Off the Road Blues- May 31
It's a bizarre phenomenon... when you're on the road all you want is your home and when you're home, all you want is the road. Of course I speak for myself only on this. It was a great tour with only a couple quiet shows. Our van didn't break down once and only Kim and I got sick. The scenery of northern and southern British Columbia was astounding. We were truly blessed to be apart of this. And Dustin was a gift from the powers above. We couldn't have asked for a more beautiful person to fill in on the bass. His outlook on music and life interjected at just the right moment. Everything is for a reason...that is what I believe. So now we part ways until Thundering Women in Thunderbay, ON. I shall miss the music and the laughs.
Slightly Burned Out- Victoria, B.C.
The island was very good to us. Victoria was quiet and we were exhausted from the Vancouver show but it still rocked. Back to Vancouver....probably the most dynamic show all tour. We were all locked in. I think it was a result from being stuck in the van for 13 hours prior. The crowd was beautiful and I think Daisy's posses are the cutest guys I have ever seen! Hi Nate.
Joby (our producer) guested on our new stuff at the Vic show. It was so great to play with him. He changed my life as far as music goes. Without him I think I would be working in a mill somewhere in Northern B.C., pregnant and barefoot.
Tracy Gram opened the night and I fell in love with her genuine songwriting and her soulful voice. She is a gem from B.C....a farm girl too. We can talk cow stories. She was accompanied by one of my all time fave bass players, Rick May. He has the most sexiest bass I have ever seen in my life. It is a '74 Music Man and reaks of the ultimate bass tone. Of course it helps that Rick is a demon of a player. He did a session last night for Paul O'Brian at Joby's studio...one take with no rehearsal. He inspires me to believe that music can be your main artery without having to sling coffee or hack up sheep parts.
So yes, then we went to Duncan and learned how to play nose flute while waiting for the show. Daisy was the most promising. She got good tone and pitch while I was making goose noises. The show was also stellar...it was a smaller venue so it was nice to play on a quieter level. No ear ringing after the show. I think this show was one of my faves just because it was intimate and interactive. Thanks Longevity John for the pizza and ginger.
So then the smit hit the fan and Nanaimo was double booked. Daisy ended up changing her flight and going home early and then we found out we had to still play. Soooooo, we played as a trio with David Gogo guesting on some of the songs. IT WAS ORGASMATRON! We played so hard and I was drenched in rock sweat and the guys with the MEtallica t-shirts were so cute and I lOVED it! it was slightly scary because the first band was VERY good and I got nautious just thinking about playing without Daisy. But then we just went to work and pulled it off. Without David's 5 minute guitar solos we would have been screwed for time. Any old who, it was awesome and Kim and Dustin played so well. I love you guys. And Dave's sound kicked ass!
So now I am in Victoria hanging out in the music scene. Joby is recording Paul O'Brian and so far the CD is AMAZING! Very tribal and west coast. It is getting me excited to record again. And I am also visually recording 3 Vic Rockergirls who are trying to put together a song for the camp. They are 10 years old and are brilliant already. I love working with them.
Alright, time to go and experience Vic for awhile. Kim is up north doing session work on Doug Folkins new stuff. She rocks my world. Solid as solid can be for a drummer. Toodles.
Home of the Giant Trout- May 16
We were needing a little R & R so here we are at Francois Lake. Everyone is getting ill and my mom is dolling out the vitamin C. Our show in Burns Lake was superb. My little commmunity filled the theatre and gave us the best response possible. I am so greatful for them! Now we have 3 days to chill out and get better before hitting the south. Yesterday Dustin and I road our mountain bikes up to the grazing grounds of our cattle. It was a beautiful ride filled with lady slippers, morrels, sunflowers, butterflies, and my dog Eddie. THen it was time to saddle up the horses and head into the other direction and check the east grazing grounds. All was good and Dustin made a fine cowboy even though he was riding my old mare that used to be a race horse and hadn't been ridden for a year! Good job ole chap.
So today it's time to put out the bulls. Yes, dad's got big plans for Painting Daisies. We have to chase 4 horny bulls in the general direction of the awaiting cows! See you in Vancouver...hopefully.
On the Coast Again- May 14
TERRACE...WE LOVE YOU! Okay so we booked a last minute show in Terrace cuz we had a little down time. It was the best move. George's legendary bar was brilliant and the people were beautiful. It was a VERY successful night and confirmed my theory on small towns. Only that they kick butt. We spent 2 days chilling in Jack Pine (the hood), biking, hiking, vomiting(Kim and I had the flu). Thanks so much to Tracy and Len for feeding us and housing us. We will miss the furries waking us up in the morning.
Last night we played Prince Rupert. It was a theatre show so I had to turn my knob from 11 to 10. Well worth it. Dustin acquired a new fan base...the rockergirls of PR. He played liek a mad man possessed on groove. WOw! And Kim was ill as ill can be and yet she was drummer QUEEN! And Daisy's flutter tongue and tasty "Daisy" chords filled the air with sweet orchestral ear candy. Ahhh. Now we are driving to Burns Lake where the trout swim freely and the cows run wild. i think Dad has some child labour for us. Update shortly.
Dandylion Wine & Roadkill Sausages
We are back on the mainland which gives me and my band mixed emotions. The last 5 days were some of the best days of my life. North Beach, dandylion wine, venison sausages, smoked salmon, live whales, massages, stack wall... Our show in Skidegate was the type of show that keeps me stoked on rock n roll. A PACKED house flexing and folding as the music plays and the people dance. I must say that the island people of Haida Gwaii are sooo beautiful inside and out. We did every song we knew! Some even twice. i believe our final version of "Church" ended at 2:30 am and then it was time to tear down and avoid all the pizza crusting the floor. Thanks soooo much to Frank and the other festival volunteers for doing this show! We had a wonderful time. Now it's back to bed until phone interview at 9.
I LOVE TEENS!- Haida Gwaii, B.C.
Yesterday Mike and Gaston took us out to see the whales. Dave and I were on one boat and headed out first to the west side of the island! Oh it was wonderful. We witnessed a family of otters, tons of bald eagles, a sea lion, seals, and 4 GRAY WHALES!!!! They were huge! Giant dinosaurs! It was the highlight of my life I think.
So then last night we went and played the teen centre and jammed on Black Sabbath and Zeppelin and hints of Van Halen. The teens were so beautiful and I think I have found my calling...super great musicians. It is so cool that they have this place to jam and hang out. Thanks kids for letting us be apart of that.
Now we prepare for teh big show tonight. Toodles...
Terrace and Jack Rabbit Beer- May 5
So far we have driven 18 hours for a show. It isn't our record but it will be after the 7 hour ferry ride. We drove all day and then arrived at my farm at 3am. My dad woke me up at 8:30 am to chase cows. "Dad, do you know who I am?"
My dad keeps it real. When the hay is out, the hay is out. That means hungry cows and time to ship out to the range. So I got covered in cow crap and actually got some in my mouth. I have become soft over the last 10 years and these things affect me.
So now we are in Terrace and I have purchase 6 Jack Rabbit beer which will last me until June. We are now heading for the ferry and I am sad because I forgot my football and we have a long ferry line up wait. We have to teach Dustin 45 minutes worth of material due to our long play time at the show on saturday. We may be pulling out songs from '97. Not sure yet.
okay...gotta eat my toast and load the van.
Tight Pants Very Tight- May 2
I had 12 hours to do my laundry, pack it, and load it into the van. Well, my favorite rock pants are no longer. Have you heard of hot spots in the dryer? Well, my pants melted to the side of the dryer. Melted. Kaput... No More.
Tomorrow the sun will shine. Tonight it will not.