Kyrgyzstan? More Like Kyri-what-stan?! (A Bass Player's Lament)
okay, so… where do I even start? Kyrgyzstan. Seriously. I’d never even heard of it until Dimitri’s manager, Boris, basically strong-armed me into this tour. Apparently, there’s a burgeoning indie music scene in Bishkek, and Boris thought my gloomy basslines would “resonate with the people.” Resonate with the people who are bundled up in like, five layers of wool, maybe.
I’m still trying to process it all. The numbers you gave me? 1514879 and 1762372787… I think those were some kind of altitude readings or something. Dimitri’s been muttering about them, claiming they’re “cosmic frequencies” influencing his songwriting. He’s been… weird. Anyway.
The weather here is… bracing. I just checked and it’s hovering around 4.2 degrees Celsius, feels like even colder. My fingers are permanently numb, even with those ridiculous thermal gloves I bought. Playing bass with frozen fingers is not a vibe, let me tell you. The venue, “The Nomad’s Groove” (seriously?), is… rustic. Think exposed brick, questionable wiring, and a stage that wobbles if you breathe too hard. Dimitri’s insisting on incorporating traditional Kyrgyz instruments into our set. I’m pretty sure a komuz and a bass guitar are not a match made in heaven.
I’m desperately searching for decent coffee. Like, actual coffee. Not this weird, milky, vaguely herbal concoction they call “tea.” I’ve been scouring Yelp - it’s surprisingly active here! - and someone told me that “Coffee & Co.” near Ala-Too Square is the best bet. Apparently, the barista is a former Australian expat who knows his beans. Fingers crossed. I need caffeine to survive this tour.
Finding a decent place to practice is also proving difficult. The hotel room is tiny, and Dimitri keeps trying to meditate in the middle of my bass lines. I’m thinking of renting a rehearsal space, but everything’s listed in Cyrillic. Google Translate is my new best friend. I did find a listing on TripAdvisor for a community center that rents out space - might check that out tomorrow. https://www.tripadvisor.com/Tourism-g298423-Bishkek_Chui_Province.html
The locals are… interesting. Very friendly, but communication is a challenge. Dimitri’s picked up a few phrases, but mostly we’re relying on gestures and awkward smiles. I heard that Osh, with its bustling bazaar, is worth a visit if I need a break from Bishkek. It’s a bit of a trek, but maybe I’ll try to squeeze it in. If you get bored, Karakol and Toktogul are just a short drive away too.
Honestly, I’m just counting down the days until I can get back to my own bed and a decent cup of coffee. And maybe a bass tech who doesn’t think cosmic frequencies are more important than tuning my strings. Check out the Kyrgyzstan Tourism Board for more info: https://www.visitkyrgyzstan.kg/en/. Also, if you're looking for some Kyrgyz music to get you in the mood, try this playlist: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/37i9dQZF1DXcBWAFCCC6P9. Wish me luck. I’m gonna need it.
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