Matthew McCully's Blog

New Album

2013-11-11T21:02:00.001-08:00

photos by Jason Cox (Instead Cinema)

I have been spending my days writing, and my nights going through the footage shot by Instead Cinema on my WWOOFing to the Edge of the World summer tour. It was a tremendous tour. I met so many wonderful and generous people. Seeing them again in the recordings makes me happy.

The documentary is still a long way from being finished, but I am proud of what Jason and I accomplished, and I believe we will have a great film to share in the coming months.

For the moment, I am preparing to record a new album. I don't intend to do it the same way as my first one. I have some new ideas for recording, and I would like to include a few off-the-floor live recordings as well.

Here are some videos from performances during the tour.

Helliwell

Safe Harbour

I will share more songs and interviews as the editing process continues.

I have a few shows lined up in the coming weeks, I will post dates once venues and details are confirmed.

The winning team!

2013-04-10T09:16:00.003-07:00

Well, The Sugar Shack Sessions video competition was a great fun. The winning team will be announced today at 4:00pm on CBC Breakaway.
Tune in to see which video viewers enjoyed the most!

Sugar Shack Sessions

2013-04-02T10:34:00.000-07:00

While the sap has been boiling, some very talented Townships musicians and filmmakers have been cooking up something of their own.

I am very proud to present the Sugar Shack Sessions.

Have a look at local artists paying tribute to an important Townships industry and rite of Spring.

Whats cooking?

2013-03-27T16:00:00.000-07:00

Lots cooking these days.

I entered a new tune, Safe Harbour, into CBC's Searchlight competition and enjoyed about 15 days of fame. I made it to the regional top ten, which felt great! Here is the ITunes link to the new song.
I played a sold out St. Patrick's show at La Caravane, my favorite Townships Venue. Good times were had by all. I was Joined by Jesse Ens, a fantastic mandolin and banjo player. I have a feeling we will work together again.

Still trucking away on this new album, feeling very inspired.

I am very excited to announce a new project, celebrating the Maple industry in the Townships, called the Sugar Shack Sessions. CBC Breakaway popped by one of the sugar shacks to see one of the videos being shot. You can listen to that interview here.
I will post the details next week, but the project involves local musicians and filmmakers shooting videos in Sugar Shacks in the area. It was cold, it was snowy, but we all got it done. We had a great time, and we look forward to showing you how things turned out. I will run a friendly competition next week to choose a viewers choice award for best video.

And I have a summer tour in the works. I have a starting date, and an ending date. All I am missing is about 20 gigs in between.
I will play a house concert here in my parents home with Craig Cardiff on July 19. Then, I will slowly make my way to Haida Gwaii to perform at the Edge of the World Festival August 9-11.
If you would like to host a house concert, or could recommend a venue along the way worth looking into, please drop me a line. I like non-traditional venues. No kitchen is too small, no barn is too big. I can rock out anywhere!

Safe Harbour

2013-02-18T08:49:00.002-08:00

In the past few months I have been working on a new album. I like how the songs are developing.

I decided to share a sneak peak!

I have entered the CBC Searchlight competition, using my new song, Safe Harbour.

I am really proud of it, and very excited for you to hear it.
If you enjoy it, I hope you will vote for me.
Voting is easy, there is no sign up required, and you can vote daily.

Thank you for your support!

The Snow and the Salt

2013-01-01T21:34:00.001-08:00

In winter, here in Quebec, things change. It happens very gradually, but the business of everyday life is very different in winter months than it is in the summer.
Socks gain this new power over people. Its ironic they should cover the Achilles tendon, of all things. I needed to run out quickly, so I slipped my bare foot into my boot, and instantly felt the residual cold wet of melted snow on the laces. I immediately changed my plan, slowed down, and went on a search for socks.
Sidewalks are dusted with salt, sand, and pebbles to prevent slipping. It hurts my dog's feet. Even though she loves walking in winter even more than summer, because she tends to overheat, I need to avoid sidewalks and walk in the street to avoid damaging the pads of her paws.
I was thinking about seasons like people. Spring and Fall have the same personality, and I know those people well. They are polite, and are willing to listen, but they make it clear that they can't stay long, they have somewhere to be. They are busy. And I respect that, so I am brief with the thoughts I share with them, because I, too, am busy. Summer is like a good friend, spread too thin. I am not bothered, because my attention is as divided. Luckily, it is a season of plenty, so we are always close to contentment.I feel like my thoughts pass like wind through the leaves of a tree, or dry up in the hot sun, or get splashed and soaked in a river. I can't hold onto much or focus, but I appreciate the abundance of ideas, and the warmth.
The winter is my best friend, and my worst enemy. It is me, reflected in the ice. When I look out the window during any other season, there is always movement, and life, and intention. The winter looks back at me and just waits for my cue. It is quiet, and ready to absorb my thoughts. The problem is, the winter never agrees or disagrees. It just listens, and never responds. I can get lost in silence, or drive a single thought to the point of utter despair. Winter won't stop me, or distract me.

Video Series

2012-11-01T12:52:00.001-07:00

Well, opening for Ashley MacIsaac was a hoot! Great guy, very down to earth, and generous with his time. He insisted we play a song together. It was a privilege to share the stage with him. I sang Fare Thee Well, Love, as a tribute to the Rankin Family, and Ashley and his band mates really brought the song to life. It was hard to maintain my composure, because I almost always perform alone. To be joined by other players, especially world renowned ones, at the top of their game, was intimidating and inspiring.

Most memorable moment? I was just about to go on, and was obviously very nervous to play for my biggest audience yet. Ashley, in an attempt to help me relax, shared a story with me. (he tells a lot of stories, all of which are very entertaining). The first line of the story? "This one time, when I was opening for Johnny Cash..."
I love that he thought a story like that would make me feel better. Of course, I was so busy holy shitting the fact that I was about to open for someone that opened for Johnny Cash, that I missed most of the details..

I am very excited about the release of the Heritage Tour Video Series!
When I was putting the tour together, I thought it would be nice to do a video of a performance at each venue. I met with Damon Cox, of Instead Cinema in Stanstead. He is a filmmaker, and is associated with the Centre des Arts de Stanstead. He agreed it would be a worthwhile project to support the Arts in the Townships, and to promote our cultural institutions.

I chose a song that I felt would suit each venue. There is only one song from my album, Matthew Mccully and the Matter of Principle. The other four are new songs, that I hope you enjoy.
I am very proud of the work that was done.

The Piggery-King to a Sparrow, featuring Kate Morrison
Brome County Historical Society-The Fishes
Wales Home-The Fold
Uplands Museum-Ohio
Haskell Free Library-Weights and Pulleys

Up Next

2012-10-17T11:02:00.003-07:00

The Heritage tour is over. At least, the Townships leg of it. I really enjoyed the intimate settings, and the opportunity to connect with the audience. I will take some time now to find other interesting places to play, and polish up material for the new album.

Up next? I have the privilege of opening for Ashley MacIsaac on Friday, Oct 19 at Centennial Theatre here in Lennoxville. First time on the stage at Centennial, and first time opening for an internationally recognized performer. I look forward to it, and to seeing him perform. I'm sure I will learn a lot!

Brome County Historical Society Old Courthouse

2012-10-04T21:45:00.000-07:00

The first show of the Townships Heritage Tour was a great success. The Piggery is a wonderful venue , and sharing the stage with Kate Morrison was a real honor.

Now, on to Knowlton, to the Old Courthouse at the Brome County Historical Society. The building was constructed between 1858-1859. The room is complete with the Judges bench and witness stand. I have no doubt the energy will be electric in a room with that much history.

I will share the stage with Sarah Biggs. Sarah and I go way back as far as high school, though we didn't actually meet until CEGEP. I had just started guitar lessons, and I had my guitar with me in the pub on campus in between classes. Sarah walked over to me, barefoot, and said I should bring my guitar outside and jam with everyone. Of course, I refused, because I was totally intimidated. But I did poke my head out the door to have a listen. I remember Sarah played Blackbird, by the Beatles, with a speed and effortlessness that was unimaginable to me. I left immediately-and went home-and started learning Blackbird.

Years later we met again, here in the Townships, having traveled similar paths to Vancouver and back, and both working hard on our music. Sarah recently completed her third album, Surface Tension, and it is truly beautiful.

We had some time to rehearse, so the show will have somewhat of an open door policy, where she is welcome to join in my songs, and I will join in playing some of hers.

I look forward to reviving the Old Courthouse for a night of music, and I hope to see some familiar faces in the crowd to share this unique experience.

The Old Courthouse in Knowlton, at 15 St. Paul, corner Lakeside. The show will begin at 8pm. If you would like more information about the show, call 450-243-6782 or 819-580-0964

Piggery Theatre, North Hatley

2012-10-03T22:39:00.000-07:00

I should be asleep right now, but instead, I am running through my set list in my head, and preparing for the first show of the Townships Heritage Tour.
Spoiler alert if you are coming to the show!!! I have decided, at the last minute, to add a song as a tribute to Raylene Rankin, an important member of the Canadian music community, who will be missed.
I will sing Fare thee Well. the last time I sang that song was at my brother's wedding, fourteen years ago, in Glace Bay, Nova Scotia. I hope anyone familiar with the tune will sing along.

I saw a band play the Piggery years ago, and have wanted to get onto their stage ever since. The converted barn has been hosting plays, concerts, and a variety of other performances for fourty-five years. When I began planning the heritage tour, I knew the Piggery would be one of the venues. It is on a quiet country road, a few minutes outside of North Hatley, on a hill, surrounded by beautiful views on all sides.

I am very excited to be joined by Kate Morrison, a very talented singer songwriter living here in the Townships. She has a powerful voice, and a warm presence that i'm sure will fill the room and enchant the audience.
"Inspired by everyday life experiences, but not so ordinary subjects, Kate’s song-writing takes us on a
unique journey of intimacy, humour and humanity. Her latest album, ‘’Kiss The Sky’’, is decorated
with contemporary and traditional instrumentation that supports her strong lyrics, already full of
dimension." (from her website, www.katemorrison.ca)

We will perform in a song circle format, where I play three songs, and she follows with three songs... We will also perform some material together. It is a privilege to share the stage with her.

The show will be Thursday, October 4, at 8pm at The Piggery Theatre 215 Chemin Simard, North Hatley
Phone 819-842-2431 to reserve tickets

Hreitage Tour Info

2012-09-25T19:55:00.003-07:00

I just wanted to quickly mention that anyone with questions about the Heritage Tour is welcome to email me at info@matthewmccully.ca or call 819-580-0964 for details about venues and start times.

Townships Heritage Music Tour

2012-09-23T18:50:00.000-07:00

I had a wonderful time on the Gaspe. the tour was a great success, the people were very supportive, and I look forward to heading back next year. The fur baby met her first porcupine and was wise enough to keep her distance. My co-pilot and photographer, Jessica Renehan, received her masters in tarping, and I got my badge for fire-starting in the rain!

Now on to the next leg of the Heritage Music Tour.

I am busy rehearsing with my guest performers, and polishing some new material to play at these five unique venues in the townships.

In the coming weeks, I will provide more information about these cultural institutions, and the performers I will have the privilege of sharing the stage with.

Oct 4- North Hatley, The Piggery Theatre, with guest Kate Morison
Oct 5-Knowlton, Brome County Historical Society, with guest Sarah Biggs
Oct 9-Richmond, Wales Home, with guest Patricia Hortop-Benson
Oct 12-Lennoxville, Uplands Museum, with guest storyteller Michel Thibault
Oct 13-Stanstead, Haskell Free Library, with guest Emily Nyman

This tour was made possible with the generous support of ELAN and the Department of Canadian Heritage.

I find that in the Fall, everyone tends to move a bit faster than usual. People are rushing out to catch the last rays of summer sun, harvest, start school, stack wood, pickle, rake, bust out the sweaters and jackets.
It is important to take a breath, enjoy the moment, give thanks for what the summer gave us, and look forward to a peaceful winter under a blanket of snow.

I invite you all to join me during this busy time, to take a breath, sit back, and enjoy some music with some talented artists, in some very unique and intimate venues.

New Richmond

2012-09-07T14:26:00.001-07:00

Greetings from New Richmond!

It has been 24 years! Everything is much smaller than I had remembered.
I am having a great tour so far. The Historic Schoolhouse in Nouvelle was a great, intimate space to play, and it was a privilege to share the stage with Jean-Rene Martin.

It rained on and off most of yesterday and continued through the night, but Jess (my co-pilot) and I are water-proofed and master tarpers, so we are still in good spirits. All of our gear dried out today while we took a walk on the beach at Taylor's Point.

The sound is set up at the Gendron General Store in the British Heritage Village. Roger Martin, a country singer from the Maria Reserve will join me on stage tonight at 8pm, I look forward to meeting him.

Since we left, the dog has been living every day (or maybe I should say morning) to the fullest...and crashing by 6pm. Last night, she actually brought me over to my tent and ask me to open the door so she could curl up in her blanket.

The Sharman Tank is holding up well, but smells a lot like a wet dog right now (I promise I will air it out before returning it to you Chach and Jarrod)

Not much more to report at the moment. Everyone on the coast is exceptionally friendly, and I feel very welcome here.

btw for anyone trying to reach me by phone, I have no cell service out here, but all of the campsites we have stopped at so far have Wi-Fi, so I will try to check my email as often as I can.

Hope to see you at the General Store tonight!
Stay tuned for more news!

Heritage Tour

2012-08-28T21:57:00.001-07:00

I am heading back to the Gaspe!!!!

I am originally from New Richmond, but have not been back to the coast in twenty years. So it is time.

With the generous support of ELAN (English Language Arts Network) and the Department of Canadian Heritage, I developed a tour proposal with a goal of illustrating the vitality of the arts community in Rural Quebec. I will play a series of concerts in non-traditional venues throughout the Eastern Townships in October, pairing with a local performer at each venue.
In addition to the Townships tour, I decided to include a trip to the Gaspe, to reconnect with my roots, and take advantage of the beautiful landscape, and bring music to some interesting cultural landmarks on the coast.

There are still a few loose ends to tie up. These tours will include a video component, excellent guest musicians, a blog post about each concert, and probably a few surprises.

Here are the dates so far. I am still adding dates and performers, and will update the list regularly.

Gaspe:
Sept 6, La Petite Ecole, Nouvelle, with guest Jean-Rene Martin
Sept 7, Gendron General Store, Loyalist Village, New Richmond, guest TBA
Sept 8, St Andrew's Anglican Church, New Carlisle, guest TBA
Sept 9, Optimist Lodge, New Carlisle, in support of the Linda Lemore Brown Walkathon
Sept 11, Gaspe Elementary School, Gaspe, with guest Don Barclay

Townships: (supported by ELAN)
Oct 4, Piggery Theatre, North Hatley, with guest Kate Morrison
Oct 5, Brome County Historical Society Old Courthouse, Knowlton, with Sarah Biggs
Oct 9, Wales Home, Richmond, with guest Patricia Hortop-Benson
Oct 12, Uplands Museum, Lennoxville, with Storyteller Michel Thibault
Oct 13, Haskell Free Library, Stanstead, with Emily Nyman

If you would details about one of the upcoming shows, or you represent a heritage building that would like to host a concert, or you are a performer and would like to participate, feel free to email info@matthewmccully.ca for more information

News

2012-07-09T13:41:00.000-07:00

OK Folks, I know it has been a while. The latest news:

Progress is going very well on the songs for the new album. Lots of interesting sounds and ideas.

I have inherited a beautiful Toyota Tercel, which I have named Batina Green. I have added one bumper sticker so far, "my dog is my copilot".

With a new car, comes new possibilities. I am setting up a late summer-fall tour of Quebec. I'm excited to get back to the Gaspe, and to discover other parts of the province for the first time.

What am I listening to right now? Bowerbirds, The Clearing. My favorite song? Stitch the Hem. Brilliant.

My mandolin banjo (Manjo)...has been repaired, and the new action is inspiring!

the weather has been phenomenal so far this summer, I can't wait to hit the road and do some camping, lake swimming, bonfire building, roadtripping, and all that fun stuff...oh yeah, and then sing about it...

This is not an open letter. This is a storm

2012-06-01T22:19:00.000-07:00

Here are the basics of a storm.
1. The calm. There is an electricity in the air. A darkness approaching, eerie quiet, an uneasy feeling.
2. The eye. there is panic, loss of control, chaos, disorientation, despair.
3.The aftermath. Acknowledging survival and evaluating loss. Repair, rebuilding, and in some cases, recognizing irreparable damage and mourning.

I am afraid of a storm, because I have no control over it, and it could kill me.

This is a storm.

On different days, I change between the calm, the eye, and the aftermath. But always in the shadow or the throws of it, and I feel powerless and desperate.

My needs are basic, and no different than any other human. Food, water, shelter. Regardless of the quality of life I maintain through various means, my basic needs never change.

When I evaluate the competence my Government, I start with my basic needs. And then the storm rolls in...
Resources have become commodities, Ministers have become brokers, and basic human needs are secondary to the fueling of an ever-thirsting economy.

Our economy doesn't need to weather the storm . It is the storm.

I feel angry and guilty. Angry because I am a pawn in a corrupt system. And guilty because I let it happen.

So when I wake up, should I put myself in the calm, the eye or the aftermath? What course of action do I take?

Goodbye Mattywagon

2012-04-05T20:45:00.002-07:00

It has been a busy few months. Lots of gigs, a snowstorm that finally allowed for some snowshoeing, and some meetings with producers for my new album. Haven't made any decisions yet, but met some cool people with great ideas.
On a sad note, my car, The Mattywagon died. It had been running pretty hard for a while, and recently, couldn't make it more than five minutes without stalling.
It was a great car; got me to Tofino, up to Skookumchuck Hot Springs, Whistler, and all the way across the country.
Needs I am currently putting out into the universe: a cool-ass camper-van, a record deal for the new album, and a few mini-tours through eastern Canada and the States.
If you have some pull with the universe...or car dealers...or record labels...please pass on the message.
Thanks!

New Song

2012-01-23T12:13:00.000-08:00

Just finished a new song. I actually played it at a show this past Thursday. I don't usually share new material until I have gone through it at least 100 times, but I decided to push myself.
It was well received, which is great. It has since changed quite a bit, which is also great. My good friend Kim recorded a one take wonder of the song in its very early, very raw form in her living room. I think I might post it when she sends it over, so people can get a sneak peek at where my brain is right now.
Since starting to work on the new album, I have been going through all the tunes I have been mulling over, some new, some years old. I gave working names to them, and began the process of playing them through, sounding out syllables, and thinking about what each of the songs feels like, what I feel like, and what I want it to say. If you were to listen to me constructing a song in the early stages, it would probably be unsettling. Like happening upon someone speaking in tongues.
Strangely, this new song was not on the list. It came from me trying to adapt one of the songs from my first album for Ukulele while I was rehearsing for my show. I have to say, it really messed with my rehearsal, because every time I tried to play through a song, I was drawn back to the new one. It actually would not let me focus on anything else. I had to stay up really late to finish it. I called a grounding force in Vancouver to leash myself to the real world, and then edged my way out into the ether to get the lyrics, the bridge, and the meaning. I got back with enough time for a few hours of sleep, and then headed to Montreal for my show. It went well, despite my inability to polish my set the way I normally would. But I think it was a fair trade and people were happy to hear something new.
I haven't given it a name yet. Its hard, because lyrically, it is very intense. I used words with powerful associations. In the song, they flow, but as a title, they could be off-putting or over the top. And I don't want to just name it after the meaning of the song and "give away the punchline." A lot went into it in a very short time. It contains a few lines and a palindrome from a song that I put into storage. And the verses are modeled after Paul Simon's song Crazy Love, from the Graceland album. It is heavy and light.
Are you just dying to hear it now?
Good, that was the point of this blog post.
I'm not usually one to give lengthy explanations before I share a tune, but in this case, I wanted people to know that i'm not just speaking in code. Some of the lyrics in this song are what I call magic words. They carry a certain weight, and a certain association with them that can lead to different interpretations, which was my intention.
Now I am excited for you to hear it!
I will release it soon, stay tuned!

New Ideas

2012-01-10T09:54:00.000-08:00

the Blarney is flowing. I've got lists. I've got plans. I was recently reminded about one of the secret pleasures of wintering in the country. The quiet. I went for a hike with some friends, and half way up the mountain, the peace was overwhelming. We started to whisper. We walked more softly.

My brain likes the quiet.

What inspires me right now is prayer. An internal thought that you want heard, lost in the ether. And call and answer. (you'll know what I mean when you hear it, trust me)

When I was young, my family went to Catholic Church on Sundays. I remember bits about a lamb, a sacrifice, grant us, deliver us, have mercy on us. Those words scared me. I never felt comfortable there.
A few years ago, I celebrated Christmas with some Pagans (so it wasn't Christmas, it was Yule...) I was asked to participate in a prayer. Having remembered the prayers of my youth I was reluctant, but these were good friends, so I agreed.
We stood in a circle with some bread and some wine (familiar, but not symbolic of body parts in this particular case). Then one at a time, my friends approached me smiling; they offered me some bread and said, "may you never hunger". Once everyone had received the offering, they circulated again with wine. "may you never thirst".
Simple. No stipulations. No fear. Just a genuine interest in my well being, which in following moments was extended to the ground we stood on, the air we breathed, the rain that had fallen and the sun that followed it.
When I look at songs that I have written, I can see that they are a lot like prayers. Now that I can see it, I can feel my strength as a writer, and the power of my words.

New Year, New Album

2012-01-02T21:18:00.000-08:00

I have been accumulating new material over the past months, since my return to Quebec, and I am preparing to record a new album.
The move has been a challenge. I can't say whether this place is different than how I remembered it, or I am looking at it with new eyes. In any case, I am embracing the opportunity to see different, be different, and learn how to re-connect with my roots.

Sarah Biggs

2011-11-09T22:31:00.000-08:00

I haven't written in a long time.
Since my last post, I moved back to The Eastern Townships in Quebec.
The fall was stunning, but I am beginning to remember what winter here will be like.
My dog changed from light brown to her darker reddish coat.

The cold and the quiet are proving inspirational. I think I will be ready soon to start on a new album.

My friend, Sarah Biggs will be launching a new album on Saturday, November 12. I will be opening for her. It is an honour. The first time I ever heard her sing, I was playing trumpet for my music classes band concert in grade 8. Sarah was older. She played a song on guitar with a drummer. It was called "Stretched on your Grave" by Sinead O'Connor.
It is a strong memory. A powerful memory.

Graceland

2011-05-06T23:36:00.000-07:00

OK, its time to start making waves again.
If you didn't already know, I am a huge Paul Simon fan. He was, without a doubt, my biggest influence as a songwriter. I can associate all of the important events in my life, from my time in the womb, to my last walk with the dog, with certain songs.
And I know I am not the only one!
Small side note- I was given a ticket to a Pixies concert for my Birthday from my friends. Great people give great gifts, in case you didn't already know.
At the show, I said to my friend Dave, "don't you feel a sense of community right now?" He didn't, so I continued, "Just think that all these people went to the trouble of buying tickets and showing up here to see this show. You could pass these people on the street and never know they like the same music you do, but we are all here for the same reason." Then he got it.
To celebrate.
I started thinking about how I celebrate, and create, and recalibrate, and meditate, and alleviate stress. It is with Paul Simon. I play his songs. Whenever it rains I play Kathy's Song. When I am homesick I play Duncan. Good mood-Gumboots. Bad mood-American Tune.
So I have decided to send out a big musical Thank you.

I am going to recreate Paul Simon's Graceland Album.

Don't worry, I will record the whole thing and post it on Facebook and Youtube.

I wonder if Paul Simon will see it, or if I am one of a million people who have done the same thing? You never know. He could be the kind of guy that sits around and Googles his own name. Maybe after scrolling through several hundred pages, he'll happen upon my blog...
We will have to wait and see if I fly under his radar, or he shows up here and sings a song with me, or just sends a Lawyer's letter and sues.lol

Wish me luck!

Oh, and if you live in the Vancouver area and would be interested in taking part in this project, message me for details.

Hibernation

2011-03-21T02:22:00.000-07:00

I wonder if a bear wakes up after months of deep sleep, heads down to the river and thinks, "wow, these fish swim a lot faster than I remember".

Maybe that bear had fallen victim to a dream too vivid to make the waking world manageable, so he had to take a rest by the river to compose himself.

And slowly he remembered.

'This is how I hunt. And if I put my nose up I can smell danger. And if I bow my head my friends will welcome me. This river will cool me and quench my thirst. "

And after a while, he was ready to resume the business of being a bear.

Water

2010-10-15T20:49:00.000-07:00

Today is International Blog day and the theme this year is water.

I am connected to it. I live beside it. Whenever possible I swim in it. Sometimes I float on it. I drink it. It is part of my body. It flows through my house in pipes. It falls on my roof in drops. It makes my food grow. Hot water calms me. Cold water invigorates me. Warm water bathes me.

It comes from the ground and from the sky. It surrounds me. I am grateful...and worried.

I believe we will not value our water until all the oil is gone. Then we will look to the ocean and see that all the fish are gone too.

I believe the next great war on the earth will be over water. I believe the battles will pollute the sky and the ground and contaminate the reason for the fighting. Then we will try, but never successfully harvest our tears.

I am a water sign. I am a water worshiper.

I thank the earth for this gift and treat it like family, because it is alive, and it is in my blood.

Lucid Dream Tea

2010-09-24T22:20:00.000-07:00

I believe I left you in Quebec, having just entered the Playlist For The Planet.
I didn't reach the finals...and I am back in Vancouver now...
The good news? I'm an environmentalist and a Quebecer regardless...lol
The more interesting (I won't call it bad) news, is that I have no job.
Resounding monetary stresses aside, this is kind of exciting. I am looking for a job that will be more fulfilling than serving while I work on my music career (for those of you who didn't know, being a musician has always been my life plan...and I don't have a plan B..). But if I end up serving again, it will be with a refreshed attitude...for two reasons...1) I have had the time to heal (emotionally and physically) from the abuses of the industry..2) I read in a Newspaper article the other day that Reid Jamieson currently works at The Hyatt in Vancouver as a server! I am a huge fan of his, and I assumed, based on the quality of his music, that he would be living in a mansion in Kits somewhere...
I suppose its kind of funny that I am encouraged by the idea of him serving, instead of being discouraged because an immensely talented and accomplished Canadian Songwriter still needs a day job to get by. (don't worry Reid, that's something we can work on changing together...call me!)
My friend Heidi once asked that I buy her some Lucid Dream Tea from Quebec before returning to Vancouver. It is only sold in Quebec by a very small company and all the herbs are hand picked and harvested by the husband and wife who own it. Heidi said that it makes dreams more vivid. I told her that I almost never remember my dreams. She made me try the tea. I can't say whether or not my dreams were more vivid than usual, because I still couldn't remember them. She was surprised, because her head was overflowing at night (hence the need for some clarity provided by the tea).
It made me wonder if her nights are full because her days are full. She is one of those people who is always going day in and day out. I am one of those people who can sit on a park bench at the beach for hours and be content.
She is about to start writing a blog, and I am hoping she will unlock the secret of busyness for me. I wonder if she will run through some lists of things she accomplishes in a day, and how she comes up with those lists, and what she does if she reaches the end of a list before bedtime. I feel that in my current state of unemployment, I should be at my most productive...but I often find myself thinking and worrying about all the things I should do instead of crossing them off a list.
So i think I will give this list business a try.
Disclaimer: I get a decent amount done in a day...In fact, today I brought my CD to The Peak, Vancouver COOP radio, and QMFM. I learned the hard way that it is important to deliver things in person whenever possible----and get the name and contact information of the music coordinator to follow up...and I also brought my CD to Trees Cafe on Granville, and they said they will listen to it and consider me for a show one night...
Wish me luck!