Unbelievable.

After two years of recording, months and months of mixing, mastering, designing, writing thank yous, planning my new website, planning my cd release... it's here.

I'm in bed after midnight the night before I digitally release my first album and I am so bloody proud. I am proud of my amazing musicians. I'm proud of my engineer and my mixer, I'm proud of my masterer.... I'm ridiculously proud of my graphic designer (web & cd cover). I'm proud of myself.

This has been a very long journey, and although this is only one part of the process (and I still have my intimate cd launch in a few weeks, then my big cd release show in the new year) I'm close to finishing the creating process and beginning the promoting process. This is serious business for me. I have always dreamt of having a full length record. A catalogue of my music. A diary of my thoughts and inspirations. Here it finally is. Her name is Prairie Belle and she is pretty darn beautiful if I do say so myself!

All ten songs were written by me and me alone. These songs chronicle major points in my life over the last ten years. Watching relationships either directly related to me, or close to me. Falling in love (myself and those around me). Fighting dark days and waiting (with hope) for the sun. Coming to terms with my surgery and the impact it has had on me. Watching my partner in life & crime work through anxiety and depression. Suffering through rejection and believing in better things. Expressing the love I have for my home. It really has it all.

I hope there are songs that will touch you and inspire you. I hope you see yourself in my song stories. I hope you get to know me if you don't already, and if you do already, I hope you get to know me better. I hope, I hope.... I hope.

Thank you to everyone who has contributed to this record in any way. I have a song called "Tree of Life" that isn't on this record, but that says "a longing fulfilled is a tree of life". It is true. This is finally a longing of mine that is being fulfilled and I believe it will be a tree of life that will grow branches of other musical and creative opportunities. I am so thankful and blessed and happy and hopeful.

Bless you! xo

masters in the mail!

BIG NEWS... so today I got the masters of my record in the mail. I had an amazing gentleman master my record, Joao Carvalho in Toronto. He has mastered the likes of Hannah Georgas, the Sheepdogs, Said the Whale, Sloan, Blue Rodeo, Sarah Harmer, City & Colour... the list goes on.

This means two things: 1 - that I will be able to have my digital release hopefully next week (to be available on itunes and cdbaby)! and 2 - that I can book & announce my intimate cd release show that will be taking place on October 29th. I plan on doing a bigger full band release in the new year, but for now I wanted to celebrate my first full length record in an intimate, acoustic and special setting. I will be chartering a street car that will take my lovely little crowd of 50 up onto the high level bridge and park while Jered, Brent, Ryan & I play some acoustic unplugged versions of the 10 songs on my record. There will be wine, there will be appies and there will be music!

The only downside to the streetcar capacity of 50 people is that a limited # of people will be able to attend. Ticket sales will be at a secret URL that is invite only. Everyone that buys a ticket will receive a copy of the new record. I am so excited to share the record with everyone but at the same time, nervous as to what everyone will think! It's taken way too much time and money for anyone to tell me they don't love it. So, if that's the case keep it to yourself and let me plead blissful ignorance. ;)

Two other bits of exciting news... I will be opening up for Chris Trapper on November 19th at the Blue Chair Cafe. The two of us were scheduled to play a show together in February in Calgary at the Ironwood Stage & Grill, however poor Chris came down with a horrible flu and had to cancel. I'm excited and crossing my fingers for good health for Chris this go around. That night will also mark the kick off for my first ever tour! Brent & I will be boarding a VIA RAIL train the morning after the Chris Trapper show to travel to Vancouver. Then we will travel from Vancouver - Winnipeg and back to Edmonton, playing shows along the way. VIA RAIL has an amazing on board entertainment program that I highly encourage any artist to apply for. In exchange for playing on board you get travel, accomodations on board AND meals. Brent & I are super stoked!

That's the latest update for now! Stay tuned for the digital release next week...

Cheers! <3

almost done!

So I'm thrilled to report that last night Jered, Brent & I got together at Randor's studio (Turnkey Studios) and finalized the mixing for the record. We made a few changes and just got to sit and listen to the final versions of all the songs. It was pretty magical for me! We sat down and crunched numbers and decided who we're going to approach for mastering and how much money I have left (well, how much credit I have left that is). I'm relieved to say that I'm most likely going to make it within my budget. I may be broke afterwards, but I will have a finished record that I am very proud of. I can't believe it's been almost 2 years since we started working on this project!!!

Some pictures from last night:

My notes as we went through each song.

Where the magic happens!

The boys giving their input.

Me having my final listen.

So after two years worth of blogging about this project, we're nearing the light at the end of the tunnel. The guy I want to master my record is in pretty high demand, but I want it done right. I'm hoping when I email him later today that the wait time won't be too outrageous.

Also after two years of dying to have this album done, here we are (almost) and last night I couldn't help but have a weird feeling of anxiety that it's over. All the time and effort we've spent is now wrapping up and I guess I was enjoying the creating process more than I thought because now it's over and the real work starts! Getting stations to play it, people to buy it and getting our songs out there. I do enjoy doing those things so it's all good but it's a lot of work and I want to do it right. Here's hoping!

So there's the update for now. Hopefully I'll have a finished product in my hands within the month!

memory box

*A new song I have started writing about loss. In progress.

verse
I keep your memories locked, inside of this box
When I want to revisit them I just open it up
I keep the key by my heart, I wear my heart on my lips
I use it everytime I speak the words to express

chorus
This loss, how can I cry I can barely even breathe
When I think of, everything that you meant to me

verse two
I put your picture away when I'm feeling blue,
The last thing I need is a reminder of you
But I bring it back out when I'm especially down
I like to pretend sometimes that you're still around

chorus
Because, I'm tired of crying I can barely even breathe
When I think of, everything that you meant to me

bridge
__________

chorus

music, music, music!

These last few months have been pretty jam packed with music. Working on my record, participating in a few fun musical projects and then of course music festivals in the festival city of Edmonton, Alberta!

A few weeks ago I was part of an amazing project called Edmonton The Musical. It was a love story based around relationships and dating in the capital city of Edmonton. It was a mash up of live music and theatre. I was one of the lucky 27 local artists/musicians/acts that got to participate in making the live soundtrack for the theatre production. The show ran from July 21 - 24 (five shows, 7pm everyday and 1pm & 7pm on Sunday the 24th). It was a really fun opportunity to interact with some great actors and artists. Cara Albo wrote, directed, produced and performed (among many other things) in the play. We all had a blast together and I definitely got exposed to the way a theatre production is run (who would have thought it was so different than a live music show?)

The very next weekend I went to Big Valley Jamboree with my friends Laura & Alissa. Jered was playing with Shane Yellowbird as part of the kick off party. We spent the weekend basking (and burning) in the sun, listening to music and dancing all night long. Not much sleep, some rain and chilly nights assisted me in catching a nasty little cold that I'm currently dealing with!

Which leads me to this week, I'm in the midst of a busy time at work working on an amazing event called Walk A Mile In Her Shoes - a fundraiser for the YWCA Violence Prevention Programs. Men strap on heels and strut their stuff around Churchill Square in the second week of September. I worked a golf tournament with the West Edmonton Business Association this week to spread the word and had a hilarious time (and a 5am wake up call that reminded me of my days working at the Derrick Golf & Country Club as a cart tart). Immediately following the tournament I started my first shift at the Edmonton Folk Music Festival. I am working security in the beer gardens (believe me I can be veryyy intimidating if need be) and will be working all weekend long, stealing away to catch as much music as possible.

Next weekend I'm going camping with some girlfriends, which leaves me with one weekend free before my girlfriend's stagette and wedding.

As for the record, we worked on tweaking some of the preliminary mixes and are currently having a serious listen to round 2. I have an AMAZING new web designer named Kasia with Code Word Media Design. She is fantastic and I'm so excited for you all to see the new website, which will actually incorporate this blog instead of being a separate entity! Yay! Which will of course mean more consistent blogging and a more esthetically pleasing visual for you to experience whilst reading. If anyone actual reads this blog of course. :)

Later this month I am playing the Open Sky Music Festival with a bunch of friends, and along with some amazing artists from out of town. I'm really excited to be a part of this festival. It's at the lovely Hawrelak Park Amphitheatre.

THEN in October I have been invited to open up for Dave McCann at the Northern Lights Folk Club! Far in advance I know, but I've been looking forward to playing there for some time now!

Well that's the latest folks!

Cheers!

Record update

Not sure if I mentioned this but I was in France for two weeks tagging along on a tour of four shows with Jered and the band. We had an amazing time... we travelled from Paris to Chinon (central France in the Loire Valley) to Tours to Berck (far north, on the English Channel) to Chavanod (far south almost in Switzerland) back up to the eastern central part in Dijon, back to Paris and home. We went to 9 wineries in 12 days, visited three Chateau's (castles) ate amazing food, drank amazing wine and stayed at some really cute little boutique hotels. The festivals were a ton of fun. Jered and I didn't really buy anything while we were there, except wine (17 bottles in our little backpacks!) needless to say I couldn't carry our luggage past that point.

Before I left I asked my engineer Randor to have the record mixed by the time I got back. I am happy to report that upon the day I returned I had all 10 songs waiting for me in my DropBox. Jered and I have been listening to them non stop. We have a bit of tweaking to do, and want to hear Brent's feedback as well... so once we get that sorted it will be on to mastering.

Also upon my return I got my photos back from my photographer Lillian, and sent them to my web designer. So hopefully in a few weeks I will at least have my website re-vamped and ready for the digital release, then all I'm waiting on is the actual music (obviously the most important part of all!).

Baby steps I know, but steps closer to a finished record. Once the digital release is said and done, then I'll start working on getting the physical cds manufactured. Once I have those cds in my hot little hands, then I can actually nail down a cd release date and perhaps a mini fall tour? Patience is key I tell ya. I have been dying to be done this for quite some time now. I'm really excited about the finished product!!!!

That's the latest for now. Stay tuned!

little life

*a new song I wrote for my sister Brooke who recently had a miscarriage. It definitely brought a new perspective on losing a little life, and searching for meaning and hope in the process. Love you Brooke!


verse
yesterday, I had a little life inside of me
but today, that little life is gone and I feel empty

that little life had only one request
that I just do my best to keep it growing

I know that I did the best I could
and you know I would do anything

chorus
and I know, everything happens for a reason
and I know, I'm going to be just fine

I know there is a hope that's worth believing
I'm just having a hard time
letting go, of this little life

verse
who was I, when I was on the other side
I couldn't relate, couldn't appreciate the loss in their eyes

now that I can see, beyond just me
I know the path I'm on is worn and waiting

for someone to come and claim,
to just release the blame in everything

chorus
and I know, everything happens for a reason
and I know, that I'm going to be just fine

I know there is a hope that's worth believing
I'm just having a hard time
letting go of this little life

bridge
it almost feels as though, it was never really mine
but by letting go, I'm never leaving it behind

chorus