You know when you can see there is trouble ahead?

Artspace, showcase for ArtsWells.
Funny Canadian men, posers, aggressive soundmen and the lovely organisers of ArtsWells.

I smelt trouble. Namely from Courtney Wing and his crew and when I mean trouble I don't necessarily mean it to be a bad thing. Trouble can be fun except I wasn't feeling well and wasn't sure I could cope with the trouble that was to surely follow.

Gig was fun, nice seeing all the talent. After pizza, had a ride in Courtneys fridge on wheels Matt showed me all the things he has sewn in the back seat. No that is not a phrase for something else he actually made drums cases from leather jackets! We discussed the differences between going on tour and having a partner and going on tour without a partner. I have to say it's harder with one, I think we both agreed on that, even if I didn't like the music they were playing.

Night ended with a fizzle. Someone crapping on in my ear, irritation, don't mess with my friends city, don't say shit about my music friends, so I went to bed, I don't need that crap. That person had better watch what they say, saying bad stuff about others will not help them in the music world, it will get around.

I was surprised, in the morning I saw Courtney and his crew driving off to Wells for the festival, even we were still in bed!

Jason, you're an animal!

Well, it's always interesting playing at the Alpenhorn.

This time we met local Jason who asked Dana and I for a 3 way after we performed.
Of course Mick was of no help, infact he just made the situation worse!!! (Silly Mick)*

Jason did however buy me a drink and forced me to drink it right there with him, oh and his gf was right there too. Guess like they aren't selfish there and like to share ;) Food was great and audience fun, also a shout out to the lovely waitresses at the Alpenhorn, definitely some of the loveliest lasses you will ever meet. Check the place out if you ever pass through Smithers.

*This refers to a phrase that I coined on tour about silly things Mick has done, I was thinking of writing a childrens book about him as a child.

Prince Rupert

Coming back to Prince Rupert is like coming back home.

Last year I did four shows there and made so many friends. This year a lot of them were away working for the summer but we did manage to catch up with Jim & family as well as Mudcat Joe, everyone's fave blues musician. After the show at Cowpuccino's we ate quite possibly the worst chinese food I have ever tasted and headed back to Mudcat Joe's house to hang out and jam. I ate his raisin toast and looked up semi nude photos of Robbie Williams with Tyler (haha!) and they chilled and smoked and Mudcat Joe played us some footage of him doing standup with his friend. Loved seeing Jim and the gang again and will definitely be back there again soon!

I love Terrace

Played CafeNara for the second time and it was a blast as per usual. Lovely, generous crowd who loved the music.

Afterwards we headed off to friend Jim's parents house where we had arranged to park the RV for the night. Wow I thought they were going to be quiet folks but were crazy, bringing out all sorts of instruments, alcohol, lovely food and playing the night away. I wasn't feeling the best as have been having problems with my broken tooth so I had to pack it in for the night. We woke up to a lovely view and fresh raspberries growing like 4 metres from where we were parked and I took loads of photos of the fruits and flowers growing in their garden. I feel all domesticated!

Happy Happy Joy Joy

Played at Happy Jack's Pub in Houston tonight and after the show Naomi led us to her hideaway about 1 hour from the show. Apparently the plaid Tongued Devils in the past had really thought she was leading them into the woods to kill them. She even made jokes about this to me, which freaked me out a little!!! Haha no it was ok and it was worth it in the morning when we woke up and saw the view in front of us! I just wish we could have stayed longer.

Broke Ass Phil Collins

We played a lovely show to a small but appreciative crowd at Lorenzo's in Enderby BC tonight. Just when I thought BC couldn't get any beautiful we drove into Enderby. Earlier todday Dana played a set at the Kelowna Regatta which pretty much sucked, the event, not Dana's set!
We played the day before and it was just horrible. They had a student on sound and they massacred our set. Also I just don't think most people "got us", oh well it happens.

If you're ever in Enderby you must check out Lorenzo's. Top class food as well as a bowling alley out the back, it's a real unique place. We were also lucky enough to be graced by what some called the "Broke Ass Phil Collins" singing one more night with the wasted Dana & Tyler. A sight to be hold I tell you, I also have video footage that I hope to get up on the site at some point.

I bought some artwork by a local artist depicting Paris and went to sleep with a belly full of Lorne's secret chocolate pudding that has been passed down many generations.

Pauls Barn, Grand Forks

Okay, a few days ago I stupidly told Kris Demeanor at my first show for the tour that I was going to be good and not drink too much, etc and so forth. Of course I should have known better as last night I completely fell off the goodness wagon and am paying for it today. Last night was my first barn/garage concert at friend Pauls in Grand Forks BC. I met Paul last year as he booked me for a show at the Grand Forks Art Gallery and we became friends. Paul really knows how to put on a shindig, the people were receptive and ever so slightly insane but it was fun. Dana's quote for the night after smoking; Toilet Bowl the musical, coming to a city near you!

The Middle of the Road

I still remember my first taste of BC hospitality."No no, you don't have to find a motel, you are welcome to stay with us.""No don't worry about making dinner, I will go and get a fish, fresh from the sea as I know the fisherman."

Last night Dana and her crew had their first taste of BC hospitality. I have traveled all around the world and still I am yet to find a place more beautiful, with people more friendly and accomodating than British Columbia in Canada. Last night was the first show I have ever done in a housing community and it went down a treat. First I got up with Jo on guitar (and groovin out on bass for Bug Song) with Dana on piano and backing vocals as well as Mick on drums and local violinist Erynne sitting in on a few tracks and then Dana and band did a rockin set. The audience were receptive and lovely and I sold my first "Delaphonic Shirt" which my mate Lloyd in London designed for me. Afterwards Gary and family invited us up to their house for lime juice and midnight burritos which were bloody delicious I have to tell you and then I tried my first two-bite brownie which tasted artificial and gross to my tastebuds. The gang don't understand how the hell I can think that?!?

Afterwards, Tyler and I went upstairs and listened to the Middle Road Communities "2005 Spring Cleaning" CD (20 odd tracks that really shouldn't be burnt on the same CD together) while having a bit of a smoke and discussing Eurovision, prank calls, growing long legs so we could push the ceiling off the house, who all the hairs from the mattress we were sitting on belonged to and bumteez, a delicious, late night stoner snack that we invented.

We are currently driving from Nelson to Grand Forks where we are doing a house concert at my friend Paul's. This is the first time I have plugged the laptop into the RV and used it while driving which is really cool and makes me feel so professional!!! Tonight, I know, not much sleep shall be had if Paul has something to do with it. Also when did the Wells council hire him to sell off their crown land? The man is obsessed with getting every musician to buy up there so he always has someone to bug! LMFAO! Nah, he's really a sweety.

Raspberries slay me with chocolate sauce and vanilla icecream

Walked around Nelson and put some posters up for our show at the Middle Road Community tomorrow, ate some delicious dolimades, only $1.50 for like 10 then drove up to the Community common house, ate a bloody yummy dinner of tacos and fresh raspberries with ice cream and chocolate sauce - Heaven in a bowl!

Spent some time chatting with one of my mates Ben back in Australia about being on the road.He also told me about his favourite porn site which he thought might help lonely musicians on the road which I politely declined to visit ;P

Now Tyler is playing Phil Collins and dancing in his pyjama pants after a little smoke. Oh no, he has kicked his toe and is "all shades of fucked up" because of it he tells me. Jo is just laughing at him, lot's of sympathy from her. My teeth are brushed, it's 4:08am and we need to be up to rehearse and get our shit together for the show later tonight. My life is so surreal sometimes.

Nelson, oh Nelson

This morning I awoke at 7am to take Anne to the bus station and sat on the banks of the river opposite Wal-Mart playing guitar and eating walnut and plum yogurt. What a lovely view of the mountains and beach ;) Yes we have been camped by the local Wal-Mart, evil evil, but they do let campers park for free which is something. We have discovered that A&W is the local hang out for senior citizens and that Canadians are nice and don't play games with the trolleys or poke holes in the milk bags. My god, they so would in Australia!!! We have a few days off, feels surreal, sleeping in a van and hanging out in an extremely small space with 5 other people. We actually rehearsed in the van tonight, will keyboard, 3 guitars (including me!), Mick on drum pad to boot. We got lazy and ate doritos and salsa for dinner and then I fell asleep with a sweet in my mouth reading Bill Bryson.

Ferries, Stomach aches & Free love

So here I am sitting in a net cafe in Nelson BC.

Since I left I have been in Vancouver, Duncan, Nanaimo, Crawford Bay & now Nelson. It's been a very hard few days...several ferry, bus trips, the vans brakes failing, repair, lateness, lack of sleep, near loss of voice, but we have made it through so far and I will survive like I always do.

I am in Nelson, it's a beautiful day, I have a place to sleep and a little girl bought one of my CD's and asked me to sign it at the festival yesterday. When she grows up she wants to be a biologist. Speaking of such. Got the freelove vibe at that gig, several way too friendly touches, glances and vibes but boy did the veggie burger rock! This morning we picked cherries from a tree right outside our motel room this morning at Kootenay Bay. Isn't that really cool?Life is very sweet.

You are just too cute!!!

"Where have you booked us?" was the cry from Tyler on inspection of the Cambie Bar in Nanaimo. "Nice Suntan" one man said to Dana as she walked in. Oh shit, WHERE have I booked us?

We were presented with 7 Cambie dollars for our meal as well a crazy sound guy with a liking for karaoke. Oh my god and the room they gave us to sleep in!!! Covered in grafitti, several of which were of nude men in high heels??? They also said we wouldn't get paid until they checked the room the next day for damage, HA! Should I use my sex appeal to survive or to escape?

"You are too cute" I was told by one punter, and "oh what a cute accent you have". The second dude was spotted muttering to himself in the bakery the next door the following morning. The show was accepted greedily as they were used to loud rock, and wow look how cute Anne looked playing cello all dressed in white with the funny fingerless sock gloves on! We set off shortly after 10am to get a ferry to the mainland Van to meet Mick and "Ol Dirty" the RV which was to become our home for the next 2 months. Oh dear, what have I done? Several setbacks later and we were on the road, and rolled into Nelson around 3am, trying to punch the code for the hostel we were given into anything that looked remotely like a keypad on the front door, all very james bond but we didn't find it and had to sleep in the van. Bollocks!!!

In a little town called Duncan

In a little town called DuncanNice show last night, pity there weren't many people.Thanks though to Longevity John who made our stay memorable with all of his weird toys and 12 dogs!

This was the first show with Jo from England and the returning Anne sitting in on a few shows on cello until Emily arrives with her violin.

Chant played insane drums on The Pyjama Song and Kris Demeanor played his little handy casio on Spank Me Man. I also got to spank Kris for a good minute after his requesting in the spanking solo to which my hands hurt for hours. Man does he have a hard ass! Got me all worked up.

Chant played a new one "Who threw the gouda on the track" which nearly had me pissing in me dacks and Kris also played my new favourite "I have seen the future" aka the tennis song which is the lazy moi calls it.

They were all in fine, mad form as per usual and it was lovely to see them again. After the show Anne & I watched zoolander with Chant, Di, Peter & Kris in their slightly less superior motel room (we had a fridge and kitchen) while eating their crackers and cherries. Peter took some silly photos of Anne, Chant & Kris and he also tried to sell me some dodgy land as I was slightly drunk and vulnerable. Kris suggested taking even more advantage of me but no one was game. Never mess with a drunk Australian woman!!!

Went to sleep sore from carrying all of those bags from earlier in the day. This afternoon we will meet Dana, Tyler and Mick and our future home "Ol Dirty Bastard", on the road for the start of our 2 month tour of milk bag pricking and musical mayhem.

Current Music: Robbie Williams - Misunderstood