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Pete And The Pirates

Hotel Fürstenhof, 2010

It is no news that UK is a fruitful country for breeding young „classy“ indie-bands, who know how to write a perfect pop song. Everyday lyrics sung by a cultivated voice melt with staggered harmonies played by skilled instrumentalist to an inescapable catchiness. Worthy of mention is their early professionalism and general accomplishment. Their performance always sounds good. They have hardly ever been caught out of tune, even when doing an impromptu performance in a challenging setting. When it comes to such a setting for an offstage session, Pete And The Pirates, the five-piece combo from Reading, have definitely established a new record. They took up the most infinitesimal room you could possibly imagine that a full band could play in. While vocalist Thomas has a telephone box on his own, the other four – Pete, David, Johnny and the other Pete – are packed like sardines in a tin in the second one. It’s all for the show and it turns out as they wished: „Mr Understanding“ comes in at a good speed and is sweeping till the jocular end. Not that the ambience for the interpretation of the new song „Blood Gets Thin“ was more laid-back: a spooky and dim cellar-vault.

Camera
Michael Luger
Sound Recording
Matthias Leihs
Post production
Simon Brugner

Hotel Fürstenhof

Fürstenhof is a popular accommodation for alternative musicians on tour. The family-run hotel on Neubaugürtel next to Westbahnhof offers special discounts for artist. The house was built more than a century ago; dark red carpets, wooden furniture as well as the dedicated family working behind the counter all contribute to an old-fashioned, yet warm and friendly ambiance. The wall in the lobby is full of photos from bands that have chosen to stay at Fürstenhof. It is quite likely to have breakfast next to some musicians in here. During the Bluebird-Festival the number of musicians might have even outreached the number of non-artists.