Manzanares Music Scene

For the past two weeks, i've spent my time writing, exploring, and living spain. So far I've played 5 shows at the local middle school for their english lesson that day. I made them all sing the choruses of my songs, and taught them words that maybe i shouldn't have... (death star theme). This morning I played for the same class again. They requested songs that I wrote. This made me feel incredibly close to everyone everywhere. That warm orange ball of comfort.

I'm working on a video of all the clips that i've recorded while here, so i'll have some of me playing in class. Tomorrow i'm playing my first official show in Spain at the bar that we've been going to every night that we go out (Macondo). Although i'm only expecting there to be a very few amount of people there, whenever I told people about the show, they freaked out. I feel so much positivity here. If i spoke better spanish, i would and could live here.


So here's a miniature summary of my trip to valencia:









-australians
-birthdays
-hostels
-old, beautiful things
-2nd largest aquarium in the world
-accordions
-Mcdonalds serves beer???
-oranges
-american hip hop (and for once in my life being the best dancer)
-Jennifer...Jessica...?
-drunken train rides
-stares from sober eyes

daybreaker,
-andy

I just returned from Valencia. Pictures to come.

On wednesday, i'll be performing at Macondo at 10 for all the friends that i've met here in spain. Tomorrow morning i'll teach another class for the local middle school. These kids are el puta madre.


Ricky stumbled across this short film. It's great. Check it out:
http://struckthefilm.com/

I´m in Valencia right now trying to remember things (that´s why I´m here on this computer). Here they are-

-women who are bad in bed are called "starfish" because they just lay there
-there´s a phrase here that basically says if something is REALLY bad, it´s like drinking "dicks and vinegar".
-a term for a man who makes a sex change to a woman is called a "transformer".

more to come. can´t think, gotta run!
-me

University.

First day of teaching.

There is no word for "seashore" in spanish. weird.

Go read this:

Day V

DEMO DEMO DEMO DEMO DEMO DEMO DEMO DEMO DEMO DEMO DEMO DEMO DEMO DEMO DEMO DEMO DEMO DEMO DEMO DEMO DEMO DEMO DEMO DEMO DEMO DEMO DEMO DEMO DEMO DEMO DEMO DEMO DEMO DEMO DEMO DEMO DEMO DEMO DEMO DEMO DEMO DEMO DEMO DEMO DEMO DEMO DEMO DEMO DEMO DEMO DEMO DEMO DEMO DEMO DEMO DEMO DEMO DEMO DEMO DEMO DEMO DEMO DEMO DEMO DEMO DEMO DEMO DEMO DEMO DEMO DEMO DEMO DEMO DEMO DEMO DEMO DEMO DEMO DEMO DEMO DEMO DEMO DEMO DEMO DEMO DEMO DEMO DEMO DEMO DEMO DEMO DEMO DEMO DEMO DEMO DEMO DEMO DEMO

Ask, and I will send it to you.

Day IV

January 18, 2010
Manzanares, Spain

“You are so profoundly sad.”
“You’re wrong. I’m grateful.”


There are songs in all of our playlists that are on our side.
I’m talking about the ones that helped you through the break ups and the ones that will always be there to help you remember the very very best times. They’re our best friends. And we ALL have them. Someone once told me that my song saved him from committing suicide. This was one of the greatest things that I could have been told in my life. Could MY music, from MY brain have saved someone else’s life?

Or maybe it’s not my music. Maybe it’s his, because that song is always there for him. Just like “Vampire”, “Tonight, Tonight”, “Sunshine on my Shoulders”, and “Family Tree” are on my side.

Last night Ricky and I went walking around the empty streets of Manzanales, looking for an internet connection so I could let my parents know that i’m still alive. When we got back, I had a glass of wine, and sat alone for a while in the main room of the apartment. “Family Tree” by Tv on the Radio came on. I remember thinking this moment-- being alone in spain with a familiar, friendly song on my side, will always be locked forever in my mind. The only noise from outside of the apartment was the local church bell ringing 4 times every 15 minutes.

How could I be so lucky?

Well, we drank, we listed off our personal goals for just about everything, we talked of friends, of lovers, of music, of memories between and apart, and just shot the shit. How could I be so lucky to have taken time off after school to go meet my friend in a secluded village in spain with the purpose of finishing my album?

I always say it, but you’re here with me, and I hope that I am there with you. You travel with me wherever I go. Sometimes I don’t even WANT you here, but you are. I know it gets cramped up there in my head, but I’ll try and make it as comfortable as i can. After all...

...we’ll be traveling for a while.

Day III

January 17, 2010
Manzanares, Spain

Rural Alberta Advantage

Dear Friend,

Oh Oh Oh, I’m really trying. Changed my heart into petrified wood. Want to know what I did yesterday? Well. I’ll tell you. But you have to know that you were with me while I was doing it. I mean you HAVE been traveling with me the whole time. Anywhere that I go, anything that i do you’re with me. So let’s cut the chase:
Yesterday I was PAGAN. Yes. Pagan. Let’s go through the check list of what I did within the first thirty minutes of the night:

Went to a HUGE fire celebration. In this they threw in chairs, doors, and other random wooden objects.
Rang a 500 year old bell
Drank PIG’S BLOOD
Got Drunk
ATE A STICK (It cost 1 euro)

Apparently every year the village that I live has this ceremony 3 times a year. All the while, the young girls are walking by, waving at Ricky. (obviously)
After the pagan festival, we went to Ciudad Real for the DISCOTECH! I met a girl named Ashley from Arlington who knows the same fucked up stories about the same people that I know. I won’t say it, but you can imagine how un-big the world is.
At the discotech, we danced to horrible music. Absolutely horrible. We call the music here “Cranked out”, because it sounds like it’s cranked out of the basic, stamped, producer bullshit machine that is used to make millions. Although the music isn’t anything to write home about (or i guess... obviously it is), we danced as hard as we could.

“Oh, you’re from Lithoania?”
“Oh you’re from Vermont? I hear it’s beautiful this time of year.”
“Oh you’re from Mexico?”

We arrived at 7 in the morning, and woke up at 4 pm. After waking up, we nursed what little bit of hangovers that were obtained from the night before. Another festival titled “Lord of the Beast”, was put on to honor St. Antone and the village pets. This began around 5 o clock RIGHT outside of our window. I recorded the marching band playing this hideously menacing death song. I suppose this song was to honor the pets, but it sounded utterly horrifying. Ricky made a suggestion to use it as a hook for this song that Grease and I were throwing around. How perfect would it be if i used the actual audio from the parade for my song?

ahhh... life,

-Andy

SPAIN

Day II

Manzanares, Spain

“Lover’s Spit”- Broken Social Scene
“Halfway Home”- Tv on the Radio

Dear Friend,
I woke up today in a warm bed in my best friend’s apartment in Spain. Yesterday, shortly after arriving in Madrid, I felt the dread that one experiences when they see how completely insignificant they are in the entire scheme of the universe. I. Felt. So. Small. Once going through “customs” (which was just 4 police officers glancing at me), I walked through the gate to go out and meet Ricky. He was no where to be found.

I stuck by the girls that I had made friends with on the plane. They were studying abroad, liked LOST, and were equally as giddy as I was. Oh yeah- they also spoke Spanish. This is a talent that, unfortunately, I lack. I hung out with them for a good 15 minutes, when I was sending them off to a good semester, and looking forward at my situation: No phone, No friend, NOT bilingual, No Cash.

No cash?

That’s what I’d take care of first. Initially, I went to the ATM and took out 110 Euros (I didn’t put a currency sign next to the number because I still don’t know how to do it). After being denied access to the internet, and telling a couple people that I did NOT want a phone card, I began to feel the tear ducts being irritated.

“No fucking way.”, I told myself, “If ever I will be brave, it will be right now.”

I walked towards the coffee shop to find more internet. My head held high, I felt the surge of energy come through me and I felt in control. I will do this.

Just as this realization came to me, I saw Ricky rushing around the corner. I dropped my things and we had a very long hug. Although I wish that he had been there sooner, the feeling of hopelessness in another country was something that I needed.
We went to Guernica first. I can’t really spend time describing all of the things that I saw in the museum right now, but it was this shot of inspiration that I haven’t experienced in such a long time. It was needed, it was beautiful, and it was with my best friend.

All of Ricky’s roommates are very very friendly and welcoming towards me. The one who Ricky said was an asshole at the start turned out to be a really great guy, and all of them have made me feel extremely welcome. I am blessed.


“Manza- hell hole. where all the dreams die. I return to you.” -Chopi


Mental Note: Return to song idea “I Will Wake Up”
Mental Note: Close with “I want you” by the beatles at an Eastern Sea show IN IT’S ENTIRETY


Bueno,
-Andy


Also!
http://gizmodo.com/5448657/inaked-application-for-iphone-could-bring-world-peace


Also (Also)!!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ezrvxYmSGNs

Collapsing Stars

I think that if i were mute, I would tattoo "yes" on my right hand, and "no" on my left.


I'm doodling on blank printer paper which songs we'll sing in the subways.


I smell like 101 proof and marlboro 27's.


I'm planning the character that i'll choose for plane ride. Should I be a sculptor?

2. Own my own business?
3. Work for "Tom" on myspace?
4. A writer of a very famous book?
5. Stephen King's son?
6. Jeffery Dahmer's nephew? (I guess that person wouldn't be very comfortable to sit next to for 9 hours on a plane)

I could be a fisherman (7), I could be a fireman (8), I could be a bartender (9), or an archeologist (10).
I could be a limo driver (11:11) or a scuba diver (12).

Or I could just be myself (lucky 13). My own character. He's comfortable.




I think that I'll sing some beatles in the subway.






George's songs, obviously.
-andy

Day VI

En Route to America


My Friend,

I’m sorry that I took my time in life. I’m sorry that I didn’t write yesterday. You would be proud of me though! My reasoning from not writing was because I was out doing things.

-Gillian
-November 18th
-Power snorkling
-Karaoke man
-Salt water swallowing
-Reef stings
-Hall Makeouts
-Mexico vs. U.S.A.
-Chug the Ketchup
-Swingers
-Haircuts
-DTF girl
-Wheelchair theft
-$1 shaker
-Break Dancing
-smoking outside of Jamaica on the deck
-Bar grinding guy
-smoking inside the bathroom en route to America
-Confessions of a Shopaholic
-Super choppy waves, everyone is drunk.
-You PEED in the ELEVATOR THREE TIMES?!?!?
-Brother brawl
-Blood Boil
-28 years of marriage
-Blues bar
-Kid throwing chess pieces at each other
-Dancing waiters
-midnight pizza


It’s the last day. 3:20 and I’m still hungover a bit. Should I get wasted tonight? I’m kind of afraid of it, but it’s the last day... I need to pay off the alcohol that I spent this week, but memories are priceless. Currently I am $3 under at the casino. This shouldn't be too difficult.

Sincerely yours,

Andy Lane

Day IV

*Note: mind dumping in an empty cafeteria. Free flow writing.*


The people that I love show up in the places that I go
It’s how I figure out who are my friends in my head
It’s how I figure out who I care about (truly)

Peter pan never took me to never land
And I grew up too fast

I felt your breath
I looked and I saw the wind

There’s a man putting away the plates
He doesn’t speak english the way that I do

I fell in love with a waitress, when I should have fallen in love with the girl at the table

There’s a man in America
He owes me money
There’s a man driving a taxi on an island
I gave him all of mine

2 of us, 15 should do
Get us to where we need to go
Oh Oh
There and back again

You keep showing up in my mind.

We keep going these places
You don’t have a say and I feel bad.
I take you where I need to
But sometimes I think that you might also want to

I fell in love with a waitress
She walks with me
I pretend that when she looks at me to see if i need anything
She’s actually looking at me because she found what she needed

I fell in love with a waitress on an ocean
She doesn’t know where I live
But she knows where we are
And I have no clue

No, no, it would never work
I think she’s french
I don’t want to move there

There’s no map
There’s no watch
There’s a different time zone
And people who point me in the right direction

I wonder if she likes sorting the salt?
I mean she works on a cruise ship.
But she sorts salt..

O-K I’m going to listen to this song one more time (12 in an hour). Then I’m going to go play lazer tag. Yes. I’m 23.

Day III

Monteco Bay, Jamaica


Dear Friend,

Jah man. I can’t tell if it’s overdone for the tourists, but they all say it. I bet that it’s overdone. It has to be. All the oldies get their kicks when people say it. Whatever on that.

So I went dune buggying. Or rather... I drove a dune buggy. (there we go) Imagine whatever you would think that driving one would seem like, then multiple that by a googolplex and that’s probably rounded down to the amount of fun it is. So. Fun.
The guy who was driving around with us is this lazy early 30’s gen. X guy living in jamaica. You can tell he smokes a shit load of pot, and makes jokes about having unknown children to cover up for his lack of play that he gets on the island. Regardless of his place in the world of getting ass, I think that he’s not doing too bad in the entire cosmic scheme of things. Think about it:

He lives in Jamaica.
He drives dune buggies through badass dirt trails all day.
He smokes a shit load of weed.

Not bad I’d say. When we got to the top of the mountain, he showed us around and told us about the plants that live on the island. It’s funny, but he told me of an herb that is seriously a hangover herb. (no, not weed) We’ve talked about this secret power of curing a hangover for years (...decades? no. surely not decades. i’m only 23). It’s funny that I had to go to Jamaica to find it. Sounds about right.
OKAY OKAY I’ll get to the point.

Hangover Recipe:
-Pepper alta
-1 tea kettle
-spoon full of brown sugar

*so it’s pretty simple. You just boil some water, put the plant in a mug, and make tea out of it just like you would with green tea.*

crazy huh? Okay, bye. i’m going to take a nap.


Sincerely yours,

-Andy

Day II

Ocean, ocean, ocean

Dear Friend,

Moral is low. Already? Already. I’ve noticed that i’m made fun of more when I am with my family than any one else that I am with. This. Is. Odd. I know that it comes across as me being overly-sensitive, but when you are living this close to family members for this large amount of time, you bleed your feelings and your heart is worn vulnerably on your sleeve. I confronted Dad about this. He feels bad, but it’s not him. It’s my older brother.

Reading “Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close”. It makes me feel envious for 9 year olds everywhere. I love this book. I love Grease. I also love Grease for telling me that I need to read this book.

I miss Scott Perry. I miss Justin Granger. I miss Andrew Mcgill. I think about Jeremi Mattern, but I don’t think that I miss him. Is that rude? Can one be rude in therapeutic journal letters? I think about Scott because I think about what he would do, then I miss him and wonder when I’ll see him again. I miss Justin because he would want me to DRINK A LOT. Is today sunday? No. It’s Tuesday. Maggie is gone. I will think about Justin and her today. They’re sad somewhere. I miss Andrew because I had duck for the second time last night. The first night was with him. I think about Jeremi because he went on a cruise and told me about it. My memory of his experience gives me advice on activities. I don’t think that I miss him because I never see him anyway.

I dream of Noelle still. But this past one she had braces. Did she ever have braces? Her teeth are nice.
I should embrace the people that I miss and see it as a reflection on who I should hang out with more.
Oh, I also miss Kevin Tomas. I think about him when I drink coffee.


It felt really good to write this for some reason.,

Andy

Day I

Halfway between Houston and Jamaica


Dear Friend,

Today is the first full day between us. The first day that I’ve been at sea. Last night I tested alcohol on a level that I haven’t experienced since long before the surgery. ...oh liquor. Although I know that I shouldn’t be drinking and the sting of the alcohol on my throat was pretty uncomfortable, I needed to force the fun on this trip. MUST! HAVE! FUN!

An old friend (kind of), Brent Elliot, is on the ship. He smuggled in about 6 handles of whiskey onto the boat. This is good news for Jimmy, seeing as he is only 20 years old. Speaking of Jimmy-- he impressed me last night. After our gambling escapades, and drinking with Brent, we went to the “singles party”. Oh what a horrible sounding thing. Well, we all walked in (fairly hammered, as that is the only way that we would attempt to do such a thing), and there was NO one on the dance floor. Jimmy spotted out these girls, finished his drink, and then attempted to talk to them. He was doing fairly well. Chris and I were impressed. I was impressed so much, that I decided to join in. There I met Jillian.

Jillian is from Arizona, but goes to college in Chicago at some unknown school. She is reading “The Other Side of the River”, she enjoys hip hop, is majoring in Psychology and Political Science, she laughed when I said my favorite band is The National, and she wants to go into social work as a career. We talked for about an hour and a half about her friends at home, my book, her sister, why she likes the strokes, the cruise, etc. Needless to say, she was pretty fun. I’ve been told that I would make a shit load of friends, and I guess this is my first one.

This is day one,

Andy

Tape the sound of the most encouraging thing that you can think to give yourself for 2010. Save it for the time of sorrow, if you face one in the next year. A message to yourself from when you are at a peak can be the most inspiring thing to hear in a time of need. It's far better than any encouraging advice that anyone else could ever give you.