The Netherlands Tour -Part 2
Posted on April 8, 2010 with 0 comments
So, here I am after a week of touring, and I have to admit a little of the nostalgia has worn off, but not too much. I think it is just the realities of touring and realizing you are going to be on the road for quite a bit longer. Little things start to bother you, things that were exciting at the start...such as being away from home, eating totally different food, sharing a room with your tourmate instead of a bed with your lover. Ya know. All in all, I cannot complain. We have been craddled in the arms of angels disguised as Dutch music lovers.
We had two days of playing in smokey bars, which was a bit disheartening. Overall, I prefer not to play bars. Bars do not lend themselves to the kind of music I make...even when I am playing with a full band. The smoking thing was a surprise as well. In Antwerp we played a place called Crossroads music, which is known as a blues club. They have songwriter nights once a week. This club had to make a decision between serving food to their patrons or allowing smoking to be a part of their atmosphere. Legally they could not have both...they choose the latter. The other gig in Den Bosch was pretty great for a bar, even with the smoking. I guess there is a loop hole right now in the Netherlands with regards to the anti-smoking laws that were previously established, so people are doing what they can to get away with it...in some places. I found that when I told people about these smoking gigs, they were really quite surprised. That is a good sign I guess.
We also had a few days off, which was much needed. We stayed in the country in a town called Helenaveen not far from Utrecht. I spent most of my time walking in the woods or on trails, and enjoying the peaceful countryside. We are heading to Amsterdam tomorrow to be on the radio and t.v. show OBA live, which takes place in the main downtown library. I am looking forward to Amsterdam!
We had two days of playing in smokey bars, which was a bit disheartening. Overall, I prefer not to play bars. Bars do not lend themselves to the kind of music I make...even when I am playing with a full band. The smoking thing was a surprise as well. In Antwerp we played a place called Crossroads music, which is known as a blues club. They have songwriter nights once a week. This club had to make a decision between serving food to their patrons or allowing smoking to be a part of their atmosphere. Legally they could not have both...they choose the latter. The other gig in Den Bosch was pretty great for a bar, even with the smoking. I guess there is a loop hole right now in the Netherlands with regards to the anti-smoking laws that were previously established, so people are doing what they can to get away with it...in some places. I found that when I told people about these smoking gigs, they were really quite surprised. That is a good sign I guess.
We also had a few days off, which was much needed. We stayed in the country in a town called Helenaveen not far from Utrecht. I spent most of my time walking in the woods or on trails, and enjoying the peaceful countryside. We are heading to Amsterdam tomorrow to be on the radio and t.v. show OBA live, which takes place in the main downtown library. I am looking forward to Amsterdam!