I went to see ‘I am Kloot’ at the Nouveau Casino last night, as promised. The choice of venue was perfect, the sound crystal clear so that every single poignant word of every song hung shimmering in the smoky air before us, the relatively small size of the salle adding to the intimacy of the performance. I’m only sorry that due to my overindulgence after the concert, my words are not flowing as they should and fail to do ‘Kloot’ justice.
I couldn’t help but wonder, as I listened to the melancholy acoustic ballad Astray, how it must feel to know that you are the subject of a song, the muse at the source of the songwriter’s inspiration. I sneaked a peek at the singer’s girlfriend as he sang “and still the bold raging flame of your heart is making me stay” and felt a lump in my throat.
Thank you guys. I loved every minute of it.
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I couldn’t help but wonder, as I listened to the melancholy acoustic ballad Astray, how it must feel to know that you are the subject of a song, the muse at the source of the songwriter’s inspiration.
And vice versa – how it must feel to be able to express your feelings for someone through artistic expression. It beats sending a Hallmark card, any day of the week!
Comment by Iain — May 12, 2005 @ 3:03 pm
I really love the Nouveau Casino, even if it’s just to go and lounge up stairs, they have good sound. Never been to a concert there but I can imagine it being v. good. That’s something I love about Paris is all the small venues that attract such great bands. I got to see Telefon Telaviv at the Batofar, so intimate.
Comment by Aimee — May 12, 2005 @ 3:33 pm
Apologies if anyone got thrown off the site in the last five minutes – I ran the WordPress 1.5.1 upgrade.
Please let me know if you experience any problems – particularly with the feeds and I will put my geek head on (not easy when hung over but will try)…
Comment by petite — May 12, 2005 @ 5:44 pm
I Am Kloot are cool, aren’t they? I went to see them at Manchester earlier in this tour (the hometown gig, no less, as I think they are from Stockport). The place was packed out (it was a big place as well, the Ritz) and they put on a damn good show. Like you I was a bit too hungover the day after to remember too many of the details let alone write about them… but I think maybe they are my new favourite band. I agree with Mr Fifty Quid that they deserve to make it big…
Comment by jonathan — May 12, 2005 @ 6:13 pm
I’m biased but I thought last night was particularly good. I was at the Ritz gig too, Jonathan – it was an excellent evening, wasn’t it? My kids loved it as well! The singer is from Hyde, not Stockport, but Manchester is definitely their home.
My car died in Paris on the way to the concert yesterday, and it looks like costing me ‘la peau des fesses’ to fix. But worth every penny.
Glad you enjoyed it Petite, I hope you feel adequately recompensed for your much-appreciated plug.
Comment by Jim in Rennes — May 12, 2005 @ 7:44 pm
Often, the “muse” doesn’t know about the song or doesn’t want to. Because the inspiration usually comes from the suffering the muse can inspire (even love -the passion- is considered as a suffering).
Believe me when I say that songwriters are never as prolix as when they’re upset, suffering, in sorrow or grief.
The very process of writing a song consits in finding a way to express this feeling and ease the pain, cure the illness .
I remember this girl I had a crush on and whom I wrote songs for. She was often at the show in the audience. Weird and funny feelings when you know that this/these songs are for her but that she doesn’t know it. ANd neither do the audience.
Comment by shellorz — May 12, 2005 @ 10:10 pm
Hi, I’m back cruising the blogosphere and reading your blog. I hope you missed me as much as I missed you ;)
Comment by Mathieu — May 13, 2005 @ 12:40 am
Your new life seems to be treating you very well indeed Mathieu – I see the wine is flowing…
Comment by petite — May 13, 2005 @ 8:43 am
petite
In that smoky atmosphere are you sure it wasn’t called Ashtray? I’d get that lump in your throat checked out if I were you. That being said, most of the surgeons in France appear to be staying at Pontins in Camber Sands a ce moment.
Comment by backroads — May 13, 2005 @ 12:04 pm
Oi! There’s me attempting to be all poetic despite my crippling hangover, and the likes of you go taking the piss. You’re barred!
Will I be seeing you at Tim’s place soon btw?
Comment by petite — May 13, 2005 @ 12:36 pm
that’s a mebbe
Comment by backroads — May 13, 2005 @ 1:49 pm
An ex-boyfriend of mine is a great songwriter. One of the most chastening experiences of my life was going to see him play a concert soon after we’d split – amicably, but at my instigation. There were two new songs very clearly about me – no names, but they were tremendously expressive of how wretched he felt. One in particular talked about how going numb inside is the only way to get over sadness. I would have cried myself if my friends hadn’t been there … I suppose eavesdroppers get what they deserve.
Comment by Rosa — May 16, 2005 @ 4:47 pm