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The world through the window of a train...

The last time I wrote anything of length, in true blog fashion was in the winter. It’s now Spring!! Yikes! Apologies, I know I should write, that there actually ARE people out there, reading these words, and might just be wondering where I’ve been. Well, I have been on Twitter, Reverbnation, Numubu and Facebook. Of course, making time for my very own website, now there’s an idea! Well, here I am doing exactly that. It seems I only ever have real time to think when I am actually unplugged, like on a train, rushing through tunnels adjusting the pressure in my ears. I always wanted to be able to do that, properly under water, so I could venture into the unknown with scuba gear, allowing me to breath in a completely new world…alas, my ears,  and in the end my mind, won’t let me cross that barrier… so snorkeling will just have to do! Back to the business at hand, I sit here on yet another train, watching the world speed by and there’ s a young red headed child wandering through the aisles, who obviously just learned how to walk and can’t possibly sit still. She is a real gem to watch and her rosy cheeks and sausage arms make it hard for me to look at this screen, alas, there are stories to tell! Life in Switzerland has been pretty wunderbar. Those picture books you see with the rolling hills, snow capped mountains, tree patched fields and funny shaped houses; they’re true. It’s THAT beautiful. We have sheep in the pasture where I live, and they wear bells around their necks… so there are always “wind chime” sounds floating through the air… it’s really pretty and not harsh at all, I will miss those bells when I head back, very soon, to Canada… my home and native. The fruit trees are in full bloom as well and the scents, at any given time can rush over you and make you swoon just like that first kiss.

It’s easy to write songs here. The air is fresh, the water clean and life out here in the country is slow enough that you can truly enjoy the ride and take it all in. I remind myself every day how fortunate I am to be here, working on new compositions as well as touring this Lovely country on occasion, much like today, in this train. I have a few last gigs here before I head home to Canada. I REALLY do miss Canada, though Switzerland is fast becoming a very close second. Did you know that it closes for lunch here? That at lunch time, after work and on Sunday’s you can’t make noise i.e mow the lawn, use a chainsaw, vacuum your car… etc… whatever has a loud noise… It’s not a law, I don’t think, but everyone sticks to it. Oh and I KNOW I’ve mentioned this before but the cheese, bread and chocolate is REALLY outta this world. I only wish I didn’t LOVE it all so much, my hips & bingo wings would be ever so thankful. Alas, this Love affair with food ain’t over yet!!  A few more weeks and I’ll be back to Canadian chocolate & cheese, which isn’t so tempting J

So here is a special up and coming gig I have. If you happen to be in the area, it would be GREAT to sing a few tunes for you….

 

Wakefield, Canada: 9pm June 21st Black Sheep Inn s/g Miss Emily & Nick Sherman; Song Circle

David Gray in person up close?

Hi Folks.. I just found out that I get to realize a dream! When I was working all those years ago in Ireland, I was introduced to a CD called "David Gray ~ Lost Songs" it would be the soundtrack to my life for quite sometime, until "White Ladder" came out... and I still play that one with fervour!!! In any case, he is coming to Ottawa's new and improved Museum of Nature, and LIVE 88.5 is having a live radio taping, live off the floor at the Museum featuring ME as well as David Gray. I am excited to say the least!! I am on from 12:05pm until 12:15pm... that's 10mintutes and approximately three tracks if all goes to plan!! David will be on from 1:35pm until 1:50pm. What a thrill, there are a few others too, Tara Holloway, Jonathan Chandler & Pete Hammond...stop by Live 88.5 online to have a listen... How amazing!! Wooooooooooooooo!!! Also coming up in the Life of Lindsay is a date I have at Ottawa's The Rainbow Bistro on May 19th, it's a Wednesday night, so if you are out and about in the market, make sure to drop in for a spell of Songs....Also, I started a new blog, because I really don't think I have enough to keep up with on the web... check it out if ya like http://lindsayferguson.blogspot.com/ Anyway, that's it for now, short and sweet, unless you go to my blog link and read that!!! Hahaaaaa... it's a beautiful sun shiny day out there... Enjoy xox

Lindsay Canadian

Canada is my home. What a lucky girl I am. While I Love traveling and culture, I must say that living in Canada feels right and safe and comfortable. Struggling through freezing steps is one of many parts to being Canadian, so is Hot Chocolate and Beaver Tails, skating down the Ottawa canal.  There is something touchable about living here, like you can talk to almost anyone, go almost anywhere, and you still feel like you belong. Of course there are exceptions to every rule and it's NOT all roses, but Canada has a certain familiarity and even though it's so incredibly huge in size, we have a shared quality of life here. We seem to speak the same language; beer, pizza, movies, music, campfires, wine, balaclavas, popcorn, pancakes, CBC, skis, candlelight, festivals and potluck dinners (something like that...) Realizing one's dream or purpose is attainable here, you can be a writer, lawyer, farmer, doctor, musician; it's all at your fingertips and surely someone knows someone who knows someone that can help you. That's why I Love Canada, because everyone is connected into this vortex of Canadian life, and most are willing to share their knowledge. I have come into contact with MANY Canadians while I tour and sing, and there always seems to be a "small-world" link connecting one dining room table conversation to another, one taste to another, one cousin to another, one neighbour to another one hand to another. After being away from home for the last two months, I just wanted to share some of my insights about this beautiful Country, tell you that I am always happy to return. If you are in the Ottawa area next weekend, tune into CKCU around 9:30am on Saturday morning, the 24th for some live songs by ME!! Also, I have a gig the SAME night, in Cantley Quebec at "La Grange de la Gatineau" where you can enjoy a Lovely meal inside a beautiful log home, as well as some musical sounds from me...I hope 2009 is shaping up nicely for those of you that actually read this blog... I know 'so far so good' for me... xox

Razor Blade Swallows...

It's been some time now since I have written! I apologize to the readers out there who are in search for something new in the Blog department of the 'Cyber-World'. But, alas, such is life... it has a way of moving stealthily away from us at times! I write to you from the base of the Swiss Alps! With a fiery throat no less. For the last two weeks, there have been many preparations to get me here... it was all a very last minute trip, and if you saw my bedroom two weeks ago, you would have wondered if it were possible to get me here so fast! It's amazing though, how when you settle on a decision, how fast life can actually change! I have always been a "Last-minute-Lindsay" type of girl, and when the opportunity arose, for me to break away from my Canadian life to go on a "wrting new music" term, I jumped at it, and for two weeks I was running around to get things organized, playing three gigs the same week that I hopped on a flight to Switzerland was no easy task, not to mention all the other things life throws at you... I won't go into detail about those things, but the gigs went smashingly and now, here I sit with my black coffee listening to the church bells ring out in Luzern. I will be back in my home and native land in the middle of January with plans to head out to Halifax for the "In the Dead of Winter" music festival at the end of the month, then back to Ontario Land for Canadian Music Week in February. In the meantime I will live it up as best as possible here in this wonderful world of Chocolate and Cheese!! When I get back, there will be new songs.... I am hoping that 2009 will bring me the opportunity to record anothe r full-length album, and when it does, I will be ready. I hope life treats you all well and kind and I will keep you posted with Swiss-isms when I can... Hugs from afar, Lindsay xo

Canada Day, eh?

Good Morning!! I missed writing this wee note yesterday, as I was out getting debauched in the sun. I like to keep up with this "blog" (yucky word) every Tuesday, I should probably write more, in ALL aspects of my life... more songs, more letters and more, ahem, blogs.  Of course, that's what we want, a little more of everything. Our desire to live. Perfectly put. I only wish that I had more discipline, how can I get more of that? I guess I just need more practice! Practicing discipline, practising guitar...a little more practice. Speaking of that though, I have been practicing with a band and it is going fantastically. In the past I have found it very difficult to sing in front of a full band, funnily enough, it's not easier for me with more people on the stage. Mainly because it's easier to hear what kinds of sounds are coming out of my mouth when I'm solo, you know,  without the competition of a few amps and a drum kit. We had our first trio gig last weekend at a BLOW OUT show in Wakefield. It sounded great, now I just need to find a SUBTLE guitarist/keyboardist. I have my first practice with one (fingers crossed) on Friday.  I'll let you know how it goes... the BLUESFEST gig isn't too far away either!! There will be a bus leaving Wakefield on the 11th of July, to take whoever wants to go see my show... for free!! So get on the bus gus and set yourself free.... xox

To be Continued!!

Greetings you fine people out there. What an incredible Canadian Music Week in Toronto. I had no idea how HUGE this week was going to be. It was an enormous gigantic rush of people in the music industry, all with the same agenda; talk, listen, learn & play!!! What wonderful things to have in common with one another. The energy was great, I just couldn't believe how friendly and wide-eyed every one seemed to be. There were SO many highlights, I just don't know where to begin, hence the title of this blog (I always dislike that word, oh blog!!) "To be continued" because I know there will be more moments to add as the weeks go by. I really am still flying.... one things for sure, if you would like to hear a bit of the hustle and bustle and an interview with me including exerpts from my new album "sound" have a listen to CFRB Toronto's News Talk Radio on the 23rd of March at 6pm. You can also go to their website & have a listen online at www.cfrb.com I will start by telling you about one major highlight and that was: Having the privilege to hear Alanis Morrissette answer some very personal questions, 20 feet away from me!! Yeah, she was interviewed for an hour... and truly spoke to my heart. She is an inspirational creature, spiritual & quite beautiful. Chatting with Garth Hudson of "The Band" was pretty awe inspiring as well. So I will leave you with that wonderful taste in your mouth and write a little later.... Love Lindsay