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Monday, April 6, 2009: [
And oh yes, Neon Machine are now rehearsing with a drummer - one step closer to becoming a proper rock band. This adds another nuance to our subtle change of sound - what with Lars' Jaguar guitar and my new analog keyboards. Tonight was our first rehearsal with my new (old) Jupiter-6 - which is so intuitive to work with that I hardly bother saving any sounds, preferring to just twiddle knobs as we go along...
Wednesday, April 1, 2009: [
I'm excited!
Just got a surprise phone call from DR (The Danish Broadcasting Corporation), asking whether I wanted to participate in a series of tv programmes next year. After the last round of the reality talent show, X-factor, judge Thomas Blachman announced he was quitting. And apparently, DR thinks that yours truly would be the perfect replacement!
While I tend to view myself as "the world's forgotten boy" of Danish pop music, they think that my diverse musical career and outspoken views make me the ideal candidate for the job (my recent thrashing of the otherwise much-praised David Byrne show being just one example).
Also, a vital part of the X-factor concept is of course a unique hairstyle for the "evil" judge. "We've looked at Blachman's bald head for two years now, and thought it was time for a change," DR's casting director told me. "And there are not that many middle-aged guys with long henna-red hair to choose from."
While there is a certain irony in my being part of a show I've criticized mercilessly, I still have to admit that I look forward to destroying the dreams of so many young hopefuls. ;-)
Monday, March 30, 2009: [
And so, the first results of a new studio season are up on my MySpace page: The first draft for a new song called "Think You Know the Answer" and new, improved version of "The Same Mistake" and "Everything I Never Did".
And today was also the day another analog purchase arrived: The Jupiter-6 polysynth, bought on Ebay and shipped from London - carefully wrapped...
Monday, March 23, 2009: [
After a long hiatus, we returned to the summerhouse and I got the studio up and running again. Did some work on a couple of new ideas and started reworking two oldies, "The Same Mistake" (the old one is still up on my MySpace page) and "Everything I Never Did". I shall spare you the rather quick-and dirty mix I did of the former - but be patient, there will be new stuff eventually...
Monday, March 16, 2009: [
Tonight, David Byrne played Falkoner Salen in Copenhagen - a show devoted to his collaborations with Brian Eno.
Of course, as David hasn't been on speaking terms with the original members of Talking Heads for decades, he's had to hire a group of musicians for the tour. This constellation worked perfectly well for the mellow, gospel-tinged songs from Byrne's and Eno's recent Every That Happens Will Happen Today album. David himself was in excellent form, his uniquely squeaky voice seemingly intact (in key even), adding his welcome touch of eccentricity to these otherwise very traditional songs.
But for the Talking Heads material - well, these professional hired hands simply lacked the edge, the nervous energy and - let's face it - the charming amateurism that made the Heads so unique.
Apparently for that reason, some evil mastermind had decided to hire dancers. Yes. Dancers.
Needless to say, an old rock'n'roller like myself has absolutely no time for choreographed dance of any kind. And I almost puked when these frisky young people first appeared, displaying the jerky motions and manic smiles that supposedly brings joy to many an off-Broadway audience. And to "I Zimbra", no less. My only consolation was that Hugo Ball wasn't alive to witness this horror (okay, look him up, then!).
To be fair, the choreography had its moments. Such as the surrealist spasms of the rarity "My Big Hands (Fall Through the Cracks)" and the office chair ballet accompanying the lovely "Life is Long".
But still, the dancers - along with the detached professionalism of the band - made the show resemble that most revolting of musical performances - the theatrical revue. As if the evil mastermind mentioned above had decided that this tour could do for Talking Heads what "Mamma Mia" did for Abba (whatever that was - turn nostalgia into complete embarrassment, perhaps?).
Granted, the band did play quite a funky version of "Crosseyed and Painless" and by the encore "Burning Down the House" they'd almost gotten into a groove (though I swear I never saw the drummer break a sweat). But can you imagine a dull, lifeless version of "Life During Wartime"? I couldn't. And now get this: A dull, lifeless version of "Life During Wartime". With dancers.
To quote David: "And you may say to yourself: My God! What have I done?"
Indeed.
