Results

Last friday my band won the P3 Award and a check for 100.000 DKR (around $17.000). We have received a lot of positive response to the award, but some viewers are also criticizing the show for being too predictable and not focusing enough on the rest of the danish music scene. All in all a very mixed reaction to the show.

Now, I like a good discussion about these issues, as much as the next one, so I started out at soundvenue.com. Let me hear what you think about the show. Was the artists performing relevant and even more important, how about the nominees and winners of the awards?

Post your reply in the comments, and feel free to express yourself in danish if you’re most comfortable with that.

“Try Again” by Luke Best

I am having a hell of a time right now. Last Friday I awoke from my holiday hibernation and went to DJ at Kødboderne 18 in Copenhagen. It was a great night with lots of great people. Just the way I like to spend my fridays. A video from the night can be found here. The track I am playing is Conga of my new album BLCK – out around april.

Right now I am in Århus rehearsing for this coming Fridays show in the new DR concert house at the P3 Guld show. I think it’s going to be a pretty wild night too, but for my part I better get early to bed as I am playing in my old hood the next day.

Tomorrow is a new day full of rehearsing with a band I love to be a part of. In a couple of months I am releasing two albums that I am very proud of. I am having a baby. Life is good.

I will be giving a DJ set on January 16th at Kødboderne 18. The nice guys from Kødboderne did this interview with me to promote the shows. A little talk about my new album.

Now is the time for the worlds politicians to put pressure on Israel. The senseless slaughtering of civil palestinians must come to an end. The “carte blanche of bloody civil carnage” – as John Stewart called it yesterday on his show – must be revoked now.

The attacks that are currently carried out in Gaza is out of proportions, and once again no prominent politicians are doing anything noticeable to stop this current conflict.

Since last saturday around 600 palestinians have been killed. Most of them are civilians, women and children and the group that is supposedly the target of these attacks – the militant Hamas – seems to be unharmed and are still sending the occasional missile into Israel. According to the danish newspaper Politiken, the UN are pulling out of Gaza after one of their aid workers were killed by Israeli soldiers earlier today though driving a clearly marked car. This incident alone should be enough to put some serious pressure on Israel to stop the aggressive bulldozer attacks, and start worrying about civilian losses. The arrogant and inhumane attitude of believing that civilian casualties are justifiable in any way, is making me sick to the stomach.

The Hamas government are not saints and do not deserve to be treated like so. They are manipulating demagogs who put the lives of the people, they claim to serve, on the line for the sake of ideology. They are doing nothing to be diplomatic and nothing to end the violent opposition against Israel. Instead they are fueling the palestinian peoples desperation and thereby fueling their anger against Israel.

On the other side is Israel – governed by self-righteous politicians, who will use any excuse to execute brute force for the sake of winning votes. Elections are only a month away in Israel, and the residing government is not a popular one. This display of “determination” to fight the “terrorists” is a sure deal-breaker and might just turn the curve for the unpopular Kadima lead government. Let’s not forget what happened in the United States after 9/11 – how a very unpopular president made use of a tragedy to gain support for two headless invasions and win the next election. This is no different.

There are no good guys and bad guys in this type of conflict. There is only a conflict and no will from the authorities of the two parts, nor the rest of world, to make a collective effort and end the conflict once and for all.

If you’re interested in more about the current conflict in Gaza read these articles.

Information – ‘Og vi spørger os selv, hvorfor de hader Vesten’ (Danish)
BBC – ‘Israelis back Gaza action – for now’ (English)

Background articles:
BBC – Who are Hamas?
BBC – Middle East conflict: History in maps

After a long and needed break from…well…everything really, I feel ready to embrace 2009 with all it’s challenges. There will be a lot of things going on for me in this year to come – both personally and professionally (those two are pretty mixed up in my line of business, but still). The times I have shared personal information on the internet is close to zero, but I can tell you one fact from my personal life that is definitely going to change my world in 2009: I am going to be a father. I think it’s really cool and I am looking so much forward to this new state of parenthood. Supposed to change your outlook they say.

On the professional side I am still working on my forthcoming release. All my efforts will end up in two albums released simultaneously but separately. You can get one or you can get both. They work together as well as apart. I have not yet settled on a release date, but I expect sometime in April or May.

When it comes to music I dig at the moment nothing much has changed. I am still listening to a lot of techno and minimal, but other kinds of music has found it’s way to my playlists too. I am still much in love with The Chap’s album “Mega Breakfeast” and Marnie Stern’s “This is it…” is still a fiery romance also. Takka Takka’s “Migration” is still worth a listen and they are definitely someone you should keep your eye on in the future. I am really excited to see if Yeasayer will follow up their brilliant album “All Hour Cymbals” with a new release this year, or if we have to wait another year for that one.

I think the keyword for me this year – without knowing exactly why – is “progression”.

By request, here’s my resolutions for last year complete with updates on how reality worked out to be:

I will try to eat healthier and exercise more - I think “try” is the operative word here

I will try to smoke less - define “less”. Less than who?

I will try not to get insanely drunk when I drink, as it is way funnier to just have a buzz through the entire night and watch everybody else turn to zombies - actually did this, now trying not to drink at all

I will try to meet more deadlines rather than push them in front of me - nearly there but needs more work

I will seriously consider getting a drivers license - considered it. Decided not to.

I will try not to mope and sulk over little things ’cause more than often my problems are very petite - it’s hard to handle your problems without letting them affect your mood, but it is doable.

I will try to spend more time with my family whom I have neglected a bit lately - I think I am, but maybe I should ask them

I will try to be more true to myself - Trying, trying, trying…

I will travel more - Did some traveling. It was touring with my band, but it still counts.

I will see a dentist - Nope

I will try to spend 30 minutes every day not doing anything – including TV and sleeping - Hmmm. Not every day.

I will not go to the USA unless I really really have to, as you now have to give up all of your fingerprints if you want entry, and that’s not exactly making me feel welcome - Well, they didn’t ask me to come, so problem solved ;-)

I will try not to get visually distracted when talking to people ’cause it seems rude - I have changed my ways

I will try one beer and see if I still don’t like it - Still don’t!

I will try not to reveal stuff I have promised myself to keep a secret - Work in progress

I will only do the things I really feel are right - Check