Oh Boy, This One's a Doozy

So we fired two members of In Support of Living today. Yup, you read that correctly. Lots of changes coming ahead for the band. This one had been brewing for a long time and last weekend was the final straw.

So what happened you ask? Too many things but this is what happened last weekend.

First, James decided not to show up at Friday night's band rehearsal and didn't even call to apologize. Then both Nathan and James double booked themselves on Saturday, saying they couldn't make the Ear to the Ground fundraiser show because of a barbecue! And then in Hamilton on Sunday, James and Nathan went missing for over an hour and a half after our show ended and we couldn't find them anywhere. After waiting for what seemed like eternity and searching for them in all the neighbouring bars twice, we decided to drive back to Toronto without them. It felt just aweful to drive away without them in the van but all of us were exhausted and we had done all we could to try to find them. Cal, Scott, Brad and myself were worried sick that something bad had happened to them and we didn't know what to do. Nope, nothing bad had happened to them. They had just selfishly gone drinking and didn't tell a soul where they were going. They had pulled a similar stunt earlier in the evening when they disappeared for drinks during what was supposed to be our soundcheck and didn't bother to tell me where they were going. And let's not forget them arriving half an hour late for showtime as well as them performing completely drunk on stage! Needless to say, I was extremely embarrased by my bandmates that night. I wish I could just erase the whole thing from my memory as it left such a bad taste in my mouth.

A bizarre coincidence:

Cal had just been telling us a story on our way to Hamilton about a touring band that had left one of it's bandmates in Edmonton due to similar bullshit. It took the guy three days to catch up to the band! Luckily, Nathan and James only had to pay $150 to get themselves back to Toronto by cab but not without Brad and I paying for it in nasty threats during the middle of the night. Nathan and James showed up at both Brad's parent's house as well as Cal and Scott's house where they acted extremely aggressive towards both Brad and myself, to the point that Brad ended up calling 911 on them.

It makes me sad that all this went down and that we had to fire those guys. We shared so many great times together over the past bunch of years. Even with all the bullshit, I'm going to miss those boys. Unfortunately, they just went too far over the edge and now there's just no going back.

And just when you thought I was finished, I got another story for you...

My bus trip back to Ottawa on Monday ended up being a serious nightmare. The bus broke down on the 401 and we had no air conditioning the whole time. It took nine hours to get back to Ottawa in what usually takes four and a half hours. Talk about a brutal ride! They always say that bad things happen in threes. I believe it.

Well there you have it. What an aweful weekend I had but hey, sometimes we need to experience the bad in order to truly appreciate the good. Never a dull moment in my life, that's for sure.

Love Rozalind

Fun Times Continue

So the fun times continue.

Last night I went out to see a show in Ottawa with my friend Lindsay. The Novaks were performing at Zaphod's.

Lindsay had told me about their show weeks back, saying that they were my kind of music. Well she was right! It turns out that Lindsay spent some time with a few of The Novaks folks back when she was living in St. John's. Talk about a small world!

I had a great time listening to those guys perform. Everyone in the audience was totally into it as the guys put on a truly awesome show. I was amazed by their drummer, Elliot, who had the most remarkable energy, spark and skill in his playing. A really good drummer makes a really good band, that's for sure. Mick had the coolest voice and such a captivating stage presence. Mark had the most memorable grooves going on and he sang great vocal harmonies. And Chuck wowed me with some remarkable guitar melodies. Yeah...they're a great band. I look forward to hearing them again and their new CD when it comes out.

So after the show, I continued to have fun times hanging out with The Novaks guys out in Stittsville where they were staying for the night. I had never been out to Stittsville so it was cool to get out there. I was hoping that maybe the stars would be extra beautiful out there and that I could get some fresh air, far away from the polluted Market streets. I learned that night that Stittville is more like a quiet suburb of Kanata (don't shoot me for saying that folks!). I definitely enjoyed all the fresh air in a more peaceful surrounding with some good company and great stories but no beautiful stars! Hanging out with those guys reminded me of all the things that happen to you while you're on the road. You know, the little things, like when your long distance friends always take good care of you, when you meet the most intriguing and beautiful people where you least expect it, when you sometimes get homesick, missing the ones you love and when you grow tired of the many miles of travelling between Canadian cities. I'm glad that I got to hang out with The Novaks folks. Just more the reason to get out to Newfoundland someday and see what St. John's is all about...

It was really nice to meet you Mick, Mark, Chuck and Elliot. Good luck on the road with Sam Roberts guys! See you soon...

Love Rozalind

NXNE and Other Outrageous TO Adventures

Well the past weekend was the most fun I have had in 2005 as of yet!

Where do I even begin?

NXNE was fantastic. I heard so much amazing music and met a lot of wonderful people. There are too many experiences to write about here so I'm going to give you the highlights instead...Plus, I could get in a bit of trouble for sharing some of my outrageous experiences that I took part in! : )

Thursday June 9

Six Shooter Records Showcase: Elliott Brood @ The Horseshoe

Those guys put on a stellar show. It was a packed house and everyone was dancing. As I have learned, getting people in Toronto to dance is quite the amazing accomplishment. What made the night even more special was that it was Casey's 29th b-day. Fun times were had by all! Six Shooter Records has an awesome thing going on and I'm glad that the Brood boys are part of it...

Matthew Barber @ The El Mocambo

Everytime I see Matt perform, I have such a great time. Talk about one amazing voice and such charisma on stage. Peter Elkas played in the band for this gig which was a real treat. I'm looking forward to hearing Matt's new album which comes out sometime in the late summer. For those of you who don't know this, Matt also plays in another band called Live Country Music. They just released a CD...check it out!

Friday June 10

"G Spot" Remembered - Dinner with composer Scott Good, flutist Conor Nelson and french horn player Jenn Schofield:

Not what you think it is...Scott, Jenn, Conor and I all spent six glorious weeks performing at the Banff Centre for the Arts in the opera orchestra a few years back. We used to drink our beverages on the side of the mountain as we watched the stars after practice. We had a favourite chilling spot called the "g spot." Many fun times were shared there. I haven't seen Scott and Jenn in ages so it was a real nice treat to have dinner at their place, right in the heart of College Street's Littly Italy. Jenn made a fabulous veggie meal as we consumed many drinks in their backyard. Conor had brought a special loquat sake from his recent trip to Japan for us to enjoy. I have never tasted anything like it...it was delicious!

Paper Bag Records Showcase: Fembots, Magneta Lane and The Deadly Snakes @ the Gladstone

This was a super fun show and I'm so glad that I managed to get my friends Conor and Dave in to see it with me! It took some work. Thanks Casey for helping us out with that one! : )
Those are some awesome bands...another label that's got a good thing going on. I just didn't want the live music to ever end that night as it was all so good. I met lots of cool people in the audience, exchanged many friendly smiles with beautiful looking strangers as we all enjoyed dancing to those high energy tunes. Fun times.

Saturday June 11

Playing at the St. Lawrence Market with flutist Conor Nelson

Conor Nelson, the 24 year old classically-trained Canadian flutist who did his Carnegie Hall Debut at the age of 21! What a fantastic flutist. He's on his way to Norfolk after just returning from a competition in Japan. He just completed his Master's of Music in Performance at Yale on full scholarship! Conor is one of the most beautiful people I know...he's been my very best friend in the whole wide world for many years now and I always look forward to our visits together.

We used to busk at the St. Lawrence Market every Saturday morning when we both lived in Toronto over 6 years ago. We decided to get our hung over butts out of bed early on Saturday and busk again! It was so much fun and the goosebump factor was at an ultimate high. People really appreciated our music and we felt so lucky to share such a special moment playing together again. He's my favourite classical flutist to play with as we always end up in stitches from laughing so hard. This time was no exception...Thanks for the fun times Conor! : )

A Hot Saturday Afternoon at Graffiti's in Kensington Market...

The Soundtrack: Justin Rutledge and Elliott Brood just to name a few...

Wow, having nice cold ones all afternoon at Graffiti's in the hot heat was a serious highlight for me. I got to meet so many great people at that showcase, including the folks from Edmonton band AA Sound System. I'm listening to their CD as I write this blog and am loving every minute of it! I had great times hanging out and chatting with Ayla that afternoon out in front of the bar. He was talking all about Northern Alberta and Saskatchewan...I gotta get out there soon. It sounds like heaven. Oh man, did Justin Rutledge and band ever do a great set, just perfect for the hot lazy vibe of the afternoon andthe Brood boys wowed me again. The sweat was pouring off of all of our bodies as we listened to those tunes but we just didn't care as we were having such an amazing time.

Saturday Night...a baked potato and laughing the night away at Casey's with a bottle of whiskey...

From Graffiti's, Conor and I made our way to meet up with the In Support of Living boys in the Annex. They had just finished their barbecue of chicken and potatoes when we arrived. Having not eaten since the morning, Conor and I were soooo hungry and in great need of calories. There was one baked potato left and we claimed it! I have never thought a plain baked potato ever tasted so good! Got to hear a new tune that Brad wrote...flute's gonna sound awesome on it!

Then it was off to meet up with the Elliott Brood boys and friends to go partying at the Horseshoe for the Sadies show. Didn't end up making it out to the Sadies show...we all ended up partying into the wee hours at Casey's place instead. What a great time. I could not stop laughing the whole night. Whenever Casey's around, laughing seems to be the theme. I absolutely love that about him! Picture a room full of smiling people, listening to great tunes, sharing awesome stories while drinking whiskey out of a bottle and passing around scotch out of an old-fashioned flask! It was so much fun. We also got to try a special substance - absinthe from the Czeck Republic which was the most unique experience I've had in a long time. Can't wait to hang out with those folks again as it's always good times when they're around.

A special note to those friends I spent time with while in TO...

- Thanks for the thousands of special moments Conor... miss you already.
- Dave, you rock! Looking forward to more good times and thanks for letting me stay at your awesome place and being my protective "bro" at the Gladstone.
- Mark, Steve and Casey, what can I say, you are an absolute hoot and I can't wait to move back to TO to share more ridiculous fun times together...Casey, keep the laughs comin'!
- Ayla and AA Sound System crew - gotta do that again, maybe on your home turf this time around? and thanks for the final magical tunes of the trip...love the CDs, yours are coming in the mail.
- Colleen, you got some serious style going on! Glad we got to hang...
- Jenn & Scott, I'm so glad I got to see you, let's see each other again soon... : )
- Matt, looking forward to the 22nd at Barrymore's! Good to see you again...can't wait to hear the new CD!

Well there's lots more to share but I better leave it at that for now. Gotta get back to practicing those scales in this super hot heat!

Bye for now,

Love Rozalind

Hiking in Luskville...

I am so happy right now... Just got back from hiking Luskville Falls in Quebec.

I went hiking along the falls all the way to the very top which was such a beautiful trail. I've always wanted to do that. It was the perfect day for it too, not too sunny and not too hot. I was a bit nervous about the black flies and mosquitos but luckily, I was only bitten once. Of course, it had to be a black fly bite on the forehead and now I have this huge ugly bump for everyone to stare at! It was totally worth it though as I had the time of my life. Played some guitar at the top (I'm getting so much better!), got to smell all the beautiful fresh air, took in some glorious sunshine and watched a flying hawk glide in the wind. Pure magic.

How I love it around here. I'm going to really miss all the gorgeous trails and beautiful clean water when I move back to Toronto in December. I better soak it all in while I still can...

So get out there and enjoy that nature. It's pretty magical out there...

Love Rozalind

Marc Charron's Show...A Night to Remember

Well I have finally recovered enough to write a new blog entry! Last night was one of those nights that goes down in history...

I was performing last night with Marc Charron for his tour launch show/party at Zaphod's. What a great time and what an awesome night of music. Not only did Marc make the Zaphod's stage look the coolest I've ever seen it (with cool lighting and props), he also had a pinata with the yummiest treats and a slide show where he showed us pics of him skiing behind "cat hill" (behind the parliament buildings). Never knew that it was even possible to ski back there but hey, the pics proved it. The story goes that the "cat man" apparently said to Marc that it's the first time in seventeen years that he's ever seen someone try to do that. Only Marc...

And to top it all off, Marc completely shocked us all by pulling a move I've never seen done in Ottawa. He stripped buck naked for his last song! Yup, we were all completely surprised and amazed as that certainly took guts! Just Marc and his acoustic guitar, it was a pretty cool and fun moment. That one definitely goes down in history.

I want to wish Marc the best of luck as he begins his musical journey across Canada. Have a safe and outrageous journey Marc! You make Ottawa proud. Can't wait to hear the stories when you get home. : )

Well have a great weekend everyone. For those of you living close to Guelph, you gotta check out Track and Field which is an awesome weekend music festival. I'd be there if I had a vehicle to get me there! A bunch of my fave bands are performing at it, including The Acorn, Great Lake Swimmers, SS Cardiacs, Kids on TV and Jon Rae and the Choir. I've been told that Track and Field is an amazing time. I've never been but I plan to go next summer. That being said, there's lots of fun to be had here in Ottawa as well...I'll be drooling over all the funky artwork at the Glebe's Art in the Park. I'm also looking forward to writing some new songs (with better lyrics) out in the good ol' sunshine now that I have myself a new rhyming dictionary. And let me not forget my favourite Bikram Yoga class and my flutin' practice. It ain't no Track and Field but I'm looking forward to it nonetheless.

Love Rozalind