Thursday 15th September,
Who wants to know about the magical inspiration & motivation that I’ve found in Germany?!? You?… Good. Cause it’s another Thursday of travel & I’ve 8 hours on a bus to kill…
As you may well know, my album launched two weeks ago, with my film… I debuted the live show too, which is the first of many many many shows! So just as the world has opened up to me, I took off to Germany for a week of rest, & breath. Was this really the best timing? Should I have used the motivation & success of the launch to get some great work done & keep the momentum going? In this case, I don’t think so.
For three years I worked through the pandemic & then continued after we opened up, all to finish the ‘Start of Something Blue’ statement piece. There were so many moments of burnout, so many times of waking up confused & tangled in my own web of commitments. I faced the frustration of constant rejection, unaffordable dreams, & a silent digital wasteland of uninterested & innocent people. As an artist you are constantly fighting to justify yourself, & your choices. You’re constantly trying to share what you’ve done & hope ‘they’ like it. Then there’s the looming threat of a future without success… wherein you’ve poured your time, money, heart, & soul, into a career that never materialised. I’m not complaining here… just giving you an idea of why I needed a damned holiday!
Oh boy, & what a holiday it’s been so far. First, I took off to Hamburg. I was taken care of by the wonderful Ema Stapleton, who I’ve known for years. She’s involved with BIMM in Hamburg. I got to spend some time alone, just wandering through a new city, sitting with disappointing coffees & some marvellous thoughts. I was introduced to some of Hamburgs quirkier places & views, but most importantly, I was introduced to some of Hamburg’s many friendly people. Very quickly I felt at home there, & I think it may become one someday. Looking around the city I noticed two things: a LOT of plants/trees, & a LOT of gig posters for concerts. Seems like Hamburg is a music city… so the first big stop on the European tour? Hamburg!
After this delightful city, I made my way down to Wetzlar. An oddity to an Irish man… what I can only describe as a sleepy city. Not quite city, not quite town. Very old, & very charming. The great Leja Johannson took me under her wing & showed me all kinds of streets, towns, & little places. She also pierced my ear, but that’s a sidetrack we don’t need. I even got to try out some hip-hop dancing… I was allowed to join in with a dance crew in the area… so yeah, now I’m gangster… deal with it.
All of this is to say that I’ve been having a great time, independent of the ‘work’ side of my career. In Hamburg I was filled with thoughts of what could be possible in the future (creatively speaking). For the first time in a very long while, I felt the need to play music, I just needed to strum or hammer, or something! So I sang in the streets, like a good little Irish man. In Wetzlar I was able to play Leja’s guitar & I feel completely into a musical meditation. There are some new songs on the way for sure, & even some acoustic versions of what’s out there! I’ve been hit with so many lyrics that my phone is getting heavier with all the notes I’m taking down… phew… there’s just so much to do.
Combining all of this inspiration & enjoyment with the success of the release, I really think I’ve played my cards perfectly. When I get home I’m going to completely conquer the world. First Ireland, then Europe, then the rest will come to me.
Until then, holiday Nathan is gonna kick back, & do what he wants to do.
Byeee
Nathan
