Tours at our level are impossible without the kindness of strangers. Friends of friends are drawn together by a love for and belief in songs, supporting the artists traveling far from home for weeks at a time with food, a place to sleep, and a stage (or at least a space to put an amp).

We spent part of our day off getting lunch with Dave in Hamburg at his wife’s restaurant. The food was incredible, the people lovely, and his dog adorably alternating between lounging with us and chasing away pigeons.

Dave had a few things to say about music that resonated with me. He talked about writing some songs “for the sky.” Meaning, some of the songs that we play and write actually aren’t for other people. They don’t need to be recorded and released, they act as signposts leading us to the next thing — enjoyable in and of themselves without anything else required of them.

He talked about piggybacking — a songwriting strategy where you write a new harmony vocal line to a favorite song, then remove the original melody and chords. You begin anew with just the harmony vocal line, and build an entirely new song around it as the foundation.

He talked about finding an approach to music that works for you as an individual — something that shifts and changes over time. He spent years working odd jobs and limiting his economic needs to ensure that he had enough time and space to make the art he needed to make. And some of that time must be empty — time spent being bored, listening to the birds, reading a book, seeing a movie, being open to the world and breathing in the fuel that inspires songs.

After lunch, we met our hosts Anton and Joey. They moved into a new flat about three weeks ago, which made it all the more generous of them to host us. Joey shared that they moved into it knowing that they wanted to be able to share the extra space with friends and musicians passing through — they both have such a laid back spirit of generosity.

We picked up some döner and shared it around the kitchen table, having a few beers and talking music. Anton shared a bit of his playing, and a bit of his dad’s music as well.

It was a perfect day.