29/10/2019
Hi all,
Along with this gratuitous new studio-gear shot, it was high time to write a post about whatās been going on here and what Iāve planned in the short and long term. Itās a long post so I hope I cover everything. I must apologise for not having been able to post something more substantial in a while. When the tour ended earlier this year, Iād been working non-stop for 11 months so I took a much needed break for some months. I havenāt been idle, as you shall see,
Looking back to last year, and since, the feeling that creating Noire was the most enjoyable and rewarding but also intense experience so far, has not faded. I sometimes wish I could go back and do it all over. As soon as Iād started working on it full-time, my mind never switched off. It unlocks something like youāre channeling something that wonāt let go till youāre done. The tour that followed exceeded all our hopes. It was unforgettable. The people I work with are incredible. They are the ones with the talent to convert ideas into reality. Getting to meet so many people before and after the concerts is nothing less than a pleasure and this last tour was no exception.
ā¢ ā¢ ā¢
2019 - The story so far
This has been a year of change and growth for me. Hamburg is in flux and has been evolving rapidly these last years. Old, tired and worn spaces are giving way to new as the city evolves and regenerates. In April, I learned that the lease on the building, where the studio and offices were set up at the in 2015, wasnāt being renewed. In 2021, it probably wonāt even be standing. By complete chance, I met up with a close friend who asked if I was interested in sharing a large industrial space that heās moving his company into later this year. Itās a state of the art, completely new location, with everything that a company could need. Itās still hard to believe that this is happening.
Iāve had to start my plans from scratch with a blank canvas and empty spaces. That requires a lot of designing, redesigning and then adding every possible detail. I didnāt realise just how much work would be involved but itās been a fun process. As time-consuming as thatās been, itās the place Iāll be working in so it took precedence over everything else, hence my low profile between shows this year. Working with acoustic engineers, electrical engineers, carpenters, studio designers, builders, espresso machine retailers and more has taught me a lot. I devoted my time to learning about every aspect of this project, including working with a well-known producer friend of mine, to see how I can take how I do things to another level. Iāve the option to work alongside some very creative people in the new space so the plan has been to build a constellation for us to work in. Over the last few years, Iād realised that many things in the studio needed upgrading, reconfiguring or expanding. I also wanted to improve my workflow. The upcoming move allows me to do all of that without restriction. If youāre interested in a gear / studio post, reply in the comments and Iāll talk more about that soon.
So far in 2019, weāve played some of our favourite shows yet. Mera Luna stands out as something I still find hard to describe in words. It was a belittling and exhilarating experience that left me in a daze for days afterwards.
ā¢ ā¢ ā¢
Hades, Jingle Bells and Charities
This coming weekend, weāre in Goslar for two back to back sold out shows in the machine room of an old Mine (.. and they call it a mine. A MINE!!!). I hope you saw their video tribute to the āwhen is the futureā video that they created for it. If not, scroll back through the posts and look for Minerās Rock. After that, weāll be doing the Christmas shows from late November up until Christmas. These are mostly smaller, intimate, fan-oriented, Christmas-themed shows, that are so much fun. Weāll be raising a lot of money through them for two charities, one that cares for the poor and homeless and another which cares for animals in poverty situations. The money will go to the respective charities in each of the areas where weāre playing.
ā¢ ā¢ ā¢
2020 - the year we make contact
It sounds way too sci-fi when you say 2020. If you grew up in the 80s it does. Anyway, so much to tell you and youāll start to see news for whatās in place for next year over the coming weeks and months. The first announcements for 2020 were the Amphi Festival in Cologne and the Volle Kraft Voraus festival in Ulm with Eisbrecher. There are many more announcements coming but youāll have to be patient. I can hint that weāre going back up onto the mountain next summer. Some of you will get that š Itās going to be a very exciting and busy year.
ā¢ ā¢ ā¢
Music plans?
By the end of 2019, with luck and a fair wind, Iāll be settled in the new studio. Iāll also be probably still cleaning paint off myself. Paint, dust, pieces of plaster, splinters not withstanding, I want to get back to work on music. I donāt, or rather I canāt, stop writing music. It wanders into my head when I least expect it. After Noire, I still had enough ideas to develop into most of a full album. Itās good to let those and any new ideas stew and develop in my head before I put them down in a format to work from for the next VNV album. Iāve been working on more orchestral music too, as well as working on other projects that donāt fit with either the orchestral or regular VNV releases. Testing new equipment before the studio move enables me to see what role it could play in the sound of the next album (see photo).
ā¢ ā¢ ā¢
Nothing ever stops here, to be honest. Thereās always something to do. Itās just a case of lots of different things happening at once.
If I didnāt say it enough, thank you for all your support and all the kind words youāve shared. You continuously inspire me to try to do what I do better, as much as to be a better person.
More soon.
best wishes,
Ronan
