[Editor's Note: Most fans think that the life of a touring band is a strange existance, and they're right – but not always in the way they might think. Sure – there are strange scenes and moments to experience, but sometimes touring can be a more personal journey. In Alain Johannes' case, he's already been around the world as the bassist in Queens Of The Stone Age and as the guitarist in Eleven – but his current tour through South America is a different excursion entirely. This time, Johannes is touring in support of his debut solo LP Spark and, not just that, he's currently touring South America; where the guitarist has not been since childhood. It's an exciting time for Johannes that only he could capture best so Ground Control has offered him the platform to share it. The following is an account of Johannes' journey and his raw impressions of it in his own words.]
Letters Home – Notes From The Road With Alain Johannes, Part Two of Four.
Wow it's crazy how familiar it feels to be back in Santiago. Uncle Peter Rock (one of the first Chilean Rock Stars) took me by a classic radio station where he did an interview live on air and introduced me to the listeners. Then we went to a Turkish style bath house where we got the full treatment while drinking beers w salt, lime juice and 2 aspirins which I found interesting and funny.
Went out for a fantastic seafood dinner and back to the hotel where I hung out with some fans who were super cool. Drank a few Pisco Sours and got some rest.
Maquinaria Festival takes place at the Club Hipico which is where they have horse races. I got there around 11 am to settle in. Ran into Alfredo Lewin and the peeps at RadioSonar. Did a short interview. It's so great to feel the warmth and excitement of my fellow chileans. They're well aware of my musical history and are so excited that Queens are finally here. Decided to play "Why" from my band Eleven's album "Thunk" as the last song in my set as a thank you to all the fans that followed us all these years. I'm playing most of Spark and "Make God Jealous" from Desert Sessions 7&8. It's a beautiful sunny day and my bald head is getting a pounding from the thin ozone unfiltered sunbeams. Some shade next to the stage and I start warming up on my cigfiddle getting my groove on. I must admit I'm almost overwhelmed with excitement and a bit nervous. I find a quiet room in my mind and hang out there reflecting on the incredible, intense, sad and beautiful journey that led me here.
It's showtime and as I stand side of stage I see lots of lovely faces and they're shouting out "Alain, Alain…"
Walking out I say "Hola Chile" and dig into the cigfiddle with a little improv intro to "Endless Eyes". Then everything goes into flow. Even the really loud stage to my right pumping out beats doesn't interrupt it. And thankfully Hutch QOTSA's guru of live mixing has my back and my tiny cigarbox guitar becomes the loudest little instrument in the history of the Universe.
I finish the set and as time returns to it's normal motion I hear fans hailing from the barrier next to the stage. I walk over to get hugs and kisses and kind words. I sign a few things and take tons of photos. It feels so good to connect with them.
Later me and my Chilean friends Cote and Juan Luis and their girls go side of stage by the monitor desk to experience (for me) one of the best Queens shows I've ever witnessed. They're playing with a furious intensity yet they're also in the perfect groove and pocket. Joey smiles at me as if to say "You know this". Josh is singing so freakin good and playing magically as are the rest of the dudes. I'm loving this!
The Chilean crowd gives it up with an incredible display of attentive listening, party time immersion and singing. They give back so much energy that it start looping in circles from stage to them to stage etc. Magical and well deserved for the wait.
Back at the hotel I stay up hanging with the boys and the best crew in the world.
2 hrs sleep and off to Sao Paolo.
Sent from my iPhone.
This is Part Two of Alain Johannes' Four-part South American tour journal. Click here for Part One, click here for Part Three and click here for Part Four.
