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Postcards from Will |
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the paris dream is now reality - i still have to pinch myself when wandering the streets in the ‘city of light’- like all good dreams it is full of the bizarre, sensuous and deeply felt desires - and like all reality full of challenges, uncertainty and contradiction - where the two merge i can still not be sure – head’n’hearts perpetual quest to join in union - life at the extremes - all part of the process of settling in to a new place – survival mode. been feasting on the creative buzz that surrounds me – riding the metro everyday provides all the songwriting fodder you could wish for; faces, places, phrases, perfumes, profanities – a wonderful stew of humanity - surviving on a diet of red wine, baguette, balzac, gainsbourgh and 356 varieties of cheese - feeling less the stranger in paris and slowly learning the subtle nuances of language and social etiquette - the creative juices floweth over - feeling completely inspired and enjoying the life of the wandering troubadour – i can feel a new album coming on – working title “wanderlust”. to try and sum the french up in a phrase or epigram is absurd - we learn as much by their wine, cuisine, elegance, style and dictionary of insults as by their humour - the frontiers of laughter do not coincide with national boundaries and i think you really get to know people well when you understand their humour and laugh along with them - the french joke does not cease to be funny once it is explained because it dissolves into an unending series of riddles and complicit in-ness between parties - all human passions can be seen at play , so that to recognise the french is to recognise something in oneself also. the french have such an attractive, civilised approach to living - so dedicated to calm pleasures, general tolerance and their taste in every domain so sharp, so sure that the foreigner is quickly seduced into believing that it is the only way to live - paris intimidates its visitors when it doesn’t infuriate them but behind both sentiments is a sneaking suspicion that maybe they have got it right - their particular balanced blend of artisitic-modishness and cultural conservatism, of intense individualism and welfare statism, swinging sensualism, clear eyed realism and starry eyed romanticism – that these proportions are wise, time tested and indisputable as they are subtle.
there is nothing more final or frightening than the way the parisienne hisses out the words “ c’est fini ! ca c’est depasse, c’est démodé !” even children say it with ruthless confidence – take off your cool frogboy ! why is it that the french mystify or irritate so many - they provide an interesting lesson in public relations, in the art of making friends, influencing people and then pissing them off – the search for the essential frenchman plays into the hands of the traditional foreign tourist whose favourite game is to spot how typically french the french are – the stereo type thus lives on inextinguishably turning out to be a hoax that the french play on foreigners so successfully that they are taken in by it themselves – ok next postcard best be devoid of any blatant francophilia ! trying to finalise recording arrangements for album no. 2 in december or january with a view to releasing in early 2005 - have been writing new tunes and getting demos done – played a great gig at fete de la musique in rue montmartre – a kind of national day of music where everyone celebrates on the streets – tres tres cool concept that oz could well heed , the french really support their arts and artists – i have been getting airplay over here on www.parislive.fm which has brought some positive reviews – but my headspace is more focused on new songs at the moment - the live scene seems to be a fragmented mix of underground electronica , stadium sized, radio fuelled britneys or classic french chanteurs – not a large or particularly healthy alternative rock scene – laughing outlaw records in discussion with various producers – will keep ya posted and thanks for all the supportive emails on the website guestbook – it is inspiring to connect with people from all parts of the globe – keep ‘em coming and bless ya ! On reflection what a year 2004 has been - moved to Paris, grappled with a major cultural & language transition, graduated with with an MBA, met interesting people from all over the globe with trips to the Middle East, many parts of Europe and China. Feel completely blessed. Australia is never far from my thoughts but France is home for now. I am convinced that despite the economic imperialism of globalisation and shit going down in the Middle East the world is getting smaller and closer - Having studied with people from different cultures and creeds, the process of learning more about each other, building bonds of trust and friendship gives me great hope that many of the world's woes can be overcome. Have just returned from an enchanted month working in China - AMAZING - people lovely, food delicious, work challenging, buzz palpable, shopping cheap, language impossible, mood positive .............exhausted but still floating - Merry Xmas to y'all and may your stockings be chocked full of goodies! Tsunami images beaming into our television screens defy belief - mother nature wins again. Hardly seems important but plans have been set to record new EP or album in early February in a chateaux with large open fire places, big comfy chairs, tall ceilings, an ocean of good red wine, foie gras, jazz cigarettes - acoustic nirvana - have a line up of great musicians including Goldenboy who has played with the likes of Elliott Smith, Beck, Neil Finn, the eels etc - can't wait............so going full tilt creatively and writing lots of new songs Have just completed the most enjoyable musical experience of my life - recording what I am sure is the best work I have done. Great bunch of people involved. New album has working title "Wanderlust" with song themes of being on a global walkabout - an accumulation of my experiences over the previous year. For those technically inclined , the album was tracked in paris at Le 3 Studio to half inch tape - reel to real - with yummy warm analogue gear to get solid live band feel - then dumped into protools 002 / mobile G5 Mac rig for french countryside over dubs in a lovely Chateau - and to exploit the virtues of digital manipulation - great way to do it ! We will mix album in London and are hoping to release in summer (europe) and australia in second half of year. Snowing again in Paris - bloody beautiful !
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Postcard 1 – January 2004 