Well good morning folks, typing this update whilst sitting in a tiny village just outside the Italian city of Trieste, listening to an old Italian couple discussing last night's Bolognese sauce, possibly suggesting some minor improvements for next week's family gathering. At least in my semi-tourist / semi-romantic mind, that's what I think they're talking about. So that's all I need to know for now, certainly makes for a nice change from yesterday's early morning soundscape, which consisted of a couple of Slovenian builders and a very loud drill. One of those higher-than-normal pitched drills that sort of chips away at your being... Anyway, that was Ljubljana. Or so it said on the sign when I drove in. But there's a high chance the venue for the gig (also the place I was sleeping, albeit not in the strictest sense of the word sleep given the music went till 5.30 and the drill started around 7...) was in fact a parallel universe of some sort, such was the nature of the surrounding buildings / graffiti / interior decorations. Quite something to behold, feel free to scroll down for a few more pictures. Certainly in this case I think a picture does actually tell a thousand words, even if most of those words are in Slovenian...
As it happens, the show in Ljubljana would never have taken place had it not been for a chance conversation on the bus from Stanstead airport around this time last year. I wouldn't normally talk to people on buses from that airport, not in London anyway, because there's a good chance that 90% of the time they wouldn't talk back. But you know, if you're willing to fly to Stanstead airport in the first place, I guess there's a higher than average probability that you're also the type of person who doesn't mind chatting to a stranger on a bus for 90mins, if only to pass the time whilst reminding yourself never again to fly to Stanstead airport. And so I got chatting to Ursa, who in the time since has become a good friend of mine, and 12 months later there I was in Ljubljana, about to play a a show which never would have been possible without a chance meeting on a bus in London. Life's twists and turns hey. And by some strange coincidence, it was a perfect addition to the tour in between my gigs in Vienna and Trieste! Meant to be? Of course. Thanks so much Ursa for your kindness and generosity, your help organising the show on Friday night, and for the tour of Ljubljana. Here we are at the castle yesterday with Ursa's boyfriend Marcel. Wonderful to have met you both, hope to see you again soon!
Parallel universe jokes aside, Friday night's venue (and the surrounding area -
Metelkova) was one of the more unique places I have ever played. A sort of mini-Berlin, but more underground and less hipster, I am told it was an old military barracks which was taken over some 20yrs ago by squatters, and has since been converted into a thriving night-spot for locals of all ages to come and get lost in a series of clubs and bars. A vegan kitchen as well would you believe, although my appetite was somewhat lacking after our trip to the local Bosnian restaurant earlier in the evening (see pictures below...). My concert was held in a bar called 'Bizarnica pri Marici', run for 20yrs by a local Ljubljanian, Marica, who just happened to be a fan of a couple of Australian songstresses - Lanie Lane and Mojo Juju! What are the chances of that?! A generous spirit with a passion for live music, more than happy to host a visiting Australian for the night. One of those people you always remember meeting. A big thanks for having me, and thanks to everyone who came along and made it such a great night. One of the most memorable of the tour. Cheers!
And so to the pictures... more news from Trieste tomorrow, I'm off to chocolate festival before tonight's show. Ah chocolate. Always a good tonic for the soul.... x
Pictured with Marica, the morning after the night before. Sorry about the finger, I think it was one of the builders....
Ljubljana by night
Dinner at the local Bosnian restaurant.... It was only a month ago I was doing a vegan challenge! Well at least I can say I've sampled all ends of the diet spectrum.... Pretty tasty, but I came nowhere near finishing it.
Inside Bizarnica pri Marici...
Wall posters, Bizarnica Pri Marici...
Toilet artwork, Bizarnica Pri Marici...
Artwork outside in Metelkova
And finally Footrab? Rabbifoot...? I'm not sure...
Also there's a hostel in an old prison here if you feel like a crazy night out in Ljubljana some time...
www.hostelcelica.com
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