Belle Plaine's Official Website

a haiku (in honour of video release day)

noreply@blogger.com (Belle Plaine) — Fri, 18 Nov 2016 16:03:00 +0000

I sang about cars.
Switched the pronouns on purpose.
It's the modern age.

xo
bp

new video on Friday

noreply@blogger.com (Belle Plaine) — Mon, 14 Nov 2016 22:01:00 +0000

photo: Susan Busse

Hi friends,

On Friday, Blake and I are releasing a video of a live performance that we shot at Village Guitar and Amp Co. in Saskatoon. I'm so happy with how it turned out. So happy with the vision that videographer Dan Canfield brought to the project. If you're a fan of what I do here at BP Industries (y'know, bustin' my butt takin' a chance at a big dream) then it would mean everything if on Friday you would share it, like it, and whatever else the kids do these days.

Thanks for believing.
And happy Supermoon.

xo
bp

the feeling of purpose

noreply@blogger.com (Belle Plaine) — Thu, 10 Nov 2016 19:02:00 +0000

photo: Carey Shaw

Yesterday, in the strange post-US-election world, I felt lost and confused and unsure of what to do with myself. In typical fashion, I turned to work. I prepared for a new undertaking. It was easier than I thought it would be: it helped that it was a beautiful fall day, and that I kept a date with two of my favourite humans and collaborators: Jeremy Sauer and Steve Leidal. We did what we do... talked music, and traded concepts. We created and cooperated.

Steve has been tasked with preparing orchestral scores for a pair of my songs. The size and scope and sound are immense to me. I'm used to managing three to eight musicians. When I heard Steve's arrangements, they moved me with emotion. They made me wonder how I will hold myself together with 22 orchestra musicians making magic happen with me. The arrangements, along with two others by Drew Jurecka [Jill Barber], will be premiered in my debut with the Regina Symphony Orchestra on December 17th. It's a huge step for me, and I know that it's an event local to Regina. But I'm working on making the event accessible to more people than just my community. I want to share it with all of you. I want you all to know what it sounds like If you are in my neck of the woods, you can pick up tickets for the December 17th show here.

So I woke up blue yesterday. But with Jeremy and Steve, I remembered my purpose, and it filled my heart with gratitude for my job and those who support me in it.

xo
bp

transitions

noreply@blogger.com (Belle Plaine) — Sun, 04 Sep 2016 15:47:00 +0000

Our album release for Town To Town/Saskatchewan on September 27, 2015 at The Artesian.

Happy Labour Day!

I've done my fair share of shows at The Artesian in Regina. Honestly, I've probably done more than my fair share. It's my favourite place to play in the city. I love the room, and moreso the community that supports it.

You may have already heard, but The Artesian is going through some changes. They're becoming a non-profit, which is a wonderful to make the space more accessible to a greater swath of artists.

The man who has quietly been at the centre of this, Mr. Andrew Manera, is an old friend of mine. Actually, he's my old boss, from my theatre technician days. He's always astonished me with his thoughtful solutions, and diplomatic personality. Trust me... he had to have it in spades to handle the demands of being a production manager.

I'm excited for the change... to see more shows in the venue, and to witness how a new approach will influence and shape the future of something that I have long cherished.

To learn a little more, check out their weekend of events that's coming up. I'll be playing there on Friday, September 9th.

xo
bp

smoke and lights

noreply@blogger.com (Belle Plaine) — Fri, 02 Sep 2016 15:47:00 +0000

Hey there,

I'm calling today WTF Friday. As in, "WTF. Why don't I release that video on Friday?"

Hope you enjoy. Big thanks to Creative Saskatchewan for assistance in making this baby.

xo
bp

sunset on summer

noreply@blogger.com (Belle Plaine) — Mon, 29 Aug 2016 19:48:00 +0000

Friends,

We can admit it, right? We're looking squarely in the eyes of autumn as it approaches. The wasps have nearly concluded their misunderstood tyranny, the sun is slung a little lower in the sky, and you're already reaching for a sweater in the evening.

I made some miles over the past few months, and many memories too: tromping around the forests of Oregon north of the Columbia River, gigging through Western Canada with my love, hitting festivals – both to play and enjoy. I don't usually make the time to attend festivals, but this year, I had to. case/lang/veirs was booked to play Interstellar Rodeo in Winnipeg, and there was no way I was missing it. When Sturgill Simpson announced a Winnipeg date that fell on the day before Interstellar started, my fate was sealed. And a casualty of my plans was seeing Nathaniel Rateliff & The Night Sweats, Margo Price, Wilco, Whitehorse, and discovering Thao & The Get Down Stay Down. Pretty fantastic. It turned out to be a beautiful summer, y'know. And I endeavor to make the most of the fading days.

As I settle into the realities of approaching fall weather. I'm working on some new merch, some new songs for a new record, and the mighty task of tying up lots of loose ends. There's plenty to come, and I'll keep you posted on all the social medias.

Check the gig pages for new dates, and send a message if you feel lonely.

xo
bp

p.s. Hope your summer was a great ride.

where I may roam.

noreply@blogger.com (Belle Plaine) — Sat, 23 Jul 2016 18:30:00 +0000

Well, that's a wrap on tour. What a trip! The Calgary Stampede was a marathon of country music, and brought some beautiful performance opportunities our way. Thanks to everyone at Würst, The National on 10th, The Palomino, The National Music Centre and the Speakeasy Garage. Blake and I have found a home here in the Calgary community. It's fertile ground, with great songwriters. Mariel and Mike... I love you two, and you know it.

From Calgary to BC where we reconnected with Ward in Vernon at our Spinners Sound Centre concert. Ward has made the Okanagan a friendlier place to be through house concerts, and introducing me to the music supporting folk of the area. A friendship I cherish. And then beautiful Salmon Arm. There's nothing like it. Just check out this photo that Blake snapped. A thousand thank yous to Susan for having us back at the R.J. Haney Museum.

I think often about how being an independent artist is really about inter-dependence. Breaking bread with new friends. Organizing concerts in stores, houses, and amphitheatres. There are hundreds of people involved in just a few shows. All working together so that I can sing songs, and try to share my experience with an audience. I am deeply grateful for the privilege.

The next few weeks will have me on the road again, but I'll be camping. Reading. Hanging with my friend Heather. Connecting with old friends. Going to a family reunion. It's a special time. I'll share some of the adventure.

Hope you're having a happy summer, friends.
xo
bp

Hello, Vernon.

noreply@blogger.com (Belle Plaine) — Wed, 20 Jul 2016 20:12:00 +0000

...is what we'll say tonight tonight tonight!

xo
bp

tour lessons, episode 482: temperament management

noreply@blogger.com (Belle Plaine) — Tue, 19 Jul 2016 02:57:00 +0000

temperament [tem-per-uh-muh nt]
noun

1. the combination of mental, physical, and emotional traits of a person; natural predisposition.

2. unusual personal attitude or nature as manifested by peculiarities of feeling, temper, action, etc., often with a disinclination to submit to conventional rules or restraints.

3. As pertaining to music:
a) the tuning of a keyboard instrument, as the piano, organ, or harpsichord, so that the instrument may be played in all keys without further tuning.
b) a particular system of doing this.

Hello friends,

A key went missing this week. Specifically, the spare key to my Toyota Matrix. I brought two along on tour because I thought that was a great idea. I gave both sets to dear guitarist Bryce on the day that he went to get a new tattoo. I thought to myself, "He might be lightheaded afterwards, or distracted... he may lock the keys in the car. I will give him both sets. This is best practice."

I have never had a tattoo.

So, since Tattoo Day, I've thought, "I need that extra car key back. One of the boys has it. I don't who, but I don't want it to get lost."

This morning I mentioned it. We're leaving for BC tomorrow, and I've gotta have my stuff in order. So I brought it up with the guys. Somehow, I took the high road, and I fought my natural tendency to be like, "Y'all have my key. Give it. Now."

I spent the day reminding, looking, re-reminding, looking again. Waiting for them to find it. I managed to somehow (I hope) avoid a snotty, "YOU have it."

And thank the stars...

Because tonight, I came to a lovely Calgary coffeeshop, and when I saw it was cash only, I went digging for spare change in my purse. And yeah... you know what I found.

Don't get all blamey, my people. The road to redemption is so much shorter when you're not a total ass.

And for my touring friends: learn to tune yourself so you can play in all the keys. Pun intended.

Larry's joke.

noreply@blogger.com (Belle Plaine) — Wed, 13 Jul 2016 16:43:00 +0000

Meet Larry. As best as I can remember it, it went like this:

"Do you like jokes? I got one for you...

"So this couple, they're in their 90s. They're in great health, and they decide to take a vacation. They're driving down the highway, and out of nowhere, BAM! Hit by a semi truck. So they get up to St. Peter's gates and Peter says, 'Welcome! Here in Heaven you'll have everything you wanted on Earth, and best of all, it's all free.'

"He shows them their new home. It's beautiful. Big and comfortable. A swimming pool. The old man says, 'I can't believe this. It can't be true.' St. Peter says, 'Oh, but it is! And it's all free!'

"Peter shows them the golf course, a passion of the old man's. 'It changes every day, so you'll never get tired of it.'

"Peter then takes them out for supper. A meal fit for a king. 'And it's all free!' says Peter.

"The old man looks at his wife. 'I can't believe it,' he says, 'I really can't believe it. It really is Heaven. And to think that I could have been here 30 years sooner if you hadn't fed me those damn bran muffins all these years!'"

mini-tour

noreply@blogger.com (Belle Plaine) — Mon, 04 Jul 2016 16:48:00 +0000

Got some shows coming up, folks! And a whole lot of busy-ness...

I'm starting out on a mini-tour with Kirby Criddle this weekend, and then I'll make my way to The Greatest Outdoor Show On Earth, the old Calgary Stampede. I'll be performing with Blake Berglund and Bryce Lewis, and getting all the sweet harmonies in that I can.

Speaking of Blake, we were featured on a couple podcasts last week. The first was W.B. Walker's Old Soul Radio Show for a Canada Day special, and the second was the (very odd) Queen City Improvement Bureau. If you get to take the time to listen to them I think you'll be delighted by both. Though very different in format, they share two prized attributes: suffering no fools, and not taking themselves too seriously.

xo
bp

snake break

noreply@blogger.com (Belle Plaine) — Mon, 02 May 2016 18:20:00 +0000

Photo by Megan Nash.

Hi friends,

How was the weekend? I've been trying to take a few days off here and there... like a regular person would, I think? It means I (ahem) get out of the house on weekends. I see friends like Megan Nash. She and I run into people like Stephen Whitworth from the prairie dog. He provides me with an impromptu Snake Break.

That's what you guys do, right?

And on Monday morning I wake up to the work, and the same old Slow and Steady.

I've got some good things coming up that I want you to know about. This week is all about prep, rehearsal, and pack because on Saturday I go back to my touring ways.

Saturday, May 7th
DOUBLE SHOW DAY in Regina:
U of R Prairie Kitchen Party Dinner & Benefit

then...

The SCES Exchange
Blake Berglund's Album Release
with The Windows Up Above
tix

then...

Sunday, May 8th
The Happy Nun
Forget, SK
1:30 pm
Mother's Day Brunch Concert

and then...

Monday, May 9th
Common Café
Moose Jaw, SK

and...

Tuesday, May 10th
House Concert
Swift Current, SK
with Colter Wall
tix

There's more after that, but you can check the Shows page, or just check in next week. Looking forward to hitting the road, and seeing as many of you as I can.

Happy Monday.
xo

in review

noreply@blogger.com (Belle Plaine) — Thu, 21 Apr 2016 05:24:00 +0000

Hi friends,

It's been some kind of seven days. There are weeks that pass simply: work, eat, run, rest, repeat. And then there are some weeks that are a complete spectrum of emotion, full of surprises at each turn. Here are seven things of note from the past seven:

1. I was awarded $10, 000 from Ralwco's Project 10K20 on Tuesday. A M A Z I N G. I've been conceiving my next studio album for some time, and this is another brick in that wall. I have so many emotions... suffice to say that I'm overwhelmed. New album! Yes. Yes, yes, yes. Thank you, Rawlco.

2. My fella, Blake Berglund, gave the world another musical offering, and a sneaky peek into our private life with the artwork. (Photography credit goes to Del Barber while they were having coffee in my kitchen.)

3. I'm reading this book, and I dig it.

4. Loretta Lynn turned 84 on April 14th (or so Wikipedia tells me). She also just released a new record this year, which is the coolest thing ever, and an example I plan to follow when I'm 84. I read this article about her recently. If you've ever wanted more details about her song "Fist City," look no further.

5. As a participant in "commercial activity" in our nation, I'm required to file two kinds of tax returns: income tax and GST. (Being an artist is lookin' pretty sweet right about now, I'll bet. "Two tax returns per year?" you think. "Sign me up!!!") My GST return has been "selected for an examination." Off to the tax doctor for me.

6. I visited the IMAX theatre twice this week. Once with my five year old niece and a bunch of her Sparks buddies, and once to watch Star Wars — which made me feel like a five year old.

7. I wrote my 300th morning page in my Artist's Way quest. An accomplishment that means everything to nobody. Except me.

xo
bp

Nicols & Haggard

noreply@blogger.com (Belle Plaine) — Tue, 12 Apr 2016 20:32:00 +0000

It was a nice weekend of singin' solo for two nights, combined with a trip to Winnipeg with Blake and Bryce in support of our friend Quinton Blair — Three cheers for him launching the EP Cash Crop (love that name) into the world!

As many of you are aware, last week delivered a sad surprise with the death of Merle Haggard. The drive to and from Winnipeg with Blake and Bryce was spent listening to a constant stream of Merle's songs. There's no denial that he played a defining role in country music. And there's no doubt he will be as celebrated as he is missed.

In that spirit, I offer you this: Once upon a time, Merle's late guitarist of 20 years, Roy Nicols, quietly gave a guitar to a man who lives in Regina. The guitar was thought to be lost by Nichols fans, and Fender guitar enthusiasts. It is a piece of country history. Last week it surfaced, and when it did, I made the trip with the boys to Sawchyn Guitars to see it. It only seemed fitting to play something of Merle's to say thank you for all the music he gave us.

The video isn't the best quality, but you can still see the smile on Bryce's face, as he plays the instrument of one of country's greatest sidemen.

xo
bp

juno we were there?

noreply@blogger.com (Belle Plaine) — Mon, 04 Apr 2016 20:17:00 +0000

Steve, Bernie, Blake, Bryce & I at JUNOfest 2016

Hi friends,

It's the day after the JUNO weekend in Calgary. It's always a thrill to be a part of a weekend that comes with such prestige and publicity, as well as getting to rub elbows with industry folk from across the country.

The highlight of the weekend came on Saturday morning when Blake and I attended a brunch hosted by the Six Shooter Records folks. The two of us were asked upon our arrival if we'd play a couple of tunes, and we accepted. At the last moment we thought we'd throw in our rendition of "Summer Wages" by Ian Tyson. Unbeknownst to us, Holgar Petersen was there – owner of Tyson's label, Stony Plain Records. It came as a bit of a surprise, and had we been aware, we certainly wouldn't have had the stones to sing it. As it often goes, naivety was a gift, and Holgar gave thanks and compliments for our performance.

Now it's back to work, and back to the stage. This week has a few performances that I'm excited for. Thursday at Casino Regina for a Brighter Futures for Children Fundraiser, Friday in Gravelbourg with my friends Megan Nash, Scott Richmond and Jobi Nichol and Saturday in Winnipeg with Blake to open for Quinton Blair. More info on the Shows page.

xo
bp

the pros of collaboration

noreply@blogger.com (Belle Plaine) — Tue, 16 Feb 2016 00:37:00 +0000

Posters are:
a) Disposable art?
b) Temporary installations?
c) Necessary and mundane marketing techniques done in repetition?
d) All of the above?

Let's discuss.

I've been having fun with them lately. I used to take the approach of just getting my face out there: a photograph with the details of Who, What, Where, When, and How Much.

Now I'm getting bolder. Having more fun with the images. This past year I've started collaborating with my dear friend, Terri Fidelak. I like to think that we're making mini dramas with our posters.

My favourite reaction to our most recent effort is: Whoa. She smashed all his good stuff.

I know what little story the image tells me, and I'd sure love to hear yours.

It's a tiny risk to take. The show may be better promoted with a photo so you know it's me: my face, my show, right? But this is way more fun. And as a self-employed, self-governed artist... I guess I'm drawn to having as much fun with the work as possible.

It's my second collaboration with Terri, and we have some ideas to explore in the future. They might get a little darker, or a little more playful. Hard to know. But I sure hope you enjoy them. They're meant to give you a peek into my brain. Into what kind of artist I see myself as. A bite-sized visual of my inner world.

speaking of which...

I got to host a Valentine's Day special on CBC Radio 1's SK Weekend with Eric Anderson yesterday. Eric asked me to come on the show to talk about my new album, the upcoming tour, and best of all, he had me choose all the music for the three hour show.

I had no idea how difficult this task would be. Artists are not known to speak/sing of the glories of love. We're prone to focus on its pitfalls, and disappointments. And don't forget that the songs I chose had to be 80% Canadian content! But I rose to the challenge.

In order of appearance, here are the songs that spell L-O-V-E to me:

1. 5 Days in May - Blue Rodeo - Blue Road
2. Sugar Buzz - k.d. lang and the Siss Boom Bang - Sing It Loud
3. Sunburnt in LA - Library Voices - Lovish
4. Stronger Than That - Bahamas - Bahamas is Alfie
5. Crazy Arms - Belle Plaine - The Unrequited Love
6. Could I Have This Dance - Anne Murray - Greatest Hits
7. Safe and Sound - Hawksley Workman - For Him and the Girls
8. Taj Mahal - Sam Roberts - We Were Born In A Flame
9. Legendary - Belle Plaine - Notes from a Waitress
10. Vincent Gallo - Carolyn Mark & The New Best Friends - The Pros and Cons of Collaboration
11. You Turn Me On I'm A Radio - Joni Mitchell - For the Roses
12. Christmas Card From a Hooker in Minneapolis - Belle Plaine - The Unrequited Love
13. Patience Phipps (The Best To You) - Jay Malinowski & The Deadcoast - Martel
14. Good Heart - Belle Plaine - The Unrequited Love
15. I Love - Tom T Hall - Country Songs For Children
16. Harvest Moon - Neil Young - Harvest Moon
17. If I Were A Carpenter - Johnny Cash with June Carter Cash - The Essential Johnny Cash
18. The Color of Love - Johnny Cash & June Carter Cash - Johnny Cash and His Woman
19. No One's Gonna Love You (Quite Like I Do) - Jenn Grant - Compostela
20. Old Love - Belle Plaine - Notes from a Waitress

xo
bp

smash it, crash it... whatever it takes.

noreply@blogger.com (Belle Plaine) — Thu, 04 Feb 2016 20:36:00 +0000

!WHOOP!
!!WHOOP!!
!!!WHOOP!!!

The first single from The Unrequited Love got released out into the world today. Thanks to exclaim.ca for previewing it.

You can hear it HERE.

I am super stoked. So happy. Nervous. I've been hatching this egg for quite some time, and it's a bigg'un. Some new songs, some old songs, some songs I love by other people. It's a real mixed bag, and I made it because I want people to get what I do when I'm on stage. If you're here, reading this, you might already know what that is. And you might also know it's weird to answer the question of what kind of music it is.

So what am I doing to celebrate? Y'know, the usual: cultivating myopia by staring into the blue light of my MacBook Air. I'm composing emails to people that I don't know. Asking them to weigh in on my album so that I can get a quote or two. My Grandma Laila told me, "Be careful about asking questions that you might not like the answers to." I'm wading deep into those waters. May the critics be kind.

All things aside, The Unrequited Love feels like a great step towards the artist that I want to be. And as I release this album I'm working hard at writing a new album for you.

If you haven't, go listen to "Crashing Through". And then tell me what you think. I'll just call my Gran and cry to her if I don't like it.

xo
bp

the return of unrequited love

noreply@blogger.com (Belle Plaine) — Mon, 18 Jan 2016 15:52:00 +0000

Carey Shaw Photography

You know what's super exciting? Releasing an album. And guess what? I'm doing that this year. The Unrequited Love is coming out on March 4th. Huzzah! What's more, my sweet band of buddies (the chaps that make up The Unrequited Love) are going out on the road for a mini tour in March.

I've got lots of news to share about the making of this little baby, and I'll be doing so over the coming weeks. Old stories, artwork as it moved along, tunes(!). You'll get it all.

For now, I'm looking forward to getting in a van, and hitting the road to visit some of my favourite joints. You can read about the whole thing here, in this fancy press release.

The dates on the horizon are:

March 3
The Park Theatre
Winnipeg, MB
with Kevin Roy

March 4
The Bassment
Saskatoon, SK
with special guests

March 5
The Artesian
Regina, SK
with Megan Nash

Very happy to share this news with y'all.

xo
bp

hello to 2016

noreply@blogger.com (Belle Plaine) — Mon, 11 Jan 2016 00:14:00 +0000

Me and my pal Dale.

First things first: Happy belated 2016, friends! It's already a good looking year. Lots of creative work ahead. I gots the urge to write, and I'm digging in.

Last year was a big one - for me, for my friends... I got caught up in the whirlwind of activity. I kicked 2015's ass, and it kicked mine too. In the end, 2015 and I have settled at being even, with a mutual respect for what we learned from each other.

I'm getting things back into motion with my first show of the year on Friday. Blake and I are opening up the 2016 Northern Lights Bluegrass concert series in Saskatoon. (Check tickets out here.) I'm so pleased I'm part of their programming, and very excited to be back on stage with my cowboy.

On a related note, here's from our last show of the fall tour that promoted our 7" vinyl. It's a proud moment from the biggest tour BB and I have ever done – and with a smokin' live band. I love these guys. I hope you enjoy too.

xo
bp

five humans, one van.

noreply@blogger.com (Belle Plaine) — Fri, 04 Sep 2015 17:39:00 +0000

photo courtesy of Dan Canfield

Friends!

It's our vinyl release day! Can you believe it? My 7" with Blake Berglund is officially out in the world. You can now hear our take on a couple Zachary Lucky songs on iTunes, and we're off and running on the big Western Canadian tour. Pretty excited to be out promoting a new release again. We're in good company too. Zachary himself released a 7" today, as did my dear friend, Mr. David Newberry. Please take the time to check out what those fine songwriters are putting out in the world. (I should mention that I've been digging on Newberry's release for a couple of weeks now, and I can say it is fine.)

We started this run of dates off strong with a sold out show at Village Guitar & Amp Co. And we spent the day leading up to the show visiting media outlets in Saskatoon including CTV, Global and CJWW. If you missed those early morning performances, you can see them here and here. (Keep in mind we had a 5:15 AM wake-up call!) It couldn't have been a better day or a better show. Lots of new faces, and so much support from our friends and family. Our hearts were filled after a big night.

If you're wondering where we're at and when, you can check that out on my shows page. Or you can follow our tracks on Facebook or Twitter. I just posted a whack of photos to Facebook that you may enjoy.

Thanks to all of you out there who are supporting us by coming to the shows, and listening to the tunes. Thanks also to Creative Saskatchewan for their generous support of this tour. We're out to make you proud.

xo
bp

full circle

noreply@blogger.com (Belle Plaine) — Tue, 04 Aug 2015 17:50:00 +0000

Chris Graham Photography

I think Saskatchewan might be a little sad that the long weekend is over. It's always bittersweet... such beautiful sunny weather, but there are those little wasps buzzing around your plate of BBQ reminding you that sweet summer is fleeting, and soon will become autumn.

Though if you're blue about that, I think I have something to lift your spirits. Blake Berglund and I are cooking up lots of activities for the fall. We've got an announcement of tour dates for September, the release of our 7" vinyl on September 4th and a new video to enjoy in the meantime.

Blake is putting out our first release from the vinyl to commercial country radio, which is a crazy thing to me. Everything has come full circle back to me singing "Islands In The Stream" to my dog when I was a toddler. Country radio is what formed my early understanding of music, and now you can apparently call in to your local country station and say,

"I'd like to hear Blake Berglund and Belle Plaine's song 'Town to Town'."

Will you have to sit on the phone for two hours? Will you be nervous to hear your voice on air? Will you be waiting by the radio to record a version through your ghetto box onto a cassette tape? That, I don't know.

But I sure hope so.

These days are full with tasks, with achievements, and with my deep gratitude for your support.

xo
bp

don't let summer pass you by

noreply@blogger.com (Belle Plaine) — Thu, 30 Jul 2015 00:15:00 +0000

Hi friends,

I'm doing a favourite thing tomorrow: playing a free show outdoors, with fantastic musician friends.

At 6:30 pm in the Regina city plaza, I'll be singing with a five piece band that includes Jeremy Sauer and Elizabeth Curry, who you know and love. Joining them are Bryce Lewis (Telecaster) and Steve Leidal (drums). I stole them from Blake Berglund's band. And Blake himself will make an appearance, since you're already probably wondering about that.

It all happens during the evening farmer's market. It's a magical and fleeting moment in Regina's summer season when it's warm enough to be outside, there are few bugs and you can buy your supper from a man in a hot dog truck if you so desire. There are lots of things to be thankful for in life, aren't there?

So don't miss it. Summer will be gone before you know it.

BB and I will certainly be singing the song below, which was just released to the world through CBC Saskatchewan on Monday. Have a listen now, marvel at Bryce's skills on the Telecaster, and then come down to see the whole band knock it out of the park tomorrow.

xo
bp

catch up

noreply@blogger.com (Belle Plaine) — Thu, 23 Jul 2015 16:49:00 +0000

The Ironwood Stage, Calgary; John Duff, Qmax Photography

Hello dear ones,

It's amazing how fast a month flies by. I've been keeping very busy since the end of the East Coast tour with various adventures.

Five days after I got home from the east, I was tucked into Blake Berglund's tour van on the road to the Calgary Stampede. As always, the Stampede delivered. I was surprised, delighted and disgusted... in equal parts. It's quite the experience. And I got much better at singing harmonies. It was a guerrilla-style, crash course approach to finding the third or fifth or whatever damned note sounded decent, but by the end I was nearly Emmylou Harris. Sonny Rollins once said that one hour on stage is worth 1000 of practice, and I'd say the man was right.

After a rather rigorous schedule of back-up singing, I returned home to prepare with my band for the Festival of Words in Moose Jaw, SK on July 18th. I shared the stage at the exquisite Mae Wilson Theatre with Miss Megan Nash. It was a very special night. Long to be remembered, and a definite highlight of my career.

The Mae Wilson Theatre; via @BlairWoynarski

As always, there's still lots on the go. Tomorrow I'm headed up to Saskatoon with Elizabeth to play at a fundraiser for The Neural Health Project. Saturday will see me at The Gateway Festival singing those harmonies alongside Blake Berglund again.

There's so much to come. Too much to tell you all at once. So keep in touch, friends. I love hearing from you.

xo
bp

farewell, sweet isle.

noreply@blogger.com (Belle Plaine) — Tue, 23 Jun 2015 02:02:00 +0000

Hello friends,

I've overridden my desire, and departed beautiful Prince Edward Island. Although a soft landing awaited in Pictou County NS, I was reluctant to say goodbye to the new friends I made at the Festival of Small Halls.

The festival is after my heart. The venues are in rural locations, and allow for a comfortable environment to meet the people who attend. Many venues are churches with extraordinary architecture and acoustics. Every one of our shows sold out, which is evidence that there is faith in the programming and their audience is willing to take a chance on acts they're unfamiliar with. I'm so grateful for the opportunity and will sing praises for Small Halls until I'm invited to return.

Being on the island also allowed me to reconnect with friends from Canoe Cove, PE who I met last summer when I was on tour. I've been adopted by families across Canada, and it has made for a better tour life. My Canoe Cove kin, JoDee and Mari, have the rare ability to recharge my introvert batteries and give me a taste of home – a flavour which resembles rhubarb pie.

I have one more week on the East Coast until I return to Saskatchewan. There's still a few new spots to see, including Cape Breton. We've all grown fond of Maritimes, and are already planning our return. Looking forward to New Glasgow, Antigonish, Inverness, Guysborough and Halifax! I'm anxious to sing for you.

Thanks again to the Saskatchewan Arts Board for their funding of the tour. I'm so proud to be supported by this historic organization. It's an honour.

xo
bp

tour tunes

noreply@blogger.com (Belle Plaine) — Tue, 16 Jun 2015 13:36:00 +0000

Hello friends,

All is well in the land of lupins, sea breezes and mud flats. We're halfway through the tour, and today we'll make our way to PEI for the delightful Festival of Small Halls. I've been keeping uncharacteristically on top of the photo evidence, which you can see here. Very thankful for all the media attention we've been getting, and the good people who have booked us, fed us, provided beds and all the kindnesses that make touring enjoyable. It's been a fun ride. We'll be back to see our East Coast friends next year for sure.

Before I got on the amazing aeroplane for Halifax on May 28th, I spent the afternoon with my old friend, Brent Nielson. I met Brent at CBC Saskatchewan when I started singing around Regina. Brent keeps himself busy with all kinds of projects: his own band Stillhouse Poets, shooting videos and doing sound at Creative City Centre. The latter two came together recently in a video series he started called "An Empty Room". He's been busy doing the videos with a host of wonderful artists, and I'm happy that I got to be one Give the video a watch, and see what great work he does.

And the song is about touring! How appropriate for the times.

Lotsa love from the East Coast.
xo
bp