Latvia - London - Helsinki
Dear Diary
Monday, July 28
Whatta week! We just got home last night from Latvia I'm already flying to London. Bysu guy ;=)
We are in London until Thursday with Jukka and our stylist Tarja shopping clothes for the PopGasm album cover photo shoot and also we have a few meetings with our publisher and some other folks. Then on Wednesday we go see the Kylie Minogue show, we are both signed to EMI so we are invited by them. The only worry is that what if Kylie wants to get married with me immediately and move to Helsinki and make all the babies with me. I mean yes, she has the best ass on this planet but really, where do we fit all her shoes… I will just have to say no. (And Kylie if you're reading this, I'm sorry about going through our relationship here in public...)
We were in Latvia in Liepaja playing at the B-fest on Saturday. Whatta party!!!! Even though we had to start the show 50 minutes late because of the Russian band before us played way too long and there were some tech problems, the mood on stage was awesome. It's always a bit uncomfortable to go to new countries because you never know if you will have an audience or not. Usually there is someone there. This time there definitely were enough folks. The stage was built on the beach and there was also a descent catwalk. I love catwalks.
My friend Kimmo (the guy I wrote "The day you fail again" about) was there too with his 3 golf mates. It was the first time he saw our show outside Finland. They are on this Baltian golf trip but even they were smart enough to have Sunday free ;=) We didn't sleep at all that night. And thanx for everyone who joined us at Kimmo's suite after the show. I heard they could fix the Jacuzzi…
So we're landing soon and tonight there's only the challenge of getting to the center and finding the hotel. I don't know London THAT much, but Jukka's been here a zillion times. I will let him guide me…
Thursday, July 31
We are somewhere above Amsterdam on our way back home. The trip was very great. Feels like I have been on holiday. The weather was just awesome and the locals say you don't get that every time in London. And so where the shops. We all have the biggest Rimowa suitcases and they were half empty on the way there. This morning I had to sit on mine to get it closed. But if the stuff you push into your bags is from All Saints, Urban Outfitters, Top man and all the cool design stores, you should not complain. I think we went a bit over budget, but I will explain something at the record company.
It took me 6 visits to London to start really liking the place. Of course it's good to have music business contacts and Jukka's ex there who take us to places so we don't only walk around Oxford street. I remember in school when I was 16 or so, I never liked the girls who fell in love with London. I found them wanna-be trendy idiots, but now I understand. There is this something when you really dive into the beat of the streets. And the guys are just great looking. We were in the worst 5% with Jukka…;) And the area of Brick Lane is just awesome. A bit like the best and most mixed places in Barcelona.
So 3 points for weather, 3 for shops 2 for great night sleeps and finally the last 2 points (total 10, on scale 1-10) come from the restaurants. Amazing dining. No matter if you got to Soho and just pick any Italian, or just stay near Bond Street, anywhere you eat, the food is just fantastic. I had the best Thai food ever yesterday and I nearly killed myself eating too much.
So we'll be home around 7 in the evening and tomorrow we fly to Hannover Germany in the morning. Great to sleep in my own bed for one night. There is some kind of a festival in Oydensee something and it's great to get on stage after a week of shopping and doing business stuff.
Next week will be only PopGasm. We will finalize 6 first songs with Jukka. Well, not finalize but make them ready and done enough so we can start thinking about the first single. The video project starts next month…;) Jeeeeeee ;) The album and the songs sound very good… so far…
And there is a photo shoot on the 5th of August (next week!!) for the album cover. We have a great idea what comes to the graphics and stuff and all looks good.
I slept so great in London. Actually that has happened for the last weeks. Maybe the stress level of giving birth to the album is lower and lower as we get further with the production.
Tarja is sitting between us and she saw me looking at her chocolate cookie for 15 minutes clearly desiring it. She gave it to me if Jukka and I'd promise we wouldn't make any stupid jokes on the rest of the flight. She's had enough of Jukka & Samu for this week ;)
Jukka is a bloody goat ass…. Muahahahaha ;)
If you ever fly to Finland from the west and the weather is clear, just take a look down before you get on the main land. The archipelago around Åland (the little island between Finland and Sweden, belonging to us!!) is like nowhere else. It is breath taking.
So, enjoy your summer days. I will visit my Mom, Sister, Her husband and their little daughter Kaisa. I bought a little pair of princess-style crocs for Kaisa and I hope they fit. She is the sweetest girl on the planet and she will have a sister or brother soon, this week I hope. My sister is getting way to big. I wrote one song about Kaisa for PopGasm. It's called "Dream like a child" and it seems as if it will be one of the chosen tracks.
Home sweet home… I am sitting on my balcony and it's very warm and nice. Hyvä Suomi!!
Samuel