so i put my headphones on...

Hello from a Barcelona Princess

I landed in Spain at 5 am on Thursday and watched the sun rise as I rode in a yellow cab, highway splitting up the Cementiri de Montjuic and Port de Barcelona, high/low, beauty and beast, juxtaposed perfection. I had an ideal view on the top floor of the Princess, city and sea, where I decided to sleep from 7 am to 3 pm. That one decision defined the next 72 hours but more on that later. Barcelona was good to me on Thursday night. I saw so many people I love and ate tapas and listened to Addison on Shaad’s Australian Spotify account and watched Charli in an alarmingly large crowd in the middle of the night.

I woke up Friday at 2 pm, which Peyton said was “very Brat”, high off of 10 hours sleep. Every time I come to Europe I take turns sleeping for 10+ hours one night, sub 5 the next until I eventually fly home and figure my shit out. Our set was top 5 of the Tigers Blood era I think. I used to dread festival sets. I’m not sure why but I know it was tied up in a flimsy narrative I had about myself, all born out of fear or self-doubt. I think a part of me felt I was betraying some insecure idea of my inner underground credibility by enjoying myself up on the big stage. Over time and growth, both personal and professional, I’ve learned to really love it. I wouldn’t say that as a blanket statement but occasionally the stars and universe line up just right and I get out there and feel like Michael Stipe at Glastonbury ’99 or Dolores O’Riordan at Woodstock ’94. The energy of some audiences is so joyful and enthusiastic it just makes me want to do the most to build that up and sustain it for 55 minutes. We had Jake out for “Right Back to It” and “Burns Out at Midnight” which is always really special. Everyone was buzzing after. We watched the sun set over the Mediterranean and caught half of Stereolab. Magical night indeed.

I slept from 1 am to 2 am (yep…), tossed and turned for 4 or 5 hours and then flew to Glasgow which Brad described as “a heavy scene change”. Scotland in the summer is kind of my vibe. Cold and grey but otherwise summery. Spending plenty of time outside but in a barn jacket. We ate at Sylvan, ordered one of everything and then I passed out for 10 hours again. Jess and I went to Outlier for breakfast and sat at the counter in the window watching cyclists ride past for Tour of Britain. We locked in on the French Open finals backstage before the gig. I love nothing more than to follow a Grand Slam tournament whilst on tour. We met and watched the lovely Merce Lemon and co and then we took the stage at the legendary Barrowland. Great tour so far. Thank you Glasgow for turning up.

That’s about all I’ve got. We play Manchester today at Albert Hall, Bristol Tuesday at Electric Bristol and Wednesday we’ll be at the legendary Hammersmith Apollo in London. Couple festivals in Europe, couple in America. Everything’s here.

Reading the news back home and feeling freaked and sad and far away. Til next time, stay vigilant and be good.

-KC