wakefield

Lindsay GIGS

Hey fine folks of the world who read these little black letters... Perhaps you are near-by to one of these places in which I will be singing for you??

(Okay, I sing for me too!)

Saturday September 6th - Wakefield, Wakefield Market from about 10am-12pm

Saturday September 6th - Deep River, Yacht & Tennis Club 8pm http://wp.drytc.ca/

Saturday September 13th - Prince Edward County, ON, Active Arts Studio, 8pm http://www.activeartsstudio.com/

Thursday September 18th - Wakefield, Black Sheep Inn 8pm (with Valerie Gore) http://www.theblacksheepinn.com/

Very happy to be playing some music!! I will be sharing some songs from my newest album too, although the album itself is not ready to be sold yet,  I can take pre-orders for sure :)

Love Lindsay xo

East Coast Once More

So! It has come to be that time again, where I say good bye to one home and hello to another. We picked a doozy of a Canadian winter to live in a trailer with no running water. Let me tell ya! However, there are always positive sides and enduring everything that comes with a broken leg in such a small living space made the break a little easier to deal with! I will not be jumping off the back of a boat in Dominican any time soon or rather, never!! And once again, time becomes a question, it seems like only a short while ago I was hanging out with Chris Hadfield at the Ottawa Folk Festival. It sure has been an interesting ride, living by the heat of a wood stove, on a horse ranch outside of one of the coolest villages I know of, ahh sweet sweet Wakefield. Just a quaint little town with an eclectic vibe alongside the Gatineau River! Alas, when I think of the trails, the folks and the foods of Switzerland, I can not be sad.

Firstly though, I will be heading towards the Atlantic and out to Nova Scotia for a few gigs and then up up and away!! On a side note, if you haven't made your way East, I highly recommend it. The people, the fish, the view! Oh my! Indeed, that is where myself and my roadie/husband are headed, and soon! Ich freue mich as the say in Swiss German, and in English; I look forward!!

Packing has been another story entirely. I am still in awe of how much stuff two people can attain, even with living in such small quarters. I even purged a few "filled to the brim" bagsand yet I am still bombarded with too many things, certainly too much to take overseas. Thank goodness for friends and family with extra storage space! Having changed over from driving a van (for many, many years) to a smaller more efficient car, a Toyota Tercel, there isn't much space for suitcases and music equipment! Alas, where there is a will, there is a way.

Speaking of music.... My latest labour of Love and my newest record "Chameleon" is in the mixing stages!! What a thrill to be able to make a new album and with such talent as Brock Zeman, Blair Hogan and Steve Foley, I could not have asked for better... I am chuffed to bits about it and truly can't wait to share!! I think I will  dedicate an entire blog about the recording process as it was really something else. I am hoping to release it in Canada at the end of summer and perhaps in Europe before then, however, time will tell! I will, indeed, keep you all posted.

Now, with that, a few more odds and ends to take care of and then East, to the ocean!!

Up & Coming GIGS :)

Hey folks, Are you interested in seeing me perform live??

Here's hoping :)

(also, I am always looking for HOUSE CONCERT performances, so if you have something to celebrate, we can plan for the BEST way to make that happen! Send me an email at linzferg@hotmail.com)

DATES!

Thursday September 5th at 10'ish in the morning, check out Ottawa's ROGERS TV

Friday September 6th at 10'ish in the morning, check out Ottawa's CTV

Saturday September 7th OTTAWA FOLK FESTIVAL, Ravenlaw Stage, from 2pm to 3pm

Sunday September 8th OTTAWA FOLK FESTIVAL WORKSHOP (TBA)

Wednesday September 18th in PORT HOPE at Cravingz

Saturday September 21st in BELLEVILLE at PORCHFEST from 3pm to 4pm

Thursday October 3rd in Wakefield at The Black Sheep Inn with Jadea Kelly

Saturday October 5th in Wakefield at The Wakefield Market 10am to 1pm

Friday November 8th in Ottawa at The Shenkman Arts Centre with RYKKA

And there July was, gone.

Hello from this 200 year old farm house. We live on the top floor and considering the HEAT that this Summer is bringing us, it's not so bad with the windows wide open when there is a breeze flowing through.

July was a wonderful somewhat cool month, filled with new song-writing, sweet music playing, delicious barbeque eating and refreshing river/lake swimming.

I having been missing my Gatineau River and the people and food of the wonderful Wakefield Quebec, but life is pretty wonderful up here, out here, a five minute drive to the Alps.

We went swimming in the River Aare, or rather "floating." It is a fast paced river, and you just get in with a floaty of some sort (in my case, a waterproof bag to store some drinking water, my towel etc) and go sailing down the river rather quickly. It's a blue/green crystal clear river which reminded me of white-water rafting (with ROAM -Rivers, Oceans and Mountains) down the Chilcotin River in British Columbia, without the raft of course. It was pretty amazing but for some reason I kept getting away from the rest of my friends and had to "swim" up-river so that they could catch up to me which made my leisurely float a tad less leisurely and I could definitely feel it the next day... the GOOD pain, you know??? I remember when we were in B.C in the big yellow rafts, we would have to plan our lunch spot or camping spot for the night well in advance so we could make the stop and not get swept away by the current... Well it is a little more difficult when planning a lunch stop with a little floaty bag, naked toes and wimpy arms...you risk smashing into the rocks that you are about to sit and eat on. I have a little bruise on my elbow, but really, all was SUPER fun and I would do it again... actually the best part was diving down under the water, opening your eyes and feeling your body racing through the water, speeding past the rocks... Amazing, such a perfect day spent for a water baby such as myself.

Yesterday was my first time celebrating Swiss National Day. For all of the "Swiss" order of things, it wasn't as orderly as I thought it would be. See, the fireworks started at 10am and didn't stop until past midnight, people ALL over Switzerland were letting them off, everywhere and not just in one place, but next door, up the road, over the mountain, across the stream, down by the river, in the backyard, in the side yard in the front yard.... EVERYWHERE, all day. In Canada, there are the odd folks who set some off at the beach etc around sunset but mostly, townfolk/cityfolk head to a designated area and watch them all together singing chorus' of Ooooh's and Aaaaah's... Not here. Silence then BAM, silence then POW, silence then CRASH BOOM BANG!!! I had to let out a few whistles of appreciation... you can take the girl out of Canada...

I got some great news a couple of days ago. Not only am I coming home back to Canada in September, but I am playing at the Ottawa Folk Festival for the first time. It was my SEVENTH time applying, so lucky number SEVEN came through and I am pretty excited to be making my debut Canadian show in MONTHS at a Folk Festival; the same festival that EmmyLou Harris and Beth Orton are playing at. Tres cool I must say, and I can't wait to get my dirty festival feet on!!

As always, I am looking to book shows and if you are reading this note and would like to host a house concert, a backyard BBQ or a dinner & music style event... Any kind of musical event featuring ME... don't hesitate to email me at linzferg@hotmail.com

Until we meet again,

Love, Live and Smile!!

Lindsay xo

First Day of Summer 2013

And just like that, Summer began. In the darkest days of winter, most of us long for today, and here it is in all it's blue-sky-green-grass-leafy-tree glory (it's actually over-cast here, but we all get the drift!)

I Love both Seasons. All seasons, actually. Each one has it's best part, and each 0ne helps me, in some way or form, to be inspired to follow my dreams and stay on the right course. Naturally, on occasion I take the wrong road, the 'road less traveled' but in the end,  most avenues are right, as hindsight is always 20/20.

It's my first time writing here as a married woman.

The last few months were filled to the brim with excitement and plans and yellow tape and caterers and paperwork and dress measuring and clothes shopping and phone calls and invites and organizing and basking in the Love of my mans eyes. All in the name of Love and all for the best day of my life, my wedding day. It's true what they say... It was the best day of my life, and I have lived through some pretty tremendous days. This one beat them all, so does that mean it's all down hill from now?? I think I will coast on the coat-tails of being a newly-wed for awhile...

It was also the first time I grew out my nails in many, many, many moons. One can't play the chords on guitar with finger nails. I missed the sounds of the strings plucked and strummed and all those melodies that flow out while I'm rehearsing. So I'm back at it, and when you step away from it for a couple of weeks (or more??) it's amazing what comes out once you get going again. The tap from that fresh water constant-running-spring had been corked so when I liberate the cork, the water is in full flowing force. Refreshing, beautiful, colourful musical 'water.' Oh how I bask in the glory of thee.

So I am back to writing and back to booking, all as a married woman.

Some say that you feel differently in your relationship once you tie the knot. I concur! I won't go into gushy details of Love, but it does feel as though there is a tighter, kindred connection, more sincere in a way? It's hard to put into words...more secure in the saddle? Someone recently asked me how I was going to create songs, now that my heart is solid and strong. Well, thank goodness I have a unique array of friendships that provide me with stimulating stories, not to mention the catalogue of  life's drama I have already seen ;)

It's my first Summer away from my second home (Canada) in a long time. The last place I spent a Summer was in Ireland, when I worked out on the Emerald Isle's west coast, in Connemara, all those years ago. Well, here I am in Switzerland, south of Bern, a bike-ride (all up hill!) away from the Alps. It's pretty heavenly here, but WHERE isn't it heavenly in the Summertime?

I miss my Wakefield. If you ever have the chance to head up, north of Ottawa to the Gatineau Hills in Quebec, do it. Wakefield has everything from Organic Farms, to hand crafted beeswax candles, to luxurious bakeries, to the BEST bistros, the BEST poutine, and the BEST place to see live music, at The Black Sheep Inn. We have an arts festival at the end of August called 'Wakefest' and there is a market every Saturday featuring live music, fresh breads, cookies, coffee, hand picked vegetables, hand crafted felted masterpieces, local honey, local EVERYTHING!! So go check it out... Oh and yeah, the Gatineau River is the liquid Love that brings it all together.

In the meantime, I will sit up here in this old farm house on the hill, over-looking the small village I live in part-time (half Swiss time half Canadian time!) serenaded by the melody of the sheep chimes, a fridge stocked with local cheeses, delicious beer and a cabinet full of chocolate.

Remember folks,

Life is what you make it.

Love

Lindsay xo

 

~Cross Canada CD Release Tour~

Hey Folks! Here's where I will be on the first leg of my Tour out to British Columbia and back! If anyone has anymore suggestions, gig offers, house concert ideas, please CALL ME!! 6133719817. I would be grateful to take on more performance opportunities, as I am SO happy to get this NEW album "Monkeys Under Stars" outta me and into you!! :)

June 5    Wakefield QC, The Black Sheep Inn

June 10 Thunder Bay, The Apollo

June 11 Winnipeg, Sam's Place
June 13 - Saskatoon, SK - Cafe Sola
June 15  Calgary's Mix 97.7 radio interview
June 15 - Calgary, AB - Beatniq Jazz & Social Club
June 17 - Nelson, BC, Capitol Theatre
June 21 - Revelstoke, BC, Solstice House Concert
June 25 - Vancouver, BC - Cafe Deux Soleils
June 26 - Duncan, BC - Duncan Garage Showroom
June 29 - Edmonton, AB - The Artery
July 5th Ottawa On - Cisco Ottawa Bluesfest (opening for Tegan & Sara!!)

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

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

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