Saturday, August 30, 2008


Blogging Whilst Logging! New blog from Kai.

Hi everyone, how have you been ?
Thought I'd drop y'all a note to keep you in tabs of how it's rollin'. It's been a great summer for us, we've had time and space to breath, take stock, re-group (such as go on a jolly up to the Formula 1 of Europe in Valencia), renovate the studio and prepare ourselves to make the best effort towards making Hard-Fi 's 3rd Album.

Festivals ! Have there been noticable sound volume restrictions? I ask, based on reports from Glastonbury and Reading.. ? rant ! discuss.
Whatever ... Fuji Rock is off the hook by the way.... the location inspires you and from everything the fesitval has to offer, it leaves you with no choice but to have a good time... I recommend ! But if you are really up for a ' no holds barred ' audience festival experience, then go to Korea for the Pentaport Festival, they really know how to enjoy themselves !
Back at home and to July, Guilfest was my highlight. What a great festival ! The line up was chokka with new and local bands, it has a pumping dance/chill vibe area, a moody rock tent, a presence of world vibes, and heavy blues and folk leanings (roots)... it was hard not to stumble across a gem. Anyway, i was armed with an AAA pass ( got connections now, see ?) and made efforts to be conveniently hanging around at backstage areas in order to say Hi to Mick, Tony and Leo from Carbon/Silicon, to meet the infamous Anton Newcombe a' la The Brian Jonestown Massacre and maybe(possibly) meet Debbie Harry and Blondie. With success too.. It was good be on the other side, I was star struck at Debbie ( I mean wow ! ), was in awe of Anton's unrepentant, unforgiving yet beautiful madness and was made up to see Phil and the Carbon/Silicon boys. ( and I also blagged some meal tickets from the production office in pretense of being with Dodgy's crew... see what I did there ? Ay ? )
Despite the inevitable, irreversible shell shock, excitement and double reverse drunken jet lag trauma caused by our trip far east, we picked ourselves up to attend an invitation to Valencia as guests of The Red Bull Racing Formula 1 Team for the Grand Prix of Europe . Ross is my hero for this. He made some friends one night at Paul Weller's book launch at the Paul Smith shop in Covent Garden.. and say know more... apart from ' bring your band, all good, we'll look after you ' . We spent saturday in Team Red Bull's garage and pit area for qualifying and then afterwards (at our complete surprise ) got taken on a 2 hour jaunt on the ' Victory Challenge ' Americas Cup yacht.. unbelievable ! a one off experience ! On Sunday we met David Coulthard, Mark Webber and the young ' hot stuff ' that is Sebastian Vettel prior to the race. Check for new photo additions on the website...
I won't mention the parties... whoa...
... Err, And yesterday, at Cherry Lips, we did a full stock check and compiled an inventory of all our equipment... back to reality ! Amps, guitars, mics, effects units, sound desks, leads, carpet.. blimey, right down to the last tea bag ! For insurance purposes you see ! The used teabags from Ross's famous podcast are valued at.... I'm sure you're not interested in that.. but it does remind me, time to put the kettle on !
And for an added titbit, I've got ' White Denim ' on my player right now... yes ! retro, but hard and fresh. And i've got my eye on a band called ' Zodiac N black ' too, heavy prog rock outfit from london.. in growing stages but oozing talent and potential... No one tells me what to ****in listen to !

So.. err, where was I ? oh yeh, There's only love here, from us to you. X and if you want some, are fukin do ya

'Til next time.

Kai

Thanks for posting 'Cherrylips', another great blog from my fav member

Another least the third album is underway, can't wait. x

Kai packs a lot in doesn't he? And I thought White Denim was a rather naff aftershave until I read this.

Mark 'lard' Riley on 6 Music is a fan of White Denim, not had a chance to listen to them yet myself.

it's breathe not breath. sorry, I know I shouldn't pick holes in it, it's a fantastic blog, I just can't help picking up on typos - it's my annoying habit.