played the Pop In open mic. After midnight, with more no sleep, we drove to Calais & took the ferry to the white cliffs, French chefs cooked up a full English & we slept in the children's play area facing the water. Played the open mic at the Drayton Court Hotel in Ealing last night where I bumped into the legendary Nick Towler, I feared we'd lost that man years ago, haven't heard hide nor hair of him in ten years. |