not only, but also
I hardly ever post on LJ now, same as everyone really, but it's not fair that charleston is left as the lone messenger of the cosmic.
A chronological linear narrative of the weekend that has just passed is impossible. Not just because the gigantic amount I drank may have muddled my memory somewhat, but because of all the karmic criss-crossing and astonishing out-of-the-blue occurrences and a feeling of things all coming together in ways that were just Meant To Be. I won't list who we met and what they said and all that, because the cosmic splendour of the weekend cannot be reduced to such base elements. Suffice to say the planets aligned, doors quietly unlocked and we were truly part of *The Flow.
So, not only did we all feel relaxed and confident and positive before we went on stage (which you could say was just because we had a proper soundcheck - but it was more than that) and not only did people (journalists, other performers) who been around for a very long time and have seen an awful lot of bands say we were original and really had something (which you could say was them being polite or just empty flattery - but I was there and can tell you it wasn't) and not only was there sunshine, friends, laughter and unlimited free beer, but more than that, a sense of the universe showering us with lovely things. And not only that, but also bestowing upon us what was rightfully ours.
But, you say, I thought you were at some goth festival, in a big ugly concrete expo centre on the outskirts of a dull little town somewhere in Belgium. How can this be?
And I would say - I don't know, but that's how it was.
I can tell you a few selected highlights without destroying the intricate cosmic balance and wonder of it all, but you'll just think 'Oh, is that all?' Well no, it's absolutely not, but I would like it to go on record anyway that:
1. Seventh Harmonic's soundcheck was at the same time as Skinny Puppy were soundchecking on the other stage, the beginnings of a terrifying Harmonic Puppy mash-up.
2. Our performance included one or two little hiccups (keeping it real) but sounded and looked assured and rather magnificent. And was always going to. Cheers, 'bravo's and enthusiastic applause at the end of each song. Extra applause when we all lined up for a bow at the end. No-one left or yakked through the set. Couldn't have gone much better.
3. We got paid for our gig, and recovered a tidy sum owed to a friend by another promoter. Given the well-known reluctance to part with money of both promoters, one of these would have been amazing, but both? Nothing short of miraculous.
4. I saw an astonishing performance by and afterwards met/gushed embarrassingly at Bettina Köster, who is not only seriously gorgeous and spectacularly talented but also utterly charming in an regal kind of way
5. We were asked to drum for the lovely Peter Bjärgö at next month's Summer Darkness festival and gladly accepted
6. A sinister secret society of lesbian menace was inaugurated, henceforth known as The Muffia. You have been warned.
7. C. not only gained closure on nine years of major festering anger and hurt, without any bloodshed, but also revived friendships with people she thought would never be friendly towards her again.
So... I enjoyed being sociable, felt relaxed and un-shy with people, felt like I'm developing confidence musically... all things that I’ve wanted since I was young which are actually finally happening - albeit decades later, but it’s all good.
_______________________________________
* Reference to The Wind-Up Bird Chronicle, and if you haven’t read it you must, because if you haven’t read it, how can you understand anything?.
A chronological linear narrative of the weekend that has just passed is impossible. Not just because the gigantic amount I drank may have muddled my memory somewhat, but because of all the karmic criss-crossing and astonishing out-of-the-blue occurrences and a feeling of things all coming together in ways that were just Meant To Be. I won't list who we met and what they said and all that, because the cosmic splendour of the weekend cannot be reduced to such base elements. Suffice to say the planets aligned, doors quietly unlocked and we were truly part of *The Flow.
So, not only did we all feel relaxed and confident and positive before we went on stage (which you could say was just because we had a proper soundcheck - but it was more than that) and not only did people (journalists, other performers) who been around for a very long time and have seen an awful lot of bands say we were original and really had something (which you could say was them being polite or just empty flattery - but I was there and can tell you it wasn't) and not only was there sunshine, friends, laughter and unlimited free beer, but more than that, a sense of the universe showering us with lovely things. And not only that, but also bestowing upon us what was rightfully ours.
But, you say, I thought you were at some goth festival, in a big ugly concrete expo centre on the outskirts of a dull little town somewhere in Belgium. How can this be?
And I would say - I don't know, but that's how it was.
I can tell you a few selected highlights without destroying the intricate cosmic balance and wonder of it all, but you'll just think 'Oh, is that all?' Well no, it's absolutely not, but I would like it to go on record anyway that:
1. Seventh Harmonic's soundcheck was at the same time as Skinny Puppy were soundchecking on the other stage, the beginnings of a terrifying Harmonic Puppy mash-up.
2. Our performance included one or two little hiccups (keeping it real) but sounded and looked assured and rather magnificent. And was always going to. Cheers, 'bravo's and enthusiastic applause at the end of each song. Extra applause when we all lined up for a bow at the end. No-one left or yakked through the set. Couldn't have gone much better.
3. We got paid for our gig, and recovered a tidy sum owed to a friend by another promoter. Given the well-known reluctance to part with money of both promoters, one of these would have been amazing, but both? Nothing short of miraculous.
4. I saw an astonishing performance by and afterwards met/gushed embarrassingly at Bettina Köster, who is not only seriously gorgeous and spectacularly talented but also utterly charming in an regal kind of way
5. We were asked to drum for the lovely Peter Bjärgö at next month's Summer Darkness festival and gladly accepted
6. A sinister secret society of lesbian menace was inaugurated, henceforth known as The Muffia. You have been warned.
7. C. not only gained closure on nine years of major festering anger and hurt, without any bloodshed, but also revived friendships with people she thought would never be friendly towards her again.
So... I enjoyed being sociable, felt relaxed and un-shy with people, felt like I'm developing confidence musically... all things that I’ve wanted since I was young which are actually finally happening - albeit decades later, but it’s all good.
_______________________________________
* Reference to The Wind-Up Bird Chronicle, and if you haven’t read it you must, because if you haven’t read it, how can you understand anything?.