Anton and myself have just spent several thoroughly enjoyable days in the Danish capital meeting some fantastic musicians and generally soaking up the vibe. We flew out on Wednesday, Antons flight was badly delayed (he can fill you in with the details) and we eventually arrived at our very kind hosts (Fredrik and gang) who we got in touch with through Couch Surfing at around 21:30. We kicked the trip of as we meant to carry on and promtly knocked back several bottles of wine……
On Thursday I had an audition at the Rytmisk Musikkonservatorium (rhythmic Music Conservatory) in the morning, which was the main reason for the trip, and in the afternoon we had a chance to meet up with Marc and Morten from the College and fellow auditionee from Switzerland, David, to have a bit of a jam – two tracks attached – massive thanks to all those guys for being so willing to meet up and play, they’re all fantastic musicians and it was a real pleasure playing with them. Much curry and drink followed later in the evening… then some more wine back at the house. Unfortunately for Anton he had to be up at about 6am to catch his flight back, don’t think he was too chuffed in the morning, but I wouldn’t really know as I was dead to the world…
Copenhagen Session part 1
Copenhagen Session part 2
Friday, final interview stage of the audition was fine and by some happy fluke I had a chance to sit in on a rehearsal with Stormchaser (Django Bate’s band at the College) which was a bit of a roast-up but great fun. More jamming in the afternoon, food at Fredrik’s and then headed to Christiania (think that’s what it’s called), which is a crazy self ruled area of the city that seemed like some kind of hippy commune/24hr music festival, where we to saw a band called Orpheus who were excellent.
Just relaxed on the final day – park, zoo, coffee etc – and Kasper (couchsurf friend) kindly took me too a fantastic record/coffee shop in a trendo Camdenesque part of the city. After nearly missing my flight home I’m now back safe and sound in Manchester and very, very tired.
So, big thanks to everyone who made us feel so welcome and hopefully we’ve planted the seed for many Anglo-Dane collaboration!
So, on the way there we had to wait for a mechanic to fly from Copenhagen to Manchester as the airline didn’t trust the local boys who’d repaired the plane. Got into Copenhagen around the time that everything shut and it started going dark. Brilliant.
Managed to explore on the Thursday and found myself chatting to a drummer from the Barefoot Records collective (http://www.barefoot-records.com/ ) in a record shop, really nice guy who also recommended the Ilk Collective (http://www.ilkmusic.com/ ). I came away with a nice stack of CDs to listen to, which I promptly left in Sam’s bag when I flew home.
Interestingly, Sam wasn’t quite dead to the world when I left at 6am, we had a conversation that included me recommending that he didn’t have any chewing gum as he was about to go back to sleep and choking could have seriously hurt his chances of passing his interview…
Had a great time in Denmark, got to play (and drink) with some excellent musicians, and totally by chance got to meet up with David from Switzerland again who I’d met on the SIM Intensive course in New York, great drummer and I hope we’ll work together someday.
So then it was an early start back to the Airport where we had more problems with the plane and had to swap to another aircraft making us an hour and a half late into Manchester. I met a Danish Man City fan, a tuba player from Bolton and a trance DJ on his way to play at the Music Box (www.myspace.com/danielkandi ). Next time I think I’ll fly in the evenings. And remember to take some toothpaste.
cheers!
it was totally “wicked” to hang out with you guys in copenhagen. thumbs up to your label-network-site you have here! Sam: i’d say: Anglo-Dane-Swiss collaborations ;)
hope to make it to Manchester soon!
yo guys, let’s keep in touch!
david
Anyway, life is a deaf dialogue, :-)