Bruce Wilson Traveller

2010-12-07T22:36:00.000+01:00

"We are calling on the governments of the United Kingdom and Australia to ensure the safety of Julian Assange while in custody in London. We also strongly condemn his unnecessary arrest and ask that he not be extradited to Sweden, a country known to extradite people to the US without proper justification and due process. We stand for press freedom and democracy and strongly condemn actions taken and words spoken to incite harm to journalists and publishers, and deterrents placed to free speech. The blatantly illegal government and corporate action being taken against Wikileaks is against the rule of law and the will of the people and has no place in a democratic society. We call for the release of Julian Assange and the cessation of further harassment and illegal activity against a free press."

2010-09-21T00:05:00.001+02:00

Thinking about retraining as a Paramedic.

Jim Morrisson's Grave

2010-06-14T19:22:00.002+02:00

Naked in a lift going down

2010-04-18T13:18:00.003+02:00

I was sunburned yesterday. Springburn. Winter is officially over.

Spent the day in a field on small island in an estuary.

A strange day.

Watched some german japanese (using a mixture of both languages) play some bizarre version of hand/foot/basket ball. Not that I think that the japanese are always bizarre. I'm one of the minority group bemused by the success of lost in translation/racism. Laugh? I nearly did.

Finished the day by watching a proper filmmaker's work. Roy Anderson's film "You the Living". Very fine. But I felt not as moving or cohesive as the truly fantastic "Songs from the Second Floor".

Moment of the day has to go to being at the local station waiting for an elevator.

After a looong wait the glass elevator slowly appeared with a man (my guess, accidentally) baring his full naked posterior.

He didn't turn around. The door opens. No movement.

We ask "are you getting out?". "No....(long pause) going down".

The door slowly closed and he gradually sank down into the earth again.

I spent a good couple of minutes in tears painfully laughing.

The poor guy wasn't well. The way it played out as a drama was priceless. Only a really slow elevator could produce such wonderful comic timing.

A bit like life in general really.

A cursory google produced this poem

2010-04-16T20:56:00.002+02:00

2010-04-16T12:55:00.001+02:00

2010-04-14T21:47:00.001+02:00

2010-04-13T22:20:00.000+02:00

2010-04-12T12:12:00.002+02:00

2010-04-06T20:35:00.002+02:00

That was a fine productive day playing 12 string guitar and dobro.

Getting my parts into shape for the songs March April May, The Girls who gave me Flowers, and Bird. Looking forward to rehearsing them with the band and playing them live.

I should announce that we've got a great band.

Jan on Drums: Jan no delay. Rock Solid, great feel and timing. Plays keyboards too

Michel on Bass:The bo michel. Has a photographic memory. Likewise with the feel and timing and a great creative artist. Plays guitar too, and loads more besides.

Flori on Guitar: Likewise and he rocks. Great ears. Great fingers. Patient and stable. Sings too.

Sasch on Keyboards: Likewise and such an amazing pro. Directs/arranges choirs too. Sight reads like a super computer.

Looking forward to introducing you to them soon. They all have a deep love of music and commitment to their craft. I respect them all so much. I'm lucky to l know them. Together we are a BAND. More than the sum.

Put another dime in the jukebox.

2010-04-05T12:59:00.003+02:00

Strange thing language.

So much of the language from my sites from the past six months has sounded comic.

Everything is COOL MAN and ROCKING I'm a READY to HIT THE ROAD DAD with some GROOVY SOUNDS. YEH.

Wince...

Visions of a tricerotops wearing a cravat and flairs.More Danny the dealer than Byron.

I'm coming back from a long trip. Coming back to tell.

2010-03-30T01:12:00.002+02:00

Bruce's Playlist Tonight from the pitiful selection on his powerbook

A-ha - Manhattan Skyline

The Bad Plus - Heart of Glass, Overeater

Theme tume from "The Warriors" Movie

Kate Bush - Cloudbusting

Neutral Milk Hotel - Untitled (from in an aeroplane over the sea)

Calum Kennedy - Bratach Ban (It's Gaelic OK?)

Nine inch nails - Closer (My existence is Fraud, You bring me closer to god :-))

do I really have to tell you? - Wish you were here

Naz Nomad - Nobody but me

Trial 1: Knee 3 - Philip Glass, Einstein on the Beach (Oh yeh this is my youth)

Xogenous - Prince & the new Power Generation from Xpectation

Radiohead - Packt Like Sardines In A Crushd Tin Box

Rickie Lee Jones Can Have Babies from me anytime - Pirates (So Long Lonely Avenue)

Sex Pistols - Silly Thing (I have to cover this someday, it needs improvement but it ROCKS)

Sigur Ros - Glósóli GOD SAVE ICELAND!!!!!!

Tom Tom Club - Atsababy! (Life is Great) What a lyric, Chris, Tina AND Wally Badarou too.

Tom Waits - Kommienezuspadt (Living in Berlin sounds like this sometimes...spelled wrong)

Violence and Birdsong - Evil Has Never (SCOTTISH AND KICKS F'N ASS)

EVIL HAS NEVER LOVED YOU AS I DO!!!

Van Morrisson - T.B. Sheets (She's dying up there help her soul)

I'm FREE !!!!!!!

2010-03-29T13:34:00.003+02:00

Rehearsals

2010-02-25T04:39:00.004+01:00

Hey there,

Here's a quick one to say that we had a truly awesome week of rehearsals with the band last week. We'll be getting ready to gig within a month (once our bass player gets back from South Africa - I'm not the only traveller).

A great group feeling. Lineup is Drums, Bass, Guitar, Keys and myself on Vocals, Guitar, Keys, Bluesharp. We have a set of 16 tracks right now. We'll be adding another 2 originals and a couple of covers at the next rehearsals. It's really rocking. I'm proud of the guys in the band. I think we do the arrangements from the Album proud and we'll be performing some new songs that'll hopefully make the eventual second album. I can't wait to introduce you.

Keep in touch and I'll keep you posted about any gig dates.

Thanks to guitarmeister Flori for the pedalpic

All the Best

Br.

2010-02-04T21:44:00.000+01:00

Berlin ice has been thawing the last couple of days. It's like walking through a Margarita out there. Legs feel like one's had a few too.

Distribution of responsibility? Icicles of doom

2010-01-21T01:33:00.009+01:00

I was coming back from a late meeting the other night. Berlin's ice began to melt.

I came close to serious injury twice. The locals call the snow coming from the roofs "roof avalanches". The icicles don't get a special name.

Well I was almost hit by 2 mini avalanches. So by the time I got back to base I wasn't really in the mood for the two meter long icicle hanging directly above the door from the roof six floors up.

Distribution of responsibility: the powerful "someone else's problem" effect that meant no-one had done anything.

I called the fire-brigade. They sent two dry and idiot-weary Berliners round. They said I would be robbing the city of fire-safety if they sent an engine. Seeing as how the neighbors up on 6 still had lights on, would I be so kind as to deal with it myself. Ok. I'll do my best. They're right actually.

I got two other neighbors to make sure the way below was clear and made my way upstairs.

The apartment on 6 belongs to an expert on John Cage but he was not "prepared" to stick a broom out of his window to hit the thing for fear of being responsible for an injury. His insurance was more important than public/neighbors safety: well here we are in the wonderful 21st century. He's not exactly Mr Rogers eh? What about all the kids in our building?...nope. He made joke about him using his mobile phone on airplanes. What?

So I did the deed. I was up a step ladder sixfloors up and whacked the icicle with a broom. Down it went. Everyone's safer. Hurray. Me hero. I have a fear of heights actually. But I care more about my fellow humans.

My neighbor offered me a whisky to celebrate. What? His lack of care for others than himself?

Take action. You make all the difference in the world.

The same night I was shedding more than a few tears for Haiti. I'm in absolute horror. Take action. Distribution of responsibility. If you wish to help, as I did, then here's one possibility.

2010 : The Year We Make Contact.

2010-01-02T01:51:00.008+01:00

Happy new year everyone.

2010 is a great number. I'm looking forward to a great year and wish you all one too.

Wow, that's a long time since my last blog post.

Things have been a bit busy in Bruceland, but I'll try to get back here more this year.

What a year that was.

The rehearsals and technical preparations for the gigs took up more time than I ever expected.

But things a really shaping up.

Airplay on national radio and more than a few local ones including a rather sultry sounding interview with me. We'll post a clip here soon.

We sold a few CDs too so it seems a few people were able to hack through the amazon jungle there.

Myspace has been a source of amazement and joy this year.

We crossed the 2000 friend mark on Christmas day. The comments and support there have been great.

Facebook needs a little more love. This will come. And a lot of venues.;-)

Berlin is currently submerged in snow which made for a slightly quieter firework bombardment than in other recent years. iLike.

Asleep in Copenhagen. Very disappointed with the Climate Conference. What are we going to do now?What are we going to do now?What are we going to do now?What are we going to do now?What are we going to do now?What are we going to do now? (S.Milligan is sorely missed)

Obama already looks 10 years older. What a job.

We lost a few more in 2009 Jacko of course but I was much more cut up about Farrah Fawcett my (everybodies?) childhood pinup (along with Daphne from Scooby Doo...I believe I have this much in common with Marilyn Manson :-0). We also lost some of my other heroes: John Kung-fu Carradine, John Martyn, Billy Powell and Patrick No.6 Magoohan. Peace.

Today I performed my annual Jan 1st Ritual of opening all the windows and doors in the house to let the old year out and bring in the new. Felt good.

Looking forward to my annual wander round the Alps in February. Travelling down by train as ever!!!

Looking forward to seeing you all. To the new songs. To the Concerts.

2009-11-16T02:04:00.001+01:00

Not so nice typewriter...what's in a name eh?

2009-11-10T21:41:00.001+01:00

Nice Camera!

My four walls - Meine vier Wände

2009-11-10T01:03:00.006+01:00

So I hummed and hawed. Should I write something today? I didn't want this to come across as exploiting events for advertising. I do feel something though.

I can remember sitting in my bedroom at home in Scotland the day the wall came down.

I was believe it or not composing some piece of electronic music using a zx spectrum 8bit computer. I was so moved by the images I saw on my little black and white tv. It never crossed my mind that I would live there one day. I felt admiration and respect for the people I saw. Inspiration. I've now had a long standing relationship with this country, Deutschland.

The Berlin I first learned to know was Wim Wender's divided city from Wings of Desire (Himmel über Berlin), united by angels. The united city eventually made my home was also in black and white. The colour was in the heart of it's people. A rich mixture of cultures and characters. Not so much a picture postcard city.

When I arrived it was full of building sites. I remember taking a taxi from Zoo station to Rosenthaler Platz (!). The taxi driver had no idea about the address I was looking for.

The square there was one big building site. I went for a beer in a now long demolished bar called actionsgallerie. I enjoyed the crazy places. Eschschloraque. Sonderbar. Chamaeleon.

This was a city for bohemians and poets, not for the bourgoisie. A now fresh young city that had shed itself of a dying tapestry skin made up of political extremes. Now it could see a way forward to a open future and back to glorious past. I'd found my home, my love, Berlin.

I was then to experience a love that would be divided in a united city. Bittersweet. Saure Pommes. The crazy places have been somewhat gentrified, although the wonderful Eschschloraque continues to defy the relentless march of the Nike/Adidas shops with their single pair of shoes on display in 100 square meters. How do they keep going when a perfectly good restaurant on the other side of my low budget street closes. People care more about sneakers than food?

Plus becomes Netto (Now that's ironic!)

But my love for the city has remained and grows stronger day by day. There's still plenty of crazy places. It was a delight to watch the celebrations tonight and I think the main thing to say is how much I love it here. The people have been so good to me. I've listened to all your tales from both sides, East and West.

I'm grateful to you all. I congratulate you. In unity I thank you.

Bruce

2009-10-30T00:01:00.000+01:00

Once upon a time in the west

2009-10-29T23:47:00.004+01:00

Off to the wild west again tommorrow.

The strains of Morricone would be so appropriate. I have my harmonica with me. By the way the German title of Once upon a time in the west is "Play me the song of death!". Cue Harmonica solo...

I think the English title would be better suited to a Dire Straights/Knopfler song...? I saw him last year live. No once upon...but Great Dobro moment on Romeo and Juliet. Communique is a fave album of mine. Other Bands I enjoyed live "recently" ...Radiohead, David Sylvian, Killers+Louis XIV(!), Kings of Leon, The Books, Crowded House.

Really pleased we are getting in a solid three days rehearsal with the Band. A great bunch who I'm really looking forward to introducing to audiences over the coming months.Solid musicians with a passion for music. They are really going to bring it all to life. Believe me.

A backing band for songs that you already know very well is quite a job. I got the greatest feeling of security from the guys. Like being with family, but without the arguments.:)

It also seems appropriate that I have to "travel" to rehearsals.

More Soon

2009-10-29T23:37:00.006+01:00

Hi guys,

been doing a bit of the old ultra-networking this week.I was a bit amused with a few things. Here's one from myspace I have to share with you.

The "recaptcha" system requires you to copy the words from the box.

I laughed and laughed.

2009-10-26T01:22:00.003+01:00

I love music so much.

We had a short rehearsal with the guys in the band yesterday. We played Someday Soon and William and Geller a few times. It felt so good to feel these songs alive. New life.

I'm so excited at the prospect of bringing this stuff onto the stage.

My website is online.

2009-10-21T16:10:00.005+02:00

www.brucewilson.net

I was really excited to see the website come online at midnight last night.

What? No I wasn't in my bed. I've always been a bit of a nightfly.

This is going to be the place to go on the net to keep up to date with all of my goings on.

It's fun too. And if you keep looking there's going to be more there than meets the eye.

The main thing is to enjoy the music, as that's what it's really all about. I'm so thrilled to finally get my music out to the world after all this prep work.

My thanks go out to everyone that helped work on the site. Especially to Mischa at Raumzwo.de and to grafgenerator.de and Christina at melgrafik.de

Also a big thank you to the photographers...Urban Ruths and Michel Bo Michel.

And last but not least to Moritz, Frank, Svetlana and the team at Think.

Love

Br.

Heeerre we go...

2009-10-13T22:33:00.000+02:00

Hi,

All the wonderful methods of communication are falling into place.

15 years ago there weren't so many people around with mobile phones.

Now?

Well there are a few things I've been sorting out.

Presspack, Website (online from next week I promise), Cryspace, Facebeak, Twitter, Blogger, You Tube, Bebo, and the rest. Toooo much.

From now I'll be getting a little help from my friends at the label. Welcome to the team. I promise though, to you the reader that this Blog and my tweets, bleats and all the rest will remain honest and personal.

I have to say that the website is looking pretty nifty. I caught a sneak peak today and the guys at Grafgenerator (design) and Raum-Zwo (programming and ketchup) have made a really great job. Looking forward to hearing what you all think about it.

Post #1

2009-10-08T02:55:00.000+02:00

www.brucewilson.net

The debut album comes out on November 2nd. Available from Amazon, itunes etc.

Traveller.

11 songs. I hope you all give it a listen

It's been a long journey to get here.

I think of Northumbria, Edinburgh, London, Rarotonga, Namara, Wellington, Seoul, and of course my home, the fair city of Berlin.

I think of the many people that inspired the words to the songs and all the great musicians that helped me in making it and getting me on way way.

I welcome you here and hope you'll be able to follow my wandering machinations.

____________________________________________________________________

So here's the first blog post.

You wouldn't believe what it take to get a cd even remotely professionally released.

Well maybe you would, but I exhale sharply all the same.

I'll post a letter on this later.

I'm really very excited at finally getting the songs out into the real world where people will be able to listen and enjoy.

Keep in touch. Watch this space and hopefully I can write a few good traveller's tales as we make this journey together. Ahab's Ahab.

Br.