Hey friends!
On the 30th of July, at 00.00 hrs. Amsterdam timezone, I will give a online streaming performance called: ‘Songs for the Night’. You can join and watch by just coming back to this site at 00.00 on the 30th.
You will be able to watch the streaming concert live then! You can chat with other viewers, interact and have fun! I will sing a selection of songs that fit the vibe of night. And you can enjoy them at home in the comfort of yourself and the silence of night. Here’s the link to the channel: http://www.ustream.tv/channel/songs-for-the-night Or you can watch the screen below. Enjoy!
Gerhardt

Online TV Shows by Ustream

Hi y’all!

Last weekend was quite intense. 4 gigs in 3 days. Here’s a little report from the days in the Life.  First we headed to Maassluis with Beans & Fatback. Maasluis is close to Rotterdam and its giant harbour. We played on a festival area besides a channel for those big freight monsterboats.  As we played those ships would float by real slow. Surreal! I met some old friends from the past. Their band is called Woost. Go check them out, you might like them: Click: Woost
After the show we met the guys from Go Back to the Zoo. Nice guys. Hard workers. We almost stole their guitar-cases. Almost. We took some beer inside the bus and drove home. I had to take a pond in A’dam toward the Central  Station, so I could catch my train to Alkmaar. It was 00.15 hrs. We had talked about lots of weird shit inside the car. All of a sudden I was standing amongst about 100 drunk Latino party-pepple that were dancing and drinking. Very cheery. I was still in my weird shit mode. Twilight zone. Missed the connection to Alkmaar. So I bought myself a couple of beers and started drinking until my train would finally arrive. It did, 1,5 hours later. Underneath a starry sky I walked the last bit home.
Sleep.

Next day: Young Arts Festival in Beverwijk. Camille, a friend of mine, came over to Alkmaar. We drank some coffee so I had some time to wake up. Then we left for Beverwijk by train. The rest of the band came by bus. It turned out to be a very nice festival. Cosy. Creative. Very good atmosphere. Inside a forest. Amongst the trees we played a good set with Beans & Fatback and had good fun with the audience.
After the gig I had to be really fast and go to Rotterdam to Tiny Music: A collective of music lovers that invite artist to play in gardens, boats, cult cinemas and other atmospheric places. I went there with Camille. Lori McKenzie was my special guest that evening. We got together at Central Station. Got inside a tram and forgot to step out of it on time. So we had to walk. All of a sudden we’re walking with our guitars ‘n’ shit in a desolated area with a big highway raging through it. Twilight Zone! It was a nice evening. I finally met some Twitter followers in real life! Great vibe. Made some friends, drank some beer. The Boston Tea Party and Mark Ritsema played there too. Nice music.  My special guest was Lori McKenzie. She’s an artist from Canada. She lives in Holland. We sang ‘Lord have mercy on my rotten soul’ together. A new song I wrote for all the damned, cursed and rotten souls on this earth. Please check out Lori’s music. Click: Alexander McKenzie
We got a ride to the centre from a nice lady. She drove like a madman. With loud music. Great! I was sleeping at my friend Polle’s place. Camille decided to do so too. We drank some beers, smoked some and went to sleep. Then, at 5.00 in the morning, I discovered a new talent of Camille: snoring! Like a motherfucker! Like crazy!  At one point I was at the urge of killing Camille. So I took my blanket and pillow and settled myself on the floor of Polle’s balcony. Open air. No snoring. And the fresh and crispy air of a new summer morning.  Happy times. Not.

Next morning: Valkenburg. The most southern part of Holland. I took the train to Amsterdam. Got inside the band-bus and we left. Drank some coffee at a gas-station. Had a few laughs. This festival was on top of a big hill. Like an amphitheatre, cut out from the rocks. We had great fun with the audience. They danced. Sang along. Great.
After that we had some time to chill down. We were treated very friendly by a hotel owner that gave us food and drinks. We had a lot of fun and relaxed for a bit. Then we had to leave, because some band-members had to play at another festival with another band called Lefties Soul Connection.
And guess who came out of the festival area when we arrived? Go Back to the Zoo. They beeped their klaxon for almost 15 minutes!  So did we. We just stood there. Beeping our horns. They started to move the bus by wiggling it. It was a celebration of the madness you’re sometimes conditioned to when you’re in a band on the road.
Were you there, somewhere this weekend?
Thanks for being you!
Gerhardt

Due to a reason Facebook has not given, my account, fanpage and groups are disabled. Very weird.
I mailed them but never heard back anything. Today I received a mail that got my email and they
will get back on it. I had over 1400 lovely friends. And over 600 fans. I’m on the urge of releasing
a record and was building up all these nice plans with my fellow Facehookers!
So, don’t be mad at me. Can’t help it. I didn’t delete you. Still want to be in contact.
Only got a Twitterpage left: www.twitter.com/gerhardtmusic

So, in the meantime, help yourself out by checking out these great talents!
-Bright Blue Gorilla-
http://www.brightbluegorilla.com/movies.html

-Support Same Sex Marriage-
http://www.outstandinglives.ca/splash.asp

-Days with my Father-
http://www.dayswithmyfather.com/

-Take your time watching and listening this-
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xTGKzWDakK8

-@Jemsmit, a Twitter follower, gave me this tip-
http://www.edestad.nl/page/Lokaal/Regionaal-Detail/Herinrichting-van-gebieden-met-een.547774.news

-I got this tip from Pol Wijnberg, http://www.polwijnberg.nl-
A live explosion of underground music and arts in Groningen
http://www.scenery2010.nl

G’day!

I was booked to play at ‘De Nieuwe Anita’ last week. I really felt like coming back to my nice and warm house straight after the gig. So I made up my bed, laid a Faulkner novel on it and put on a nice small light for my safe homecoming.
I left my house.
When I arrived by car at the venue I had to find a parking spot. I put my car somewhere and tried to get a parking ticket. It was €4,50 for every hour. There wasn’t enough money on my card. I went inside the venue and asked where I could upload more money to it. No one knew. I went to a supermarket nearby.  They said to me: ‘take your car and drive to the marconi-square’.

Because I was thinking I’d be back within several minutes, I left my bag and guitar at De Nieuwe Anita.
In the bag was my telephone. I normally have an iPhone. But since the glass broke it’s been sent away for repair.
I have this small mobile as a substitute without any phone-numbers in it. So there’s not much emotional involvement to it. Anyway. I took my car to the marconi square. 19.30.
Could’nt find the bloody upload-machine at all. It was dark. There was a cranky taxi driver behind me, pushing and blinking his lights at me. So I drove trough the city looking for a parking spot, in the meanwhile trying to remember where I was going.

I finally found a parking garage called: Europarking. I drove inside, got a ticket, put away the car and started walking in a direction where I thought De Nieuwe Anita was at. Walking. Then I asked at a Turkish Durum toko where I could find De Nieuwe Anita. They sent me to the left. After 15 minutes I asked again somwhere. They sent me to the right..
I hadn’t been anle to eat that day so I was very hungry. I went inside a toko and ate. Nice people from Kazachstan. I read the papers, burped timidly and started walking again. I couldn’t reach anyone since my phone was in my bag. I asked again and then they said something what I liked: there’s a roundabout with purple crocuses on it.  Yes! How far away is it? By car you mean? About 15 minutes. Damn! I got the right directions and started walking.
It was supposed to start performing at 21.30. I arrived at 21.35. Jasper, the organiser and the owner of De Nieuwe Anita were a bit cranky of my late arrival. I told them my story, quickly tuned my guitar and did a half hour set.
the audience was nice, they listened, they clapped. There were two other bands after me which I listened to. Really nice music!

Afterwards I talked to several nice people. Drank a beer. Smoked a cigar. Went inside, took my guitar and went to the parking garage. I got a hike on the back of a bike by Janna. I got out my parking ticket. Put it in the machine to pay.
Nothing. I looked at the machine. After 01.00 closed it said. I looked around to check the time. 01.25. Closed. I pushed the  button to get in contact with the helpdesk. ‘Sorry sir, we can’t help you. This is the only parking garage which closes at a certain point. You’ll have to wait until 6.30. Goodnight.’ There’s quite a lot of family living in Amsterdam, but I didn’t have their numbers because of the substitute phone. Only Jasper’s number was available. I called him. He was still at De Nieuwe Anita.

Thing is, I was brought by bike and didn’t look where I was heading. I didn’t know where I was again. Remember I got lost the first time? I started walking, finally found somebody and asked the way. He took out his iPhone (oh irony) and told me how to walk. At 02.00 I found the cafe. I rang the bell. A man opened up and told me I couldn’t get in any more. I asked to get me Jasper. I got in. I drank some whiskey and beers, talked and listened to some music. There were still some people drinking. I couldn’t stay at Japser’s place. Then there was someone who knew a hostel somewhere in town. At 02.45 we started walking towards it. The guy had a big spliff. It was nice to calm my senses a bit. We walked and talked for about 20 minutes, then I saw a hotel. Hotel Europa. I was a little bit stoned because of the spliff.  Before I knew the guy had rang the hotel-bell. A bad sighted Hotel Europa employee opened the door and I asked if there was still a room available. ‘Yes, come in’. He walked really shaky and when it got to filling in forms, paying  it turned out the poor man couldn’t see a thing! So, before I knew I was behind the Hotel Europa Desk.
There I was, at 03.15 in Amsterdam, getting out forms, filling in codes etc. and the man telling me what to do and asking me what it said on the forms.

At 03.30 I was finally in my hotel-room.  I laughed. No correct time on my mobile. Not knowing where I was. Next day I was supposed to attend a student radio show recording thing. But couldn’t set the time. I decided to see what would happen. I woke up the next day. Strum a few chords on my guitar. Had breakfast in the hotel. Got back to my room. Washed my face. Got my bag and guitar. Went to the lobby and asked where I was. I was given some information concerning my location, took the metro to the radio thing. Had a few coffee’s over-there. Played a few songs. Talked a bit. Took the metro after finding out where my car was at. And after almost 24 hrs. I was finally back home. The light still burning. Faulkner still waiting. I took a shower and relaxed for a bit. Viva Europa!
Gerhardt

Hello there!
Here’s a small post about last week. I recorded vocal parts in Brussels.
We added keyboards and Theremin to the songs as well. It’s going to be great.
There will be some footage online soon. David Poltrock did a fine fine job.
It’s so great to work with him. He’s got so much knowledge about how
to make things sound good. We’re getting there. Bit by bit.
There are some new live dates as well. Go see the calendar on the site.
See you there!

The Beans & Fatback show is getting there.
Go check the myspace for some dates: beans & fatback
I’ve seen the first footage of the clip for ‘All I think about’. Tremendous!
So, keep an eye on them. There’s some things about to happen.

So, enough about me. Tell me how you are doing in a comment!
Sincerely yours,
Gerhardt

Well.
We’re almost there. It’s been a long winter.
To celebrate the return of the Sun King, I uploaded two different versions of ‘A dead Pony’.
This song has turned out to be a live favorite.
Hope it’s good on yer computer as well.
There are many new live-dates in my agenda. Go check. Let’s find a way to meet!
Hope to see you soon!
Gerhardt

Friends!

Sunday. Slept ’til 11.30. Woke up. Coffee. Talk. Nice.
I had a great and inspiring week.
A lot of things happened.

Jet-Lounge
I played two sets this evening. I met nice people. There was somebody
that attended the evening because he read on Twitter. His name is Jaco.
It was great to see he was enjoying the evening with his friends.
Channah was really nice! Listen to her: www.channahmusic.nl
She was really disarming and pretty. The owner of the place, Mark Hodson, told us great
stories about punk-rock history, cocktails, youngsers and told us to go home.
So we did.

Skinnerbox
We finally rehearsed again with the three of us. That was great! It was really good
to see my friends in good shape and atmosphere. We made new songs. New plans.
After that I drank whiskey with Camille at their place. Next day nice talk and coffee.
We picked up their kids at school. Carnaval, everybody was dressed up.
Big risk making a compliment that day about somebody’s clothes..
I took a bath. With lavender oil. I don’t know why I mention this, but it’s too late to turn that back now.. After that, saying goodbye and heading for theatre ‘De nieuwe Vorst’.

Lust for Life
When I got in I straight away met Peter Schuyff, aka The Woodwards and his woman Signe Tollefsen. We talked about buying houses and stuff like that. Do you know The Woodwards?
Go check, they’re great! Here’s a link: The Woodwards
I ate with my soulmate Polle. After that: showtime. The evening was called: Lust for Life.
There was a couple dancing naked, a drumsolo with crazy dance, there was The Woodwards having fun,  a tiny sushi train, a bunch of human dogs barking and spreading bloodlike sounds.
A couple dancing accompanied by brisk piano-play. It was really, really beautiful and touching. A saw a lot of pubic hair, breasts and perfectly shaped bodies that evening. The audience was really quiet. Did I mention that Mindpark was the host of that evening and played some perfect soundscapes?
Well I do now: Go check these bastards as well! Trrrr. Click: Mindpark
I took the car with Polle in it. Drove to Rotterdam really calm. We sat at Polle’s crib. Drank beer. Listened to some great beats/soundscapes he’s working on.

NH-Pop Live
Yesterday saw me playing Manifesto in Hoorn. Many friends showed up. They listened.
I got a bit distracted since many people were still energised by the band before me and talked a lot. But it turned out a good show.
I fucked up ‘A dead pony’. But the ending was okay, since Tranzulu backed me up with a surprise appearance. You know these people? Tranzulu? No? Shame on y’all! Go check: Tranzulu
It was a party. Megaphone. Confetti. Dancing. Crazy times.
Somebody made great pictures.
I will get them this week.
Patience is a virtue.
So long.
Gerhardt

Friends.
Since I’m out on the road a lot, I see a lot of things.
I meet a lot of people.
It’s nice.
It’s strange as well sometimes.
It’s surprising too.
Funky.
Exciting.
Thrilling.

-sudden Image #1-
A really thin man. With worn jeans. A really cheap wig on his bold head.
Pallid eyes. Looking around him timidly.

-sudden Image #2-
A little rabbit wandering around amidst the garbage of people, at a abandoned train station.
At 00.30hrs.

-sudden Image #3-
2 drunk friends, cheery. 2 Spanish ladies, sober. 4 pair of eyes, screening. One musician and his guitar.
-5 C. Coldness all around. 00.35hrs. ‘Come on, play us some music, let’s dance! So we’ll become warm.’
Guitar out of case. Strumming. Sigh of breath. ‘La Bamba’. Turnover: E4,-

-sudden Image #4-
Somebody walked past me with a mouth full of chewing tobacco. I could see that since the sides
of his mouth were brown and glimmering.

-sudden Image #5-
A drunk man. Walking around on the train-platform. Asking everybody for a cigarette. I’m pretty damn sure
that in the end he had more cigarettes in his pack than anybody else on the platform.

-sudden Image #6-
Night workers.
Working on the rail-road.
Screaming along with cheesy songs on the radio.

-sudden Image #7-
A rusty cargo-train slips really calm and slow through the station.
Nobody noticing.

-sudden Image #8-
Somebody puking and crying at the same time.
While leaning on a church wall.

-sudden Image #9-
Someone I know visiting a gig.

-sudden Image #10-
Seeing a burning candle on the kitchen table.
After opening the door of the house.

Friends!
How’r y’all doing? Really, tell me. I’m curious.
And to help you out, I’ve made 3 questions you
can answer in your comment:

1]
Who’s your father?

2]
Who’s your mother?

3]
What does music mean to you?