The Duke Special Blog

tomorrow night

2007-10-08T03:13:00.000+01:00

been a pretty busy week. spent a few days with Dave Lynch in Belfast working on tracks for the tour and recording a couple of B-sides for No cover up (the final single from sftdf). We had to pull an all nighter at the end to get everything finished and even then there is still loads to do!

Played the first live performance of I feel for you by Chaka Khan on Today FM which went really well (great relief there!) before going on The Cafe on RTE where we were treated to a very memorable version of stairway to heaven by Big Brother contestant - Carol..... yikes! (though she was going to give a copy of my CD to Vanessa Felts the next day).

Just back from rehearsing in Dundalk with soundman Oran. I am playing a warm up gig at the spirit store tomorrow night and am BRICKING IT!! Mind you the point of the show is to be able to run the set in front of an audience and learn from what happens so I suppose it's normal to feel a bit freaked out!?

Chaka Khan

2007-10-02T03:50:00.001+01:00

Another late one. Played an instore in HMV in Belfast today. I was worried no-one would show but the audience were great and it was a pleasure having Ursula Burns along for the fun. Hectic day of interviews and running around though have finally got into thinking through the upcoming tour. I have sooooo much to do for it and just the small matter of an art exhibition and a song book to be created before that! Chaka Khan is coming along nicely though!

working!

2007-10-01T03:03:00.000+01:00

started working with Dave Lynch today. We are working on some stuff for the up-coming Irish tour as well as for the in-store in HMV Belfast tomorrow, B-sides for the next single and a song I am intending to cover by Chaka Khan!! Its great to get back in my wee studio despite it needing about a fortnight of tidying and sprucing up....... roll on January :) thanks to the Outlaw and his brother for giving Dave a bed for these nights. Also to Ursula Burns for playing with me tomorrow.

Ds xx

promo trip in the UK

2007-09-28T01:12:00.001+01:00

just back from 2 days in Wales and England to promote Our love goes deeper than this and the reissue of the album. The lovely Neil Adams from V2 picked me up from Cardiff airport yesterday morning at some ungodly hour and off to the first interview of the day. We met up with Chip and Ben Castle in a small venue in Cardiff, near the Point venue over at Cardiff bay. so began 2 full on days of sessions and interviews. I know we were tired as the last 2 sessions had the 3 of us stifling giggles in that school boy in class way!

Got to hear some of Ray Davies' new album which sounded great. Also loved hearing silversun pickups and Brendan Benson. Met Clint Boon of Inspiral Carpets fame in Manchester radio session today when the fire alarm went off and we all had to 'muster' in the car-park.... very school playground!

Dave Lynch arrives on sunday to work with me on some stuff for the Irish tour as well as B-sides and a cover of a Chaka Khan song, should be fun. Also working on a couple of songs for playing at HMV on Monday in Belfast to mark the reissue of the album. Hoping Ursula Burns will join me on stage there.

Anyways, knackered prevails as the silversun pickups guide me to my bed...... laters xx

Blue Remembered Hills

2007-09-25T23:52:00.001+01:00

Blue Remembered Hills
Went to see a play tonight at the Old Museum Arts Centre in Belfast. It was called Blue Remembered Hills by Dennis Potter performed by a theatre company managed by a guy who performed at the Vaudeville night at the Empire I did recently from Pigeon and Plum's Vaudeville Circus. It was mostly set in a forest and told the story of a group of children living through in England during the second world war. It reminded in a way of reading Black swan Green by David Mitchell, the ficklness of loyalties in order to survive, the cruelty and innocence of childhood.

I am in awe of actors! On the few occasions I have tried I feel distinctly average, believe me, I am the first to admit it! Tonight again I was blown away by the actors' ability to make me believe them and to feel what they were feeling.

Today have been listening to Arab strap (The Red Thread) and some great, new Paul Pilot songs.

first

2007-09-25T10:35:00.000+01:00

Just watched documentary on Joy Division on TV, and feel frustrated and excited at the same time. Also went to see David Kitt last night at the Empire in Belfast. I have spent the day doing a photo shoot for a local newspaper, being interviewed about the re-release of songs from the deep forest and the upcoming tour and meeting people about some new t-shirt designs for the October tour. I don't feel like an artist, I feel like I am recycling things and want to lock the door and hide and just write for about a year until I am happy with the songs and then record a brand new album. Watching Joy Division and DK inspired me. I remember the creative process and the fire and intensity of writing, trying to capture what always escapes, trying to articulate what can't be spoken.

Anyway, I am so lucky to be here, to have this problem and I am grateful.

Oxford, Zodiac

2007-02-22T13:36:00.000Z

Last day of the UK tour. It has been lovely having Stephanie, Fi and Vicky with us. They presented us with a signed football in memory of the infamous Stockton night and we gave them chocolate hovering bunnies! Gig sold out and good crowd from the Swindon and Bristol massives, cheers driver.
Duke xx

London

2007-02-21T13:49:00.000Z

ULU, best dressing room yet - a balcony, a bed, changing screen and a swimming pool in the room next door! The lovely Beth Rowley and Ben castle guested tonight to a packed room. Such a great vibe, ending up in the audience (minus Ivo who had nipped out for a bite to eat!). Great audience plus DJ78 in the bar, by the merch and in the dressingroom after the show.
Duke x

Manchester, Matt and Phreds

2007-02-20T13:37:00.000Z

Pretty manic day starting with a readio session in Oldham where DJs include Mani (ex stone Roses), Mike Joyce (ex The Smiths) and Martin Coogan (brother of Steve and ex Mock Turtles!). Local TV show followed thenthe gig at Matt and Phreds a cool little jazz club. The night ended well with pizzas and watching Ivo sit in with the late night jazz trio!
Duke x

Nottingham

2007-02-19T15:54:00.000Z

Spent the morning remembering last time here with David Ford, Joheman and Francie. Its the Social and tonight is rammed, again people at the back can't see anything, sorry! Ended up on top of the bar, singing. Paul played a football rattle for the first time tonight. Ivo handed me someone's forgotten gas bill...

Duke xx

Day Off

2007-02-18T11:28:00.000Z

great to be in a real bed for a night. went to a brill gallery on Latimer Road showing the work of James Turell really great! Big night out to go see Rufus perform the songs of Judy Garland at the Palladium. He and especially Martha were inspiring as ever. Got to hang with the lovely paul and Ashleigh from Brighton - looking forward to seeing your next chapter Paul.

Duke xx

Brighton

2007-02-17T12:00:00.000Z

So we loaded in at 8.30am and performed at 11.45pm!! This was due to the gig being in a cinema. Joined on stage for 'This Could Be My Last Day' by Frances Thorper (thanks!) and Stephanie (x). Seated late gig made for a mellow one apart from front row dancers and Yasmin!!! Dug deep for some connections and we got there i think. The Poisoner returned and was blowing some sweet poision - mmmmm
Love Duke x

Norwich, Arts Centre

2007-02-16T11:19:00.000Z

Great venue - the Norwhich Arts Centre. Bought some cool vinyl, harry Nillson, George Formby, Randy newman and the like. Got to play with Rob for last night for a while. Met DJ78 tonight who spun some 78s in the foyer beforehand - brilliant! Thanks to him!!

DSxx

Bristol The Thekla

2007-02-15T11:11:00.000Z

The Thekla? I love it!! yes, the gig was on a boart brought to the river Avon by Viv Stanshall of Bonzo Dog Doo-dah Band fame!!! It was a great setting and I got to hear Stephanie's amazing set properly tonight. Paul and I also wrote a sea shantie just beforehand which was fun! great to hang out with some old friends after too.

Love Duke xx

Birmingham, Glee Club

2007-02-13T13:53:00.000Z

Hurray, I love the Glee Club in Birmingham. Markus always looks after us so well and tonight wsas no different! First seated gig on the tour - witnessed a new Olympic sport after - people curling - very cool! Ivo was pouring some beautiful poison over the audience. There are loads of great acts playing here over the next while - check out the web site and I recommend the gig totally, so there!!
Duke xx

Leeds

2007-02-11T12:10:00.000Z

The Faversham day began funny with Ivo's magic dinner appearing and running into our friend Thomas Truax who just happened to be there from a gig the night before. Gig went great though it was nearly impossible to see people any further back than the 4th row!
Got to hang wtih my friends Carl and Emily after which was fun - Carl smoked Paul's pipe (no a euphimisim!) much to Paul's distain.

Love Duke

Glassgow

2007-02-09T12:16:00.000Z

King Tuts.
First sold out gig here, cue complimentary King Tut's bottle of Whiskey! Met up with old friend Gareth a composer and orchestrator who used to play some of the same piano haunts as me in Belfast. afterwards we went to one of the pkaces he plays in Glassgow, a kind of swanky member's place near Tuts. i felt so out of place there now as did Claire and Guinness who hung out after. always good to play Glassgow though. Enduring memory- Claire walking sock soles thru the streets!

Duke xx

Edinburgh

2007-02-08T12:21:00.000Z

Instore today which was surprisingly well attended! Got the new Jarvis Cocker album on vinyl. My nephew daniel and friends came to the gig (which was fab!) and we went out after for drinks. I love playing Cab Vol which is part of the haunted Edinburgh trail and in the middle of the cobbled hills and city gates.

Newcastle, The Clunny

2007-02-07T15:38:00.000Z

What a great venue! More like a European one with a cool little resturant attached. It's been amazing already to see how audiences have grown since the last tour. Last time I was here with The Divine comedy, a memorable gig as Neil was passed a demo Cd by someone in the audience and proceeded to pause the gig in order to play the Cd over the PA!

Duke x

Star Club, Dresden

2006-10-10T17:32:00.000+01:00

We are in a slightly run-down suburb of Dresden which feels quite Eastern in its flavour. I have Kurt Weil CD playing which I bought yesterday so I feel very much submerged in the country! I found a great vinyl shop in Munich yesterday and bought a number of 78s from the film 'South pacific' as well as Beach Boys, Bruce Cockburn, ELO, The Band on 33rpm. I have been asked to present an award at the Berlin fashion Awards tomorrow night which is hilarious! Neil Hannon is getting an award for best international male artist but we have agreed if I am meant to present to him I will decline in favour of a more famour, glamourous, female stand in. I mean, it would be a wasted opportunity wouldn't it!
DS xx

Munich

2006-10-09T22:50:00.000+01:00

We are playing Elserhalle in Munich tonight. Snow Patrol posters around the venue show that they play here next week! We had a night off last night and were shown round the city by music journalist Henning. Saw the most amazing busker - like a really old, alcholic german Dr John who was playing an old trashed piano on a cart in the pedestrian area. Great Bavarian food and wheat beer in a tavern before revisting Atomic Cafe (I played there with Aqualung once) and then running through the fountains! Fun xx DS

Geneve

2006-10-07T13:34:00.000+01:00

4th day of tour with Divine Comedy. Tonight we are in Geneve, Switzerland. Been great so far and back to Germany tomorrow. DC guys are great - 8 of them on stage and about a million instruments! Songs r great which is just as well as we have 26 more shows with them after tonight... well 25 actually as we r now doing 'Later with Jools Holland'!!
Juliette and the Licks seem to be following us about at the moment. We are on this old tour bus which has loads of character and is good craic to be on after the shows.
Talk soon xx

A postcard from Holland

2006-09-18T19:22:00.000+01:00

Getting Ready...

2006-09-07T13:03:00.000+01:00

I am currently bracing myself for what will be my longest stint on the road to date.

I go to London on the 19th to play a show in Hammersmith, London and then it's off for an Irish tour with the Beautiful south and straight into a European, UK and Ireland tour with the Divine Comedy which finishes in Derry on November 13th. Before that I am involved in rehearsals and then 4 nights in Europe doing promo stuff.

On one hand I am looking forward to it all, to the concerts, meeting the other acts, seeing all the cities along the way and all the people we will come across. I am also feeling shit for leaving my family for so long and being absent from their lives - e-mail and telephone only goes so far.

I have done a few interviews recently which has been revealing in so much as it has highlighted to me what I am actually writing about in my songs. I think it is the struggle to come to terms with the shitiness we find in ourselves; the fight to find magic and poetry in the middle of a relationship, not at the beginning or end where those things are more apparent; and finding beauty and wonder in moments that are normally passed over.

Just some thoughts....

Dresden dolls, apologies and news....

2006-05-02T10:51:00.000+01:00

So the blogging hasn't happened for some time, sorry bout that. I have been home for a while and have been between spending time with my family and gearing up for the tour so it's been pretty manic. The tour starts in 3 days and i feel a mixture of excitement to be on the road again, fear of playing lots of new songs and using some new ideas and concern at being away so long. This will be my first tour 'on the wagon' so to speak! Yep I am allowing myself the treat of a pint at the end of the show each night but not before.... inspired by Johnny Cash to be honest, the film Walk the line really hit home for me I guess. But am determined to give each show everything.

Saw the amazing Dresden Dolls last night at the Limelight (Slimeshite! - affectionately known as), Belfast. They blew me away I have to say. Both of them were equally captivating and they managed to pull off Black Sabbath into the bargain. Punk Cabaret kinda captures their spirit best I think and I recommend them to anyone who hasn't seen them yet. Thomas Truax who is my special guest on much of the UK tour is actually supporting them in London in May and on their European dates too.

I should also say that I am about to sign a deal with the Record label V2. I am very excited about this as they were the first label to really get what I am about and have already been very supportive and shown that they are not afraid to take risks and think outside the normal way of doing things. For example the new album is coming out as a limited edition vinyl box set of 6 singles! They are also commissioning a short film about Duke Special as opposed to the usual pop video type thing. So thanks to everyone who has hung in there for me in regard of labels. Not that signing a recording deal suddenly makes everything easy or means you don't still have to dig deep for inspiration - God forbid that I ever go into automatic pilot.

Well, I really hope to meet some of you over the next few weeks, please spread the word about the shows, I am nervous no one will come! See ya soon

Love Duke... :)