#monochromemonday #architectureporn #feelinggloomy (at Law Society of Ontario) https://www.instagram.com/p/BteqQtTgWwT/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=3r9kwju0wu2r
I guess I'm changing :( Miss the old me? (In some part) But I can't turn back. #Gloomy #FeelingGloomy #Asian #MichikoAkane #Michiko #Me #MakeUpEnthusiast #AsianGirl #Girl MakeUp #Tuesday (at Mega Kuningan Jakarta)
Last Saturday, Cat from the Gidsy team went on the Berlin Bowie Walk to learn more about what David Bowie's life was like in Berlin. Read on to find out what she discovered.
The cold, winter wind of Berlin whips across the eager, and somewhat nerdy faces of the latest group of Bowie lovers, who have turned up for the insanely popular “Berlin Bowie Walk”. Rubbing feeling back into cold pink fingers, they scurry after their leader, who bravely strides to the next ultra-cool hidden gem. This man is Mike West.
Last Saturday, one of those nerdy faces was mine. My anticipation for this Gidsy event was high. This was my dream tour. Prior to the event, I had thrown away any pretence of being 'cool' and had emailed Mike through Gidsy, begging him to do more tours. I offered a sheepish apology for my geeky excitement.
“I wouldn't worry about that,” he muttered, smiling. “My inbox is crazy. Bowie fans are always emailing!”
Happily, he has restarted his beloved walks around Bowie's Berlin, and I was lucky enough to bag a spot on the first one back in business. A motley crew huffed and puffed across bitterly cold Berlin, but all the pink fingers and flushed cheeks were worth it. I heartily recommend this tour, as Mike is the perfect guide. Friendly and knowledgeable, he knows his Bowie stuff. However, what was really nice, is how much of a fan he is as well- Bowie facts were shared and gobbled around the group like candy, by everyone including Mike.
I decided to ask Mike a few questions about how he managed to stumble upon the idea to do this walk, as well as his own journey to Berlin.
Hey Mike! So, what got you into doing the Bowie Walk?
I run a club night in Mitte called Feeling Gloomy Berlin which is the German version of a long-running, mega popular London club night which has been going for over 7 years now. The idea is that we play sad music that you can dance to- such as indie legends The Smiths, to the awesome goth pop of The Cure, via a little bit of Bonnie Tyler or Bruce Springsteen along the way (and of course Bowie himself). Last year we hosted our first Bowie event with face painting and wall-to-wall Bowie hits. I also decided to drag some Gloomers around the Berlin hotspots he frequented during the late 70s. Loads of people turned up, so it really sprung into the monster it is now completely by accident. But yes I bloody love Bowie! I love his many facets from the music to the movies, to the myths and legends that surround his career.
You are originally from England. What made you move to Berlin?
I originally took a really generic lads weekend in Berlin (Amsterdam was too expensive...) a few years ago and woke up 6 months later at Monster Ronson's Ichiban Karaoke in a pool of beer- so I decided to stay! I miss a few home comforts, such as the Picture House Cinema in London, Nandos chicken and Dr Pepper in cans... (oh and probably my Mum, sister and mates). But there really is too much that I like about Berlin- it's a mad, confusing, intriguing, hilarious mess where I can be myself and host something as fun as the Bowie walk.
You talk about Bowie's Berlin diet on your tour. What is your Berlin diet?
Helles Albesteiner, burgers from Burgermeister in Kreuzberg and a nutritious helping of rock n’ roll.
If you could have a dream tour of 5 people, who would you like to show around Berlin and why?
Wow! Well I’d like to take Ziggy Stardust, Aladdin Sane, Jareth, Major Tom and The Thin White Duke. Why? Because I think it’s a really good answer.
Picture via smashinglists.com
What's your favourite Bowie lyric?
ARGH! Right okay... well I can’t choose just one, so it’s either ‘Oh baby, just you shut your mouth’ from China Girl because it’s menacing and sexy. Or, the ‘Cause love’s such an old fashioned word and love dares you to care for the people on the edge of the night’ which is from Under Pressure with good old Freddy Mercury. It’s sad, uplifting and very, very awesome.
What is your opinion on the new, heavily influenced by Berlin, Bowie song “Where Are We Now?”
I really like it! It’s typically left field of the guy. I think it’s a perfect love letter to the city that adopted and eventually saved him.
Mike outside David Bowie's house in Schöneberg
What activities on Gidsy are you interested in? Have you done any Gidsy activities yourself?
Dude, that plane journey above Berlin! I’m sorry it’s really obvious but I’m genuinely saving my pennies up to book that ASAP. Plus I really want to get involved in some sock monkeying when I get the time.
What's the most rock and roll thing you have ever done?
This interview.
