Blub is an abandoned waterpark in Berlin. Irish people would likely recognise it as a Mosney or Trabolgan. The former I visited on a school tour once. The main swimming pool was positioned above ground level with portholes underwater allowing swimmers and park visitors to engage in a sort of sign language confessional. Needless to say several boys would be reprimanded for “confessing” with their bare arse.
I’ve met Jay over the years at various musical events. Most often than not I was greeted by the mans big feckin’ Port Laois smile. Though I felt like an outsider,communicating through thick glass, Jay always managed to make me feel like I belonged there. I can’t say I knew for sure if I did belong, but Jay always made it easier. Irish in Berlin tend to avoid other Irish for as long as possible, the fear being that you end up on the wrong side of the glass again, looking out with only your arse to show, drinking and begrudging others. At least thats how I felt. Hence why myself and Jay probably never really sat and had a proper conversation until last week.
But I guess the groundwork had already been laid. We carried along a deep conversation for the next couple of hours in the surroundings of an abandoned waterpark. Jay’s story was one of doing. Not hesitating, not second guessing, but doing and moving forward. Jay like his music and production is capable and driven. Give him a tuba and he’ll give you something out of it… I admire people like Jay, they are undeterred from their goal and see restrictions as opportunities.
With that characteristic smile he tells me of the 18 tracks he eagerly awaits to release, written and produced during pandemic. We probably risked life and limb in capturing these shots. But in silent understanding we both knew it was worth it. In these moments we are two Irish men open to discussing mental health and dare I even say it, our feelings, hopes and dreams. The water park won’t exist anymore and something else will appear in it’s place, but we’ll still be Irish in Berlin, making the most of it. Arses and all.