The Europe Files- April 29
Nijmegen, Holland
I am sitting at the University of Nijmegen waiting to go and ride the dikes with my good yet evil friend Manfred.
Does anyone know what a Rukker is? Well, a prize to anyone who knows and who isn't from Holland. My time in Den Bosch was very educational. Leslie and I went cycling out to the country and had a picnic by the lake. We had a full supply of wine and cheese and were enjoying a quiet day of relaxation when a man in full leather approached. In short, weird shit happened and I am now more educated and never take me helmet off. Some people are strange and sexually frustrated.
April 27, 2004 Richmond, BC
Did I come here to find my soul?
Usually that's where I go when I leave Edmonton (a journey to get more intune). This one is a challenge. Everything is beautiful and only the weather is warm. This is a challenge. I feel more detached than perhaps ever before. I don't feel myself. To find me here will be a great feat (how lost I get in the shopping malls and sparse crowds of those who wear fashion as if it were all they are). I wait for the music to start again. My friend Frederick from Pelly Crossing emailed me today and said how that's what takes him deep -- the music. I believe in it too, but somehow stop myself from going there on my own. Guess I have to learn to let myself get in over my head, musically. Trial by water. Or I could actually learn to play by theory rather than giving it all to the ear.
The Europe Files- April 27
Den Bosch, Holland
I am grooving out to Outkast. I love this song! "What is cooler than being cool?Ice cold."
Leslie and Ton are being wonderful hosts as usual. I slept in the attic in a bed of cougar print sheets. That's my style. Keeping it real. I have been busy scooting across borders, sleeping on couches, eating my friends schnitzel. It is great weather right now and yesterday there were many drunk people in the streets of Den Bosch, slightly sloppy from beer and sunshine. I tried a new Belgian Beer that gave Hoegaarden a run for its money. I believe it was called "Wiedese Witte". Superb. Leslie and Ton are teaching me southern style Dutch. I can now say "Steek je kop niet in het zand."Which means, "Don't stick your head in the sand." Leslie had to give a farewell speech today to a woman at her workplace who is a mean old bat and I said just play sick. She then taught me that phrase. Then I learned, "Ik hep een vleermuis gezien". If anyone can translate this, you win a prize from me. It won't be much cuz I will be super broke once I get home.
So anyhow, I am going to Arnhem tonight and then I have to get ready for my shows on the weekend. I am opening for "Purple Haze" on Queen's Day. Lots of drunk farmers will be my demographic. That means Johnny Cash and Hank Williams. Until then. Ik ben voldan.
Wailin' Soles and the Perfect Night
I learned this on Friday: #1 : Shopping is a bonding experience. I went with Dave, soundman extraordinaire and the Wailin' Jenny's to Gravity Pope to shop for shoes. One learns much about another as you expose your tastes and likes thru your choices of footwear or eyewear or what-have-you. Watching Cara Luft trying to fit into big KISS style boots was entertaining and completely cute - using a plastic bag to get into ANYTHING makes me slightly leary, but whatever - Nikki Mehta and her eternal search for sunglasses (she has a very small face and so it's a challenge), and Ruth Moody's sneaker hunt just made me smile. Um: I LOVE ALL 3 OF U! The gig was great - it was wonderful and packed to the rafters.- the Sidetrack Cafe is King. It was completely overwhelming as there were peeps there I haven't seen in soo long and yes - the world gets smaller every day. I also learned not to leave your battery running in your truck for more than 2 hours if you're listening to music or what-not. AMA officially knows pd by our first names and thank you to the dude who jumped my truck at 4:22am - live and learn, i always say.
The Europe Files- April 21
Marburg, Germany
I caught the train from Emmerich yesterday morning and headed towards to Cologne. I love taking the train as it is usually not so expensive and i get to see the countryside. It took me 2 hours to reach Cologne and then I was going to take a train to Marburg. I accidentally got on the wrong train and headed down south, through the Rheine Valley. It was amazingly beautiful with several castles posted on the hill tops. So it was a good mistake and the train conductor didn't make me pay extra as he didn't know English. So I eventually made it to Marburg and now I am ill from eating a pound of cheese. I have changed my diet from wiener schnitzel and bratwurst to bread and cheese. Well, I am not going to be a world champion roadbike rider this spring. Although Spargel (white asparagus) is in season right now and everything is made with it. It is very yummy and quite healthy despite the heaps of butter used to cook it. Long live Germany.
Tonight I am going to see a "Poison" tribute band. Why? Because Marburg loves tribute bands. All hail to "Acca Dacca". Every rose has it's thorn.
Hatzis' Second Coming
Last night was beautiful.
Some (although I imagine not many) may recall how I raved over composer Christos Hatzis after attending his world premiere of "Light From the Cross", a piece he composed specifically for Armenian soprano Isabel Bayrakdarian (my all-time fav chanteuse). Last night I had the pleasure not only of hearing a second Hatzis composition, "Sepulcher of Life", but also of meeting the man himself. So cool. He remembered the review I wrote on "Light From the Cross", and told me that his 13 year old daughter is a fan of Painting Daisies.
Thank you, Mr. Hatzis.
Sepulcher of Life was wonderful. Hatzis' creative use of instruments in "Light From the Cross" (including a movement where the string players plucked their instruments with chop-sticks) had me expecting the unexpected for this new work. I was not disappointed. After everyone had taken their seats and the orchestra finished warming up, the conductor turned to the audience to inform us that we would be participating in the performance by singing six verses of Greek text midway through the piece. Joy!! We did a quick rehearsal of our (somewhat complicated) part, "I zo-e en ta-pho ka-te te this Chris-te, ke An-ge-lon stra-ti-e e-xep-li-ton-do, sygh-ka-ta-va-sin dho-xa-zous-sai tin sin", and the show began.
Above and beyond delivering the beautifully heavy orchestrated drama that I was hoping for, Hatzis also let me sing. Even better, he had Egyptian vocalist Maryem Tollar sing. My oh my. Goosebumps as she opened her whole self, notes coursing from her very being -- how she moved when she sang, I understood how the music was being driven out of her by emotion; release without resistance.
Thank you, Cristos.
The Europe Files- April 18
Westervoort, Holland
Today I witnessed a road bike race with some of the best female riders in the western world. The world champion, Leontien Zijlaard-Van Moorsel
(http://www.leontienvanmoorsel.nl/) was in the pack!
She is the winner of 3 gold metals last olympics, and holder of the hour
record (46 km/h) and many many more. Her famous quote "If I have my period, I'm at my best, because the pain threshold is higher" She's a killer.
I was doing a 80 km ride on the Postbank with my good yet evil friend Manfred and all of the sudden the racers came past us. The women were totally ripped and made me want to give up Bratwurst for good. The Postbank is the last green area of Holland left. It is near Arnhem and consists of hills with miles of trails and paved roads and looks a lot like Montana. It was one of the most beautiful rides I have ever done.
The show in Silvolde was really great. It was at t'Paakhuus in Silvolde, near the German border. I got to play a Jackson Flying V through a Marshall cab with an Engll head. I wasn't used to the hot EMG pickups so my slide guitar tone was really metal sounding. The gig was for Dinxpop Festival which is a festival celebrating the last ? years of music in Eastern Holland. Magic Fish and The Fuzz were other bands that graced the stage. I felt honored to be playing with "Diggeth" and more honored that everyone thought that I was famous. That was cool. Apparently I sang backup for Alanis Morissette. Uhhhh, I just work here.
My next mission is to make it to Marburg, Germany. This will require taking four trains and bypassing the bustling metropolis of Frankfurt. I am slowly running out of money and I refuse to work the redlight district. Bis spater...
The Europe Files- April 16
Nijmegen, Holland
Last night one was one of the most bizarre nights of my life. One of my friends is a social worker in the Dukenburg area of Nijmegen. He had a meeting with the local police, government, kids, and social workers in order to discuss converting this small little piece of land into a soccer field. This process has been going on for a year and this particular meeting took 2 hours. Basically there is a lot of scheisse going on because the kids in the neighborhood have no where to hang out. If they play soccer in the streets they get in trouble with the residents. I guess it really hit me as to how crowded Europe really is.
Any old who, tonight is my first metal show in Silvolde. I am slightly nervous that my rock pant won't fit because my guest mother feeds me every hour. I try to say no but she sits down beside me and tells me "Du musst essen." Apparently I am too thin. Umm no.
Oh and yesterday I rode my bike for 40 km through the German countryside. It was sooo sunny and the birds were frolicking. The bike paths are amazing. They are taken better care of than the highways.
Okay, I am going to change the strings on my rented Flying V. Rrrrrr.
BOY oh BOY - Karma, Churches of the Poison Mind and Crashing the Pah-tay Standard Styles
When I was 8, I heard Culture Club on the radio. I was driving down Queen Elizabeth hill on the way to diving lessons at the Kinsmen Sports Centre, staring at the wonderful Edmonton downtown while listening to this brilliant voice telling me about Karma Chameleons. I imagined the owner of this voice to be decked out in a tux all Lawrence Welk styles - hmmmm....
Easter rolled around and there it was. A "Colour by Numbers" LP beside my Mr. Solid chocolate bunny. Yup. Imagine my surprise - The owner of this voice was a far cry from what I imagined and he's rocked my world ever since (Jon Moss is a babe too). This probably explains my later fascination with Tim Curry, The Rocky Horror Picture Show, cross-dressing, and pugilism. Tonite I get to see Mr. O'Dowd spin some vinyl London styles - this is brilliant. Lucky, I am.
The Europe Files- April 12
Antwerp, Belgium
I have just watched an amazing rock concert featuring DORO and a symphony orchestra. It was unbelievable sound for a hall and I got schooled int he vocal department. Doro used to sing in "Warlock" and now she tours just as Doro. Her sound is heavy, kind of 80's rock, but I like it. Almost 40, she has been touring for 20 years and shows no sign of stopping.
I had my first rehearsal with "Diggeth", the Eastern Dutch metal band extraordinaire. My duty is to play slide guitar, change guitar strings, haul amps, and protect the band from sloppy drunks. We are practicing in a dark barn in the east of Holland, near the German border. The mice crawl along the walls and ceiling as we blast them with Marshall cabinets. I am liking the change in music. It is more complex than the how I write so it makes my brain get out of its box. This will be good for future Painting Daisies stuff.
Last night I went to a Easter party where bands play and 1000s of people drink and talk. I was enjoying myself by the fire when these Dutch boys started asking me questions. I know more German than Dutch so I responded in German. They immediately threatened to throw me in the fire. I still don't quite understand why the countries can't get overthemselves. I see the similarities in Europeans and they only see the differences.
My diet has been quite extreme consisting of Bratwurst, Yoghurt, Eggs, Bread, Butter, Veal, Sausage...... need I say more. Ouch.
April 10 2004
Thank you everyone for your comments on the Longriders show. I wonder how Roach's shows in Germany are going... She's ripping it up with a metal band this week.
Our summer is packing out with tour dates, so hopefully we'll be able to reaquaint ourselves with some friends and fans from tours past.
Ahhhh.... I really have nothing to say. I've been messing with my body chemistry so... I don't really know where I'm at right now. Who am I talking to, anyhow? Um, myself? Yea...
Dispite having achieved minor level of fame, I haven't yet embraced the joy of endless rambling about myself... I guess it's hard for some people to find themselves so interesting... although I am somewhat interesting -- perhaps it's that I truly do "know myself", and therefore do not find delving into my ego very fascinating (although I apparently do enjoy diving into my stream of consicousness).
I think I'm going to go add some espresso to the wacked out experiment I'm running with today. Bye!
Look Out Longriders- April 3
Painting Daisies rocked the house last night. I am a little biased (sp?) but yes, after not playing together for three months, we were like little spring fillies being released into a wide open field. And the crowd was beautiful. I saw many Painting Daisies shirts and hats in the audience and a few mouths moving to the words. Oh, and Andrea...she almost fainted after getting her CD signed. Listen girl, we are only human just like you. But thanks for making me feel rock star like Alanis Morrissette. I haven't seen her yet. She is hosting the Juno Awards today in our home town. I like her.
Longriders is a cool place to play. It is very country vibish but has a great sound system and stage set up. Superseed and Exit 303 were before us and did a great job of getting the energy up.
We just returned from sound check at our corporate gig for the pre-Juno party this afternoon. Overtime Bar has tv sets by the urinals so that the guys don't miss the play while peeing. What about the woman's stalls I asked? The owner said it was too expensive. I guess I will just have to use my freshette and pee in the men's room.
So yes, tonight we are getting a lifetime supply of Doritos chips and playing for the bigwigs. I am warming up as we speak. Full on ovaries to the wall. By the way, Kim is my hero. For having gone through what she has in the last few months, she is playing like a champion. See you on the flip side.
Black Dog Love
Saturday I played the show with Doug - it was #3 on my top 5 gigs ever. Why?Because I looked out into that bar (or is it my livingroom?) that's usually frickin' loud and ADD and the din can drive ya nutso- it was silent. No-one moved. I looked out into that audience and saw faces from the industry, my high school days, my Black Dog crew, painting daisies, my family, my friends - I will never forget that mental picture for as long as I live. I have never felt that kind o'love from an audience - don't think I've ever given that before. The adrenaline rush was incredible afterwards.
The best was my mother selling my single release for me working the crowd like a pro.
I have to say a very big thank you to Doug for everything too. Wow.
That's it.
April 2 2004
Livin' the rock star life...
Today I worked in the coffee shop from 7 to 1, then prep cooked at an Italian restaurant from 2 'till 5. At 5, I went home to recieve the message that Randy Bachman wanted to meet at 5:30 instead of 6. I quickly jumped in the tub and scrubbed my fingers with some of Daisy's smelly stuff (thanks for keeping the shower supplied, D). I was prepping a lot of garlic and onions, and had their smell along with coffee grinds embedded in my fingers...
I think I pinched a nerve in my right index finger from the knife... bad technique but I was rushing 'cause I wanted to get everything done before dinner...
Anyhow, after getting done scrubbing the smells and coffee of my hands, I threw on a dress and headed over to Hardware Grill to meet Randy, Paul, Denise and the rest of the lovely Daisy ladies.
Dinner was amazing, and the conversation pumped me up to rip some rock 'n roll. I think the show tomorrow is going to be great -- especially if I can get some good sleep in, and doubly expecially if I can find something cool to wear.
I'm off to catch some music now, Ann Vriend at Four Rooms and then a private party at Hotel Mac.
Bye!
April Fool's Day
We are so good at getting up early now a days due to our jet setters pace and nasty day jobs. Painting Daisies played the A-Channel this morning for the Big Breakfast. Bridgette, you rock my world! We originally thought we would have to play for an hour so we were going to do a juggling act and some of Carolyn's new taikwando moves. But, we ended up playing one little, wee song. "Don't Leave Me Here" ROCKED and Kim's Jon Bonham snare made my skin go all chicken with excitement. That song is soooooo sexy! Any old who, it was fun and once again we kept it real on independent television. And today was super sunny so i felt like spending money soooo I went over to the Hair Garage and got the rock star streak job done. I think that I actually just went for the head massage in the sink. Rrrrrrrr. Heather you are one talented woman! So now I am ready to convert from grease monkey to rock chickaroo. It's only for a weekend. I think Kim is going mohawk meets mullet but I am not sure.
FAMOUS PEOPLE pt. 2
Well, today in Seattle I saw the Black Eyed Peas pulling up to the Days Inn as they play the Showbox pretty soon - and Rebecca Jenkins - she's just FAB in "bye bye blues" and she also sang back up for Jane Siberry. I have no idea why this happens but these peeps keep popping up. Pow.