The light is always so crazy when it rains while the sun is out
This totally happened! Thanksgiving dinner with our Italian friends was a success! And a big Thanksgiving to my #favorite @vanessa_peters who was the consummate cheerleader, wingman, and all around life of the party. Happy Thanksgiving y’all!!
So beautiful at night #Lucca
Putin on the Ritz
H/T @davidgaw
I took this photo of the stage lights just moments before my hair caught fire and my drum kit burst into flames
Sempre una garanzia @osteriadalmanzo
Tour debris #vptour2019
Tonight we completed #vptour2019 with our show at @jubez.karlsruhe. We’ve been on the road for a little over two weeks and have covered much of #Germany and #Netherlands. While we were on the road we also recorded new @vanessa_peters songs and even some new covers.
Tomorrow we make the long haul back through Switzerland and down into Italy to drop off the #Electrofonics who are craving pasta like junkies. Ok it’s true, so are we
Finished soundcheck and we’re ready for the last show of #vptour2019 tonight at @jubez.karlsruhe
To the #Electrofonics – @ciancaguitar @andrea_colicchia @matteo_patrone – it has been a real pleasure working with you guys on this tour. You’re not only professional but also great kissers Rifacciamo l’anno prossimo ok? #delongher
because it’s so true
H/T: @andrea_colicchia
Tonight’s gig was a story to be told. We drove almost six hours today – – practically to the Czech Republic (and /or Poland) and pulled up next to this hulking ruin of a building in BFE with what looked like a creepy pedo ice cream truck in front. We were pretty freaked out, no lie. But inside was a splendid rock club that took all of us completely by surprise. Turns out the building was a munitions factory last operating during the first world war.
It was big, too! As we set up for soundcheck we were wondering “who the hell is going to fill this place up?” But then the people starting arriving… And by the time we went on the place was jammed – – standing room only! We played two sets (the first set of back catalog stuff, second set was #foxholeprayers start to finish) and they loved it – – called us back for two encores and wanted more but we were out of material. Stupid me, I only got a photo after the show was over and the place was clearing out but I won’t forget this show! It wasn’t the biggest crowd we’ve played to, but it was definitely the most surprising.
The tour ends tomorrow, and I’ve been sick now for three weeks but honestly I don’t want it to end. The shows have been fantastic and the #Electrofonics (@ciancaguitar + @andrea_colicchia + @matteo_patrone + me) have become a super tight backing band especially over the last few weeks of touring.
I’m also super proud of my bestie @vanessa_peters for being the consummate rockstar onstage and off – – we’ve all pulled together through some real hardships over the last few weeks and brought the A-game – – and it shows in our performances. Tonight we brought the house down. I’d do this every day for the rest of my life if I could.
Today we got to spend a couple of hours visiting #Dresden #Germany. The historic center of this beautiful city was completely leveled by Allied bombing during the second world war. As Dresden fell under communist rule in the postwar era, little to no effort was made to reconstruct it.
After the fall of the Berlin wall, reconstruction finally was able to begin. Many of the historic buildings have been recreated using modern materials as well as reclaimed rubble that was never cleared. In fact Dresden is still full of cranes which aren’t building new buildings, but still rebuilding the old ones. Essentially everything you see in these photos is a recent reconstruction.
The bombing of the center of Dresden – a true jewel of a city – was a terrible loss and caused considerable controversy. Worse, it was and is still used by the Nazis as a propaganda piece (they claimed 10x the official number of deaths). Every year there is a neo-Nazi march to protest the “unjustified” bombing of the city. However in recent years, antifa (antifascist) protestors gather around the city center in vast numbers (over 10,000 people) to form a human chain encircling the city to keep the Nazi protestors out. The message is clear: “you (Nazis) are responsible for this war and the destruction it caused, and we will not allow you to do it again.” And thus the message “Never Again Fascism” (Nie Wierder Faschismus)
Tonight was a show for the books… And I didn’t take any photos! We loved playing Gaststatte Stock! What a warm crowd – – they wouldn’t stop applauding! Thanks to Charlie for having us – – we will definitely return next year.
I’m very grateful to be playing with a terrific band of super talented musicians: @ciancaguitar, @andrea_colicchia, @matteo_patrone, and of course, the boss @vanessa_peters. Tonight was very, very satisfying.
It’s truly amazing to play in venues all over the world and find enthusiastic fans. Apparently they’ve been playing #foxholeprayers in Cologne for the last year and the folks dig it! Who could have guessed that #Germany would turn into one of our best markets but there you have it.
I also want to say a word about this drum kit. I purchased the cheapest kit money could buy – a #Millennium kit from @thomann.music – to use as a junker backline kit. It’s truly nothing to look at: spray painted black with cheap hardware, it’s an exercise in minimalism. It cost about $250 brand new with shipping. The drum bags cost almost at much as the kit. However, this damn thing sounds terrific. Just about every soundguy at every venue I’ve played for the last three years has complimented the sound. And boy is it lightweight. I can carry the entire four piece kit at once.
If you’re in the market for an inexpensive, lightweight, good sounding kit, I can highly recommend it.
And don’t get me started on my Italian made #ufip cymbals. They’ve got me completely spoiled….
WOW! #Zwickau we ❤️ you! Terrific sound, terrific audience, packed house, big sing-along encore – – nights like tonight are why we do this crazy thing. We can’t wait to come back next year with the #Electrofonics and a #newalbum to play for you guys. THANK YOU to the crew at #Liederbuch for your warm hospitality and great fun. See you soon!! #concert #rock #folkrock #vptour2019 #music #livemusic #Germany #dallas #Dallasmusic #dallasmusician #texas #igmusic #texasmusic #delongher
All soundchecked and ready to play tonight’s @vanessa_peters #concert at Kulturzentrum Sankt Barbara – – a beautiful (and great sounding) venue located in an old deconsecrated wooden church in #Zwickau #Germany. Show at 7PM & may even feature a new song from this week’s recording sessions!
We got to take a lunch break and go into the historic town of #Goslar for an hour of sightseeing yesterday – – and we were not disappointed!
Once a seat of power in the medieval Holy Roman Empire, Goslar has retained much of its ancient #German #architecture. We saw many beautiful examples of classical German timber frame construction. I was really amazed by the use of lapped slate siding that gave buildings a decidedly snakeskin appearance.
Unfortunately the Christmas decorations weren’t ready yet, and worse, there were a lot of cranes and scaffolding about that blocked our views of some of the most interesting architecture. But you don’t have to use much imagination to know that when they’re done with the decorations, Goslar will be transformed into a dazzling dollhouse Christmas wonderland complete with towering 60ft decorated tannenbaums lining the streets throughout the old town.
We also stopped for a quick snap of ourselves with Mr. and Mrs. #Floppen who for some reason were commemorated with statues
If you should ever find yourself in central Germany I would highly recommend a visit to this magical town.
That’s a wrap! After three days of recording in the #Netherlands and two more in #Germany we’ve tracked songs – the basis for a brand new @vanessa_peters and the #Electrofonics album unlike any VP album you’ve ever heard. Plus we recorded a new cover that’s going to melt your face. We channeled some rich vibes, no doubt.
A BIG grazie mille to the Italofonics – @ciancaguitar, @andrea_colicchia, and @matteo_patrone for bringing a tremendous musical game and keeping the mood always #Delongher. You guys are family. ❤️ #dajeforte
Thanks also to the @vanessa_peters fan club for helping to make these things possible. We couldn’t do it without fans and besides what would be the point?
Today’s office view
… #recordingstudio #recordingsession #Electrofonics #singersongwriter #rock #folkrock #guitar #drums #indiemusic #igmusic #ontheroad #Germany #indie #vptour2019 #bestlife #ufip #normanguitars #fenderguitars
Today’s weapon of choice: this weird modified drum kit with #cajon #kickdrum. I played this rig on @vanessa_peters new track “Make Up My Mind” and we were all by the giant sound. I can’t wait for you to hear this song – – it’s like nothing you’ve ever heard from VP! #ratherbeluckythangood #happyaccidents #Electrofonics
Giant beers, goulash, red cabbage #germanaf #vptour2019