Through the storm

I’m feeling somewhat fuzzy this morning…. But hell I’m over the moon that we got through our first concert, even tho every unseen hand tried to stop us from performing last night!!! In the end it was brilliant!!

The boys arrived in Paris sometime last week for rehearsals. It was great to see them stumble through the gates at Gare Du Nord. Exhausted but running on the reserve energy of a new country and the knowledge that we were now beginning our first European tour. For the past week we have been rehearsing, wondering the streets, eating copious amounts croissants and baguettes and taking in the sites.

The rehearsals have been solid and a lot of fun. We are finding new places to explore on songs from the Album and also beginning to experiment with some new ideas.

We finished up our last rehearsal on Wednesday and went back home to pack up our various belongings and get ready to head out in the morning for our first London Concert.

We met up at Gare Du Nord at 11:30 Thursday morning raring to go. I was runn

ing a little late (or as I like to say right on time) and so as I arrived we headed straight to the departure gate (completely unaware of the storm that was brewing overhead). As we approached the gate I said to Damian “I can’t believe we’re going to London!”….

Cut to – Damian and Nick C being ushered away by customs and Arnaud (our French Bassist) and I standing at the check in counter a little stunned and missing half of Blackchords.

We got through the gate and found the boys, sans passports and Tickets. Not entirely sure what was going on except for the fact that there was a problem and our train was about to leave any second Arnaud and I decided we should probably go on without Damian and Nick C.

We spent the next 4 odd hours once we arrived in London waiting on the phone listening to hold music, trying to get through to various embassy’s.

By 7:30pm and having been unable to find a single soul that was able to help us out we decided that they should give it another crack and try and get on another train….

Cut to… Damian and Nick C. being given a little card by customs politely letting them know that they were being detained searched and finger printed…. Awesome!!

Anyways to make a long story a little less long… By the morning of our first London concert we had half a band stuck in another country and were freaking out that they weren’t going to make it. Luckily we had Mark (our London manager) to save the day. He was able to get some help to sort out the Visas by 4pm(1 hour before sound check) So now the boys were sprinting back to Gare Du Nord to get the train across…. It was about this time we were able to have half a second of celebrating before receiving some news that there had been another problem and we didn’t have a guitar amp or drum kit for the show…. I couldn’t believe it I felt like someone really wanted to make us work hard for this show.

The problem of the lack of equipment was sorted out by the generosity of the ban

ds that were to be supporting us at the show. Now we were back on track again and making our way to The Good Ship…. We received a call from Nick C. to let us know that they were sitting on a train and would arrive at 8pm. Unfortunately he had just had his wallet stolen so it still wasn’t completely stress free!

8pm came and the boys made it to the Good Ship. None of us could believe that we were actually there we had made it through to the show. We were ready to play.

Just as we got on stage to play there was the final (little) twist of the knife. The input on my guitar had decided to fall out so instead of getting up and playing straight away we had to quickly try and get it put back together!! 5 minutes later we were good to go!!

It was a great feat for us to make it to that stage last night and it was a great first gig. We knew that this tour would be an experience and 1 gig in… It has been just that…

There was much celebratory drinking after the show and I am now in dire need of a coffee if I’m to make it through the day…..

So I’ll stop now.

Thanks for all who turned out last night to the show. We’ll see you soon

X

N.M.

Blackchords European Album Release Set for October 5th

For those of you that aren’t aware, Blackchords are releasing their Debut self-titled Album in Europe and touring France and England, this September and October.
The Album will be released through Dust Devil Music and distribution through Stomp/Republic of Music.

After the long 30hour journey through the skies and through the many railway stations, lugging far too much luggage for one person to comfortably carry, I made it to France. I’m here having a few weeks of eating good food and generally just experiencing living in Paris.
Its good to have this time to look around and try find some inspiration but I’m also waiting eagerly on the other side of this little planet to be joined by Nick C. and Damian to begin our first European Tour. It’s a beautiful place to be and it’s so exciting to be able to finally get over here.
I’m sure it’s going to be an intense period; it’s kinda the next step and an important one for Blackchords. Getting our music as far and wide as possible and hopefully leaving a good impression. Either way it’s definitely going to be an experience!
Our long time Bassist Jay Tilley is staying back home in Melbourne to begin a new chapter of his life, with his very cute little bub, Otis Tilley. Much love to Jay, S-J and Otis!

So… Frenchmen Arnaud Bétrom (Bassist) and Benoit Guivarch (Keys, guitarist) will be joining Blackchords for our tour. I’m sure they’ll be able to pull me out of the holes that I dig for myself trying to speak bad French on stage!!

Also over the last leg of our NSW and Victorian shows those of you who made it along would’ve noticed a few new faces on stage. Shane O’Keeffe (Bass) and Brendan Donahoo (Keys). I’d like to thank them very much for joining us. Its been ace to have them on stage with us.

OK well that’s it for now keep checking back as we’ll have some new news quite often. I’ll try and get some happy snaps too!

Now I’m going to put on my beret and head down the street to buy a baguette, some fromage and some vin rouge and try to fit in!

A bientôt

N.M.

Blackchords Vs Triple J

Blackchords are now asking their wonderful fans and friends to help
by requesting our single "At Worlds End" on Triple J Super request:
Click here to make your vote:
Alternatively you can call Rosie from 6pm (AEST) each night on 1300 0555 36 with your requests.

We are also part of triple J's Unearthed competition so click away on the banner to vote for us on Unearthed:

Thank you very much for all your support

X
Blackchords

At Worlds End Film Clip

It had been coming and I knew that it would hit as soon as we had gotten past the Album launch and right on queue 2 days after the launch I was down! As sick as a dog with the flu. So I've been lying low trying not to contaminate anybody and trying to unclog my brain... Feeling much better now and ready to run that next marathon that awaits me. promoting and touring this brand new album...
To celebrate my... getting better we have just uploaded to Blackchords.com our brand new film clip of "At Worlds End" directed by Tov. It pretty much shows you how how I came to catch the flu! We very much hope that you like it!
OOO and I almost forgot to mention that Sasufis' photos of the Album Launch are now up too....

OK take care and we'll see ya soon.

X N.J.M

Blackchords

Launch

Well what can I say??

We have sweated and we have been through thick and thin, it has taken time, sometimes feeling like we were stuck in the mud and sometimes feeling like we were flying along at a million miles per hour… But we have now completed an album that reflects these early years of Blackchords as honestly as we could. And on Friday night we were able to celebrate this album this final step we had to take to move on for the next stage of Blackchords’ life.
It was awesome… To walk on stage at the beautiful Gershwin room at the espy and to see all your happy faces beaming back at us immediately struck me and the boys with this electric energy. At times I found myself with an uncontrollable grin plastered across my face, and thinking this is exactly what I hoped for, I was immersed in the music and well and truly in the moment! It goes without saying that without all of you that helped pack out the Gershwin room, it would not have been the same night!
I can’t wait for the next one!!

Stay tuned as there is much much more to come from Blackchords, Including photos from the Gershwin room and our brand new film for "At Worlds End"!


X N.J.M

Finally we have made it. Blackchords have reached the stores!

Yesterday was International Record Store Day and so it was an even greater day to release our very first album.
Thanks to everybody who came and celebrated this mile stone with us at Pure Pop Records, we had an ace day never thought that an in store gig could be as good as it was!
We want to let you know that for a short period of time you can listen to the entire blackchords album at www.blackchords.com
Also if you are in Melbourne tune into triple R 102.7fm this Wednesday at 5:30pm to listen to a live interview with us.
So thank you again for all your support and hope that we see you down at the Gershwin Room at the Espy in St Kilda on April 24 for the Big Launch Party!

Take care
Blackchords

Check out the store locator at Stomp to find out where you can get your hands on the Album.

 

Getting closer

Hey all its not long now till our Album is finally out in stores and we are out celebrating at the Esplanade in Melbourne. We can’t wait as you can imagine.
We have just put online our brand new Blackchords Shop so go check it out here.
You can pre-order a copy of “Blackchords” album or get your hands on our Tee’s.
Also we are adding new tracks to myspace during this lead up to the release, so you can have a listen to more songs from the album.

XX N.