so i got a little carried away having too much fun and Serj (the guy who's flat i've been in) was all like, so when can you tidy your shit and move on out? and i was all like um.... shit.
So today i went flat viewing and... I have a new flat. Problem is i can't move in until friday so now i'm stsying in the nastiest megahostel on earth. im in a shitty tiny room that smells of boys and poo. bummer. PLUS I only have 52% battery on my laptop and can't charge it until tomorrow so can't even just ignore everyone and stream smallville all night. today sucks.
However, my flats pretty cool. its sort of like a live in studio space so i'm living with a bunch of lovely artist types. its not quite in the lovely area that i was before but only 10mins away and has great access to all the cool parts of the city and its cheap enough right next to 24hour stores and stuff so i'm happy.
spent most of last weekend in Berghain which is, by the way, the best place in the world. it has to be experienced to really believe but its this huge dungeon of sin and techno with the best DJs in the world and a great crowd. its not just filled with scary leatherclad gy men (though there are plenty...) but just a really nice crowd of people who dig the music and the fun times. on saturday i got there at about 5AM, danced away till 11 then went of with a bunch of party people to this lovely riverside bar/club called bar 25 where they entertained us with sunny minimal house and techno as we watched the day go by. really a happy place for a happy charlie.
i've enrolled and paid for my exciting language course which starts on monday. i really hope i get something from it because its exhausting dealing with a completely alien language 24/7. specially when you're a bit shy and special like myself! I'm getting better at it but it makes everything a little harder.
I also really want to see batman, but its not out here yet. mmmmmmm.
tomorrow i'm going to go see some art cause i've really not done much culturally yet apart from techno. and yes, techno is culture, ok?
met a bunch of folk from glasgow last night. apparently they told me they were coming but i forgot, so it was a lovely suprise. we went to see Andy from Huntley and palmers dj at uber trendy cookies which was cool but drinks were really expensive. i think i'll actually end up drinking less as i got to get out of the glaswegian habbit of constantly needing a drink in hand. if i'm going to be out as long as you stay out in berlin its just not possible -both physically and financially.
right, going to sign of for now since i want to use some of my battery power reading hipinion and watching smallville. then i'm going to find an oppropriate bar and read this
Wednesday, 30 July 2008
Saturday, 26 July 2008
didn't make it to watergate last night as the queue was crazy. Berlin in general was crazy last night as it was apparently the first really sunny friday in a few weeks. we started off at club de visionaere which was a silly busy riverside bar where everyone was crammed in on boats and decking in the evening drinking beers and listening to das minimal techno (i swear its ubiquitous!). it was a cool place but too busy so we went on to a quieter little garden bar where we got drunk and talked appropriately.
"us" by the way is now Alex -an american dude, and Liam and his girlfriend Sonja. all lovely people.
as i said we checked out watergate, which would have been cool as efdemin was playing but couldn't be doing with the queue. so another bar and some more drinks untill liam and sonja stumbled home.
Then Alex and I headed to the techno behemoth that is Berghain, but sadly he didn't get in -possibly for looking too american or drunk or whatever. I managed to bungle my way in and my god did i have fun...
I'm heading back tonight so will wait untill then to try and describe the place. but god.... its quite something!
Friday, 25 July 2008
I'm going to numbers 1 and 3 this evening....
From RAs top clubs list
10. Sub Club, Glasgow
Sub Club
"Small" and "intimate" are usually code words for "painfully crowded." Not so at Glagow's Sub Club, which works with its "intimate" vibe instead of against it. When you can't really move, you see, you can't do much except dance. That part is helped along by some of the finest DJs Scotland has to offer. Whether it be the ultra-eclectic likes of Twitch and Wilkes, the 20-years-and-still-fresh Harri and Domenic, or the top-flight DJs that fly in from around the world to experience it for themselves, Sub Club is all about the music—and that's the way it should be.
- Sam Louis
09. Amnesia, Ibiza
Amnesia
It's been more than 20 years since the mind-altering DJing of Alfredo turned Paul Oakenfold and Danny Rampling on to the charms of Ibiza. Ever since then, the club has continued to remain in the good graces of the ever-shifting allegiances of ravers. Chalk that up to the constant innovation, hedonism, and care that the club has received. Added to this, the Sven Väth seal of approval means a lot in clubland, and his reign at the club on Mondays has given the crowds one more reason to flock to the White Isle. And don't forget the foam.
- Charles Merwin
08. Cocoon Club, Frankfurt
Cocoon Club
With an aesthetic that melds visions of Star Trek with something that a loved-up H.R. Giger might have designed, Sven Väth’s Cocoon Club is one of a kind. The techno-meister’s ideas, experience, and ambition have transformed the space into an uber-club that's otherworldly, yet organic. At Cocoon, Sven’s party faithful play out on a sound system to die for, while the immersive experience is heightened by multimedia technology. Feast your senses at restaurants Micro and Silk before moving to the main room, where projections flicker over the perimeter wall, which itself appears to pulsate with music. VIPs may hit the pods, but any aficionado wanting to feel the heat will hit the floor, because Cocoon makes music come alive.
- Lisa Loco
07. Robert-Johnson, Offenbach
Robert-Johnson
In club terms, the difference between great and good is a matter of intimacy. Located in Offenbach next to Germany’s financial capital Frankfurt, Robert-Johnson has plenty of it. Established in ’99 by Ata (of Playhouse fame), and named after the legendary blues singer mysteriously rumoured to be in league with the devil, the club succeeds in pushing all the right buttons: a minimalist and ever changing interior design, TV monitors and coloured neon tubes in lieu of a blinding laser show, a wooden floor that’s easy on dancing feet and knees, and a moving sound system meant to massage listeners and dancers alike. The musical programming is just as impressive: landlord Ata provides monthly evidence of his twenty year career in cutting edge selection, supplemented by regular guests such as disco viking Prins Thomas, Ricardo Villalobos, Magda and the Innervisions crew. Good old Bob would have loved it!
- Jason Gern
06. The End, London
The End
Established in 1995, The End is certainly a far cry from being a new kid on the block. It's well-worn surfaces have a comfort, though, that defies trends and pretensions. And it's this lack of trendiness that has allowed the club to age so gracefully. The vibe at The End always seems to be about having fun rather than looking cool. With everything from intimate drum and bass nights to road blocking minimal parties—often all within a given week—the club goes as far as possible towards being all things to all people. (At least as far as quality club music is concerned.) Here's hoping there's no end in sight.
- Colin Shields
05. Space, Ibiza
Space
Space Ibiza is a mecca for clubbers around the world, with many making the annual pilgrimage to immerse themselves within its unique environment. There's no black stone to kiss, but a cheer and fist pump on the terrace—as planes fly overhead—is equally as significant. During the week superstars Carl Cox and Danny Tenaglia host residencies, but the We Love... parties on Sundays are the main attraction. And who can argue with 4,000 disco kids losing themselves, soundtracked by any number of international DJs in a well designed superclub? The fact that it's on the least likely of party days is just icing on the cake.
- Nick Sabine
04. DC-10, Ibiza
DC-10
While the concept of super-clubs died in the UK some years ago, it's business as usual in Ibiza. A consistent oligarchy caters to the larger and more commercial crowds. At DC-10, though, it's not about the DJ's or the big brand. Sure, they've got renowned names on the decks, and Circo Loco is infamous around the world, but it's the up-for-it carnival vibe that has made DC-10 legendary. It's also probably why DC-10 is closed. Without it, there's a sense of something missing in Ibiza. When it's open, on a typical sunny Monday afternoon, DC-10 serves up just the right amount of madness and chaos. The club regularly provides spontaneous moments of exhilaration and escape, leaving memories that linger long after the summer tan has faded.
- Richard Chinn
03. Watergate, Berlin
Watergate
You could hardly ask for a more picturesque setting than Berlin's Watergate. The sublime view of Berlin is delivered via the floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the River Spree. Of course, those same windows are only opened after a long night’s dancing, when the harsh glare of sunlight filters in on the LED-drenched dancers. But perhaps what makes Watergate stand out is its commitment to innovation. Far from resting on its laurels, the group behind the club has been quick to book live acts and is looking to take advantage of its reputation to introduce some lesser-known DJs to the world. That sort of attitude is rare in today's market-driven world, and a welcome antidote to excesses elsewhere.
- Sam Louis
02. Fabric, London
Fabric
Good clubs pick up on what's happening, and deliver it to their punters. Really good clubs gain enough trust to take risks with their bookings, opening their crowd up to exciting new sounds. Legendary clubs fundamentally alter the musical landscape. Above all else, that's what puts Fabric in this list. Opening at a time when the UK superclub era was lurching to a messy close, Fabric cannily picked up the pieces, and went about proving that a forward-thinking music policy could work as part of a top-end business model. Throw in a breathtaking soundsystem, a universally professional and friendly team, and a series of mix CDs that arguably define dance music in the modern age, and you've got a club that, despite the occasional bout of griping, is rightly revered as one of the greatest of all time.
- Lee Smith
01. Berghain/Panorama Bar, Berlin
Berghain/Panorama Bar
Berlin's Berghain puts nearly every other club in the world to shame with its impeccable sound, music programming, and unique design. For clubbers, it's a veritable embarrassment of riches. If you're ready to make a night of it, you can head downstairs for the uncompromising techno of Marcel Dettman, or ascend to the Panoramabar and the heavenly house music proffered by Cassy. Famed for its marathon sessions, you can get as lost as you want to be in its cavernous environs.
- Sam Louis
10. Sub Club, Glasgow
Sub Club
"Small" and "intimate" are usually code words for "painfully crowded." Not so at Glagow's Sub Club, which works with its "intimate" vibe instead of against it. When you can't really move, you see, you can't do much except dance. That part is helped along by some of the finest DJs Scotland has to offer. Whether it be the ultra-eclectic likes of Twitch and Wilkes, the 20-years-and-still-fresh Harri and Domenic, or the top-flight DJs that fly in from around the world to experience it for themselves, Sub Club is all about the music—and that's the way it should be.
- Sam Louis
09. Amnesia, Ibiza
Amnesia
It's been more than 20 years since the mind-altering DJing of Alfredo turned Paul Oakenfold and Danny Rampling on to the charms of Ibiza. Ever since then, the club has continued to remain in the good graces of the ever-shifting allegiances of ravers. Chalk that up to the constant innovation, hedonism, and care that the club has received. Added to this, the Sven Väth seal of approval means a lot in clubland, and his reign at the club on Mondays has given the crowds one more reason to flock to the White Isle. And don't forget the foam.
- Charles Merwin
08. Cocoon Club, Frankfurt
Cocoon Club
With an aesthetic that melds visions of Star Trek with something that a loved-up H.R. Giger might have designed, Sven Väth’s Cocoon Club is one of a kind. The techno-meister’s ideas, experience, and ambition have transformed the space into an uber-club that's otherworldly, yet organic. At Cocoon, Sven’s party faithful play out on a sound system to die for, while the immersive experience is heightened by multimedia technology. Feast your senses at restaurants Micro and Silk before moving to the main room, where projections flicker over the perimeter wall, which itself appears to pulsate with music. VIPs may hit the pods, but any aficionado wanting to feel the heat will hit the floor, because Cocoon makes music come alive.
- Lisa Loco
07. Robert-Johnson, Offenbach
Robert-Johnson
In club terms, the difference between great and good is a matter of intimacy. Located in Offenbach next to Germany’s financial capital Frankfurt, Robert-Johnson has plenty of it. Established in ’99 by Ata (of Playhouse fame), and named after the legendary blues singer mysteriously rumoured to be in league with the devil, the club succeeds in pushing all the right buttons: a minimalist and ever changing interior design, TV monitors and coloured neon tubes in lieu of a blinding laser show, a wooden floor that’s easy on dancing feet and knees, and a moving sound system meant to massage listeners and dancers alike. The musical programming is just as impressive: landlord Ata provides monthly evidence of his twenty year career in cutting edge selection, supplemented by regular guests such as disco viking Prins Thomas, Ricardo Villalobos, Magda and the Innervisions crew. Good old Bob would have loved it!
- Jason Gern
06. The End, London
The End
Established in 1995, The End is certainly a far cry from being a new kid on the block. It's well-worn surfaces have a comfort, though, that defies trends and pretensions. And it's this lack of trendiness that has allowed the club to age so gracefully. The vibe at The End always seems to be about having fun rather than looking cool. With everything from intimate drum and bass nights to road blocking minimal parties—often all within a given week—the club goes as far as possible towards being all things to all people. (At least as far as quality club music is concerned.) Here's hoping there's no end in sight.
- Colin Shields
05. Space, Ibiza
Space
Space Ibiza is a mecca for clubbers around the world, with many making the annual pilgrimage to immerse themselves within its unique environment. There's no black stone to kiss, but a cheer and fist pump on the terrace—as planes fly overhead—is equally as significant. During the week superstars Carl Cox and Danny Tenaglia host residencies, but the We Love... parties on Sundays are the main attraction. And who can argue with 4,000 disco kids losing themselves, soundtracked by any number of international DJs in a well designed superclub? The fact that it's on the least likely of party days is just icing on the cake.
- Nick Sabine
04. DC-10, Ibiza
DC-10
While the concept of super-clubs died in the UK some years ago, it's business as usual in Ibiza. A consistent oligarchy caters to the larger and more commercial crowds. At DC-10, though, it's not about the DJ's or the big brand. Sure, they've got renowned names on the decks, and Circo Loco is infamous around the world, but it's the up-for-it carnival vibe that has made DC-10 legendary. It's also probably why DC-10 is closed. Without it, there's a sense of something missing in Ibiza. When it's open, on a typical sunny Monday afternoon, DC-10 serves up just the right amount of madness and chaos. The club regularly provides spontaneous moments of exhilaration and escape, leaving memories that linger long after the summer tan has faded.
- Richard Chinn
03. Watergate, Berlin
Watergate
You could hardly ask for a more picturesque setting than Berlin's Watergate. The sublime view of Berlin is delivered via the floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the River Spree. Of course, those same windows are only opened after a long night’s dancing, when the harsh glare of sunlight filters in on the LED-drenched dancers. But perhaps what makes Watergate stand out is its commitment to innovation. Far from resting on its laurels, the group behind the club has been quick to book live acts and is looking to take advantage of its reputation to introduce some lesser-known DJs to the world. That sort of attitude is rare in today's market-driven world, and a welcome antidote to excesses elsewhere.
- Sam Louis
02. Fabric, London
Fabric
Good clubs pick up on what's happening, and deliver it to their punters. Really good clubs gain enough trust to take risks with their bookings, opening their crowd up to exciting new sounds. Legendary clubs fundamentally alter the musical landscape. Above all else, that's what puts Fabric in this list. Opening at a time when the UK superclub era was lurching to a messy close, Fabric cannily picked up the pieces, and went about proving that a forward-thinking music policy could work as part of a top-end business model. Throw in a breathtaking soundsystem, a universally professional and friendly team, and a series of mix CDs that arguably define dance music in the modern age, and you've got a club that, despite the occasional bout of griping, is rightly revered as one of the greatest of all time.
- Lee Smith
01. Berghain/Panorama Bar, Berlin
Berghain/Panorama Bar
Berlin's Berghain puts nearly every other club in the world to shame with its impeccable sound, music programming, and unique design. For clubbers, it's a veritable embarrassment of riches. If you're ready to make a night of it, you can head downstairs for the uncompromising techno of Marcel Dettman, or ascend to the Panoramabar and the heavenly house music proffered by Cassy. Famed for its marathon sessions, you can get as lost as you want to be in its cavernous environs.
- Sam Louis
Thursday, 24 July 2008
sweet
so, Jas is coming to see me on the 15th September to see Mr Conor Oberst, Kate's planning a couple of trips, Aylwyn and Kelly are going to come, Iso's here for my birthday (26th september).
Who else is in?
Who else is in?
first day done. drunkly.
so i sweated my way to my lovely flat then took a turn around the area. I've not stayed in this part of town before but after one day and night here i don't want to leave. By day its all sun kissed cafes, yummy mummies and the aforementioned punk rockers but by night its a wild drunken delight. I made friends with an american artist whose renting the other room in the flat and we went out to sample the local bars, got dumb ass drunk and stumbled around talking rubbish till the wee small hours. was much fun.
Today I get to see Obama talk which is pretty fucking special then i'm going to Weekend (above) to dance to the folk who made that cool 'mumbling yeah' track i was obsessed with a few months ago. i love this city.
Wednesday, 23 July 2008
so... how did you get here?
shit, why's he stairing at me?
He is, isn't he?
I think so...
Fuck, maybe I know him?
.... Looks sort of familiar.
I'll try smiling.
Ah Christ He's smiling back. Going to have to say something....
"Uh, hi."
"Hey there."
"How you doing?"
"Good man, god."
Uh, where you heading?"
"Berlin"
"Ah! Me too!"
"..."
"how long you going for?"
"I'm moving there."
"Cool! Me too!
"Cool"
(whatthefuckishisnamedoievenknowhimfuckhelooksfamiliarermahhmmmmmshouldhaveatethismorninggoingtolookatthefloornow)
aaaaaahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh.
"..."
"..."
"..."
"....
"
"sorry pal, I've got no idea what your name is."
"Euan"
"Euan. Cool. Hi, I'm Charlie."
He is, isn't he?
I think so...
Fuck, maybe I know him?
.... Looks sort of familiar.
I'll try smiling.
Ah Christ He's smiling back. Going to have to say something....
"Uh, hi."
"Hey there."
"How you doing?"
"Good man, god."
Uh, where you heading?"
"Berlin"
"Ah! Me too!"
"..."
"how long you going for?"
"I'm moving there."
"Cool! Me too!
"Cool"
(whatthefuckishisnamedoievenknowhimfuckhelooksfamiliarermahhmmmmmshouldhaveatethismorninggoingtolookatthefloornow)
aaaaaahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh.
"..."
"..."
"..."
"....
"
"sorry pal, I've got no idea what your name is."
"Euan"
"Euan. Cool. Hi, I'm Charlie."
landed.
so... one hangover, one flight and one bleeding nose later I'm here in my sunny Prenzlauerberg apartment. I've had some food, I've had a shower, I've had some beer. My area is super lovely -its like the west end should be but with more punks (not that there shouldn't be more punks in the west end but there's fucking loads of them here.
I'm going to try and post on this blog every so often for those of you who either actually care what i get up to on a day to day basis or those who are geeky enough to live on the internet and want another site to add to your morning internet checking addiction (hi Ali).
I've only been here for like 3 hours so I'll post again when i've actually got something to say.
much love to your face.
Charlie
I'm going to try and post on this blog every so often for those of you who either actually care what i get up to on a day to day basis or those who are geeky enough to live on the internet and want another site to add to your morning internet checking addiction (hi Ali).
I've only been here for like 3 hours so I'll post again when i've actually got something to say.
much love to your face.
Charlie
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