Well, as I predicted, August did in fact present me with more brick walls, however, I swear that the brick is getting softer. I’m getting my head around this album-recording thing. And, as luck would have it, I am lovin’ it. The whole gadget thing is really turning me on. I am up all day working at my computer, recording magic stuff and when the day’s over, I am up all night thinking about what I’m going to do tomorrow in the wee room when I get back in front of my computer. Sad, I know, but it has taken me a while and even then, I’m sure that I know only the tiniest fraction of what the programme can do - its just great fun. (Now, who thought I’d be saying that after last month?)


1-7 August

Well, in February or March, someone wrote to me – a CL fan - asking if I’d be interested incoming to play in Iceland. ‘Yeah right’ I thought, ‘that’ll be a long time coming’. Then, next thing you know, I received an e-mail from the Pride committee of Iceland asking if I’d come along and play two shows for the Pride festival in August. Oh Laula, ye of little faith.

So, needless to say, I was up for that. David, however, had one demand – he insisted on coming with me…oh, okay then – but only if you promise to play the guitar, mandolin and whistle…he promised.

Well, the morning of the flights, Caitlin and Judy were staying overnight. They were going to drop me at the airport. Before then however, I got a 7am call from David. He’d been up all night with dreadful toothache. He didn’t think he could come. Argh!

I dropped an urgent mail to our hosts in Iceland…’get me a dentist’. Either that or another guitar player! No probs though, David decided that toothache in Scotland would be the same as toothache in Iceland. So, he met us at the airport. He’s a quiet guy generally, but, full of codeine, he’s totally not there. I could have cried for him.

He donned a brave face though and we were off…

My only memory of Iceland was flying over it on the way to New York a few years ago. It was like the moon – or rather, like how I imagine the moon would be, never having been there you understand! I just expected it would be all cold, ice and full of igloos! Now, I’m not stupid, by any manner or means, but I felt pretty stupid when I was told in no uncertain terms that I was thinking of Greenland - !

Anyway, we got the airport in Iceland, got all the gear in one piece and were off to meet our host – Elaine. No, indeed, not a very Icelandic name, however, Elaine was the fan who’d put me up for the gig in the first place – a lassie from Ayrshire who now lived in Iceland with her partner, Inga.

They were putting us up in their place. Always a bit dodgy, I like to have a bit of space when I’m ‘on the road’. You know, close the door, read, chill, and stuff. However, this place was great, as were our hosts. Nothing was a problem, food was in plentiful supply and space was there at any time. It was a lovely big apartment – kind of like Dr Who’s tardis - just ideal.

Once we had settled into our wonderful apartment. It was time to get down to soundcheck.

Smashin’. Great big venue that reminded me a bit of the old Nightmoves in Glasgow…you know, mirrored pillars, great big stage. And, to crown it all, there was a magic PA system. The only thing was that the sound engineer had our stage set up with risers and stuff! They were expecting a five-piece band, complete with drum kit!! Much as I tried, David was not to be persuaded to go up on the riser!

The gig itself was great, except that the first act who played – an fantastic singer called Eva Karlotta – was supposed to play for forty minutes, ended up playing for over an hour. She was really great, but I was really ready to play. I think I contracted David’s toothache. Mind you, Eva is destined to be famous…she was a finalist in Denmark’s Pop Idol. One of those voices that stops you in your tracks – bloody magic.

The gig itself, when we finally got playing, was great.

Did I mention the price of things though? Well, I bought a drink – a Bacardi breezer – for Elaine (my Iceland Agent!) and it cost something like 800 Kroner. ‘No probs’, thought I, till the next morning when I was finally converting things in my head…800k is the same as almost EIGHT POUNDS STERLING!!! For one bloody drink! My god, I would expect at least a crate for that price. Still it was indicative of the price of things – its an expensive place!

The next morning, Elaine and Inga (who took the day off work) took us on a big trip.

Before we got going though, I was struck by the most pervasive smell in the apartment. I didn’t want to say too much, you know, maybe someone had a bad tummy or something (with that smell, maybe someone had DIED!). soon though, I found out what it was.

The hot water comes straight into people’s homes for heating and hot water, straight out of the hot springs under ground; the hot springs full of sulphur. I’m sure you’d get used to it after a wee while, but I was only there for 4 days! Amazingly, the cold tap water also comes straight into people’s homes straight from the glaciers above ground - just incredible! Incidentally, the drinking water from the tap was wonderful.

So, our day trip. We started off downtown Reykjavik at the cathedral where we could see fantastic views from the tower. The city itself is quite unremarkable, houses and stuff (!) but the back drop of the most dramatic cliffs is tremendous. Its quite a beautiful place.

We also drove past the president’s house. Not that you would know it as there were no guards, security, fences or anything. It was almost as though we could go in and have a coffee with them.

Then we were off to the amazing waterfalls. On the drive there we just happened past all the geysers spurting steam out from under the ground. Then on past the glacier!!!

The waterfalls though…just fantastic. Big, loud, beautiful, wet, powerful. There’s not much I can say about it that would translate its amazing beauty except – GO. See, hear and smell it for yourself.

Then we were off to the local radio station for an interview and two live songs. Oooh err, I was going to have to brush up on my Icelandic!

Of course, I needn’t have worried, the presenter (as with everyone we met there) spoke impeccable English. The only problem was that when she asked me a question, she, and her co-presenter – who was in a different studio – would translate for the listeners who weren’t as good at English (although, I cant believe there is such a listener in Iceland!).

So the interview went something like…

‘Hoorsuckj ejkl skjd oeifj Carol laula djjfo Scotland dfjskoie David Rodgers. Hi Carol & David how are you? And, do like Iceland’

‘Great thanks, Iceland is just amazing.’

Which translated into something like…

‘jfjiejf, alskf soiw lsdfja aqoefj so sdi diwjfc, cjaoi oiuiouo jka;;dsf dkf dkfjwifj ,cmvz. I a;awo ckjow czvnx, awofjdkc. diwjfc, cjaoi oiuiouo jka;;dsf dkf dkfjwifj ,cmvz. I a;awo ckjow czvnx, awofjdkc. diwjfc, cjaoi oiuiouo jka;;dsf dkf dkfjwifj ,cmvz. I a;awo ckjow czvnx, awofjdkc’.

Still, it was a great interview (I think!) and then we were off to the next soundcheck. Now this gig was particularly classy. It was the Pride launch in a beautiful theatre in Reykjavik.

However, before the soundcheck, we listening to the radio and throughout the day we’d hear all this chat punctuated by ‘Carol Laula from Scotland’ etc etc. At one point though, Inga mentioned that Carol Laula was just billed as a transvestite from San Francisco. Now there’s one of those facts that would be particularly happy with…and I do enjoy sunshine.

So, of course, my opening gambit at the gig was just putting the record straight! A transvestite from San Fran…I’m really not!!

The audience was superb this night…particularly I felt fine knowing that everyone understood English superbly well. They would all understand my bad jokes…and yes, they did. They laughed at everything. A last minute decision between David and I to chuck Creep in at the end of the set was a good one, the crowd, who were with us anyway, were on their feet at the end of the set…oh yeah, a real cracker.

There was a really nice sub thing going on too. This being a Pride show, David was getting hit upon – in a major way. And you know how it goes, usually a heterosexual guy would shy away, be a bit embarrassed. David? No, he was having a blast. He couldn’t wait to tell Yvonne; furthermore, he was a bit bashful and mentioned to me that he found it really flattering! Is this guy mental, or what? It was a laugh.

Next day was the Pride march. Inga and Elaine were pretty heavily involved, driving floats and handing out flowers and stuff. So David and I went shopping…well, looking at shops that is. Well, we couldn’t bloody afford anything. There were amazing photographs of Iceland, Greenland and the Faroe Islands. I went to buy the book – it was over £50!

Anyway, we were in a coffee shop waiting for the Pride march to pass by. And, you know how it is in Glasgow, a gay march going through Sauchiehall Street would attract only gay people, or folk who came to ogle or be derogatory. Not in Iceland, no.

There was a family next to us in the coffee shop. Grandparents, parent and 10-year-old boy. The wee boy ran out incase he missed anything, the grandparents were going out to cheer folk on and the mum was too. This was totally indicative of the people who came along to enjoy and watch the march. It was a beautiful thing. The march came past, it was just so much fun and a great atmosphere. No hassle, no trouble, just fun, acceptance and warmth; a real celebration!

8 – 31 August

And so, back home to Glasgow where the sun was shining and back to work on my record. Did I mention how lucky I was that I can work away in my wee room, making my own record in my own wee studio – bloody magic.

But more luck meant that I got my beloved Caitlin overnight for a few nights of her holidays. Not much to report except that she is amazing, clever, funny, beautiful, mature, beautiful, beautiful, beautiful. We had a blast and went to Woolies and bought all the trendy stuff for high school which this wee baby was starting in a few days…I will stop going on about it one day, but, it really was only five minutes ago when she was born!

As well as getting to hang out with this cool young woman, I managed to secure the talents of Greg Barnes (who played keys/trumpet with me last year at Glasgay). He came into add some wonderful sounds to the album. And there I was all smart and working the computer and there Greg was, thinking, hey, she’s pretty cool with that computer stuff…at least, I think that’s what he was thinking!

Lots of family stuff too in August. Nieces, Grandnieces, nephews, brothers, sisters. In fact, my brother in Hartlepool was having his bank holiday party – you know the one he has every year, the one that I knew nothing about!!! (trying to tell me something?). Ah, yes, so, he was having his party as was one of his neighbours. In fact, the neighbour had a bouncy castle in her garden – for the kids. So, as is neighbourly, the parties amalgamated and the kids went to play on the bouncy castle. And, as beautiful 23-year-old nephews would have it, he thought he should go and show the kids how to do it. Well, he is smarter you know, smarter and more gorgeous! Still, didn’t stop him ending up in hospital with a broken leg and ankle!!! Knowing my beautiful nephew, it wont stop him doing it again in future – bloody numpty! And, I don’t think the kids were that impressed!

And, just a wee quickie. I got to the movies last week, with David’s Mrs – he’s in London just now, doing fantastic business for the Poor Old Ben boys, or Benjamin as they will now be known. Anyway, we went to see a movie called Crash. I’m not telling you anything about it. Just to say that it is one of the best movies I have ever seen – go see it and let’s discuss. Its really worth it.

And, that’s it. Now I’m tired…last night I was at my Mexican neighbour’s house discussing the logistics of a trip to Guatemala via Mexico this year. I will keep you posted!

Meantime, I’m off to await the 8am traffic wardens who are bound to be out tomorrow morning…

Have a safe and cool September.

Love and Peace

Carol