The Gunter Sachs Collection at Villa Stuck

There will be no pictures.
Robert Rauschenberg.
Yves Klein.
Henri Cartier Bresson.
Andy Warhol.
Shepard Fairy.
Banksy.
Jean Tinguely.

A small but potent collection including works by the folks above and many others is being shown at Munich's Villa Stuck Museum. If you are in the city, this is worth the time to visit!

Afterwards drive across the city to Tollwood for some Christmas Shopping among the stalls, mulled wine, various festival style food options and what seems to be more hats than should exist in the world!

Munich Street Art

St Ottilien

A few pictures from the monastery in the woods.

Friday Show

Like a cross between a classroom ( a large chalkboard above the stage) and a smart art gallery, the venue is a new one in a former factory for fabrics that has been turned into an art collective.

The Moonband are terrific as always! Great dynamics and harmonies and songs that seem to float in the air buoyed by their enthusiasm long after each is done. It is not hard to imagine them on a bill with The Decemberists and finding it complementary.

Even with the technical issues I was having, the playing was fun. Some interesting versions of old songs appeared along side some new ones. I am enjoying the experience of playing solo even though it is the least comfortable thing to do!

Monday night will see some differences!

Munich

After sound check, we wandered off to find coffee and ended up finding two gems in the bar/cafe Chaos and the bicycle store beside it. Restored and refreshed Racing bikes and fixed gear bikes artfully displayed are machines of great beauty and the macchiato was pretty great as well!

Bavaria

Early in the evening the ground fog was like a wall hiding all the fields from view. An hour and a half later it had disappeared and the cold rushed in. I stepped out on the porch to find this perfect web dripping with the remnants of the fog.

In transit

Munich today. Am in Dublin for an early flight. Well early up anyway.
There is a big mechanical polar bear nodding his Santa capped head sitting in a sofa opposite me. It is nice to have agreeable company this early.

A Dispatch from the People's Republic of Cork

Highlights from the last two weeks are hard to edit down to a potent little list! I'd say the surface has just been tickled and teased but not even fully scratched. Here is a limited list and in no particular order:

On A Pig's Back at the Old English Market for remarkable cheese and charcuterie.

Sunday brunch surrounded by history and the promise of the future at The Bodega at St. Peter's Market.

Coffee anytime at Cork Coffee roasters.

Seafood Chowder at Farmgate.

Hand thrown pizza at Franciscan Wells.

Handmade Gelato at The Odd Couple.

Hospitality at Hotel Isaacs and the best waterfall!

The truly inspired gift that is Cafe Paradiso.

The generous spirit of all who I've had the pleasure of having a conversation.

Thank you all!

Cork Coffee Roasters

A serious espresso, very serious. When in Cork, do not miss out on this!

Ghost Republic News

The new record, " Ghost Republic", will see release and distribution in the UK and European territories in April on the mighty mighty Loose Records. We are pleased to announce our association with the lovely folks at Loose will continue. There will be more specifics announced as things develop but we hope to have a few surprises to announce, as they happen.

Two photos from a London Stroll

London- Half Moon

A great evening of very smart pop music last night at the Half Moon and then the WGC set....and the resulting contrast was as fun as it was extreme. Some very different takes on old and new material. Thanks to Pennyblack Magazine for having the evening.