This week saw my return to these shores after an adventure around Europe which ended up lasting more than five weeks. I had the pleasure of being able to attend some of the best psychedelic trance festivals across Europe, which encapsulated trips to Spain, Portugal, Hungary, Croatia, Italy, France & Switzerland. During the months leading up to this adventure I knew that I wanted to head out to them, but didn’t put as much planning into the trip as I thought I should, especially in terms of money and access to the festivals. In the end, what I realised I had to do was what happened- just get out to the first one, Boom in Portugal and don’t buy a return flight home. What this allowed was an unfolding adventure which was guided by a flow I followed by being present in the moment and the wonderful feelings found in the music and the amazing people I kept meeting at every turn. The lack of planning meant I wasn’t attached to any particular outcome at each stage of the journey and the decisions about where to go next seemed to be made on a whim, which meant each day had its own unique flavour and I was open to all possibilities.
The music I decided to play tonight wasn’t guided by the music at the festivals, but inspired by some of the people I met and the music they enjoyed that I hadn’t come across before. Also by my feelings in the couple of days since my return- I arrived at the studio after a brief, intense bout of post holiday blues and some of the music I played reflected these highs and lows. Frustration at moments of indecision, feelings of loss at perceived missed moments and opportunities, or the sadness at a perceived change to a more rudimentary lifestyle upon my return to the grind in London, through to the realisation and gratitude that all the moments I had were beautiful and the time I spent with all of my friends on my journey were reflecting how I was feeling. The more open I was the more fun I had and any feelings of awkwardness or resistance were only showing me what I had yet to learn. Seeing the simplicity and joy in the moment continues to provide me with smiles. I’m no different right now than I was when I was able to enjoy those fantastic moments with the music and the sun (or not so much sun in some cases!).
The recording of the show is now available on my Mixcloud page:
The Return – Musical Meanderings 11th September 2012 by Graham Stannard on Mixcloud
Here’s the playlist for 11th September 2012 (Albums in brackets)
1. Spiritualized – Lay Back In The Sun (Pure Phase)
2. Weezer – Knock-Down Drag-Out (Green Album)
3. The Hives – Tick Tick Boom (The Black & White Album)
4. Madrugada – Electric (Industrial Silence)
5. Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds – Love Letter (No More Shall We Part)
6. Placebo – Where Is My Mind? (Sleeping With Ghosts)
7. Tom Waits – Ice Cream Man (Closing Time)
8. Tom Waits – Bottom Of The World (Orphans)
9. The Doobie Brothers – Takin’ It To The Streets (Takin’ It To The Streets)
10. James – Getting Away With It (All Messed Up) (Pleased To Meet You)
11. Iron Maiden – Fear Of The Dark (Live At Donington England 2007-06-10)
12. Crippled Black Phoenix – Time Of Yer Life/Born For Nothing/Paranoid Arm of Narcoleptic Empire
(200 Tons Of Bad Luck)
13. Tool – Bottom (Undertow)
14. Porn Sword Tobacco – Pappa! Min Karlek Ar Gravid (New Exclusive Olympic Heights)
15. Spiritualized – Let It Flow (Pure Phase)
16. The Doors – I Looked At You (The Doors)
17. The Innocence Mission – Keeping Awake (Glow)
18. Pink Floyd – Julia Dream (Early Singles)
19. Pink Floyd – Shine On You Crazy Diamond (1) (Wish You Were Here)
