Greetings from almost Sunny Wakefield. I write to you with Love & Inspiration in my heart. All we have is now. So why not make it good. Sometimes being on the road can hurt and tear and pull and strip you of all the good left in your goodbox. From a singer's perspective, performing on stage and sharing stories through song fills up the empty box and keeps you going, keeps you thriving, keeps you singing, keeps you alive. On Sunday past, I had the pleasure of sharing the stage with two very talented Ladies, Lynne Hanson & Lynn Miles...Lynn Miles has been an inspiration to many song-writers along the way, and has travelled a very long and winding musical road. Thanks to all the Elle's for a great show at The Black Sheep Inn, on the river in the Gatineau Hills. I am now in the process of writing new songs for a new album. I have a few ready, but am working daily to get some more out! Lyrics are the most challenging part of the song making for me. I just can't seem to make things fit lyrically, what I want is to make a stellar song in all directions... but somehow the words get in the way!! Any suggestions out there? The melody of things just seems to come naturally, like I am standing under a musical vortex of sound... I guess all I really need is patience...In the meantime, please send a message or drop a line to say hello. It means a lot to know that someone out there reads these rambles of mine. My gig this weekend is sold out!! I am stoked, I have never played the venue or town of Burnstown before, so I must be doing something right!!! Lindsay xo
A Festival in the Dead of Winter
Recently I had the pleasure of being a part of a wonderful winter festival in Halifax. A quaint music festival in the middle of ice, snow & wind storms a four block radius in downtown Hali...I played my set in a new music venue called "The Company House", a wonderfully attentive room filled with beautiful paintings, cozy atmosphere and locally brewed beer... much like Wakefield's "Black Sheep Inn". It's not easy finding inspiration in the deadly dark nights of winter, but having a music fest at such a time, fills one with wonder, lyrics, melody and sunny blue skies. I happened upon a few rare treasures while sliding through snow drifts and icy streets in my big black Sorel boots... check out the likes of Ana Egge, Meg Hutchinson, Matt Epp & Erin Costelo to name a few...where once I had a songbook in need of new songs, I now have new images, melodies & lyrics to share. I've been spending the last few months away from home, trying to find new music and little did I know that a five day festival on the east coast of Canada was going to re-fuel me, stoke my fire...Oh Canada, Home Sweet Home. The next few things I have planned in Canada-Land musically, to share... are as follows: February 14th in Metcalfe @ Lovefest, Sunday Feb. 15th at The Black Swan in Toronto and February 27th in Ottawa at Zaphod Beeblebrox... I look forward to playing some new songs for all of you... Happy trails until we meet again....Lindsay xo
Swiss Radio!
I am working on trying to get a 'podcast' from the Radio interview I did last night in Switzerland! It was pretty cool, having all my answers translated into 'Swiss German'. I only hope that some of the things I said didn't get lost in translation! What a thrill though, I absolutely Love this station "Radio 3fach" (pronounced 'dry-faug') Check out their music vibes at www.3fach.ch if you so desire, the station only hires those music Lovers 25yrs and under... so there is always new music to listen to, a refreshing sound altogether! Soon, I will be heading back to Canada-land, to play some shows, and get ready for 'Big Money Shot'. A music competition held in Ottawa Ontario, where the winner can win up to $250000!! What a rush, to think I could make a new album and pay off all my debts from the last one!! Ha! To dream is to live, I say!! There will definitely be more to come on THAT subject!! Just have to get the band super tight so we can thrill the judges out there! At the end of the month I am flying to Halifax for "In the Dead of Winter" festival... I can't wait! I have never been to Hali and it's sure to be an adventure what with all the piles & piles of snow (that I have managed to avoid thus far!!). I play on the 31st at "The Company House" and will have much fun checking out the other artists through the week, for more info go to www.inthedeadofwinter.com and if you are on the East Coast, come check it out!!! Tomorrow night I will play my last show in Luzern for awhile, it's been an amazing trip, one filled with countless moments of inspiration, bread, cheese & chocolate!! I have many many new ideas for new songs, melodies waiting to be filled with lyrics... I've been a little empty of words lately, can you imagine??? Well, I am sure they will come in time for my new album... anyway, I play on Saturday night at "Penny Farthing Pub House" in Kriens... it's a 9:30pm start for those readers out there anywhere near this part of the world. Next Wednesday I am singing in Montreal, at Casa Del Popolo, with Joe Grass & Charlotte Cornfield, we will be doing the show a la "song circle" style, so come check it out if you are in THAT part of the world!! There are SO many places to play, to see, to feel... wow, the world is full of wonder, isn't it???? Okay, take care, and Live well. xox
Life at the base of The Alps....
It's pretty Lovely down here. I am here on a "writing new music" term and what a place to find inspiration! There are tiny 1500th century nooks around every corner. The sound of my heels clicking down cobblestones and echoing through ancient buildings, is music to my ears. There is a certain amount of stilness here in Switzerland that can evoke a song from any person willing to sing. The church bells ring through this city every fifteen mintutes and have been doing so for such an incredibly long time, it's divine inspiration! I am living quite cozily for the next few weeks along the River Royce, a crystal clear river that runs through the city of Luzern. There are covered bridges with moss of the roofs and axe marks carved out by hands that no longer exist, oh if those walls could talk!! I have been here just short of 2 weeks, with about five left to go and have one song finished. I quite look forward to bringing it, and more to my band when I get home. Leaving Canada is not a must, but I sure am glad to get away from the many inches of snow for at least a small space in time! I also look forward to hitting the slopes, there is nothing like skiing on a blues sky day in Switzerland. I can feel a song coming already!! I look forward to getting back and singing you my new songs... with hopes to record a new album sometime in 2009!! More Chocolate & Cheese stories to come....Lxo
Moving, Shaking, Music Making...
I look out the window and see colour. I'm on the streets of St. John's once more, that's twice this year and it's great to be back home. Last time I was here it rained the whole two weeks, so far it's been sun and wind this time 'round. I think I will hike up to Signal Hill today, it's an amazing hike, right on the coast, so close to downtown and the view at the top is spectacular...however, that said, now I am looking outside and it appears in the time that it took me to write those first sentences the fog blew in and the Sunshine has been sucked right out of her. Holy smokes. Back to the drawing board. Tonight I will play my first Gig this trip, at The Grapevine. It's a swell place on the oldest street in North America, Water Street. There is a whole lot of history in this part of the world...not to mention the music scene. You can't believe how many talented artists are roaming around playing thier Sound, every night of the week you can find inspiration in the music makers here. Yesterday I was sitting in on a Traditional Irish session (I'm learning the Bodhran, irish drum) And the caliber of players playing beside me was the finest. I have often thought of moving back here, it crosses my mind a LOT. But flying off the Island to perform is a damn expensive trip...not to mention Island fever... which has taken me over in the past and is not at all pleasant!!! So trips here and there will have to suffice it for now. One never knows where one will wind up, so it's great to have another option. That said, it's ridiculous to think about how many options we actually do have...sometimes I can't sleep with the possibilities darting back and forth inside my head... mostly what I haven't done yet!!! There are so many stages that are waiting for me, it blows my mind to think of what's actually out there. And how am I going to get there??? One step at a time, I know, but the thing is, my brain has already focused in on the spotlights, and bustle of shows. I can see the prize, there are just a few mountains to climb. Speaking of mountains to climb, I'm gonna go get some fresh ocean air into my lungs, and hope the view is as spectacular, even with the fog...Lxo