Germany – collection and synthesis

October 1, 2020

We had big plans to record the new @vanessa_peters album with some friends at one of our favorite studios in Austin, but then there was this pesky pandemic and we got stuck in Italy. As the upcoming VP song goes, “there are plans, and then there’s how it all works out.”

So instead we’re taking all of our demo recordings that we made while on tour in the Netherlands and in Germany, as well as some new stuff we recorded here in Italy, and making our own “Running on Empty” (per @csadams04). We were lucky to have found these amazing farmhouses – a beautiful bright open space in Germany, a funky hippy barn in Holland, and a giant stone casale in Tuscany – all of which had incredible acoustics and great vibes. And yes, that gigantic cowhide drum you see in the 4th photo makes an appearance on the album.

This is also the first album we’ve ever made entirely with our band of crazy Romans – @andrea_colicchia, @matteo_patrone, and @ciancaguitar. These guys are all hotshot musicians and we’re super fortunate to have them on our team. They bring with them a fresh, modern sound that really brought the songs forward in time.

The result is going to be a record unlike any @vanessa_peters album you’ve ever heard! The only problem is… too many songs! The elves that live in the guitar cases keep whispering “double vinyl” – – – but will it happen?

#modernage #newalbum #newmusic #delongher #recordingstudio #recordingsession #rock #folkrock #indiemusic #indierock #italyrightnow #Italy #tuscany #igmusic #texasmusic #Netherlands #Germany #goslar #castiglionfiorentino #utrecht

March 4, 2020

Last November @vanessa_peters and I were on tour with the band in Goslar, Germany, and had a few days of downtime. I had packed a bag full of recording gear, so we decided to cut some demos of some stuff V had been working on. And guys, we hit pay dirt! The band took the songs to a whole new level.

We decided to cut a performance video of one of the demos, and this Thursday noon EST we’re gonna premiere it on YouTube. Go check out the page and set a reminder so you can watch the video in realtime with us. Link in bio!! #concert #rock #folkrock #guitar #ontheroad #Germany #dallasmusician #texasmusic #musicvideo #indiemusic #indierock #texasmusicians #recordingsession #singersongwriter #newalbum #newmusic #Dallasmusic #igmusic

December 10, 2019

A minute from our concert in #Zwickau #Germany with @vanessa_peters and the #Electrofonics. The #concert is available at vanessapeters.bandcamp.com +++++ #livemusic #vptour2019 #music #dallasmusic #dallasmusician #texasmusic #igmusic #ig_music #rock #folkrock #guitar #ontheroad #singersongwriter #texasmusicians

November 24, 2019

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

November 23, 2019

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)

November 21, 2019

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….

November 20, 2019

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

November 19, 2019

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?

November 19, 2019

Today’s office view

… #recordingstudio #recordingsession #Electrofonics #singersongwriter #rock #folkrock #guitar #drums #indiemusic #igmusic #ontheroad #Germany #indie #vptour2019 #bestlife #ufip #normanguitars #fenderguitars

October 23, 2019

Next week we set out on the Fall Edition of #vptour2019 with @vanessa_peters (of course) but also @ciancaguitar, @andrea_colicchia, and @matteo_patrone as The #Electrofonics playing our mesmerizing #folkrock shows across the #Netherlands and #Germany

March 16, 2019

In just a few days we head out to #Germany #Netherlands & #Belgium with @ciancaguitar @andrea_colicchia & @matteo_patrone for #vptour2019 #europa and I’ll be playing this little bad boy #schlagwerk cajon kit!

March 6, 2019

I’m getting excited about these dates w/@vanessa_peters & The Dudes as we pile into #mercurio and kick off #vptour2019 all over #Europe #Italy #Germany #Netherlands #Belgium @matteo_patrone @andrea_colicchia @ciancaguitar #folkrock #concert #livemusic #

April 28, 2015