Cool article. I went to Prague a few years ago. I was with family so our visits were pretty basic, but I remember so many aspects clearly. That long bridge where bands played in the open air. Street performers who were quite sophisticated. Beggars who on their knees put their heads completely down and held out their hands as if to say- “My life is in your hands.” The place had a post communist vibe to it- like a gigantic leash had been removed from around its neck.
I know Nick was big on Berlin- which I missed when I was in Germany. I feel Prague like the Czech Republic in general must have so many difficulties it has faced throughout history. What I relish is the fact that while the times of old weren’t much easier with the Catholic Church being so dominant and the everpresent scourge of World Wars always coming around- but the resilience of Europe gets to me. All the old buildings and sites frame peoples who are ready to start fresh from basically nothing.
Just like the people you described you must see the past as a springboard to something higher. Nick losing two sons, how do you continue the day to day? I believe his marriage and his music saved him. But what really matters is that we all are always free to be creative and start with nothing. When you have nothing, you have nothing to lose and a whole new perspective to gain.
Thanks, Owen! Your descriptions of Prague are wonderful. I’m glad the city had an impact. And it sounds like you were probably on Charles Bridge?
Occupied by the Germans. Ruled by the Russians. You could say the Czech Republic (Czechoslovakia then) has been through the wringer and then some. The architecture here (and in Europe in general) never ceases to amaze and inspire. So much blood has been spilled on her streets. People remember, even if they weren’t there.
I agree with you completely regarding starting from nothing. That’s what I’m doing now, in my early 50’s, and it’s been liberating in ways I couldn’t have imagined.
I also agree with you about Nick Cave. In case you’re interested and unaware, he has a wonderful newsletter called The Red Hand Files. He answers questions from fans once a week, and is often as poetic as he is profound. Here's the link: https://www.theredhandfiles.com/
Yes I love The Red Hand Files. I've been reading it for a few years. It completely blew me away with how open Nick was. His empathy and his regard for those he replies to touched me quite a bit. From the first time I saw him in 1984 to the 2nd time in 1985 I was always amazed at the man behind his onstage persona. Songs like Knockin' On Joe really helped me see past my depression and realize all of us are carrying burdens. His rendition of it live when I saw him made me understand he was more than an entertainer- he was delivering a type of shamanic ritual that was transcendent. No mere entertainer is he. He was there to confront demons head on-and replace them with artistic strength of character. I realized at that moment he was battling his own fight- and I had to fight mine. His artistic courage though kept me moving forward and helped me through. I always am grateful he chose his path onto the world stage. No one else had his guts or visionary creativity.
Thank you from a fellow Gen Xer who has just bumped into your substack! When I read the excerpt in italics, I thought this piece would be about an imaginary future (not so far away) where people's lives are destroyed by AI 😆 I'm glad your story took me back instead!
Thanks so much, Nadine! I can’t say I know what I’m doing exactly, but generous words like yours keep me going. And while you didn’t get a chance to wet your beak at The Thirsty Dog, I’m sure you saw your fair share of sights back in the day as well 😊
I did the Tokyo thing in the early 90s—the bubble had already burst, but there were still plenty of suds to keep things interesting. It was only after I returned to the States that I heard about how Prague was really the place to have been in the early 90s.
Tokyo was definitely on my radar. Lots of friends went there and had a blast. I’m sure that you did too.
I decided to stay in Prague as it was far too exciting for me to consider leaving. I missed a trick by not mentioning it in the piece, but Prague was called the ‘Left Bank of the 90s’, and for very good reason.
Love everything about this. I’ve been a huge Nick Cave fan since around the time of Let Love In, and I too used to regularly get drunk at a place called The Thirsty Dog: a brewpub in Northeast Ohio, USA.
Been to Prague but unfortunately didn’t make The Thirsty Dog. My loss. I feel as though I can experience it through your writing. Great job as always.
Thank you, Daniel. Hope you had an awesome time in Prague, complete with plenty of tasty Czech beer! 🍺
Cool article. I went to Prague a few years ago. I was with family so our visits were pretty basic, but I remember so many aspects clearly. That long bridge where bands played in the open air. Street performers who were quite sophisticated. Beggars who on their knees put their heads completely down and held out their hands as if to say- “My life is in your hands.” The place had a post communist vibe to it- like a gigantic leash had been removed from around its neck.
I know Nick was big on Berlin- which I missed when I was in Germany. I feel Prague like the Czech Republic in general must have so many difficulties it has faced throughout history. What I relish is the fact that while the times of old weren’t much easier with the Catholic Church being so dominant and the everpresent scourge of World Wars always coming around- but the resilience of Europe gets to me. All the old buildings and sites frame peoples who are ready to start fresh from basically nothing.
Just like the people you described you must see the past as a springboard to something higher. Nick losing two sons, how do you continue the day to day? I believe his marriage and his music saved him. But what really matters is that we all are always free to be creative and start with nothing. When you have nothing, you have nothing to lose and a whole new perspective to gain.
Thanks, Owen! Your descriptions of Prague are wonderful. I’m glad the city had an impact. And it sounds like you were probably on Charles Bridge?
Occupied by the Germans. Ruled by the Russians. You could say the Czech Republic (Czechoslovakia then) has been through the wringer and then some. The architecture here (and in Europe in general) never ceases to amaze and inspire. So much blood has been spilled on her streets. People remember, even if they weren’t there.
I agree with you completely regarding starting from nothing. That’s what I’m doing now, in my early 50’s, and it’s been liberating in ways I couldn’t have imagined.
I also agree with you about Nick Cave. In case you’re interested and unaware, he has a wonderful newsletter called The Red Hand Files. He answers questions from fans once a week, and is often as poetic as he is profound. Here's the link: https://www.theredhandfiles.com/
Yes I love The Red Hand Files. I've been reading it for a few years. It completely blew me away with how open Nick was. His empathy and his regard for those he replies to touched me quite a bit. From the first time I saw him in 1984 to the 2nd time in 1985 I was always amazed at the man behind his onstage persona. Songs like Knockin' On Joe really helped me see past my depression and realize all of us are carrying burdens. His rendition of it live when I saw him made me understand he was more than an entertainer- he was delivering a type of shamanic ritual that was transcendent. No mere entertainer is he. He was there to confront demons head on-and replace them with artistic strength of character. I realized at that moment he was battling his own fight- and I had to fight mine. His artistic courage though kept me moving forward and helped me through. I always am grateful he chose his path onto the world stage. No one else had his guts or visionary creativity.
Thank you from a fellow Gen Xer who has just bumped into your substack! When I read the excerpt in italics, I thought this piece would be about an imaginary future (not so far away) where people's lives are destroyed by AI 😆 I'm glad your story took me back instead!
Thanks, Sophia! I couldn’t be happier you’re here! Sorry for any confusion you experienced, but I’m thrilled you wound up liking the piece. 😊
Thanks for your reply and your wonderful writing!
Perhaps your best yet Sonny. Keep’em coming! Loved learning about this iconic bar and wish I had been there to see the sights 😊
Thanks so much, Nadine! I can’t say I know what I’m doing exactly, but generous words like yours keep me going. And while you didn’t get a chance to wet your beak at The Thirsty Dog, I’m sure you saw your fair share of sights back in the day as well 😊
I did the Tokyo thing in the early 90s—the bubble had already burst, but there were still plenty of suds to keep things interesting. It was only after I returned to the States that I heard about how Prague was really the place to have been in the early 90s.
Tokyo was definitely on my radar. Lots of friends went there and had a blast. I’m sure that you did too.
I decided to stay in Prague as it was far too exciting for me to consider leaving. I missed a trick by not mentioning it in the piece, but Prague was called the ‘Left Bank of the 90s’, and for very good reason.
Come to think of, I went to a Nick Cave concert in Tokyo. I went with my friend Kenji, who was a huge fan and got me interested in Nick Cave’s music.
Love everything about this. I’ve been a huge Nick Cave fan since around the time of Let Love In, and I too used to regularly get drunk at a place called The Thirsty Dog: a brewpub in Northeast Ohio, USA.