First performance

This was to be our public live debut. The first occasion to try our original material on real people. So we went for a place we knew we could fill. Set up tables and chairs for the size of audience expected. And put the music in the front seat. In the basement of a french restaurant downtown. Perfect for a relaxed mood. All was set for a thrilling evening.

The show

Beginning at 10 we played for about 75 minutes. Here are some of the numbers we did.
After an introduction we went right on to the disco-inflected "V.I.P.". Mocking lyrics about self-importancy. No personal significance whatsoever this evening. Solos by Marten on Tenor Saxophone and Oskar on Rhodes. And we were on our way.
When two people of opposite gender unexpectedly meet sharing the same ideas on life something happens. Every now and then when travelling abroad. One of our newest songs "Starry Nights" is about that. A kind of midwestern, singer/songwriter touch to it. Harmonic colors from India. Guitar solo by Patrick.

	Ola in action. Photo by Tobias Neumann © 2002 Selfmademan

The funky "Vain Talk" has lately become my favorite gem. Extended version with an extra chorus and solo by Oskar. About controlling others. Leaving the question "Have you ever thought about changing yourself?" in the air.
Later on we did "That I Canīt Have You", the first song during the show picked from the CD-single. To the cheers of the packed crowd. A slow laidback, but dynamic soul-flirt. Love obsession. No recovery. It was evident that many have actually listened to the CD. And maybe even know how to recognize the little stalker hiding in each one of us. (No offense, thatīs supposed to be self-irony.)

Another of the newer songs "The White Fang" featured our singers Sara and Sandra. Cerebral lyrics by Christoffer. Groove and atmosphere. And Patrick played Guitar. Almost an epic experience.
Ever since we hooked up in the band I have loved to do "Willieīs Bike". Shuffle and uptempo. Realism. I guess it was the first piece I wrote for Selfmademan. Ola has a great memory so he would correct me if Iīm wrong.
After closing the show with "Urban Fantasy", we were applauded back on stage. During our final encore performance two mirrors crashed to the floor upstairs. Time to call it a night. The band bowed in front of a great crowd.
We made this together. Thank you all for coming.

	Photo by Tobias Neumann © 2002 Selfmademan

To perform in front of a crowd can be fantastic. Wild. And it makes you give your very best. Here and now. As somebody in the audience said afterwards;
"Thereīs nothing like performing in front of fans. Itīs great to record and all that... but everyone knows this is without a net. Itīs interaction. The actual moment of performing on stage is the real thing".

With help from enthusiastic friends and collegues we made it happen. Everybody put both effort and a lot of heart in it. But I like to especially thank Fredrik and Stellan. I donīt know how we would have managed without you. Thanks also to Sofie. And to Tobbe for capturing the images.

Thatīs about it. Our live debut. Time to move on.

-Carsten