We went to Helsinki with the Sky is Crying to play at a blues dance event called, and in short, I have one thing to say about that weekend: I love singing the blues. Gosh, I love love love singing the blues.
Here's a slightly longer version of that weekend:
We took the train to Stockholm and then the night ferry to Helsinki. I've never taken that ferry before and have only heard that it's a party ferry with lots of drunk people everywhere. I didn't see anything like that, instead I had a calm pocket of time where I could sit in our cabin and get lots of work done that night.
On Friday afternoon we got settled in the apartment the organisers had rented for us, and then went out for dinner. Gustav found this place, Yeastie Boi, where we had bagels for dinner, which was a delight. :)
Oh and forgot to mention, Marcus is on parental leave, so instead we brought Johan on as a substitute bass, guitar and banjo player. Hi Johan!
Then we walked over to Musiikkitalo, where the event was held. The Grind is a delightful blues dance event that I went to as a dancer a few years ago (I remember not loving the venue that year, but they've changed venue since, and this one is great!), and now it was such a joy to get to come back as a musician.
Joel Höglund was the official photographer and did, as usual, a bloody fantastic job behind the camera. This one is my favourite; I love that he captured the communication between us.
That feeling when it's getting late and you are performing some of the most magical songs in the world for an audience of dedicated, beautiful dancers, and they follow your every note and every pause, and you follow their movements in turn, and you realize that "this right now must be the most present and alive it is possible to be", and that doing this exact thing, being fully in the music, is your job and your passion and your life. That.
On Saturday Johan stayed in the apartment to rest and play some guitar and Gustav and I went for a walk through Helsinki. I also shot some new portraits for Gustav which was a lot of fun.
And then we had lunch and talked about life, love and music. It was so great to get this amount of quality time with someone I adore as much as Gustav.
Evening! Bao!
And then more music!
Some late night fantasy reading after a gig is never a bad idea!
On Sunday I had a few hours before the ferry, so I went into town to spend time with two of my blues dance friends whom I don't get to see very often, but it's always a treat when I do ...
... Isabelle and Arja.
Some impromptu blues dancing outside the central station? Don't mind if I do.
Necessary shopping! I can't get this flavour in Sweden!
And then we went home on the ferry. Thank you so so much for having us, the Grind; it makes me so happy to sing for dancers. There's nothing quite like it.
Matt Carmichael & Brighde Chaimbeul | kite
