New Album in the WORKS!

Hey readers :) I hope this note finds you well and strong after enduring weeks upon weeks of snow and cold (providing you are reading this note from Canada.) If you are reading from other, more warmer spots on planet Earth, I am jealous, but won't hold it against you. It is snowing again, as I type. As a little pre-cursor, my hubby wanted to check out Canada in the winter, usually we spend winter in HIS home and native land of Switzerland (which is experiencing warmer than usual temps these days) but not this year. We chose the coldest and snowiest winter (in these parts) in the last fifty years!! Not only did we choose to endure such temps and weather in Canada, but we chose to live in a trailer with no insulation!! It may seem pretty crazy, when written down, but really, it gets very warm in this little tin box, since we installed a wood-stove. It only feels like the  craziest decision of my life at four in the morning after the fire has long since burned out and the outside temps have frozen all the warm air inside. One morning I woke up and it was minus six degrees Celsius in our bedroom.  But the view is great and having spent eight weeks in a cast, not able to get around very well with a broken leg, it was a blessing, strangely enough, to have everything pretty much at an arms length. Oh and as a side note, you aren't trailer trash unless you live in a trailer park. Phew!!!

Aside from all of that winter weather nonsense, life has been wonderful, living in the middle of the Gatineau Hills and calling Wakefield home. What a wonderful little community, where there is always something happening, and even in the darkest days it can be pretty bright. Soon we are leaving these parts though, and heading back to the land of Chocolate and Cheese.  In the past, I have written blogs about dual-country living,  it is always hardest at the beginning and at the end. You get used to your life in one place, finally, then have to up-root to the other place, getting used to that place, only having to leave again. Don't get me wrong, these are shallow complaints, as we really do get the best of both worlds. One can't forget Canadian Poutine and Switzerland Fondue!

This time, we are leaving from Halifax on April 2nd, heading out on a little road trip, with hopes to play a few shows here and there on our way. It was a last minute decision, so booking has been a little hard but I am getting some bites and will post the gigs as they come. For sure I am playing in Seaforth N.S on on the 22nd! Message me if you would like details, linzferg@hotmail.com :)

Anyway getting on to the BEST TOPIC EVER (in MY life, anyway!) is my latest labour of Love, my newest musical project, my third record-in-the-works: "Chameleon." I have been recording and creating this melodic dream with Producer Extra-Ordinaire Mr. Brock Zeman. Brock is a musician through and through and is currently on tour in the United States, you can find his tour dates here http://www.brockzeman.com/gigs.html

Brock and I have shared the stage a few times... Take that time we opened for Steve Earle... Me first, then him, then Steve. Now THAT was cool. Having a history, I decided to ask him if he would like to help me out on my third record. Brock has been piecing together a studio over the years, in the basement of his riverside home, in the middle of Nowhere, Ontario. Apologies to those folks who live in Lanark, Ontario, but I am pretty sure you know what I mean... It IS however a small piece of paradise out there, even if the roads aren't plowed!! Haaaa. I have always Loved Brocks vision, musically, and thought, let's see if we can combine our talent for sound. Our musical performances are quite different from each others. His is more dirty, greasy folk rock and I am more raunchy pretty folk pop. Turns out the two sounds blend very well and let me tell you,  imaginations have run wild! I am so thrilled, in so many ways and can't wait to get it out there, but it will take some time. This time around, I have asked a few artists from across the globe to share their skills, (what with technology and all) one is as far away as Egypt! I guess I really wanted to take my time on this, no rushing and NO booking a CD release party before the actual CD was in my hot little hands! Hahaaa... Sometimes you learn your lessons!

Anyway, I just wanted to up date you all on what has been happening this winter of 2014. I hope things are running smoothly for YOU and that YOU TOO let your imaginations run wild from time to time....

Love Lindsay

She Walks!

Hey all! It looks as though the healing God's are working hard at getting my broken leg back into shape. I can now walk without crutches, but a cane, outside with all that ice  everywhere, well, there's that... But the FREEDOM of being able to walk and carrying stuff with my TWO hands, ohhhhhh SO good.

I started recording my newest album "Chameleon" last week, with Brock Zeman. It has been interesting getting around in a walking cast, but thankfully it happened to my left leg, as my right foot is my rhythm foot! Oh, and driving out to the country on a river in backwoods Ontario was also doable! The studio is located not 10 feet away from a wood stove, in the basement of a cozy home filled to the brim with the most captivatin artifacts. Brock is a collector of instruments and odd things, one could get lost in their imagination with all the stories surrounding them. A very fascinating place to record, surrounded by lava lamps, key boards, paintings of all sorts, ancient type-writers, china dolls, bronze sculptures, horse paraphernalia, you name it. Very cool and cozy, even with the dolls ;) We were able to get the "bare bones" of ten songs down, in two days. Basically the acoustic guitar and vocals, which are considered "scratch" meaning they may or may not be used in the end result... Who knows! Anything goes!

In any case, I will of course let you know how it is all going, should you be interested but right now, I wanted to let you know of a couple of gigs happening in the Land of Lindsay....

Saturday January 18th BobCat House Concerts, Ottawa Ontario http://bobcathouseconcerts.com 8pm

Wednesday February 5th Raw Sugar Café, Ottawa Ontario with David Ward and Kelly Sloan http://rawsugarcafe.com/ 9pm

I hope to see some of you out, it is winter after all and so hard to leave the cozy nest of home, but you NEED music, right???

Hope so :)

Love

Lindsay xo

Day 12 at Gallery Studios

  Hey folks. Here I sit, on the comfy ‘used to be white’ couch. This little love seat has been my home for the last 12 days, back ‘n forth between the microphone and these plush cushions! It’s been an amazing process so far, here, tucked away in the basement of a church in Ottawa’s Glebe. With Dean Watson as my producer, I have been blessed. Dean and I have been friends for years and we work together even better. Not only does he have the ears of a bat, but he is an excellent musician as well. When I emailed him (or was it Facebook?) a few months ago, he was gung ho, and I was so excited by his positivity, he was happy to take on the project, and a 12 day project at that!! The first cd I recorded took exactl y one year from it’s start date to the CD release party… and I decided to do exactly the opposite this time and so far so good! Last Autumn, I won $5000 towards my career, through The Big Money Shot music competiton (Live 88.5 NewCap Radio) and immediately knew it had to be put towards this album. It also has to be said that I could not have done this without the help of my band mates; Rob Rose, Chris Hopkins & Rob Milicevic, their musical skills have saved me on more than one occasion. They are also featured on this new album, which will be called “Monkeys Under Stars.”  As I sit here typing to you, Dean is working hard, and we are listening to “Got No Time” in its (almost!) finished version. With only one more song to go in the “mixing” department, the album will be ready for it’s mastering session (with Bova Sound Studios.) Mixing is akin to balancing things out; perhaps taking harmonies down in volume,  or cleaning up the sounds of the drums (i.e taking the tom drum echo out of the snare hits) it’s actually a long process… cleaning up breath, aligning everythign together, syncopating it all, so there are no odd sounds or beats in the mixture! An analogy for the mastering process has been explained to me like this: take your favourite spaghetti sauce, it’s delicious!! Add to it a little parmesan, gruyere or mozzerella and the pasta dish just became even better… I never eat my spaghetti without cheese, and I suppose mastering is like the cheese! It polishes off the sound, rounds it out in a way… SO! The best news is yet to come… The CD Release will happen at The Black Sheep Inn in Wakefield Quebec on June 5^th. See you there??? Xo (turns out we need to finish the mix on ONE more!! Day 13 it is!!)

Soo Soo Studio!!

Hello fine readers, Music Lovers... whoever you are... I thank you for taking the time to stop by, on occasion to read the "goings-ons" in my life! Well, these days, I am thrilled to know that a new album will soon be in the works! April 30th will see me in the studio, embarking on my latest Labour of Love "Monkey's Under Stars." Producing the album will be Dean Watson of Gallery Recording Studios, in Ottawa Ontario. The thing that really excites me, is that Dean and I, have been friends for a long time and he knows me and has been following my music career since the beginning. I am so happy because I know this album will feature my raw, naturalistic feelings about music, it will focus on the heart and soul of it all, and it is going to be beautiful!! It will be a full-band project, featuring Chris Hopkins on Bass guitar, Rob Rose on Electric Guitar and Rob Milicevic on Drums, with a few other gems to be added as necessary.... nothing like my "Last minute Lindsay" ways... so yeah, you might hear strings, keys and brass as well... Today I just completed my first county song "Grip On You." Who knows if it makes it onto the album, but I will gauge it by how my audiences like it in the coming weeks, before heading into the studio. I have never played country before, and I'm not sure if it'll fit... time will tell, but I gotta say that I am digging it!! Here are the lyrics in the meantime... Yours is the name I have been calling

yours are the hands that I can hold

yours is the trust I have been building

yours are the eyes that I behold

& I've spent half of my life seeking

& all those other hours fooled

& when I cast my gaze upon yours,

seems those wasted hours led me to you

Nobody says that Love comes easy

nobody swears what it can do

it's more like a drug to drive you crazy

but I won't lose my grip on you

Yours is the smile that I get lost in

yours is the voice that calms my fear

yours is the Love in which I'm fallin'

yours is the song between my ears

Nobody says that Love comes easy

nobody swears what it can do

more like a drug to drive you crazy

but I won't lose my grip on you

You, you, you.... oooh oooh

I place my thoughts upon a train ride

a long haul bound the other way

been prayin' for my beating heart to guide

me from mistakes of yesterday

Nobody says that Love comes easy

nobody swears what it can do

more like a drug to drive you crazy

but i won't lose my grip on you

Hope you enjoy it when you hear it.... perhaps sooner than later??

Happy SPRING!!

Love Lindsay xo

Winners in the end...

Hey folks, No matter what, at he end of the day, I am blessed with music in my veins! we may not have placed further in the competition, but we are $5000 richer! It was a blast of a time though and I had the great fortune of meeting some stellar Ottawa musicians whom I hadn't met yet... It still surprises me as to how much talent there is in this city! I hosted an "All Ottawa Music Room" as part of a music conference: Ontario Council of Folk Festivals, a couple of weekends ago, and it was such a blast! There were over 800 delegates in attendance and SO MUCH MUSIC... it's a brilliant conference, and the Ottawa Bluesfest Collective sponsored my hotel room, so we could showcase some of the great players of this musical (yes, musical) city. If you haven't yet checked out Kenny Voita, he is a talented songster who really sings... like he is SO good! Marc Nelson is another great performer, and Trevor Alguire has a great new album to drive to. These are Ottawa area music makers that you should have a listen to for sure! So we didn't win The Big Money Shot, but at the very least, the band became more of a sweet unit, we have a great bunch of songs down pat nice and tight, and I look forward to getting a new album with a stellar band sometime in the mid-new year...we have a bunch of new tunes to share!! In the meantime, I am heading over to Switzerland, for a song-writing term, what better place to start out the winter months? Sitting at the bottom of the Alps with pen in hand and candles lit... bring on the Cheese Fondue, not to mention Raclette!! hey, Onwards and upwards my friends...

Lindsay

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

Spring & Snow

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

The Three Elle's (Lynn, Lynne & Lin)

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

Le Chateau & Lindsay...

Good day Sunshine!! Life is Beautiful indeed. FREEZING, but Lovely all the same. Recently I have been moving around a LOT. Shows, music and life on the road seems to be quite fitting for me these days.... I was playing a show in Montreal not too long ago, and had the pleasure of meeting a wonderful representative from the GREAT Canadian clothing store, Le Chateau. She quite enjoyed my performance and suggested that Le Chateau sponsor ME with BRAND NEW CLOTHING to wear during some of my concerts. Needless to say, I am stoked. I have been a Lover of Le Chateau since I was a teenager, and am chuffed to bits to continue on this Love affair with a little less monetary stress involved!! Woo hoo!! And other fabulous news??? I applied for a Canada Council for the Arts Grant and received it!! This means that for the next 5 months I can work solely on writing new songs for a new album... one that I hope to have completed in the next year or so.  Oh, and I have the pleasure to play with one of my favourite Canadian Song-Writers, Lynn Miles!! This Sunday, March 8th at The Black Sheep Inn. It's an afternoon show, featuring "The Three Elles" in Song-Circle style.... Myself, Lynn Miles and Lynne Hanson. Like I said, it's an afternoon show, (4:20pm) so you can bring your Lovely children if you so desire!! Looking forward to singing some new songs for you... 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