Touring Europe with Josh Wink

Diary Post #1

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Confusion and excitement go through my head in regards to doing this tour blog. My thoughts are scattered as I sit with a hazy jet-lagged mind (PHL to FRA, FRA to BCN), in my hotel before going to the gig.  I realize that this is the first trip in six years I’ve traveled with a computer. I embark digitally, once again, now using Traktor Scratch and a computer. I enjoy the idea of being more in communication, but somehow miss the more natural way of me traveling with only a cell phone and few gadgets in tow. A book or two would usually be stuffed in my bag, and today they’re replaced by yet another piece of electronics, which may enhance my lifestyle. I feel mixed (pun intended), but still excited.

Barcelona is one of my favorite cities in the world. I beckon to the call of the culture, people, weather and food several times a year. It’s one of the cities that gets more crowded later in the evening too, and this doesn’t apply to only the clubs, but the bars and restaurants as well. (The latest city to stir is Portugal, by far.) I’m always torn after arriving from America, where I’m tired and jet-lagged. The choices are to go and enjoy the sunny day, explore and visit, or sleep.  Sleep definitely won on Thursday morning. Slept for six hours and awoke, got online (as I’m not used to) and contacted Paco Osuna, my host (and friend) for the night at Club 4 (City Hall). 

We arranged to meet at 9pm and have dinner at a restaurant Davide Squillace picked for us. Dinner is one of the DJ’s rituals that we all look forward to. Friends and great food before a gig is very very important to me! Luca Bachetti, who is in the process of moving to Barcelona, is staying with Davide and joined us for our incredible Barcelona feast. The usual talk engaged at the table was about music, electronics, world politics and our concerns/views, whilst getting our table messy in the process.

The economy and recession seem to be a global concern and happily, is openly talked about in our industry, especially at dinners. I’ve noticed that there seems to always be talk of a decline in attendance at parties, which is a big concern as this is one of our livelihoods. People can buy music online, but we need people in the clubs and venues to support the scene! 

This always worries me that I will travel halfway around the world and the venue will not be crowded. Luckily, tonight this was not the case. As I arrive at the club at 2:15 people are yelling and jacking to Paco Osuna, and the manager assures me that although things have been on the slower side, the club is full and good vibes are in the air.

I switch with Paco at 3AM and practice getting used to DJing with a computer. Mind you that I am not concerned about the program not working, I have faith in the technology. However, I am getting used to having more songs to choose from, searching for the tracks and interacting more with a computer than a crowd (which is my main concern).

All in all, the night was super. A great way to start off the tour - with friends, a great meal and a packed an energetic audience.

I’ve wondered where my fingers and mind would take me in the tour blog, and I hope to engage in interesting stories, concerns and experiences along the next 13 days. Yet, two things I’m hoping to delve deeper into are the economic concerns of clubbing and electronic music culture, and my experiences with switching back to computer technology and DJing.

Wake up to a beautiful day...five hours sleep. I feel good, yet the hazy feelings of international, transatlantic travel are still felt in my eyes, head and body. I hope there’s no traffic today heading to the airport. I hate traffic!  I’m not a real superstitious person, yet traveling on Friday the 13th always keeps me on my toes.

Milano… Here I come!

JW“