I’ve been skiving off in Europe for the last month and managed to have  a few wondrous musical experiences along the way. I bought a ticket off a scalper for Puccini’s La Boheme at the Staatsoper in Vienna. Ok, so Maria Callas was not playing the part of Mimi but it was amazing all the same. I also saw Vienna’s Mozart Orchestra in the Brahm’s Hall at Musikverein. It’s comforting to realise music that’s been done to death in movies and t.v adverts is still so full of life in the here and now when it’s being performed by people who have such command over the material.  Last but not least, I was lucky enough to be in Berlin when John Vanderslice was passing through. Catch him if you can! Rightio. Time for band practice.

You’ve gotta hand it to Emersons. Southern Clam Stout. What a beer! Please try it next time you’re in Dunedin.  Also deserving of mention, Cinema Paradiso movie theatre in Wanaka. Play a gig there if you get a chance. In other news, I can now confirm that Garcia tequila is NOT superior to Patron. Can also confirm that Islay Mist is an o.k single malt, but you can’t go past the $8.50 Laphroaig doubles at Wunderbar. What does all this have to do with playing music ?? EVERYTHING! Thanks to Hannah, Tom, Claire and Lachlan for a great South Island jaunt. And may the magpie who swooped down into the tour van windshield when I was driving through Mackenzie Country rest in peace.