Dec 17, 2008
2008 Wrap-up
Since returning from the The New Year’s European tour in November, I’ve been either sick, tired, or distracted, hence no updates. Today finally finds me back in a writing mood!
So, The New Year European tour: mostly wonderful experiences. The Tanned Tin Festival in Castellon, Spain was unbelievable, as should be expected. I had the honor of running sound for a reunited Come (their first show since 2001), which was one of the best performances I’ve ever seen. Other highlights, as best I can remember: Simmo, et al in Nottingham; the regal hospitality of Grainne in Glasgow; driving perilous mountain passes with 50 mph winds in Spain and France; most things about Duedingen, CH; Giovanna of Bellini and Uzeda; our gracious tour guide in Vienna, Ani; Jann and Kai in Hamburg; Earl Harvin in Berlin; Wim in Antwerp; and Steven Thomasson.
Before The New Year’s European tour, Tre Orsi did 8 shows with Magnolia Electric Company. Such an incredible band, playing a really well-honed set of songs. The final three shows of the run were with Bottomless Pit, who I can’t say enough great things about.
Now that I’m home, I’m settling into studio mode, preparing for sessions with Sean Kirkpatrick’s new band, Nervous Curtains, another Deep Snapper LP, and a few other things here and there. These days I’m mostly trying to squeeze in some studio management work, repairing equipment, catching up on bills and invoices, etc.
I don’t hit the road again until February, when I’ll be mixing and tour managing the A.C. Newman North American tours. I hear he’s an incredibly nice guy, and I’m looking forward to it. I’m especially looking forward to avoiding SXSW for the first time in years, though I’m sad to be missing the inaugural NX35.
Tre Orsi plans are being made — we’ll hopefully finish our LP and play some regional shows before I take off with A.C. Newman. We have more plans for the Spring, but I’m not going to jinx anything.
Finally, my top whatever records of 2008 that I’ve loaded into iTunes or can otherwise remember, in alphabetical order:
- Allroh Nym EP (Graumann)
- Ancestors s/t LP (Youth Attack)
- Bone Awl Not For Our Feet (re-issue) (Klaxon)
- Bottomless Pit Congress EP
- Chris Brokaw Canaris CD (Capitan)
- The Dead C Secret Earth CD (Ba-da-bing!)
- Future of the Left Curses! (Too Pure)
- Harvey Milk Life… The Best Game in Town (Hydrahead)
- Human Bell Human Bell (Thrill Jockey)
- The New Year The New Year (Touch and Go)
- Pierced Arrows Straight to the Heart (Tombstone)
- Pyramids Pyramids (Hyrdrahead)
- Washington Phillips What Are They Doing In Heaven Today? (Mississippi)