Posts from — November 2008

Wow, this one surprised me. You ever do a Google search on your name? I just did one today to ensure that I hadn’t missed a cd review from all the Edgework cds I sent out a few months back.

This one blew me away, not only because of the negative tone of it but because of who actually wrote it. Funny how a journalist who recently just did a great article about me in the Ottawa Citizen would then go and butcher my album in a cd review. You can’t please everyone. This is actually the first time I’m getting bad press in my career. I’m going to take it as a sign of things going in the right direction although that can be hard when you read reviews like this! Too bad Fateema missed the magic of this album. Glad others haven’t.

Here it is:

Ottawa Citizen

Edgework Rating 2

Rozalind MacPhail (Independent)

There are two styles at play here: singer-songwriter tunes compete with mind-opening experimental ones. Unfortunately, Rozalind MacPhail gives us too few of the latter.

The former Ottawa musician, now in Victoria, B.C., succeeds on three tracks; Baba’s Unite Us All, Feeling Frisky and the title track. They meld acoustic sounds (flute, glock, guitars) with electronics and a looping pedal, and play out as interludes between the love letters that occupy most of the disc.

It’s an unfortunate imbalance, as MacPhail’s spun-out, folkie flute soundscapes are an interesting avenue. The songwriter stuff, with diarist lines like, “I’m going to be on my own/ I’m going to let you go,” are too shopworn to offer fresh insight. MacPhail should head in the other direction full force.

Fateema Sayani

Wow eh? The good news is that I just found out that I’ll be touring Europe next November. I’m so excited! A German promoter really likes Edgework and wants to get me touring over there as soon as possible.

One door closes, another door opens…

This was a super fun moment. Last night, Coco Love Alcorn was performing at the Ironwood in Calgary. Since I had the night off, I went to see the show. Turns out that Coco and I tried something new, a battle of the horns! I’ve never battled it out with a trumpet before. It was some serious fun I tell ya!

Check out the video:

Well this is good news!

One of the main reasons I went on such a long tour this time around was to look for those windows of opportunity that seem so obvious to us when we’re living in the present moment. This is a perfect example of meeting the right person at the right time.

I’m excited to introduce you to a new member of my musical family, Jeff McNeil of McNickel & Associates Inc. Jeff has a real passion for Canadian music and helping artists reach their fullest potential. I met Jeff while I was touring through Sudbury and immediately thought that he would be the ideal candidate for being my business manager. It is in this capacity that Jeff will be working with me. He will be helping me with all of those business tasks that happen off of the stage, from booking to publicity to grant writing. As I am learning, the work amount never decreases but by having an extra person helping, one can manage the workload a bit better.

Jeff’s positive outlook and enthusiasm will take him a long way in our music industry. I think those of you who will be in contact with him will find him to be a breath of fresh air. It’s great to have you on board Jeff.

Time to start moving some mountains!

Wow, I’m bored. Seriously folks, I haven’t spent a day doing nothing in a very long time. The tour is now done and I’m smiling from all the wonderful memories I now have. What an amazing experience. I told myself that I would take two days off before hitting the pavement to find work but I’m only on day one and I’m already twiddling my fingers! Been writing a few new songs, teaching myself more about Ableton Live and learning accordion. Yes, accordion. One of my friends in Sudbury loaned me his for the winter. It’s a tiny one which is handy.

Thought this would be fun…

TOP 10 Touring Essentials
Things that helped make my touring experience a good one

#1 dental floss
#2 vitamin C powder packets (I take one every morning I’m on the road)
#3 organic apple sauce
#4 toiletries bag (this keeps your essentials in a place where you can find it easily)
#5 handmade soap (mine is from a lady who has a stall at the Halifax Saturday Market)
#6 journal and pen
#7 bottled water (and make sure you drink lots of it!)
#8 MacBook (wireless is sooooooo handy) and iPod (you exchange lots of great music while touring so get lots of space)
#9 slippers (especially for places you stay with pets)
#10 coconut milk (it makes everything taste yummy)

Most of them make a lot of sense. There are probably a few surprises though. Touring through North Ontario is always a bit of a challenge when trying to eat healthy, especially when driving all day. I like the organic apple sauce because it’s a quick and healthy snack which gives you a bit of a boost. I love to cook whenever I can. Lots of people have different taste but one thing I can always find in common is cooking something with coconut milk in the recipe. And the toiletries bag is a must! It’s changed my touring experience for the better. Trust me on that one. : )

I just reached Calgary! That was some serious driving I tell ya to get to this side of the country. Through ice, snow and fog, my little prince made it all the way with very little surprises. I am truly fortunate.

Yup, gonna be an Albertan for the winter months. I have one last show in Lethbridge Alberta, at the Slice. That place makes the best pizza in all of Canada! Can’t wait although part of me feels really sad to be ending my adventures. The past six months have been so amazing. I’ve seen the most beautiful spots, met the most wonderful people and have grown so much as a person and as a musician. Got lots of new songs waiting to be written now. Time to buckle down and get writing.

And what next? Working in Calgary, probably as a waitress. Yup, time to make some fast cash in order to get my butt to the Banff Centre for January. Wish me luck! I’m gonna need it. : )

Wow, North Ontario is one special place. I had such a great time performing in Sudbury, Sault Ste. Marie, Rossport, Wawa, Thunder Bay and Wabigoon. I met amazing people, got to hang with some of my favourite bands (Fembots and Octoberman) and enjoyed every bit of the beautiful drive. North Ontario is one of those precious spots that I always look forward to visiting.

I’m writing to you from Brandon Manitoba, where winter has hit us in a major way. My drive from Winnipeg was a bit scary this morning. I saw way too many trucks and cars stuck in the ditches as I drove slowly along the TransCanada iceway! Glad I got here in one piece. It’s the first time I’ve ever driven in snow and let me tell you, it’s a strange feeling to slip and slide along the highway in a large vehicle. I hope tomorrow’s drive to Edmonton is a little easier. Welcome to touring in Canada during the winter…

Here’s some video footage of some fun moments during my North Ontario tour. I miss all of my new friends already. Can’t wait to get back.