FASNACHT~Carnival~LUZERN

Lindsay_in_full_on_Silver_Star_Self

My first Fasnacht was over ten years ago. It was one for the books, to be sure and I wasn't sure I would ever need to explore such an epic Carnival Festival ever again. They say, you only need to go to Luzern's Fasnacht ONCE in your life. Well, this year I decided I would have to return. Seeing as I am self-employed and Fasnacht falls on a Thursday/Monday/Tuesday. (many people take their holidays this week) The grande opening/start happens in the old town section of one of Switzerlands most beautiful cities, Luzern, at 5am and the formal closing ceremonies end at 8pm the following Tuesday. I headed out by bus and train on Monday and wandered around in AWE for hours. Some of my friends leave the city for the entire LOUD and CRAZY spell of Awesome and some join in for the best time ever. This Feat for the eyes and ears is centuries old and usually takes place before Lent.. pre-Fast! 

A_wonderful_costume

Guggenmusik is mostly what you hear while wandering around the confetti filled cobblestone streets. Big Bands practice all year, top forty and old school sounds and people also spend the year making their costumes. The masks are unreal and very scary at times!!! There are SO many people on the streets and SO many bands filing through the narrow paths that sometimes they cross with each other and the chaos of sound is unlike any other, the drums outweigh all of the noise and when there are two groups of twenty (or more) people weaving through each other with FULL on costumes and HUGE detailed masks, playing drums, both in different tempos, it is wonderful and strange to say the least.

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You truly have NO idea what images and sounds you are going to see and hear next. I only wish that my Iphone4 (gonna use it til it dies!) didn't fill up so fast or I would have taken so many more photos, as it was I had to go through and delete all the time for better shots. ANYTHING goes at Fasnacht. Really, some might think many sights were unacceptable, especially in today's time of being 'overly' politically correct. I had to keep my mouth shut on a few occasions, which I am sure some of you reading might 'tsk tsk' at, but in the name of PARTY and a wild one like this, I decided to just let it all go and live and let live! Needless to say, I refrained from taking photos of that which didn't suit....

The details that go into the creation of these elaborate costumes, BLOW my mind!! In Switzerland, it is safe to say that it is pretty "safe" here. It certainly isn't a very loud place, in general, but there really are NO rules during this Carnival. That said, it is rare to see or hear a fight and the garbage gets swept up by the hour... I am not sure the confetti is ever swept clean, it get's everywhere! 

Confetti_in_the_cracks

People also go to great lengths, building floats and moving trains and so much more. SO incredibly elaborate. You really must come to see this, yes, at least ONCE in your life. But plan your costume early, not the day OF like I did. I knew I had some silver make up and a great silver wig, but wasn't I lucky to find a huge roll of tinfoil to help matters?? Tinfoil is a good heat-insulator as well so it turns out. There are DJ's and beats ALL over, so dancing is also encouraged! The restaurants and bars are also open to all, but mostly the party is on the streets.

Yes, scary masks to be sure! Yet, I saw many children in costumes enjoying the festivities, so perhaps after hundreds and hundreds of years, this fabulous weekend is highly appreciated and prepared for. Shocks come at every turn though. I was leaning to the side of one of the covered bridges, erasing photos from my phone (I had to make space!) pretty focused, when I looked up to see an entire band, inches away from me, walking slowly towards me, massive masks, about fifty people who just out of the blue started playing. I couldn't get away, and stood in awe as they filed (slowly and creepily!) past me, creature by creature! What a feeling!! Anyway, I will leave you with this Lovely photo of this Lovely family..... 

An Orchid and A Song

My_First_Orchid_Bloom

I was gifted an orchid plant a few months ago, a friend was moving her office into her home and had too many to keep... Sure why not! I was always under the impression that orchids were hard to take care of. I was wrong! Just one bath a week for a couple hours and presto, healthy plant. Fast forward a few weeks, to Valentine's Day....We found out (yesterday) that most roses, imported to here (Switzerland) are grown in Kenya, Africa. A place where water is sacred and scarce, is using said water to grow roses to be imported to Europe. So a few people get jobs, tending to and growing roses, but so many more are fighting for fresh water. Money over water is never a good thing. I would choose water, every time. The same day we decided to "say NO!" to these 'Fair Trade' roses, our Orchid bloomed for the first time. Timing is everything, and once again, we were given a sign that we are on the right track.

The_begining_of_bloom

2017 has been good to me, musically speaking. It is always tough, finding the time and discipline, the inspiration and creativity to sit down and really focus hard on writing a song. I seem to get halfway there, and then a new idea comes up and I put aside these quarter/half songs, and soon there are over a hundred halfsies just waiting for completion. Well these days, I seem to be able to focus more and entire songs are born. As an example of my first song of 2017, you can see it and listen to it here: "Flip Side"  it was inspired by having to leave (loved ones, loved places, whatever, leaving something over on the other side and we'll see you on the flip side!)  It isn't easy, bouncing between two countries, always having to say good-bye, but on the other hand, always having to say hello!

Still_shot_from_Flip_Side_Video

Sometimes opportunities present themselves. I had the fortune of recording a music video with Kawaii Sessions, a wonderful studio concept, live off the floor, video shoot in Wattwil, Switzerland. Some musical guests joined in and we played two songs, two takes each. We had an hour and it seemed to go alright! One would think that singing/performing two songs, live off the floor (twice) that an hour would be long enough! Alas, we were finished with only seconds to spare! What you see here is Art in itself, raw and live. The first video: "Two Minds" was released yesterday, Valentine's Day, so that was a nice surprise. Thanks to Patric Menzi and all those at Tonstudio, Wattwill for the sweet recording. And a BIG thank you to my special guests: RYKKA, Timothy Jaromir and Nicci on Electric Guitar.

Behind_the_scenes_at_Tonstudio

Sometimes you wonder if anyone is listening at all! It has been YEARS of trucking through the ups and downs of a music career... Ultimately I do it for the music, in and of itself. As Sting once said, Music is it's own reward! Thankfully though, it does seem like some are on board with me. What a waste if I had to do it all alone! So when I woke up yesterday (again, Valentine's Day,) to being recognized by an acclaimed Swiss Music Website, I was feeling pretty good! A nod in my direction (regarding the music I create) is always welcome. So thanks for the SHOUT OUT Mx3...  "Love yourselves & each other folks, happy valentine's day with our great 'HOT TODAY' artist Lindsay Ferguson, listen here!"A fitting day to be a HOT artist ;) Once again folks, it's all about the timing. Thanks for reading and we shall see us next month? 

Ghosts From the Past, Do You Believe?

A_young_Lindsay_in_the_Gatineau_River_w_Mutti

Many many moons ago, I used to live on Queen's Road in St. John's, Newfoundland. My two room-mates and I shared an awesome home with high ceilings, a fire place, bay windows and a back porch, all within seconds to work. We all worked in the service industry and there were aprons, black clothes and change scattered all over. It wasn't in our interest to be clean freaks, but rather to have fun. And fun we had. All of us in our twenties, we were experiencing life on our own with no parental help and all the freedom, hope and aspirations we could bear. When we moved into our three story 100 year old house with majestic staircases, beautiful moldings and bright windows, we were all wide eyed and bushy tailed. Three single women interested in boys, music, wine and take out, we had nothing to lose.

My_old_house_in_St._John's

Strange things used to happen in this house. We would be sitting on the couch talking about all things interesting within the circles of our small world and both candles on either end of the mantle piece would spontaneously go out at the same time. One morning I awoke to find the flowery gold framed mirror, which I had purchased for pennies at a garage sale, turned upside down at the end of the stair well. All of us were in awe of the little and unusual happenings within the walls of our quaint home. Soon thereafter one of us found out that the home had been lived in for more than fifty five years by the same family and that the maternal head of the family had passed away while enjoying a bath, only six months after the death of her husband. Turns out she died of a broken heart A story of true Love at its finest. One of the girls lived in her room and would wake to the sounds of keys jingling in her bedroom door and then the sound of footsteps walking on the wooden floor beside her bed.  

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Most things could be explained... wind, imagination, dreams, etc etc. It wasn't until one afternoon, a few hours before I was to start my late night shift down on George Street at one of the finest, dirtiest, coziest, pubs in town, that I decided it was time to face my fear and take a bath. Showers were easy enough, I could get in and out as fast as can be, lights on, music blaring, no problem. On this day, however, I had the place to myself and was craving the hot comfort of a soothing bath. So, I got the water to temperature, put the plug in and walked away. When I came back to swirl the suds around, I noticed the water was tepid, almost cold. I never thought much of it, maybe I had the cold water tap turned too far on??? I took out the plug and released the water down to it's home under the streets and tried again. Turning the hot water tap on and sure that the cold water tap wasn't turned too far to the right, I found the perfect temperature and plugged 'er up again. I walked away. When I came back to check, the water was cold again. I was feeling a little uncomfortable at this point. So I drained the water once more and this time, barely added any cold water, the water was so hot coming out of the tap, I could barely touch it. When I reached down to insert the plug in, I actually felt the water turn from hot to cool. There would be no bath for me. Showering was fine. I had a shower and left.

Vintage_clawfoot_tub_w_shower

I was freaked out.  To be able to have a shower, no problem. One hot water heater in the house. Plumbers have scratched their heads in trying to explain this one. The next day I told the girls that I tried to have a bath. In unison, the colour drained from their faces and together they said "But you couldn't!" They too had, unbeknownst to each other, also tried drawing a bath on different occasions and were also unsuccessful. A week went by and my friend, the one living in the same bedroom as the couple who had passed, went to have her Tarot cards read. After the reading, the "seer" told her that she could see an elderly woman's energy around her with the name of Jo. She said that Jo was lost and needed to find her way. Relaying that the elderly woman who had died in the house that we were  presently living in (and less than a year before,) the Medium instructed all three of us to tell Jo, who's actual name was Joan (!!) that she could leave. She could go home now. I was a little more freaked out that the other two girls, so I could only talk to Joan when I was exiting the house myself... "Okay Joan, you can go home now! This is not your home anymore!" I would say, as the door behind me closed....

A few months went by and we all left that house to leave for an epic  Spring adventure to Ireland. But not before, around Christmas time, I was sitting in the living room, counting my float and I heard people walking up the stairs. I leaned over the banister and saw the look of awe in the eyes of who I assumed to be the family of one of my Newfoundlander room mates.... I went upstairs to interrupt the 'getting ready for work' rituals of one of the girls, who hadn't been expecting anyone. We went down to greet the guests but they were consumed by the house, talking about where "Mum had the Christmas tree on the other side of the room" and "Oh! This clothes closet used to be the pantry" and so on... turns out Joan's children weren't ready to spend their first Christmas away from the house they grew up in......

Years later I often think back to that moment, when complete strangers entered "our" home without knocking. How could they knock on a door they had freely run in and out of for their entire lives? One day, maybe I might find myself in the same situation in a 'what goes around comes around sort of way??? Well. The day finally came. Eight years after my Grandparents left their (our) family home, (death comes to us all) I had the chance to return to it and all of the memories within. It was a soulful experience and I am pretty sure my Mutti (Grandmother) was right there with me, feeling all the feels. Being in that home after all these years, this past Christmas was most definitely a Holiday highlight. The way the front door creaks when it closes, the weight of the wood stove window when you try to shut it, the heaviness of the sliding glass doors out to the balcony over-looking the Gatineau River, the scent of the laundry room (and the original orange wall paper, still there!!) The sticky cutlery drawers... All those memories... Living on.....

Forget_Me_Nots

Where DOES The Time Go??

Good Day, fine readers. It is a good question and one that we ALL ask from "time to time." I will not try and explain it away, surely not, as it is one that I too ponder on, more than just occasionally. There was a blip in space where we weren't thinking of the speed or the flight of moments... ahhh to be a child without worry once more! But let us not go back nor look back too often, and instead let us go onwards and upwards!  

Life has been generous and kind as of late. I wonder sometimes if writing that out loud will screw up my serendipity but in the same breath, I have to wonder why we 'shouldn't' speak of our proud moments, and the greatness that life brings? In a world filled with 'bad news' being the norm, something inside me feels sheepish when discussing my rewards from seizing the days. More often than not (truth!) I am a listener and a helper to those in need and discussing the wonders of "me" doesn't always seem to be the right time. So, today, on MY blog, I will write about the latest flow in my life stream....

Firstly, I have to reminisce over one of my favourite nights in a long time.... It isn't always that I collaborate with another singer/songwriter, not sure why, but after our performance at MOODS in Zurich I really must change things! Thank you ever SO much to Peter Finc (and to Nicole Johänntgen for the suggestion.) I have said it before and I will say it again, having a SUPERB room fitted with a great sound/light system and an attentive audience is one of the BEST. THINGS. EVER for a musician. What a great spot and congrats to Nicole for getting residency at MOODS and having us as the Special Guests. We each played 6 of our own songs, which meant I had to learn 6 new songs! As you can see from the next two photos, there was Joy, to be sure!

Lindsay_and_Peter_on_stage_smiling

View_from_Above_photo_credit_Seraina_Kurt

Music isn't the only thing that drives me. FIRST thing is Love. Could you tell? I am also a fan of the arts & crafts, markets and all things nature. So this is what I do, mostly; Love, create, be in nature, cook and try to find things to stimulate my eyes and senses. Every year there is a market in Bern called Zibelemärit (here is a brief WIKI on that!) but if you don't wanna click I will give you the short of it. After a fire destroyed a large part of the downtown in Bern in the early 1400's, it was allowed that other cantons be able to sell their farmer's wares in Bern while it was being re-built. The Onion Market is renowned for it's chains of decorated onions and happens every November. Kids and adults throw confetti and the entire old town is COVERED in the stuff. They also sell (fresh/soft) Nougat, which is the main reason I went in to the BIG and WAY over-populated market. Here are a few snaps...

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Onion_art

What a unique experience indeed, and filled with colour and amazing vibes. It is the third Monday in November, every year, so come to Bern, eh? In the meantime, if you are reading from Canada, I have a gig coming up in Wakefield at The Legendary Black Sheep Inn. It is a rare gem of a music venue, along the banks of the Gatineau River and a place filled with all sorts of Magic residue. Pints are pretty good too!!! I was listening to CKCU (Ottawa's Loveliest community radio station which is near and dear to my heart!) and heard the music of Lora Bidner and thought JEEPERS, I wanna hear her live!!! So I invited her to come along and SHINE on the same night! We play on Thursday, December 22nd. Show starts at 8:30pm and I am on first. So please come join us and we will give you some Light on a dark and cold Winters' night... Can't WAIT!!!

Show_Poster_designed_by_Lora

Thanks ever so much for reading. I hope to keep up with the monthly blogging, and in turn, hope you will keep on stopping by for a short glimpse into the life of this Canadian Songstress living abroad! In the meantime, I am counting the HOURS now, til my return to my home & native land, Canada. Hugs and Love xoxo