go with a smile

promises

We had a good laugh when 3voor12 Arnhem/Nijmegen added Spider James in a list of regional bands that are promising for 2007! It certainly is a nice gesture. But why? We've been around for ages. Not that anyone ever noticed. That's not suprising, considering we've only been on stage once or twice in 2006. We haven't got any real plans for gigs in the coming months or so. Even worst, we turned a few offers down lately. Have they heard we're making a great album? I don't think they know. Apparently someone likes us at 3voor12! We'll hold that in mind.

77

everything in its right place

It's been a long day of hard work at the Silvox Studio for JL, Ted and myself. Our aim today was to find the right structure for 'Charm'. We've come a long way, we wouldn't have without mixmaster Caspar Falke by our side, as our technical guide and musical ally. Hopefully all the different pieces are in its right place now. You never know, that's why we need to be a little cautious for an early judgement.
Again, we enjoyed our meals at Cafeteria 't Smikkeltje, the traditional way for Spider James to close the day when we're in Silvolde. The ride home was good too; driving fast, listening to middle of the road seventies softrock (Fleetwood Mac's Rumours) at a high volume, appears to be a damn good way to start your Saturday night. Enjoy yours.

van der westen

sheer beauty

It's always nice to look back at your favorite albums of the year - we all like charts and lists, don't we. As Patrick already mentioned: The Roots, Phoenix, Beck, Thom Yorke and TV on the Radio are some of my 2006 favorites. I would like to add the albums of Midlake (the melancholic Trials of Van Occupanther), Los Lobos (as good as ever on The Town and the City), Boards of Canada's subtle Trans Canada Highway and the re-issue of Eno and Byrne's 1980 masterpiece My Life in the Bush of Ghosts.
The artist whose work really hit me this year was the Duth jazz bass player Eric van der Westen. His albums - Naala and Rush Hour - are wonderful. Both albums aren't new releases (they're respectively from 1999 and 2001), but I discovered them only last summer. Sheer beauty...

future legend