4/08/13 day 7: Copenhagen, Denmark

Nothing starts the day like a hearty English breakfast, and I'm not talking about the tea either. Power food baby!

Hard to believe it was snowing yesterday. Sun is shining down pretty good right now. People are occupying the sunny spots on the sidewalk where the light makes it through the buildings.

Had a nice walkabout. Hit the big music store and walked around the pedestrian zone with all the shops. Hit up a juice bar for some fresh squeezed goodness and the Camper store before heading back to homebase to relax and have a tea before the show.

Another beautiful day in Denmark!

4/07/13 day 6: Copenhagen, Denmark

Made the short walk to the Odense train station this afternoon. Luckily, every third train is headed to the big city. A couple hours later I was standing outside Tivoli Garden as I had on my first visit to this fair city in 1994. I know the way to the Dubliner. Walk east along Amargertorv. Can't miss it. Green awning on the right. For years, the facade of the building was covered with scaffolding. It looks different now. Like when someone gets their braces off.

I walked in, dropped my luggage and ordered a coffee. I was immediately befriended by a tall, curly haired cat named Julian from Liverpool. He was the musician this past weekend. Or last week. I get the impression it's all a blur for him. He showed me the musician accommodations and talked through the idiosyncrasies of the PA with me (aux 1 is shot, this channel is broken, etc) Good dude w helpful information. The Dubliner is a little rough around the edges for sure, but its fun.

Musician accommodations are a little different than in Odense. More communal. I'm sharing the upper floor w the head chef (a cat from France).

I wish the weather would play along. It can't decide whether to spit rain, snow or hail. Either way, buskers are still outside singing, playing accordion, saxophone. I probably passed four buskers on my walk here and there are more within ear shot. Some cat is banging a stick stuck in a bucket... Actually, maybe that's street art or something. Either way, its very lively outside. Can't decide whether to brave the weather and head over to my favorite shawarma spot or stay put and try to get my nap on.

I opted for the shawarma. So good! First meal of the day at 5pm. Early start tonight at 9. Maybe I'll get to bed before 3? Those 11pm starts in Odense were brutal.

Had a super mellow set tonight at the Dubliner. Friends Christian and his wife Melissa were at the show. Christian saw me and Clint play the Dubliner back in 2009 and then saw The Sweet Remains at Dexter in Odense in 2010. That, my friends, is called dedication and music appreciation.

Alright, night y'all.

4/06/13 day 5: Odense, Denmark

Cold and overcast today. Finally slept through the morning which feels great. No nap needed today, although I love me a good afternoon sleep. Gonna reheat w some Guiness stew and make my way over to HC Anderson's house and snap some shots. This cat is a national treasure and Odense is his hometown.

Another lively crowd tonight. This time not so young. Had a fun run here in Odense. Looking forward to Copenhagen tmrw. Night.

4/05/13 day 4: Odense

Came downstairs to the pub in the early afternoon after spending the morning drinking instant coffee and snacking on bread and cheese. I had grand intentions to do some more walking around downtown but the wind cuts rights through the layers making me wish I had packed at least a sturdy sweater or robust onesy... Something with fur.

The bartender warned me that around 1pm the bar would be raging with disgruntled Danish teachers.... Apparently, 1,500 teachers were striking that day and somehow they picked Ryan's for a post rally drink. I kind of wish I had a 3pm set time. Ah, well, actually, no I don't. I saw people singing along to Twisted Sister... Probably better I don't get involved. I hear the HC Anderson museum is nearby...

Lively crowd tonight. The place was packed w what I can only describe as jubilant youth. No older than 21, if that. In my younger years, I would have dreaded such a situation. What to play, what play... Turns out, they thankfully still love the golden oldies, you know, Wonderwall and all that. Needless to say, I had the room singing. And then the place cleared. I think they all went to the discotheque or something.

I did taste some local flavors. It's called a Galliano Hot shot and its delicious. Coffee, Galliano a vanilla liquor, whipped cream and cinnamon. Delicious.

Goodnight planet.

4/04/13 day 3: Copenhagen

Up at the break-a-dawn, but still got 8 hours of soulful and rejuvenating horizontal sleep. Throw in a hot shower in an extremely ergonomic bathroom and this guy feels like a million Kroner!

Metro from Nanna's apartment to Nørreport station. According to Nanna, this is a new center of activity, and by the looks of the construction it will be a beauty. I remember from my last visit that this area was all dug up. Still is. It's a cluster. However, despite the disrepair, there were plenty of folks willing to help, in English tinged with a pleasant and soothing Danish accent. Time seems to slows down when a Danish person describes something in English. Even if its pressing. "Yes, your train leaves in 30 seconds..." Seems completely reasonable... And downright, endearing. I was appalled how poor the signage was even in the disrepair of what will no doubt be a beautifully refurbished train station with plenty of natural light, steely angels, and clear signage. I found my way to the platform, boarded and holed up for my short 2 hour journey. I'm in the middle of the second Game of Thrones book. I'm reading it in my iPhone, which is an exercise in squinting.

Found the venue in Odense (Ryan's Pub) with only my wits, photographic memory and spidey skills. The club is putting me up in a modest apartment above the club, which if the country of said club were different, would be a complete shit sty. Leave it to the Danish to provide (what appear to be and no doubt are) fresh linens and a towel and a very tidy little apartment for their musicians. It ain't the Ritz, but what American venue would even consider this very generous act of hospitality?!

First night was a success. It was a pretty light crowd but I was relieved to hear calls for more originals as the night wore on. More tomorrow. G'night world.

4/3/13 day 2: Copenhagen

Uneventful flights today. Managed to probably get close to 6 hours of sleep on the first leg. Watched Lincoln, had chicken curry, then crashed out. It was great.

Copenhagen airport is just as you would expect: clean. Angular. Non-threatening. The maps on the wall are clear. Everyone speaks better English than you. It's so logical, you move throughout the building as if you do it everyday. The energy is focused, but not frantic.

As we slice through modest suburbs towards the city, the sun shines brightly in a sky of milky blue. I'm glad I packed layers. I'm gonna need it.

Many many thanks to my awesome hostess Nanna for putting me up for the night, demystifying some of my upcoming travel AND getting me a featured spot at a really hip open mic next Thursday at Cafe Retro. Nanna (Larsen) is a great musician here in town. Check out her music.

I'm proud of myself for making it all the way to 10pm! Jet lag can kiss my åss!

Tomorrow it's off to Odense. Night.

4/2/13 day 1: Phoenix

Phx>Heathrow>Copenhagen...

And the latest adventure begins. Europe 2013. Whenever I find myself questioning the path my life has taken, I need to remember this feeling; anxiety, excitement, unknown. It's the feeling you feel when you experience life. I know folks that can experience it in their everyday. I guess I tend to feel it when I leave what I know. It's unfortunate in a way. I wish I could see the wonder in every day. Often times I only see the work day. I find immense reward when you take all you know and turn it inside out. You don't know the neighborhood. You don't speak the language. You are, in a sense, alone with yourself. It can be an extremely humbling experience.

I need to remind myself that I get paid to play music around the world. And that is an extremely satisfying realization. My 18 year old self would be very proud. The moment I left Germany in 1994, I vowed to return, with my guitar. And I did. The journey, it seems, continues on. Maybe I need it. Maybe I haven't learned what I am supposed to. Maybe there is more to discover.

I stumbled upon a memory this evening. As this huge plane ascended into the sky above downtown Phoenix (the same plane I would watch from my front porch on 13th ave and Monroe) I recalled my first meal on my flight to Aachen in 1994. In constant wonder, as I am now, I remember ordering the "kaese tortellini" reveling in how exotic it sounded. All my German speaking/ american exchange student friends will attest that that is the MOST common dish among hungry college students. Little did I know at the time. But maybe that's the point. It's only exotic and foreign until you realize how common it is.

While entering my first travel post in some time (this post), I found an unpublished post in reflection of my cruise ship gig last summer. I just published it, unedited. Check it out. Too funny. It's all true. And I still miss my girl Rugby. She was a sweetheart. Rest now sweet girl.

I would like to acknowledge my sweet girlfriend Kimberly for her support in All this discovery and music and life. She has opened my eyes to what life could look like and I like it!

By the time this post is updated, I'll be deep in Denmark. Sharing music. Sharing stories. Sharing life. May it continue until we are all old and can share it around the fire together.