Thanksgiving Grati-Tuesday #5: Vero

Allow me to introduce my friend Vero. She’s been staying at my house for the past few days, and I’m all nostalgic about one autumn three years ago when our friendship was cemented.

Vero and I took a two-week tour through Saskatchewan, Manitoba and Ontario in November of 2012. We learned each others’ songs and did a set of duets every night. We saw some beautiful autumn vistas in the Canadian Shield. We ate life-changing Italian food in Toronto, and equally amazing paninis in Yorkton. I learned that French Canadian people, if Vero’s family is any indication, are some of the warmest people in this country (and some of the funniest).

I almost didn’t go on that tour. I almost said “No” because I was scared that we would lose money, that we’d get caught in a blizzard, that no one would come to our shows, or that my new super-rad gal pal would get sick of me after being together 24/7 for two weeks.

Some of those things did happen. We made a little money, but not a ton. We had some sketchy weather (and super sketchy accommodations), but we made it. We had a few small-turnout shows, but those were the most fun. We needed a few breaks from each other, but our friendship was cemented to that semi-permanent, sibling-like status where you won’t ever lose touch completely. Everything worked out—mostly because of Vero’s sense of humour and problem-solving skills. I am grateful that Vero nudged me to take a leap of faith, and that she continues to inspire me to bravery.

I’m also grateful that Vero makes time to jam and play shows with me. She is a musical swiss army knife, playing keys, violin & guitar, and singing and writing better than most people. Her time and talent is in demand because she always knows what is needed to bring a song to life. Vero had a big hand in helping my new record turn out as well as it did.

Finally, I am grateful to have such a charming, warm, hilarious, deep-thinking and crazy-creative gal pal in my life. I am pumped that she’ll be playing at my album release show Friday Oct 23rd I can’t wait to share our fun with everyone.
Love your gutz Vero!

‪#‎heartbeats‬ ‪#‎gratituesday‬ ‪#‎whenyouranswercomes‬

Grati-Tuesday #2

It’s Gratituesday again! As I mentioned on FB last week Tuesdays are now the day when I will post a little bit of appreciation for someone who has made a positive impact on my journey—whether they know it or not.#gratituesday #heartbeats

This week’s Tuesday shout-out goes to Geordie Gescha Trifa.

Occasionally, you meet someone whose creative process is a friggin’ force of nature. Witnessing the other person in action, you’re awed beyond any precedent you’ve experienced, while at the same time feeling utterly destroyed in any lofty estimation of your own talents. You end up torn between a newly energized sense of inspiration and also a feeling of “why do I even try?” because your own work comes nowhere close. This is what collaborating with Geordie is like (and the trick, by the way, is to stay on the inspired side of the coin and work your butt off).

Geordie has a formidable artistic talent which does not appear to slow down when he switches media. He is a great songwriter, a stellar performer, and an insightful filmmaker. I have had the privilege of collaborating with Geordie for years on music and it has made a huge impact on my creative life. Geordie is the best kind of friend a creative person can have because he’ll remember the inspired, expansive version of your idea, keep it crystallized in his pocket, and be ready to hand it back to you when self-doubt has starved your version into a tiny morsel of its former self. From Geordie, I have learned to keep moving forward, keep inspired, and that the expansive version of the dream is the truest and most trustworthy version.

This spring Geordie and Rob (with the aid of some funding from Creative Saskatchewan!), made a music video for my song ‘Ghost.’ You’ll be able to see this talent at work tomorrow, when I release it. Stay tuned,
and thank you Geordie.