Meeting fans outside of the Pony Bar in Hamburg

Keeping up with this daily blogging business is turning out to be much more of a challenge than I’d anticipated. Mostly because my free time here is extremely limited. The usual day is get up, eat breakfast, attempt to see a a bit of the city we’re in, drive to the next city (usually 2 – 3 hours), check in to our hotel, find the venue, soundcheck, eat dinner, get changed/put my face on, perform, go to bed. I’m beginning to regret having packed so many gigs into such a short amount of time, because there’s so much in each place that I wan to see, but just don’t have the time! But anywho, that is my rant, and onto the gigs. This is my combined Hamburg/Bremen blog because of the issue you just explained to you. So let’s start with Hamburg which was on May 24th:
The most exciting thing happened to me. The first time was when my mom and I were literally sitting in our car waiting for the club owner to arrive to show us our accommodation, and I was getting into the car and a man ran up to me saying “Melissa Bel? Melissa Bel?”. I figured he was the venue owner, but turned out he was a fan that had printed off some pictures of me to autograph! That blew my mind a little bit. Then later on when I was just getting to the gig I got out of the car and 3 people ran up to me to get my autograph and picture! The gig was a success. The place was pretty full, and people listened so intently, and when I was done they wanted me to keep playing but there was another band after me (the AWESOME Roskinksi Quartet from Hamburg) so I didn’t have time to squeeze in any more songs. Which was admittedly a bit of a relief because my throat has been a bit sore and the tendinitis seems to be setting in. Then we hung out after the gig and met some people, had some beers, and I played some foosball (how do you spell that??) and won! Thank you to Davide and the Pony Bar for having me!!

Bremen, May 25th:
I’m still in Bremen now and I must say this is one of my favourite cities so far. It’s on a beautiful river with a strip of really cool restaurants along it, and lots of shopping to do. Being here has made my frustration set in about not having enough time in each place. The venue last night was called Meisenfrei, a really cool blues club, and one of the bigger venues I’ve played so far. When I got there at about 7:40 (for an 8:30 start), the place was empty, so I was freaking out a bit that no one would come (like I do most nights). But by 8:30 the place had filled up with people who had actually come to see me – I still can’t get my head around that – and I ended up playing much long than expected and sold the most CDs of any gig so far. People definitely go there to listen to music, which makes me very, very happy. Oh and my German is improving slightly. I can now say “I’m very happy that you’re here”. Because seriously, I’m very happy when people show up hahah. Also they make amazing mojitos here in Germany (one of my favourites…and yes I know I’m “supposed” to be drinking beer). But after the long show my throat and hand/wrist are pretty sore today, so I told my mom I’m going to be a diva and speak a very minimal amount. Today we’re off to Soest where I have a gig at Alter Schlachtof (?), and then tomorrow I have a much needed DAY OFF!! We’re about to get kicked out of our hotel room now, so I’ll post pictures later today!!

I know, I know, I’m behind already, but I didn’t have the internet all day yesterday! So here is my blog about the May 23rd gig in Alfeld at Cafe Live (written while waiting to get our accommodations in Hamburg).

Our commute from Lemgo to Alfeld was definitely the most scenic drive so far, but also the most eventful. If you ask me, the thin, winding country roads are much more dangerous than the Autoban. And at one point our GPS (nicknamed Frau) led us to a river and instructed us to “Board the ferry” in order to cross. Excuuuse me Frau but I don’t think we can drive our car onto the ferry, good try though. Needless to say, we took and alternate route. I felt like I was going to hurl by the time we reached Alfeld, but I recovered quickly enough to have a couple of afternoon drinks at the closest cafe.

It was another tiny, but beautiful town, and the venue, Cafe Live, was the only live music venue in the city. I was scared that there wouldn’t be much of a crowd, but the place ended up being packed! There were a couple photographers and someone from a radio station that came to interview me before the show. Again I could not believe that the audience was silent through basically my entire performance, and this time I got 2 encores!! There were some young people who spoke really good English so we hung out for awhile after the show and I had my first wheat beer which I thoroughly enjoyed (they come in half-litre glasses by the way). We were staying the night in a room just above the venue, so by the end of the night all we had to do was stumble up the stairs to our beds! Awesome.

Our host, Michael, didn’t speak much English but was one of the nicest people I think I’ve ever met. He made us an amazing breakfast that was waiting for us when we woke up, and said I can come back and play at Cafe Live anytime. Danke shoen Alfeld and Cafe Live!

Oh, I also learned the German words for “cheers” (Proste!) and “still water”, which is highly useful because drinking the sparkling water that is the norm here while I’m playing makes me burp. Not so attractive.

Soooo now we’re in Hamburg where I’m playing at the Pony Bar! We’ve been here for a few hours now and we’re currently waiting for the bar owner to come and let us into our accommodation. My mom is sleeping on the couch while I write this. A little nervous about the show tonight, because the big-city feel of Hamburg is different than the small towns of Lemgo and Alfeld. But I’m sure it will be fine…right? I will let you know tomorrow!!!

With Michael, our wonderful host and owner of Cafe Live

I already love it here. Last night I had my first gig in Germany at a super cool, retro-themed restaurant in Lemgo called the Beat Café. It was absolutely unreal. It’s a small venue, but it was pretty full, and I must say I don’t remember the last time I heard so few people clap so loudly! I used up basically all of the German words I know within the first 5 minutes, but the crowd was so friendly, and SO attentive. And they were kind enough to give me an encore! Thank you Lemgo and the Beat Café! I found my posters all over the street that the gig was on, and a couple of young girls came to the show because they actually knew who I was!! Insanity!!! Yesterday I also did an interview/performance on a Duisburg TV station called Studio 47 that will air next week before my show at Steinbruch (in Duisburg) on June 5th. Oh and some more great news, I got my first full-night’s sleep since I’ve been here! What a relief, because 3 hours a night really just doesn’t cut it. Now we’re off to get some breakfast and then head to Alfeld for my gig tonight at Café Live. I cannot believe this is my life right now!!!!

Look Mom! That's me!!!

Yesterday at about noon local time, we (my Mom/tour manager and I) arrived in good ol’ Deutschland to a wet and dreary day. Needless to say I was absolutely thrilled to have landed and hadn’t forgotten anything except for my favourite leather jacket – which I’m a little upset about – and my “German Phrases for Dummies” handbook. Oh well, they speak great English here anyway. We somehow managed to navigate our way to our hotel (with my mom behind the wheel because I’m not old enough to drive the rental car bahaha). After getting to the hotel and having a 2 and a half hour nap we forced ourselves to stay awake for a lovely dinner and a toast to the beginning of the tour!! I fell asleep for the night at 9:30pm but woke up at 3am and couldn’t get back to sleep until 5:30…then got up for good at 8:30. Really trying to get myself on a proper sleeping schedule as quickly as possible! This morning we made the 3 hour drive from Frankfurt to Duisburg, and I can’t believe I’m sitting here writing this outside of our beautiful lakeside inn, the EuroHof Hotel. Happy Birthday to me for sure. It is warm and sunny and leave it to me to get a sunburn within 10 minutes! I’d love to say I’m going out and doing some crazy birthday partying tonight, but I’m already pooped and will probably go to bed early so I can get on track sleeping-wise. Tomorrow I have an TV interview at Studio 47 and then we make another 3 hour drive to my first gig in Lemgo!! And yes, as self-absorbed as it sounds, I am dying to get into a music store and see if I can find my CD.

This time next week I will be playing my 2nd show in Germany…so needless to say I am bouncing off the walls with excitement. My flight leaves Wednesday at 10:55pm!! Thankfully my stress level has gone from through the roof to relatively low. There was a bit of a fiasco getting the “Melissa Bel” t-shirts made: it was literally a matter of 30 minutes between getting them done in time for the tour and not, but I made it. My GPS is functioning, and I’ve started packing, so I think I’m in pretty good shape so far. While I’m away I will be diligently posting photos, videos and blogs for your viewing pleasure! One of the online magazines that’s sponsoring the tour (www.hooked-on-music.de) will be posting all the goods, so stay tuned to there, here, Myspace and/or Facebook. See you on the other side of the pond!!!

Click on the map below to see a cool tour poster and map!

Tour in Germany

It’s official!!!! I’m going to be embarking on a 2 – 3 week tour of Germany in May to promote “Brave”. On a scale of 1 – 10 for excited-ness, I am a definite 12. I’ve been learning some German to prepare. So far I can say “I would like to buy a newspaper” (”Ich möchte eine Zeitung kaufen“). Very practical. Tour dates to come soon!!

Auf Wiedersehen for now,

Melissa

I know I’m about a week late, but Happy 2010!! I hope you all had a wonderful Holiday Season and that Santa spoiled the crap out of you. 2009 had it’s moments…but I am determined to completely own 2010. So far we’re off to a good start, here are the latest reviews from Germany:

Rocks Magazine (the 2nd largest music magazine in Germany!!!) gave “Brave” a 5/6 rating and says:
“…unbelievable is this young young lady…she sings her own songs…with a fervency that makes one sweat…a gun licenced voice”

Planet tt says:
“…her voice is strong, passionate and wise. Reminds me of Pink and Melissa Etheridge: Soul and Classic Rock underline her ray of light“

ALSO: This month I’m starting pre-production for a brand new album! Colour me totally pumped. Cannot wait to share the new material with you. I still need a couple more songs…and I’m going to see if I can get the creative juices flowing right now. Wish me luck.

Melissa <3

Ad in German Music Magazine "Melodie und Rhythmus", Nov. '09. "Brave" got a 5/5 Star Rating!!!

Just wanted to share some press clippings of album reviews from Germany:

“…her smoky and strong voice is seldom heard in the pop world of today. Her songs, part of them have been written when only 16 years old, are agile, rocking, funky and jazzlike, sometimes melancholy – always emotional, so that you can feel it when she sings about love and lovesickness” – Stadkind Magazine (www.stadtkind.de)

“With a debut like that success won`t be far away” – Mescaline Injection Music and Film Magazine (www.mescaline-injection.de)

“…she presents her songs with lots of feeling…as a newcomer, her songs are way better than the cheesy ballads of some superstars” – Schwäbische Zeitung Newspaper

Seriously Germany, just say the word and I will be over there in a flash!!!

P.S. TODAY I GOT FLOOR SEATS TO SEE JOHN MAYER!!! Cannot help but share my excitement. Actually, calling me excited would be an understatement…I’m totally freaking out.

So today I got the first album review of “Brave” from a German music magazine called “Melodie und Rhythmus” (”Melody and Rhythms”…but you guys figured that out yourselves didn’t you). I must say, I’m pretty darn excited about this. And I quote:

“…fortunately the marvellous talent from Burlington has commited herself to her career as a singer and songwriter. So we can enjoy the awesome debut…10 greatly produced and composed songs between classic Rock and pounding Blues…one day she could be the the follow-up of Janis Joplin.”

P.S. This magazine has a cirulation of 50 000! Boo yea!