Hey Folks, I have the GREAT pleasure to travel to St. John's, Newfoundland (my 2nd Canadian home) thanks to Porter Airlines for such a SWEET deal on my ticket!! I can't wait to get back to The Rock, and I have some pretty sweet gigs while I am there. On Tuesday the 13th of April I am playing at The Grapevine, Sunday the 18th I am a "seat filler" at The Junos and then head to play a gig down at The Rose & Thistle Pub, and then on the 21st I am playing at The Ship Pub as part of The Folk Club... It's going to be TRES exciting, and I look forward to sharing some stories as they happen... Hope if you are in St. John's during any of this time, you can make it out to a show!!! Happy trails, travels and best of ALL, happy Spring! Lindsay xo
Lindsay LIVE with The Lost Boys... 2moro Night!
Greetings Websurfers, Indeed, I have a gig 2moro night in Wakefield Quebec. That's Thursday the 7th, at The Black Sheep Inn. We've been practicing some new songs as a band, and boy, sometimes they sound SO MUCH BETTER with a band then when I am standing in the kitchen singing to the taps! I will also be on CKCU Radio from 8am til 9:30am in the morning, that's 93.1fm in Ottawa...I may bring out some older recordings for a treat or a laugh... depending...! I will also be performing a few live songs as well... solo style...without the taps. Maggie Meyer from Newfoundland and Megan Hamilton from Toronto will also be singing souls on Thursday night at The Sheep, so if you are in for a trek out to the hills, come join us, the fun starts at 9pm!!!
Life as a music maker is a little slower for me these days, as I am spending my daze, writing new tunes for a new album. I would LOVE to get it released next Spring, Spring 2010. My last album, released September 2007 took a year to organize, so it appears I may indeed have the time to reach my goal date, but I will of course keep you posted on all of that, I still have to choose the right studio, and that's half the battle. The songs are flowing freely and I am stoked to get them recorded...all in good time I suppose!!
Summer will see me traveling a bit, out to the East Coast of Canada for some shows and then out to the West Coast, to the Rocky Mountains!! With an exceptional gig in between at at The Ottawa Bluesfest, on July 10th, where Jackson Browne, Steve Earle and Sam Roberts will also e performing... I am SURE it will be a fabulous night for all!!
As an independent musician, I am always looking for shows. I do all my own booking (so far) and if you have anything exciting happening and are in need of Music Makers, drop me an email. With or without band!! Keep in mind there are 2 Lindsay Styles...or ring me! My number is up there at the top of this page...
On another note, I have fallen in Love with a new band called "Mother Mother" maybe they aren't so NEW, but new to me... I saw them perform a few days back, and it was one of the BEST performances I've ever seen. An amazingly dynamic, creative, melodic, harmonic, and RAW talent type of band. Check them out sometime. One more Canadian Gem to add to our musical roster of greats....
Talk soon, Lindsay xo
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
Lovliness in Luzern
It seems as though life is getting away from me here in the world of Swiss wonder. I apologize to those readers who might have missed hearing from me. I had a dream last night that I was back home in Canada, that I never had a chance to say good-bye to all the splendour here... it made me very sad to say the least, and that much more appreciative of my time here. I have been in the land of Chocolate & Cheese for a month and have one more month to go. Then it's back to my home & native, which I Love more than anything, just to be sure!! Being here gives one a much different perspective on life. For an example, most of the time, I can't understand a bloody thing anyone says. You know what? This greatly pleases me, I thought it would be bothersome, but I quite like not having to express my opinion and I am content in not overhearing banal conversations such as the weather or sore feet. Language in general is much simpler to use here. One uses only the absolute necessary words to get their point across and you really only make a point if it's important, interesting or profound. It's pretty neat, there isn't a lof of time or use for the insignificant. I have learned a LOT while here, peace and quiet has a whole new meaning for me. I have also been working new songs, I have three at this point and really look forward to the day when I get back into studio to record another album. When I return home, I will travel to Halifax for the first time. There is an excellent new music festival that I will be a part of called "In the Dead of Winter". My one true Love (besides Music) is the Ocean... Halifax is on the Ocean... I can't wait. In the meantime, I will do some more writing here, spend some time on the slopes, eat some Cheese Fondue, play some gigs ( I play here with an excellent Cajon/Kahon player, it's so great to have a percussionist by my side!! Thanks Andy!!) I will spend Christmas with some great friends, make sure to get my fill of Chocolate too!! So I hope all of you out there have a wonderful Holiday... put your feet up and have an eggnog for me!!! I'll write soon, Love Lindsay xox
OCFF Dreaming...
It's amazing, what a body can do with no sleep. I am quite surprised at how well my voice held out with all the singing over the past weekend. Singing in the doorway, hallway, staircase, elevators, shower singing, mic singing, harmonies too...not to mention banjos, pedal steel, violin's, drums, upright bass, electric one's, guitars, mandolins, melodions, keyboards, computers too all together jamming having fun one two!!! Sounds a bit overwhelming and it was, especially with only a few hours sleep over a four day period. It's the Ontario Council of Folk Festival Conference and happens once a year, featuring musicians and industry people from all over Canada... and some state-siders too... conferences all day and music all night ( & into the sunshine!) I hosted an "All Ottawa Showcase Room" and it went over smashingly. The room was packed solid for two nights (mornings!) in a row. Thank you thank you thank you Ottawa for having such a talented amount of people. I am glad to be a part of it sometimes. What a blast. After such a weekend, I feel totally re-generated. After all the time I spend on the computer, alone, trying to get gigs, organize gigs, search for this that and the other, it can get a bit tiresome and lonely, but after attending a conference such as this, it makes me realize that I am doing it all for the right reason and that every second of sweat and tears is worth it in the long run. Thanking you....Lindsay xox
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
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
Spring Has Sprung!
Thank you lord Jesus. I am so excited for this warmer weather... can't really take another day of trekking through snowy streets... they don't plow the sidewalks in Toronto, I used to think living in St. John's was bad in the winter time... anyway, no more complaints from me as long as I can put away my winter boots!! In the meantime, Easter is one of my favorite "holidays" In my family we go to the Sugar bush; sleigh rides, maple toffee & a great brunch feed in the middle of nowhere Quebec, then we all head over to some family members house (whoever doesn't mind cleaning up the mess!!) We paint Easter eggs & eat tonnes of chocolate, then the next day we all get together for a major home made waffle breakfast... it's truly scrumptious!! But not this year, this year I was here in the big city, being taken care of by some GREAT Toronto people... most of whom are from the East coast, Cape Breton & Newfoundland... thanks my new (& old) friends... also, a big thanks to the great Geoff Berner... please, if you haven't seen this man LIVE, you have to go. He's on tour in Europe now, so wait 'til he gets back, I promise you will not be disappointed. In the meantime, have a listen to 1010 talk radio www.cfrb.com tonight at 6pm. Also, get ready for an awesome gig next Monday at The Supermarket in Toronto... featuring Myself, Dave Gaudet, Meredith