Getting ready for Nashville

Monday morning, and the sun starts shining brilliantly after a weekend of full on, non-stop drizzling, pouring, dripping, streaming, misting, back to pouring rain. It was awesome—lots of books and coffee, an amazing house concert featuring John Wort Hannam (which I wasn’t actually hosting!), another house party. And finally, with the sun on my back, it’s Monday morning coffee at my favorite café in Saskatoon, the CBC playing in the background. The owner of Caffe Sola, Sarah comes over to say hi and talk about the books we’re reading—me loving One Hundred Years of Solitude and the sensuality of Gabriel Garcia Marquez. It’s a good life.

It’s been an incredibly busy summer, but after hosting my last house concert on August 5, we decided to close the doors, shut up the house to visitors, and cocoon. I’ve been reclaiming the barn for my own. Playing without an audience. Rehearsing and meandering and jamming with some great friends, and exploring undiscovered territories in each song. My fingers are sore—good pain.

In one week from now, I’ll be on a plane to Nashville to start the next album. I filled with excitement, and (I must confess) a bit of nervousness. The first time I was in Nashville was back in March on a two-week writing trip. And I arrived utterly alone in that city. At the time, I was longing a bit for home and feeling pretty isolated. (At the height of this longing for home, I wrote "Can you love me like that"...listen to the song on myspace. After two weeks, I had found those great neighborhoods, food, cafes, friends, and music venues that fit you like a favorite shirt and make a place home.

So I can’t wait to go back. Colin’s lined up an amazing band. I’ll be sure to post some stories and pictures from the studio! In the meantime, some exciting stuff to check out: on June 18/19 I performed a couple house concerts in my own place (The Hayloft) and CBC came to record the show for “Canada Live”. The concert will be aired in Saskatchewan on SoundXchange (Sept 5) and is now available on Concerts on Demand. Also, I've posted a few songs from the concert on myspace. Take a listen!

Also, getting excited about bringing together the full band again this Sept 4 and 5 for the Fireworks Festival in Saskatoon. We’ll perform in the beautiful glass lobby of the Persephone Theatre, overlooking the river. Our show will build up to an amazing climax with a surprise guest performance right before the river erupts with fireworks! The food will be catered by Calories and wine provided with your ticket. GET TICKETS AND INFO HERE.