Nov 9, 2011 8:00 PM       No. 8 Cafe                            Launceston, Cornwall, England
Nov 10, 2011 7:30 PM      The Blue Walnut                Devon, England
Nov 11, 2011 8:00 PM      The Brasenose Arms         Cropredy, England
Nov 12, 2011 8:00 PM      The Little Rabbit Barn     Colchester, England
Nov 13, 2011 8:00 PM      The Slaughtered Lamb     Clerkenwell, England
Nov 14, 2011 TBA               Bob Harris Show BBC      London, England
Nov 15, 2011 TBA               Nicola Gilroy Show BBC  Lincolnshire, England
Nov 15, 2011 8:00 PM      The New Adelphi                Hull, England
Nov 16, 2011 8:00 PM      New Orleans Club              Louth, England
Nov 17, 2011 TBA              The Drift BBC                     Lancashire, England
Nov 17, 2011 8:00 PM      The Kenlis Arms                Lancashire, England
Nov 18, 2011 8:00 PM      CCA Cinema                       Glasgow, Scotland
Nov 19, 2011 8:00 PM      The Milton Rooms            Malton, England
Nov 20, 2011 TBA              Your Country w/ Allan Watkiss BBC Sheffield, England
Nov 20, 2011 8:00 PM      The Lescar                          Sheffield, England

Just back from the Stan Rogers Folk Festival in Canso, NS. It is truly one of the last “real” folk festivals, in the tradition of the 60′s folks song and singer/songwriters with a good mix of traditional Irish and Scottish music thrown in as well. We had a great time playing and seeing old friends, making new ones.

Today is the day when my new record, “Silhouette” finally gets fully released in Canada…. the rest of the world must wait until September of this year.
It’s been a long strange trip these last few years and my music has changed along with me. It’s still very much me but I think my sense of humour towards life has gotten a bit better, my heart has been all over the map and my perspective on the world has gotten bigger.
I realized, just today, that this is the first album I have made that doesn’t have a song written about the loss of my father, Gene MacLellan. It is also the first time I have recorded a cover song and, coincidentally, the song is my father’s “Snowbird.” Dad is still with me, on this journey.

I just returned home from a lovely brunch with my mom, my sister Rachel and her boys, and my sister-in-law Chantal and her youngest girls. After I left, giving them all a copy of “Silhouette” my sister Rachel texted me surprised and excited that Jim Cuddy sings on Snowbird with me. I thought to myself,”Yeah, that is pretty cool.” It hadn’t occurred to me before!

The album starts with an upbeat number about not cheating, into a song about war, then being far from home. There is a song about feeling good and watching out for my friends, one for a friend who was diagnosed with terminal cancer, one about my struggles with depression and a good few about loneliness and heart ache.

I hope that people enjoy this record and can relate to the emotions and experiences I’ve put down in song… thanks to David Baxter who co-produced it with me. Thanks to my band, especially Chris, who made this music with me and Chris who was there in the process when I couldn’t be.
Thanks so much to True North Records for believing in my thing and continuing to let me be me.

And of course, thanks to all of you out there in the world who like what I do and support me in your own ways.
xoxoxox
Catherine

I just got back from a trip to San Francisco and Yosemite where Chris and I played the amazing Strawberry Music Festival. So, imagine being in one of the most beautiful places on earth (Yosemite National Park) and getting to listen to some of your favourite bands while hanging out with some of your best (and perhaps newest) friends. Now imagine getting paid for this and being able to perform your art in front of all these amazing people. Wow.
I had been waiting for this gig for over a year. Even more, since originally when asked 3 years ago I couldn’t attend. It did not let me down, expectations were met.

Now I’m back to my garden, my girl, my cats… Trying to get some work done, my life organized, my house clean.
My album is somewhat released at this point, although not OFFICIALLY until June 14th. I think. I don’t really know anymore, as the date has kept changing. Regardless, I’ve sold a few copies and was thrilled to get the actual disc into my hands. Now to convince True North that they really do want to make a vinyl version. Unlikely, for now.
So far reviews have been positive of my new album, called Silhouette. The artwork (design by Ryan Hutchinson and photos by Kyle Cunjak) is awesome. I’m very happy with that.
I also think we captured some great performances by all involved. Jadea Kelly sings a lot of backup and I think it is truly beautiful what she brings to my songs. My PEI band was in fine form and the other guests were absolute pros.

Off to Toronto in a week or two to do some press stuff, then back to PEI again for the Festival of Small Halls (smallhalls.com). This is a really special festival that takes place in the many small community halls across our little province. Bands and artists from all over PEI, the Maritimes, and the world will be joining us yet again.

Well, I should go sleep now… waiting for Saturday and the second game in the Stanley Cup final round. Boston vs Vancouver. I admit to being a Canucks fan, so I’ll be watching.
xo

Me and Old Man Luedecke at the Strawberry Music Festival

I had an incredibly busy winter and now I’m excited to celebrate the first day of spring!!!
Can it be true? It sure doesn’t feel like spring tonight in PEI. The snow is blowing and the ice keeps forming but the moon is out and my cats are acting feverish.
Another clue that it might actually be spring: I have been cleaning.
Yes, today my mother, bless her heart, took pity on me and came to my house for a good old fashioned cleaning session. We managed to make a noticeable difference in my severely neglected house. Now I can sweep out the dust and cobwebs in my brain and try to get some work done. (We won’t discuss tax season or my scary refrigerator.)

So much has been going on in the world (Libya, Japan, New Zealand, Yemen, etc…) that my newest goal is to realize how blessed I am to be in this country, in this house, in this position of being able to go on tour as a musician. I mean, really, it’s a bit ridiculous. I go around singing sad heartbreak songs while we are worried about nuclear meltdowns, civil war raging in the streets and mega earthquakes and tsunamis. The only thing I can really do is be thankful, be concerned and work hard.

So work hard I will continue to do.

Next stop – Manitoba. And I don’t just mean Winnipeg. I’m going to be doing 12 or 13 house shows in the province of my ancestors. If you are in Manitoba, please check out my website to see where these shows will be.
After that I am back home for a few shows in the Maritimes with my bad uncle Ron Hynes. (Saint John and Summerside.) After that I get to go to the festival I’ve been waiting 3 years to get to – the Strawberry Festival in northern California. A cabin on a lake at the edge of Yosemite for four days while listening to a lot of great music sounds dreamy. All this while the world turns.

On top of the traveling, I am preparing to release my record on May 31st, my fourth on True North Records. “Silhouettes” is a collection of songs that I recorded with my PEI band in a log house in the PEI hills. These songs range from sad heart break to not cheating to death, dying and depression.

ALRIGHT. Well, I have a lot of work to do, so I’ll sign off here and get to it.
I’ll be keeping my eye on the Junos next week to see if any of my friends get to take one home. The East Coast Music Awards (ECMAs) are happening while I’m in Manitoba, so I’ll also watch that one from afar.

Hope you are all safe, loved and healthy tonight.
Catherine

PS: If you haven’t heard my dear friend Tanya Davis’ new record – Clocks and Heart Keep Going – please check her out here: www.tanyadavis.ca

PPS: I did try the oysters in Ireland. Just once, but at a very reputable restaurant. I have to say, they just were no match for Prince Edward Island’s jewels. I do wonder if it’s possible to get the natural Irish oyster. The only ones available were transplants of Pacific oysters. C’mon. Gross.

Chris with the Tpne King dream amps

writing to you from outside Belfast… it’s so beautiful here, and we’ve been welcomed by friends and mild weather.
Waiting for a beautiful meal that’s being prepared for us, I thought I’d let you know what’s going on.

I’m here in Ireland with Dave Gunning, Ron Hynes and (soon) Rose Cousins. A little maritime reunion here.
So far so good, I have survived being sleep deprived and am looking forward to our first show tomorrow at the Blackbox in Belfast.

This is my first time in Ireland and I really like the pace of it. Reminds me of the Canadian maritimes in a way.
Tomorrow, my goal is to eat some oysters. Ireland boasts having the best oysters in the world, but until I try them I won’t believe it. PEI oysters are too dreamy to think there are better ones out there. I will let you know!

I’m am so lucky to be here.

More soon,
Catherine

I won that award last year, so I’m part of the show as last year’s winner. Up this year is Meaghan Blanchard, Dennis Ellsworth, Devin Casario, Jeremy Gaudet and John Connolly. Tough competition!

I kind of think awards are ridiculous, but if i can take a broader scope I can say that it is great publicity for everyone and it allows us musicians to all be together in one place, which is a rare treat.

Friday, I’ll hang out at home while the snow falls and blows. Saturday I’ll be a part of the Gala Awards show at the Confed Centre. It’s nice to not actually be up for any awards. I didn’t have a record out this year, so I can avoid the speeches and embarrassment I feel if I win.

Next week, Chris and I are off to Boston to play at Club Passim. Spread the word if you can. We’ll be there opening two shows on Wednesday, 7pm and 10pm.
After that, to Fredericton NB on Saturday the 29th for Shivering Songs Festival and the Olympic Symphonium cd release.

Hope to see you along the road somewhere.
Thanks, as always, for your continued support.

Cheers,
Catherine

Isabel's artwork.

I’m slowly transferring all of my old posts over here to WordPress. It’s been a long time overdue. Myspace has been failing me in so many ways for so long. Soon I will give it up entirely.

It is very winterish here in PEI. Snow covers everything and will be here to stay until April, most likely. It’s quite beautiful and I would be mostly content to sit around and watch winter pass me by. Alas, I have a lot of touring and working to do over the next few months.
My record is almost finished, but won’t be making it’s public debut until late May or early June. I’ll at least have it for festivals and a thorough Canadian tour in the fall.
Check out my upcoming shows on my website www.catherinemaclellan.com because I’m going to be a bit all over the place. Halifax, Boston, Fredericton, Ontario, Quebec, Ireland, Manitoba….

I’m really excited about how my record is turning out. It is very “me”. At least the me I am now. There is some lovely minimalistic moments, lots of bird songs, heartfelt honesty and a little rock and roll. I can’t quite figure out what the theme of the record is, but I’m looking into it for inspiration for the artwork.

Hope winter is treating you all well…
thanks for supporting live and independent music.
Catherine

Reg's drums... reg's studio...reg's home!

These days are all seeming like a blur. People and places whizzing past as I jet around this crazy world of ours. And it’s a beautiful thing.
I’m finding myself a bit out of whack today. It doesn’t seem real, but the weather in Austin is amazing. This is the best of a Prince Edwards Island summer, but I’m in Texas and it’s March. My body hasn’t quite adjusted yet to the change, and the buzz of all the music and crowds around me keeps me in a bit of a daze.
I’ve been very fortunate lately, winning a bunch of awards (Canadian Folk Music Award for Solo Performer of the Year, East Coast Music awards for Folk Recording and Female Performer…), being on stage with some of my heros (Gordon Lightfoot, Gord Downie…) and also finding time to create, write, and be a mom.
I am certainly not an over acheiver, but I’m somehow managing to fit all this in.
After this weekend is over here in Austin, I head towards Ontario with my band and I can’t wait. We’ll be hitting a few cities and towns on this mini tour – London, Kingston, Wakefield, the Eastern Townships… but the show I’m really looking forward to is at the Glenn Gould Studio in Toronto. Perhaps it’s because Toronto is like a second home these days. Mostly, though, I think it’s because that particular night I’ll be sharing the stage with a few of my dear friends.
I’ve invited some of my closest friends to sing and play with me. Among them are Joanne Mackell (Toronto country queen), David Gavan Baxter (as CBC calls him – Canada’s oldest emerging artist), Jack Marks (his debut album “Two of Everything” is a must hear) and Shelley Coopersmith (one of Toronto’s finest fiddle players.)
For me, music is about the heart, about friendship and love, and to be able to have my friends onstage with me brings everything back to the ground and then elevates it to that place where the heart rules. That is where I feel at home. Hope to see you on the road somewhere…

Catherine

I went into my garden today, urged by a friend to be attentive of my garlic.
Garlic, the one thing in the garden you can pretty much ignore from the time you plant it in the fall until the stalks start dying at the end of summer.
Well, early this year, some of my garlic is ready.
So I pulled some out, brushed off the dirt and let it lay around and dry out.
I’m doing this with songs these days as well. Some new songs are bubbling to the surface in quick procession, and with recording further down the road, I need to let these songs rest, mature, get ready for their grand display, if they seem useful enough to throw in the mix.

So many songs. And I’m feeling good about a lot of them. It always comes down to this when a record is being conceived – the cull. Only so many songs will fit on a record, let’s say an average of 12. As I sat down at my kitchen table the other night, with guitar in hand I pulled out at least 20 worthy of being heard. Songs that excite me, or make me feel something. I still regret the culling of the songs that were taken off the last record.

When will I ever be able to release these misfits? Hopefully someday I can lay them all down, even bare bones, just to put them out there. Let my children see the light of day.

So yes. This note is to say, there is food growing in the garden, songs getting ready for recording, ideas running about my head, and summer flying away as I write this.

For a list of my upcoming shows (there are lots of great outdoor shows this summer in the maritimes, some new, exciting festivals, and some truly special venues…) please check out my official website – catherinemaclellan.com

Thanks for your support and patience as I ramble!
xo
Catherine

(Originally published in the December edition of PEI’s entertainment monthly, The Buzz.)

From the plane.... not the one that blew up.