What a ride life has been over the past few months. I'm afraid things are going to start calming down by November and this scares me. I suppose things do die down during the darker and colder months, but I like to keep things rolling. I don't have to think as much when the river is flowing!! The past weekend was superb. I got to hang out (and open for!!) Ron Sexsmith and his band. Let me tell you how small this world is...years ago, when I recorded my first demo, I had a stellar drummer, who is now drumming with Ron. Way to go Cam!! Ron is a funny guy by the way, and has a pretty cool posse that gets to travel the musical road with him. Meaghan Smith also shared the show and she is one heck of a singer. Her music has a very classic style to it, one that I could listen to for hours on end! I still have to shake my head every once in awhile when I think about how lucky I am to be part of this amazing musical world. Next weekend is the Ontario Council of Folk Festivals Conference. It's basically a music festival for the music industry across Canada and many people come from the States and Europe aswell. It's a weekend featuring performances and day-long conferences. The music starts on Thursday and doesn't really stop until Sunday. I am hosting a "Guerilla Showcase" which is a concert that takes place over two nights, both Friday and Saturday, featuring twenty performers, all from the Ottawa area. It was a blast to create, and the talent I lined up is STELLAR!!! People such as Jim Bryson, Lynn Miles, Kellylee Evans, Shawn Tavenier and Kyrie Kristmanson to name a few. All that said however, I have no idea how Festival Directors can organize a whole festival of music and stil keep their hair!!! I'll write more about the conference next week... though I can't promise I won't be tired!! The one thing lacking at this type of thing is SLEEP!!! Until next time.... Lindsay xo
Turkey Leaves...
What a fantastic weekend. I always forget about Thanksgiving, and then it is upon us... faster than you can say harvest... What a great few days spent with family and friends. The Black Sheep Inn had a great Friday night what with all the great players. Check out a few new bands that I had the chance to play with when you have a chance: The Grass, Ty Hall and the EZ3 and The Brothers... all very different from each other but that's what makes an awesome night of dancing and delight. I don't know if any of you reading this have ever been out to the Sheep, but the energy in that room is crazy. I always feel like a whirlwhind is happening in there and rarely remember specific details from the shows, I swear there is a vortex inside with one rule "What happens at the Sheep, stays at the Sheep!!" It's pretty exciting to say the least. Moving onto Saturday, head still reeling from the vortex, I made it out to Orleans, which is nowhere near New Orleans. Umm, spent the night out there, feasting on wine and BBQ deleiciousness... then onto Sunday spent with crazy family, turkey and more wine. Monday was spent relaxing on a Paddle Wheeler floating in the Gatineau River, and the leaves out there are stupendously tremendous. The lull of the boat, the sound and smell of the water was like music to my ears.. not to mention the mysterious Moon up there hovering, maybe waiting for the smell of Turkey to waft up to it's nose?? What an amazing weekend, and I TRULY give thanks...thanks to Music, thanks to Famiy, thanks to Moon, thanks to River and thanks to YOU, my support network!!! Love you!!! xo (Next weekend is Ron Sexsmith weekend. Can't wait.)
Indian Summer Blue
Hi! I'm sitting under an October sky and OH! how I Love October skies!! It seems they must be my favourite as I believe I've written about this particular shade of blue before. A clear, crisp, shiny blue... Maybe it's the way it bounces off the yellows, oranges and reds but somehow it's more satisfying than a Summer heat wave blue, this Indian Summer shade...I've been travelling a lot these past few months and Music has been paving my way to all sorts of different places. I am so very thankful that the songs inside me are getting heard by more and more people and even more thankful that my Dodge '92 is keeping up her end of the bargain. I was planning a tour out to the West Coast of Canada this fall, but have since decided that she, my van, might like to live a little longer, and a Spring tour may be easier on her old nerves...Speaking of nerves, I will be doing a show with Ron Sexsmith in just over a week, I am peachy thrilled and only wish that all the eyes reading this could also bring their ears and be thrilled themselves!! I'll let you know how is goes for sure... I think it will be better than superb!! In the meantime I have some free time to write... and hope to have another new song for my show this weekend at The Black Sheep Inn. If only I could finish a few that I am working on at present.. sometimes they take forever to complete and other times there are ready within minutes... who knows where it comes from, where any of it comes from, but I am tremendously thankful for the gift of song that I have been given and will continue to share...until there are no meals, wheels or deals... Take care, Lindsay xo
Some Kind of Wonderful...
I absolutely Love Autumn. Just have a look around you, providing you are reading this and in North America... I mean LOOK at the brilliance around us. I was almost depressed at the end of Summer, seeing as there really wasn't a Summer, but then I got back from another two week whirlwhind trip to Newfoundland and there they were, the leaves in full glory. It's almost as though the splendour of those colours just erased my confusion and replaced it with some kind of wonderful. The smell of the air is enough to send me into a special sort of stir. If any of you have bicycles out there, I say HOP ON!! My bicycle isn't anything fancy, I bought it at a garage sale for forty bucks, seeing as my last bike was stolen, I really don't want THAT to happen again... anyway, yes to bike riding in the fall!!! In the meantime, I started a cleanse, which is GREATLY needed after living a whole summer out of bags and hopping from couch to couch there isn't really a structure of nourishment in that lifestyle...I think a cleanse is exactly what I need. Also, the West Coast Tour is falling into place, but it may have to happen in the Spring, which is totally acceptable as long as I get to play music and NOT go back to waitressing. I think fifteen years is long enough at THAT trade... wish me luck!!! The big Wakefield Community Centre Benefit is happeing on the 10th of OCtober at The Black Sheep Inn... if you live nearby, this show is going to be amazing with GREAT talent including: The Grass, The Brothers, Ty Hall & the EZ3 and of course yours truly... there will be Mondo dancing and a great start to Thanksgiving. Ciao for now, more to come....Lxo
Mainland Making It...
After having just spent the last two weeks on Canada’s best kept secret Island, Newfoundland I can safely say that it is indeed a whole different world out there with regards to making it in the Canadian Music Industry, with regards to pretty much anything, actually. But more on the music…In any given city across Canada, I have been told that one mustn’t play in that city more than four times a year, excluding St. John’s of course. You see, in St. John’s, you can play four times a week if you really want to because one of the most important things to Newfoundlanders is Music. Music all the time… and why shouldn’t it be that way? I understand things like “not over-playing your welcome” in a sense, but I think everything’s better with Music??? Don’t you? Bonavista is also a very special place. Located up on the East coast, north east of St. John’s about four hours is an incredible place with the most endearing people. What a treat to see there are still folks out there who won’t take no for an answer when it comes to offering up a supper, a drive or a hot cup of tea. Time really gets away from you up there, and not in a busy paced holy @#&% kind of way. More like a fresh air gets in your blood and bones deeper than before and it kind of changes you forever...all in all it was a fabulous journey to the Rock once again. I even wrote a new song that I am very pleased with, called “Volcano”. Come on out to one of my shows and I will sing it for you!! Next Thursday in Ottawa at the St. Elias Centre, all in the name of Women building Peace, then at the Sandbanks Winery on the 4th for their Harvest Festival… then back to Wakefield for a great night of great bands at the Black Sheep Inn on the 10th. I’ll be in Belleville opening up for Ron Sexsmith on the 17th of October at The Empire Theatre…and I’m booking more shows as you read this, you can bet on it!!! So, do take care, and try to get out to see some live music. We need you!!! Lindsay xo
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
Tuesday Already...
Time flies. I dreamt it was Winter last night... I was so sad, I Love Fall so much, it would be a shame to miss it. Being raised Canadian in the Middle/East Coast means living in a quarterly cycle. It's amazing how the weather affects us...be it wearing shorts in March 'cuz you can smell the Summer coming or just getting that big ole' bag of scarves out for Fall. I can't imagine living somewhere hot all year round... I know, maybe when I'm grey, I might like one long heat wave, but for now I am can smell Autumn in the air and I like it. The last few days were spent driving, listening to tunes, singing, sleeping and enjoying HOT coffee in the mornings of course... I played songs for new people in new venues too. I Love spreading the Lindsay Vibe out there, it just makes me feel like I am doing what I need to be doing. I get so freaked out sometimes about not getting noticed or press or gigs or funding, and really, it's all about performing. It's like I get re-fueled by YOU, the people. So I would very heartily like to thank all of you out there who come to see my shows, or take home my Album. It means way more than any "no" or "sideways glance." I am in the middle of working on some new songs, I'd like to have a fresh set one day... I suppose all of we singers would like a brand spankin' new set of songs to sing... however, all in good time as "they" say. All these crazy things happen out on the road and I still can't find the words to write down. Too many unfinished songs I tell you!! In any case, I head out to St. John's Newfoundland once more before the end of Summer to sing some again, I will be writing next time from the Rock. Enjoy, Live Well & Peace!!
Spicy Summer Daze...
Greetings to the Lovely people out there who read this... you know who you are!!! I spent the day on the dock soaking in some Vitamin D, drinking some vitamin C (C for Coronita) and swimming in some vitamin G (G for Gatineau River). I think THIS combination was what I REALLY needed to get rid of this ever-lasting but FINALLY gone cold...Thank you dear delicious life for giving me the will to drive, ride, sail safely through this terminated illness. It's really amazing to think about what CAN actually happen, I mean, one mintute you are hacking a lung, in tears over the agony, never seeing the light at the end of the tunnel, then the next minute, or at least a couple of weeks later, there I am, sitting in the sunshine with a goofy grin on my face. LIke the old fashioned saying, overly said saying, heard it too many times saying: Time heals!!! And dammit it's true. So in this wee note, I am giving thanks to the world, that it keeps turning round and round and remember, the sun'll come out tomorrow!!! And just for the record, I can't leave a weblog without some form of gig or music mention... so here it is; this weekend I will embark on another mini-tour... this time heading to Camden East on Friday where I will play at a very sweet looking place called The Bookstore Cafe, then heading to Napanee to play at another sweet cafe on Saturday night at The Music Market, then to head to Music on the Mountain Festival near Picton Ontario, at Lake on the Mountain Resort. And not to forget, SUMMER IS NOT OVER!!! Woo hoo hoo!!! Much Love on this DAY!! Lindsay
Remedy Me Well!!!
I wish this cold and flu would dissappear. Too many nights of coughing into and out of sleep. It's NOT good. I once had vocal nodes and had to quit singing for 6 months!! The throat doctor told me that coughing is the absolute worst thing in the world for a singer. But it won't cease... so I bit the bullet and started drinking. Buckley's that is. It IS terrible!! Let's hope by the end of the bottle, the cough will end too!! All that said however, I played on of my best shows to date at The Black Sheep Inn last Thursday. Maybe because I had to be ultra careful with my voice, I don't know, but the God's & Goddesses were smiling at me!! I pray that tomorrow's show in Toronto is going to run smoothly, because when that fierce tickle comes halfway through a song, there ain't nothin' I can do to stop it from exploding into a cough... I only hope that I get a break from it all for those two 45min sets!! Also, I was singing at a wedding on the weekend, it was Lovely and my voice held out for that aswell, this weekend coming there is ANOTHER wedding which I will sing at... It's amazing, all these weddings... I've never had so many at the same time... five to sing at before the end of September. Holy, tis the season I guess... I think if I ever get hitched, I'll take my Mum's advice and elope!! On another note, come to Nathan Phillips Square tomorrow noon until 2pm, Myself and my band will be playing a free BLOWOUT show, smack downtown in the middle of it all... Hope to see some of you readers... is anybody out there????
Singer in the Rain...
Let’s face it, if you are a singer of ANY kind, and please God you are!! (Showers, cars, anywhere will do!) We are all in the same boat (no pun intended). It has been a WET summer, I think the sun shone on Tuesday this year, and I am sorry to say that once again, it is raining. So here I sit with no internet access out at the cottage, over-looking the lake, under a thunder and lightning storm, typing to you!! It’s so loud under the tin roof out here that there is no use trying to chat with my folks, so card playing will do for now… though my Mum keeps winning, so I think I’m happier here, thinking of what to say to you. The world is going to heck so I won’t talk about it. Canada has won its 13th medal as of today… or was it last night? I can’t tell, but the one race I have watched was won by a guy I used to go to school with! Brian Price, coxswain, Olympic Gold Winner, rowing. It blew me away, seeing that, and lucking into the moment itself. I’m not largely into the Olympics, partly because I don’t have a television (or a house for that matter) and partly because, well, I like watching sports live…Anyway, here we are, a WHOLE bunch of wet Canadians, just waiting for the sun. I say bring it on, I’m ready!! In the meantime, if you aren’t busy on Thursday night, the 21st of August, please don’t hesitate to come see me and my band play at The Black Sheep Inn. There are three great bands playing that night, Little Miss Higgins, T Nile and of course, us. Be prepared to be inspired… and truly I thank GOD (or who/whatever it is out there…) for music, cuz there ain’t no rainstorm thats gonna take away my song….