Out into the park today to meet one of the local people (Ricardo) who has been in touch since I did the TV show and had seen the article in the Portuguese online arts magazine. On Monday evening we are going to look at premises with Cláudia and João and it’s encouraging to see how many people have shown an interest in the In Deep Music Archive and studio and the potential for it here in Portugal. In my head, I always thought that such a place would have been of great interest generally anywhere in the world but the fear of ‘stuff’ has made it tricky. Why have books and records, why have ornaments, artefacts, old lamps and carpets, chunky sofas and strangely shaped tables become frightening? The computer is everything these days, entertainment, music, words, images and you don’t need a cosy room to experience the content. For me, the cosy room with the pictures on the wall, the shelves full of records and books and the idea of browsing your next listening or reading experience amongst other potential physical choices is part of the pleasure. A hardback book, a gatefold album and a gorgeous lampshade next to a large armchair to bury yourself in. Proper speakers, mood lighting, and a cat like Hawaii or should the cat be digital too?

Out in the park, a short walk from Marquês, children were playing in the playground, running around with boundless energy, Ricardo’s 5-year-old son Duarte making friends in the sandpit whilst we sat and chatted at the outdoor park cafe. The sun was shining and a breeze was blowing and it was an interesting challenge to sit under the umbrella half in the sun for its heat and half out of the sun to not get burned and feel the cool breeze. Olivia was trying to sit in the sun all masked and sunglassed up, avoiding the burn and feeling the heat. By the time we left the park after a couple of hours she was cold and we headed back home jumping into hot spots on the way where the sun made it between the buildings, leaving oases in the overall shade of the streets. We commented on how being in Porto, living here, still feels like being on holiday because, well, it’s southern Europe and the sun keeps shining. Then there’s the language, the style of the buildings and the cakes in the windows of the bakeries that look like something you’d only indulge in on holiday.

I signed a copy of Rhyme, Hanging Out In Heaven, Spirit Level, Art Attack, The Afterlife and Poison Stream for Mario who sent them to us from Braga, a city less than 50km from Porto. We’d already sent him the first MOAT album but these were LPs that he had in his collection. We are hoping to be able to play in Portugal at some point in the future when the venues open. In the future with Spain so close I’m sure we’ll be playing shows in Madrid and Barcelona, hopefully, Bilbao, Granada, Valencia. I can’t imagine we would have many people in the smaller places but like Mario in Braga there’s always someone who knows your work, their friends and any local promotion you might be able to find with the radio and the local paper – you hope.

We have to begin with In Deep Music Archive research starting next week. All MOAT associated packages are sent, all the interviews are done and now we turn our attention to the sessioneer projects Ahad Afridi, Arktik Lake and Space Summit which I think may see the light of day before Jerome Froese, Brix Smith, and The Wild Swans. There is of course the RSD Drops Noctorum – Sparks Lane LP coming on June 12th. But whilst we are working on getting the music out we will be working behind the scenes on budgeting, moving everything from Penzance to Porto. Thanks to everyone who has sent a donation to the Move The In Deep Music Archive Fund and at some point in the future I will figure out how to create some exclusive music as a thank you – I just need the time to learn Logic Pro on my computer in between the beautiful dust of the books, the rumble of the records on the turntable and the naps on the giant, worn, red armchair.

Music today came from Eric Burdon and The (New) Animals who with a new lineup released three albums in 1968 – The Twain Shall Meet, Every One Of Us and Love Is. Every One Of Us wasn’t released in the UK and Love Is was a double album and had one Andy Summers playing the guitar. I suppose they are psychedelic blues albums which is a tricky mix although Cream nailed it perfectly on Disraeli Gears (1967). Along with Eric Is Here and Winds Of Change both released in 1967, this is the period between the original Animals and Eric Burdon and War, often forgotten but really great, if you like this kind of thing.

Music Of The Daze