Joshua Van Tassel

From Brighton on a beautiful day in a beautiful little sea side city.

I went for a walk in London’s Hyde Park and got completely soaked. Here’s the scene and sounds of the weather crime.

And then to Manchester at everyone’s favorite dirty little pub, The Castle. Here’s what it sounds like when a group of old men who support opposing city sports teams and have been drinking and watching football all day meet up at their local

Back in toronto, and now feeling officially jet lagged. I’ve been trying to deny it but it’s nt working. I read in a book once that jet lag occurs because humans aren’t meant to fly and travel at the speeds we do, and our souls get left behind and have to catch up to us. Until they get back to your body you just feel lost and strange. A little deep, I know. I’ll post a bunch of sounds and pictures from the trip tomorrow.

Right back into things this morning with a lunchtime show at Dundas Square with Paisley Jura, almost. The weather got crazy……

….then the overhead canopy collapsed dumping a whooooooole ton of rainwater on to Joel, his beautiful instruments, myself, and my drums. Welcome home. I’m tired and feel weird. Goodnight……

Hi friends, sorry I went missing temporarily, my little iphone updater is on the fritz, and I don’t know how to talk it into coming back to me. I think it misses home and is trying to tell me. So, no sound or picture today, just a quick word with you.

I had a fantastic time in Liverpool and saw my wonderful friends Alexis and Sam. They took us to all sorts of places, places where DJ’s rap and play basses with no headstocks, where old men try to lead you to their immobile friends who want to touch your hand, to streets where all sorts of people are inexplicably dressed in the craziest costumes I’ve seen outside of of an acid ridden Halloween ( from what people say). It’s a very cool town and I saw some great bands. I also met Billy Bragg which made me happy and others jealous and angry.

I’ve spent the past few days now in Manchester. What to say about this town. Here’s a point form summary -

- I’ve never seen so much make up on girls in my life. They look like they’re auditioning for clown school or are off to war on a battle field where the appropriate camo is to look like a clown.

- Men here are the most aggressive creatures on this planet. Predetorial sharks would back off from these dudes. They’ll literally push you out of the way to talk to the girl you’re standing with, and if you try to intervene, they will want to fight you. In fact, most of the guys here seem to want to fight you all the time.

- People really really take their football REALLY SERIOUSLY. I heard a man proclaim last night that he actually weeps for the losses of his team.And I believe him. If you’re ever in Manchester and anyone asks you if you’re red or blue, don’t answer, just run. Fast. 2 of the other guys in the band have had this conversation lead to a knife being pulled on them and an ensuing bar brawl. It’s serious. SERIOUS.

Ok, gotta run. I’m back on home turf tomorrow and have some pictures and some great sounds to share with you. I miss you.

Arrived inManchester at about 5 am last night. I’m in my third coffee shop in a row that’s playing the Stars, weird. I’m too tired to be clever right now, more travelling then playing. I’ll be more optimistic later today, k?

We’ve turned into a 5 wheeled tourist machine and things are going well. No time for a full update, plus my monkey hands and iPhone keys aren’t getting along today. Headed to Manchester soon, we can catch up there….

..,.right behind that little construct in the first picture. I was trying to take a photo of something else when my good friend Mr. Dinsmore suggested maybe we should keep going. At least they’re not fighting though.
I’m back in London until tomorrow evening and I’m determined to get completely lost today and have some sort of naiive canadian adventure. Wish me luck.
Ps- we saw Luke Doucet/Melissa McClelland play last night, and they slayed the whole place. Go get their records right now….

Had a couple great shows yesterday, this town is awesome. We’re headed back to London tonight, I’ll catch up better from there.

So the first day of the tour is down. After some interegation at the border, some van napping, some cask ale tasting and some driving we’re now in brighton. We had our first show last night and got our ass kicked in a good way by the band we opened for. I actually love that feeling, keeps you
motivated.
Pictured below- john Dinsmore, master van packer. He’s a machine, literally. You should have him over just to pack up your stuff.
Also, a very exacting sign at our hotel that I like. The funny part is that we got in from London at about 3 and there were two staff members listening to music, drinking, and chair dancing. The place is called the Strawberry fields hotel which I think is pretty great.
More to come later…..