Nov 27 2011
As the passenger in a tour vehicle going 160 km an hour on the Germany autobahn, I figure I should distract myself from this doomsday speed, with a lil reflection. We are on our way back Frankfurt, having just tied up the last show of this tour last night in the beautiful city of Weingarten. Close to the Swiss border.
It was a fantastic way to end this tour . Smaller venue, jam packed room full of keeners. Having rolled into the gig fairly late, having to rush soundcheck, we were all in a pretty silly, exhausted mood. The audience was incredibly patient and ready to rock by the time we took the stage. We had their undivided attention for the whole show, and many laughs, mostly at our ridiculousness.
The room was set in the upstairs of a beautiful guitar store/Luthier shop. A very intimate setting of about 130 people all squeezed in close. Everyone over heating, despite the cold fall night outside. Windows open wide for a fresh breeze.
Lights down low.
It was the most relaxed I had felt in ages. I think it was partly due to the fact that my body had taken to shutting down shop. It knew it was the end of the tour, so I had to resign to just sitting in the pocket of this energy lull, and finding the groove within it.
Worked beautifully.
Clearly the audience was there the whole step of the way.
I have to say, this was one of the finest Germany tours I’ve done. As of Nov 24th, we had been away from our home for one month. While barely having a moment to myself, or any down time, it has been a very productive and rewarding month in Europe.
From the incredible experience of playing for 1000 screaming Russians in Moscow’s International Music Dome, to recording an album of solo ballads with Stockfisch Records in quiet Northeim Germany, to the brilliant chaos of touring, every moment has been taken in. For the first time in a long time, it feels like I really found my groove. I found excellent challenge in this. Again and again.
Giving myself lil pep talks, ‘Ok Brookie, puff up girl. Three weeks to go. Two weeks to go. Four days…’Just GIV’R'! and so on. It must sound like small feat compared to some of the 6 month to 3 year tours that major heavies do in the course of their careers. Either without missing a beat, or coming dangerously close to death.But I think no matter how long or short the tour may be, it’s a practice and a test.
Sometimes of the best nature, sometimes of the shittiest.
All of it valuable.
It’s freaking hard to not be hard on yourself when you didn’t pull out all the stops to put on the best show possible. When you slip here and there, or don’t have the energy you wish to portray on stage. You know you’re being harder on yourself than anyone else would be. It’s the nature of the beast.
Part of the challenge is to let that be a motivator, and not drag your ass down. I gotta say, these last few tours, Japan, Canada, Russia & Europe, have been tests for me to really step up my game. Struggle with my own self esteem as a performer and drive on.
But I’m learning….
Time & time again, the audiences astound me. The people who come to the shows, who buy records & shout out requests. I’ll never take that for granted. Thank you to EACH and EVERY person who help make these shows unforgettable.
As we are barrelling toward Frankfurt at flight speed, the thought of being this close to flying home, to see my sweet dog, to sleeping in my own bed, cooking in my own kitchen, makes my feet tingle!
Head spinning with grandiose plans of spending the next few months preparing brand new material for yet another album in 2012, future tours, and a wealth of soaking in the home life. While I can.
So many ideas…
So much just bubbling at the surface…
Here’s to a fantastic tour season of 2011, and a wicked 2012 ahead!
That’s a wrap!
Lets’ go home….
xoxo
Brookie
