27th April - 31st May 2025
Green beautiful , Trélex. We were easily introduced to this large three story place at first by writer and retreat-mate, George who would be working on their novel while we declared our intention to be working on new songs and eventual release of music, Ayse and I would create in Trélex. The huge place with about nine bedrooms had an almost seventies hunters lodge or ski lodge feel to it with modern appliances in kitchen
We were told three other people would be joining us, Ffion a London artist (who was temporarily away), Sophia from Lisbon and Adam from Florida.
Here is an excerpt of my journal from some of the time. I journal every few days, not everyday but I think it may give a feel of the routine and activity we developed. Overall, to supplement the recreation listed in journal we had more or less a nice schedule of working on our own writing in the morning then together we would write around 2pm-ish. We also got in a rhythm of using the wine cellar, a nice echoey space for rehearsing and recording our ideas (featured vid of Ash playing uke) in the space.
Now we have quite a few tunes to record more professionally and are in the process of having over an albums worth of material that includes material from before the retreat.
The material at the retreat developed at first on ukulele takes on a slightly more light whimsical feel and at times quite danceable. Would love to share when get in more final productions. let’s see what happens.
Some Journal entrees:
May 2025
May 4
Today just took morning train to Givrin after having some coffee at the station. Had coffee and croissant Framboise at Marius bakery.
May 5
Used some internet from Exmachina in Nyon then eventually rode train up to Cure the border town to see about “cute” cafe that Nina had mentioned. It was after 5 so all closed but had a nice walk about though and spectacular views on way up and down.
May 10
After a last night gathering ( may 9) in kitchen with all the swiss flatmates, George, ( from NZ- based in Paris) , Fion- ( London) , Sophia- (Lisbon), Adam- ( Florida- grew up Ny) . over some Wine and beer. Today we walked with out ovaltine coffee mixture in Thermos to Nyon. Stopping in the farm land along the way for a sip in our cups. Had quick chicken Kebab on way in. Now headed back plans to meet Mike Wickstead( Johnny Griffs bud) in Geneve 2-3ish
May 12
Recorded with Ayse 2 of our worked on songs “ shake it off” and love song idea “Felicity” in the wine cellar evening photographed the Scorpio moon and sent to group
May 19
yesterday we went to Mike’s apartment in Geneve - me Ayse and our retreat roomie, Adam-to meet Mike before the comedy improv at The Pickwick. An irish themed pub where we had visited on a Thurs night prior to see The Renegade Saints- comedy improv troupe.
we got to porch of Pickwick and a guy named Shane who we’d seen the other night at Renegade Saints show was already papering out some ideas for improv
The improv was hosted by Shane and he was coincidentally was from Texas. Said he had lived in Austin but grew up in San Antonio. Then lived in Chicago for a bit. His wife was a scientist - hence his reason for being in Geneve
was cool eclectic mish mash of people and
turned out to be really fun.
went back through Nyon to show Adam the market and have the gourmet swiss ice cream.
Back in afternoon to Trelex- Ffion our other retreater is leaving so me adam and Sophia help her with her mammoth cases to station
May 21
morning run (fast walk) , yoga, recording or garage band version of “shake it off, went swimming in Nyon from beach (picked wild garlic on way)
May 22
Left flatmates im Trélex and artistic retreat. on way to Geneve to drop bags at Mike’s then head to Annecy. Domy- Mikes friend lets us in apt and shows us to Flix bus station
