Scalded Yet Frozen
Upon first entering the University of Alberta QUAD area, I thought that we were playing an Alberta Beef Benefit. I was thoroughly confused but stood in line for a cheap $1.50 burger. There were signs everywhere which had the I LOVE ALBERTA BEEF logo on them. It wasn't until an hour later that a friend and previous body guard pointed out the that sign did not have a cow but rather a graduate's cap tacked on the end. So it was the right gig- Post Secondary Education Awareness.
Once again we froze our perverbial nuts off but it was worth it. We rocked out hard for an hour, playing our solid rock repetoire and doing all of our edumicated moves. "Old Reliable" played before us, dolling out hit after country hit in between banter of "doobies". They keep it real and they have a great van that matches my German army pants.
Speaking of german army pants, yesterday I was riding my bike with my pants on to the bank and someone hucked an apple out of a car and nailed me upside the head! I couldn't believe it really. What an ass! Was it my pants?
Oh yah, and I got scalded while trying to drink my latte, purchased a half hour prior to playing. It burned my hand and all I could think of was buying a new house with the law suit money. Is that evil? Then Carolyn pointed out that the chick at Java Jive probably makes $5/ hour and I said, "Go after the big dude man. I want my hand back. Can they give me my hand back?" So today I was hoping that it would be all swollen and red, but it isn't. So much for that idea.
Alright. Gotta get it together. Tonight I play at The Sidetrack for the Global Visions Benefit with Bill Bourne, AA Sound System, Red Shag Carpet, and many more. Kommen Sie so schnell wie moglich.
September 28, 2004
Tomorrow we do an outdoor show at the University of Alberta with Old Reliable and other fine Edmonton bands. I'm excited to have the chance to watch some local music. It's unfortunate how rarely I see most local Edmonton bands. Generally the only time I do see them is when we happen to be playing a festival together. Oddly enough, I hear more Edmonton bands in Saskatoon or Joussard than I do in the city itself. This is due both to the number of festivals we play across the country, and to my aversion to the club-scene. When we're not on tour, I tend to avoid smoky bars as much as possible. I love going out to shows, but hate the inevitable smoke hang-over that accompanies my fond memories of the music. Luckily, I'll soon be better inclined to support my local scene -- when the anti-smoking bi-law brings bars and nightclubs under its restrictive canopy. Horray for government intrusion on personal freedom.
September 21, 2004
Time off touring makes me do weird things. I've joined a choir. Pretty un-rock of me, but it is fun, and I do like to take every chance available to air out the old vocal chords. Somehow I've been pegged as a soprano -- the slackest of all choir positions in my opinion (all melody, no vague harmony lines that require actual focus on the music). I guess I should have expected it, seeing as how my mom sings soprano (and much better than I do, I might add).
What else has been happening? I got to see the Afro-Cuban Allstars and an organ recital last week. Afro-Cuban were great 'cause we got to stand up and dance in the Winspear. Unfortunately, by the end of the night I was absolutely wiped and could barley sway, let alone toss the hips into it Latin style. Not that my Latin dancing could be described as "style" even at its most energetic... me Latin dancing is kind of like me jigging when I was in grade three: I won a partner's jigging contest, but only because my partner was great and I was very enthusiastac. "Just move your feet really fast, right?" I thought, and now, when I go Latin dancing my thinking is "just move your hips and try to stay on rhythm." A challenging enough feat, especially when you throw a couple drinks and some high heels into the mix. Anyhow... Afro-Cuban: great; organ recital: what can I say -- I was upset when she woke me up with the really loud chords. Sometimes those soft seats are just a little too comfortable...
I Can Change A Flat Tire
The Inner City Bike Repair day was a rippin' success but really cold. I froze my perverbial boys off within minutes of changing my first of fifty flat tires. The Livia Stoyke Foundation put on the wonderful ordeal with the help of The Dirt Girls and Redbike. 900 hotdogs were consumed, 100 bikes repaired, and I think 10 bikes were given away. I was worked over by this little girl named Michelle. She knew my weakness and went for it, coming out of there with new cables, housing, helmet, bell, and almost a new seat. Yah, she reminded me of myself while on tour. You gotta know how to work the system.
We, Painting Daisies, had a rehearsal last night. It was cold and the couch was very comfy so not much playing got done. We are preparing for a photo shoot so if you have any requests for special outfits, now is your chance to get it in.
Our new rough recording sounds totally amazing! I listened to it while falling alseep and Daisy's song about New York sent chills up my spine. I am so excited to record that I can barely contain myself. Gotta go.
Defining Eve...
Eve was the wife of Adam and was a bad ass and ate the apple. I can relate.
Yesterday was a whirlwind of craziness. After the dust settled from a hard day at the "salt mine", I found myself singing "Happy Smurfday" at Kelly's birthday party. It was a potluck and my dish was a 7 Layer Dip. This is the first dish that I made in a LONG time because I never make things. So while walking the isles of the choi choi Save-On on 109 St., I was on the cell to my mother who was counseling me as to what to buy. It ended up being a 6 layer dip but good none the less. The company was a mix of artists, artists, and agricultural specialists. I learned about Russet potatoes and which ones will be grown for next year. Then I moved over to the artist's side of the room and talked about how to make a great pie crust. All in all, it was a memorable party.
I had to then get over to "Defining Eve" where I was supposed to play some tunes and check out the opening Gala. Red wine, cheese, sushi, salad rolls. This evening was turning into a total score. Tom and Lain were playing some wicked jazz and my Redbike friends were there talking about their latest rides.
So I ended up playing with the jazz band consisting of Marek Tyler (drums), Tom Gollup (stand up bass), and Brett Miles (sax and flute). OH MY... It was an intoxicating night. I was playing jazz in D# with a slide guitar tuned to open D major!!!! How cool is that? I was so into it I drooled and didn't even see the audience as they grooved to the tunes, balancing on their YOGA balls. 2 hours later we paused and I proudly showed the boys the blood blisters on my finger tips.
So we packed it in at midnight and I drove Muffy back to the ranch. I love those kinds of days that just kick you in the butt.
Oh, and I got a complimentary DynaBand (sp?). It's red.
Sometime in September.
I am truly exhausted from working at all hours of the day and night to support my habit... music. It's all good though. I can see a rainbow at the end.
Daisy is sick with food poisoning or the flu. Just like me last week. I hope she has some flat gingerale and soup broth or something. She sounded like poo poo on the phone today.
Rehearsals have been great. "Shithole" is our latest concoction. It is a result from my time spent with the metal band in Holland. Down picking and testos with a latin flare. The flare is not from Holland. I don't know where it's from. Probably from my love of raking minor chords.
Carolyn met me for tea today. We talked about life and the twists and turns that it often takes. It is challenging and fun to take them with a family such as our family. Whatever happens to one of us affects us all. This tests our strengths and weaknesses as a unit. It's like the hoola hoop game. Okay, so Big Dean and all you other kids out there...you take a hoola hoop and you and four of your friends stand in a circle around the hoop. Now all of you hold the hoop up with each of your two index fingers. Start with the hoop at shoulder height and try to lower it to the ground. As soon as someone's fingers come off, you have to start again. Sounds easy but it is SUPER HARD!
Hint: It requires communication! Be verbal. Try it with your friends, Big Dean. Do it at a Unitarian meet instead of the lawn bowling. It will bring you closer together.
I have geat admiration for solo artists that's for sure. A lonely highway with a hoola hoop.
We are all working like mad women until the weekend and then it's preproduction time. We have the songs ready to go. We just need a through line that the masses can understand. This will be a job for one lucky fellow whom we shall disclose in good time. Hint: He is a super hero.
Hurl.com
I just spent 4 hours hurling like a cat with hairballs. Bad burger or something. So I am using my day to lay on a couch and catch up on the news. Wow...shitty news. (turn channel)
Bush's quote of the day...
"Too many good docs are getting out of the business. Too many OB/GYN's aren't able to practice their love with women all across the country."—Sept. 6, 2004, Poplar Bluff, Mo
PD have been practicing like maniacs. We just turned Carolyn's new song into a Led Zep, old school rocker. Sorry C. It's just temporary. Things have been busy with day jobs and other Scheisse.
Okay back to the porcelain toilet. Finshed reading Atwood's "Oryx and Crake". Reminded me of Timothy Findley's "Head Hunter". Gave me nightmares and made me think about 2010.
Toodles.
Happy B-day Daisy Blue
It's Raining
It's a stormy night and I feel all tucked away and safe in my neck of the city. We are all getting are lives together so that we can rehearse and record our new material for the next album. The air is turning brisk and the leaves yellow which inspires meals of pumkin soup and other fall harvests.
I have just received pics from the TransRockies bike racewhich were taken by Andreas Schwabe, a proud husband of one of the competitors. He was from Edmonton so I was lucky enough to score some shots. They are on the gallery page if you would like to see them. Many thanks to my bandmates for helping me raise money for the hefty entrance fee as well as to those who bought the tickets for the cruiser raffle. Kendra from Regina won! Another really nice man who buys stuff at Redbike just walked in and gave us $100 to help out. People are so beautiful some times.
Yes, things are much better now than they were a few days ago. We shall overcome.