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The MQ Diary

Check here for regular updates musings and more from Monica and Johnny!

Friday, August 30, 2002

Hi Everybody, Sorry about the lack of activity but I have been very busy with other artists who've been kind enough to ask me to sing with them. A new album came out last week by the king of chill, Mister Chris Coco which features Nick Cave singing the Velvet Underground, Peter Green playing a new version of "Albatross", Iain Banks and 3 tracks featuring vocals by myself - including a lovely reworking of "Tear Behind My Smile" called "Before You Broke My Heart". The album is titled Next Wave (be warned though - it is a dance album allbeit of the best kind). I also featured recently on James Grant's album of poetry where I had the pleasure of singing the wonderful words of Helen Adams - "A Tale Best Forgotten" (very Nick Cave coincidentally) and also some backing vocals on other tracks. James has been promoting his album around the country so I've been out on the road with that. It's been all arts centres - with it being poetry, so it's been quite civilised. Johnny has been tagging along on these shows - working his passage as guitar tech for James - he thinks he's Larry Cragg. I've also been doing the "truly detestable summer festivals" as Edwyn would say,with Belle and Sebastian. First up was Glastonbury which was most enjoyable - they were playing a bit of a greatest hits sort of set, as you get less time at festivals, so they were pretty hot and the crowd loved it. Spent some time in Bath (no not the bath despite it being Glasto. It was incredibly dry) which is a lovely city to spend a few days. While at the festival, we managed to get up to the acoustic tent to see Kate and Anne McGarrigle who were wonderful. This is where Glasto differs - it still offers us something special. After Glasto, we hopped over to Portugal and Spain. Spent some time in Lisbon which I recommend highly for a visit, if you appreciate "ancient stones". Then, we were whizzed off to the festival in the dark (these festivals go on through the night). Next it was on to Spain and Benicassim which I urge you to book for your holidays next year. It's a lovely resort (where the Spanish go) and 4 days of good music in a very chilled atmosphere. All the big acts were there - Radiohead, Weller etc - but my favs were Low, Beachwood Sparks and Thalia Zadek. However, the undisputed act of the the festival was B+S - where 35,000 people took them to their hearts. And they did an extended version of "Lazy Line Painter Jane" so I got to be on stage a bit longer to enjoy the moment. Johnny took loads of pictures but our luggage was lost on the way back so I can't share them i'm afraid. Anyway that's you up to date but keep checking for news. Love Monica.

Tuesday, August 27, 2002

Hi everybody.My computer is not working too well at the moment .When i get to a remote terminal i will update you with what has been happening.