Brighton - Day 18

October 25, 2008

Day 18 - Brighton, England

Venue: St. George's Church

Martha and Brad perform "Stormy Weather" at St. George's Church in Brighton.

Middlesbrough - Day 16

October 23, 2008

Day 16 - Middlesbrough, England

Venue: Empire

Edinburgh was a fun show! The sound was tough on stage because of the room, but we got through it and had some musical moments. I'm enjoying playing the electric. I play it on three songs, and I think I'm getting better. You have to be more careful in some ways and yet you can have more abandon. Kate came up and did the Barbara song, but we will add her to more songs tomorrow night and in Warwick the day after. 

We got a new tour bus a few days ago, and, although it's bigger and doesn't have exhaust fumes spewing into the lounge, it's not as smooth a ride. It's a little hard to sleep when the bus is moving, but I end up sleping in the morning once it has stopped. We got to Middlesbrough a few hours ago. Quite curious about this town. Never heard of it. Time to juice. Maybe go for a quick bike ride.

Later,

mw

Martha and Kate perform the Barbara song, "Dis, quand reviendras-tu?" at Empire in Middlesbrough.

Edinburgh - Day 15

October 22, 2008

Day 15 - Edinburgh, Scotland

Venue: Picture House

Well, it's now the 22nd and Kate's arrived. Kate's my mom. I haven't seen her yet but I should in a couple of hours. She's resting at the hotel and we are starting our soundcheck. Just did a thing for this show called The Culture Show, and it was a bit tedious. They make you busk, and they film it and then you count the money and it's a bit of a competition. They had me set up on the Edinburgh University campus (we're in Edinburgh, by the way), and filmed me in a very television-contrived way. The students were really nice, thank god for them. I realized I hate busking. It was embarrassing and I didn't sing that well. I felt bad for the kids because the cameras were filming and it was a bit unnatural. Oh well, that is the nature of television I suppose. Lily and Sylvan were there filming the filming and Lily told me that there was this old guy there watching and I think he hit the nail on the head when he said, in his thick Scottish brogue, "If she's supposed to be busking, then why are those cameras muckin' about?!" "Why don't they just let her sing!"

It's been a good couple of days, though. The shows are starting to get really good, I think, and that's a relief. We are in Edinburgh, and Scotland is a joy. Yesterday we did my favorite thing which is to walk to the top of Arthur's Seat. Arthur's Seat is in Holyrood Park, where the Queen stays when she comes to Edinburgh...

Soundcheck now, I must run. More soon.

Bristol - Day 13

October 20, 2008

Day 13 - Bristol, England

Venue: Colston Hall

Power to the sound-system goes out during a live performance of the song 'Bleeding All Over You,' at Colston Hall, in Bristol. Martha then performs 'I Wish I Were' unplugged.