robert duvall
Musicians know the person in the background is sometimes holding the entire structure together. The drummer who never overplays but somehow defines the feel of the track. The arranger who […]
Performing
thin ice
It is tricky to make a joke on stage. You can feel people checking whether you’re joking, confessing, or being accidentally honest. A line you thought clearly ridiculous can land […]
pink floyd
Open stage nights are usually modest affairs. A few chairs, tables, a borrowed PA, twelve people pretending not to rehearse in their heads while silently panicking about what they’re about […]
Richard Manuel
I’m performing in Stratford soon, the town where Richard Manuel first learned how to turn feeling into music. It’s strange and moving to bring my songs into the place that […]
the hurt
To her, these were songs about the world being wrong. About gatekeepers misunderstanding originality. About experts mistaking sensitivity for weakness. She took pride in her resilience, in the fact that […]
what a long strange trip it’s been
The high school performance was like that Dead song – what a long strange trip it’s been. I sat there listening to them grind through songs from the ancient record, […]
best email ever
My favourite moment organizing 30 dates Mike and I are doing in Western Canada next winter, came from Lorna Evans. I have had terrific exchanges with her but the first […]
grammys
I watched the footage of the Grammys. The Brian Wilson, Joe Cocker and Warren Zevon tributes did me in.
someone new
There was a new couple who played the open stage. She is from Toronto originally and has a nice voice. The melodies were angular and unexpected as was his guitar […]
spam
UNEXPECTED TEXT: Good day! I am Reid I wish to ‘cover a new ‘role that has come lately opened up. I’m around-can we talk when you are? ME: Reid. You […]