I've rather neglected my blog recently, but then I've been seriously clocking up the airmiles (I'm sitting on a plane from London to Moscow as I write this), and haven't a great deal of time (or at least inclination). Anyway, it's September, autumn is here, the August holidays are over, and it's time to get back down to business.
When I originally envisaged this blog, it was going to be part travelogue, part food diary and part self-hype (the latter is what blogs are for, aren't they?), to talk about things I've been up to in the studio and gig-wise.
So I'm going to combine all three, and right now I'm going to start off with a bit of reminiscing, and speak a little bit about Morocco. It seems fitting since I've been there three times already this year, and it looks like it's going to be somewhere I keep returning to!
My first trip was to Ifrane, a little university city up in the mountains. I flew into blistering heat in Casablanca airport and met up with Leo Veil, local DJ hero, and extremely gregarious character. We instantly struck up a friendship - he was surprised and happy to find out that I am francophone - I grew up in the East of France near the border with Switzerland - French and Arabic being the local languages in Morocco. As we drove up to Ifrane, the temperature got distinctly cooler. We chatted culture and travel with Youssouf the promoter in the local pizza joint, then headed to the club, Ifranity. A great little venue with a big heart, really up for it crowd and brilliant atmosphere, thoroughly enjoyed myself.
Next up I made the journey to Skhirat Plage to the excellent Nirvana Club. You can check a little clip of me in action on Youtube. Nirvana is based in the Amphitrite Palace, a slightly faded but nevertheless impressive luxury hotel, right on the beach and looking out onto the Atlantic. Thanks to the lovely Achouak for a wicked gig.
And finally... Rabat. This time I played the small but perfectly formed Reservoir, a really cool hangout with a great vibe. Earlier in the day, I hooked up with Leo again and local resident DJ Sim, and partook in some rather delicious Moroccan tea (very sweet, very minty) and also got taken to a fantastic traditional Moroccan restaurant called Dinarjat, tucked away in a Riyad in the old Kasbah. An old guy in traditional dress leads you through the cobbled streets by lantern-light to a courtyard set with tables and an open starry night sky, musicians playing subtle local rhythms while you eat amazingly delicious food: Harira, a local soup, pastilla, a pastry with pidgeon and almonds, and brouzia, a sweet lamb tagine with raisins. In between courses, the waitresses bring rose water for you to wash your hands. Absolute class :-)
The gig wasn't bad either! :-D Again, a great friendly crowd, and a thoroughly good night. Looking forward to coming back to Morocco again very soon.
No comments:
Post a Comment