Living in Canada is a wonderful thing. It's amazing what we Canadians endure. Snow, Fog, Sleet, Breeze, Ice, Rainstorms, Rainbows, Blizzards, Sunshine, Windstorms, Thunder, Lightning... ALL IN ONE DAY! I wonder sometimes why we choose to go through all the weather mayhem, why we don't just pick up and go somewhere hot and CHEAP, spending our days being creative by the beach... and then I remember how much I Love seasons, how much they dictate my life, my moods and my creative being. It's easy I guess, always having something to look forward to. One never knows what a Canadian day will bring. Lately I have been spending my time in Prince Edward County, writing new songs on East Lake. It's amazing how the waves of a raging Lake can inspire new music. I am currently working on new songs for a new album, and with the help of Canada Council for the Arts, I can safely say that my days sweating it out as a waitress are over, at least until the Grant runs out, and if I play my cards right, that won't be until September. What freedom I have, to work on my craft, to find inspiring places to create music for me and all you Music Lovers out there. Playing shows and performing re-fuels me in a way that I can not descibe and I thank all of you for making my pocket of sound thrive! While being an independent Canadian musician is at times difficult, I wouldn't change it for the world. I suppose what I have is a stream of music tapped into my soul, and what better gift?? I believe everyone of us has something to give, be it encouragement, creativity, Love, individuality, greatness, talent... whatever.. we all have a place in this beautiful world, so let's ring in the Spring and make way for new...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
Nominated by the Ottawa Xpress, BEST NEW MUSICAL ARTIST 2008!! Vote for me!!!
Greetings from what appears to be a Spring-like day. We had a blizzard a few days ago, out here in the hills. The snow came roaring down and attacked all the glorious trees, breaking some and eliminating all of the colours down to the ground. No more Autumn in an instant. But now, all the white stuff is gone and I am flat out confused. I think being a Canadian means being a "Seasonal" person. Somewhere deep inside there is a 'seasonal change' box that just knows when to switch to the next phase....well, mine doesn't know if it's living in Spring or Winter or somewhere between. How about you? One day the skis are out, the next day jean jackets! Whatever the case, confused or not, life is indeed strangely beautiful. I spent my Halloween listening to one of my favourite bands "The Sun Parlour Players". They are mad good, sweaty folk rock good. I passed the evening as a blood-sucking Vampire. It was great, noone knew who I was, so I could REALLY dance as if noone was watching.... I'm not such a dancer, usually I have to be filled with vast glasses of beer and even then it's like pulling teeth. I am meant for singing, that's my excuse but it doesn't always work that way. Especially if Loudlove is playing, they are my ALL TIME FAVOURITE OTTAWA BAND!!! Please check them out, they are on their way to the stars. NO doubt about it. When it comes to their music, beer or no beer, costume or no costume, I am all over that dance floor. Speaking of dance floors, "The Sadies" are playing on my birthday in Ottawa at Barrymore's. I think it'll be a swell night, so if you are reading this and are anywhere near Bank street on the 14th, let's have a cheers!!! I will keep you posted with what's happening next, but for now I have my fingers crossed that I will be voted "Best New Musical Artist of 2008" by the Ottawa Xpress. It's not usually my luck to win anything, but maybe, just maybe I will get lucky this time (with your help!!)Go to
http://www.ottawaxpress.ca/dossier/bestof/xpress2008.aspx MERCI!!! xo
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
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!!
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….