I've had a couple nice days in London. Yesterday was gorgeous and sunny, one of those days that just makes breathing an absolute pleasure. Richard and I rehearsed for a while - went through pretty much all the songs on the album plus a new one I've been playing lately, called My Father Told Me, it's really sounding good.
Last night I played two shows. One was at a book launch in Kilburn for an author called Garth Cartwright, at a pub called The King's Head (logo was a floating Elvis head) with a whole host of London journalists and other notables in the London cultural scene present - it was an interesting gig; no PA, but two small amps that a couple blues musicians used and the mic was a distorted, handheld harmonica mic, which I sang through and got 3 different people to be live mic stands - was hilarious
Before I performed I went to the The Black Lion and had really excellent fish & chips (which I need to not eat too often) - what a gorgeous pub - so ornate (pic below). Weirdly right next to The King's Head entrance, was a kick boxing club where people were lined up on the street outside to watch the boys and girl practice their sport...
After schmoozing and playing my 3 songs at the book launch I jumped on a train and a tube to go to Richard's weekly event called The Toy Box, which he hosts at his neighborhood pub. It's a variety show where all things artsy are welcome - I played for about 40 minutes. Great bunch of people hangin there, always chatty and friendly - I make so many new friends, which I love....
Today was a nice chill day - we went and saw District 9, which is anything but chill, but entertaining none the less and afterwards had beer at a pub near Tottenham Court Road from 1649...
London is everything, all the time.
This is my room in London, on a sunny day
The Black Lion - look at all that wood carving!
Kickboxing next to The King's Head
The King's Head
This guy is bagpiping 150 feet underground - resounds through the tunnels...
Richard and I drinking in a pub from 1649