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

Jesse Peters Trio

There is this amazing jazz, funk, soul, r&b artist here in Edmonton named Jesse Peters (aka Paramedic) and he just released a new album called Facetime. He had a little cd release show / benefit concert for the RF Staples Music Program in Westlock last week and graciously asked if I'd join him on stage for a few songs. Here's one of them:




Thanks for having me Jesse!

prairie belles

So this weekend was a big weekend for the Prairie Belles Podcast! On Friday we were invited to the Shell Theatre 2011 - 2012 Season Launch. Daneel & I headed out to Fort Saskatchewan for a little luncheon/concert/press party launch all put on by the lovely and very talented Elizabeth Budd. The Shell Theatre is the first official sponsor of the podcast, supporting our U22 Revue Segment. We are so excited to partner with the Shell Theatre to further the arts in Edmonton & surrounding areas.
We had so much fun. A few weeks back Elizabeth came to my office at the YWCA and asked me a few questions about the Prairie Belles, U22, the greater Edmonton arts community & more. I got to be a part of the season promotional video. Check it out!




Also this weekend Daneel & I drove to Canmore to be a part of the Rocky Mountain Soap Co. 12K women's run. Not only did we run 12K in 1 hr & 22mins (13 mins better than our usual 12K time) I also got to sing two days in a row to a bunch of very special and inspirational women, in the midst of the rocky mountains no less! I'll be uploading a video very soon.

A very exhausted lil' ol' me is heading to bed. Cheers!

balconytv edmonton

Hey friends. So a few weeks ago I met up with Sean & Cheryl from BalconyTV Edmonton - a sweet "franchise" if you will in cities all over the world, that includes performances & interviews with artists of all genres on balconies overlooking the downtown core in the corresponding city. An amazing concept I think. I sang one of my songs Heavy Heart that will be on the upcoming record.

Here's the vid:



It was really fun to do, and if you listen carefully at the end of the song you can hear icicles falling from the balcony above us. I love unique arts projects like this! There are some great local and Canadian artists on the website so check it out.

This coming Tuesday I have a photo shoot with an old friend from high school that has become an amazing photographer, Lillian Patz (Visible Echo Photography) for the record graphics. I am stoked to work with Lillian since we go way back and because I think her photography is fantastic. I'm also working with the graphic artist/web designer that built my original website to do a full overhaul, to line up with my digital release next month. I'm planning on having a new website to go with the new record. We'll be using the photos from this shoot on Tuesday as a basis for the re-branding. I'm really excited to see what we come up with.

Also, this coming Monday I'll be joining the fantastic Jesse Peters Trio in Westlock on a few songs for the release of his new record FACETIME along with a benefit for the arts program at the Westlock highs school. Could a show get any cooler? Don't think so.

I'm also going into the studio this week to fix up some harmonies on one song, and then my portion of the record will be officially FINISHED. Woohoo! The editing, mixing & mastering comes next. I can't believe this album is almost finished.

On a non-music related note, next week I am going to Canmore to run a 12K race I have been training for, with my Prairie Belles cohort Daneel Irons. It's going to be tough going from running through the fairly flat prairies to a mountainous town with a different altitude but I believe in us! I'll be sure to let you all know how it goes.

That's the latest!

Cheers.