Notes from the SequesterFest
Remember when we used to gather to hear music? I miss that! But don’t lose faith. We will get through this!
Yes, right after I sent out my last newsletter everything changed. Life as we knew it became an anxiety-laced extended staycation in our homes with only virtual contact with other humans (outside of our immediate family, or in my case - no one!). All the shows I posted were of course cancelled, and I’m now working on getting out of my pajamas by 3 pm. I surmise, the frightening reasons aside, that many of us are finding this to be a novel liberation from our usual lives of crammed schedules, deadlines, and self-inflicted pressure. It’s my first vacation since 1975, and have rarely had more than a few days at home at a time for several years, so I’m sheepishly and shamefully enjoying it. But that sounds so shallow and myopic. It is of course also terrifying, tragic and far too real. And though my shock and horror triggered by the words and actions of our neighbours’ leader has unfathomably escalated I shall not sully my missive with even his name. That’s what reading newspapers and the internet is for. I’m here to distract you from all that for a moment!
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Random musings of Women and Music
Sunday was International Women’s Day and I’m celebrating with the stereotypical cliché move of being late with this missive that I started on that day. Okay, truthfully, I stated it a month ago - when I took that picture. DOH!
I do love celebrating women. In many ways I do every day. My friendships with them are my lifeblood. I can’t imagine life without my frequent walks with Colleen, breakfasts with Cathy, visits with Ginny, Kath, Elaine, Sandra, Leith, Cindy, Linda, Janie and so many others , and how quickly and easily we go deep. How much I rely on them for their sage perspective, affirmation, humour, compassion, and honesty about when I need a haircut. And I am surrounded by them in my professional life, which makes me so happy. Sharing the stage with daughter, Julia Graff, Cindy Fairbank and Kirby Barber, all gifted musicians and all serving the music with their tremendous skill, musicality, and intuition with both confidence and humility, brings a special sense of pride. Between us we span 4 decades. It’s a beautiful thing.
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Hometown Hijinks & Escape Tactics
I know, I know….much too long of a gap. But I’m pretty sure you were all well consumed by your own lives to think even once – gee….I wonder what’s up with Shari? At least I hope that’s the case for your sake! In fact, I’ve been chipping away at this newsletter for more than a couple of months. Hard to put a period on it and send. I’ll break it down for you…
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The Morning After and Beyond
I started this post over a month ago - the day after we played the last 2 shows surrounding the actual CD release date of June 21st and my last shows for awhile with the full band - Geoff Hicks, Kirby Barber, Scott Smith, Cindy Fairbank and Julia Graff. A girl simply couldn’t ask for better. It took me a few decades to realize what is most important to me in players...it’s those who understand that we are all there to serve the music. It’s not about dazzling an audience with skill and prowess, (though they certainly can and do) but it’s about Serving The Song. And they get that and I love them so much for it - and for the exceptional humans that they are - kind, thoughtful, dedicated, and wickedly fun to be around!
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More News Is Good News
Clearly publicist Gwen Kallio is doing a great job! And I must say, the writers of these pieces have each produced articles with a remarkably low cringe value for the subject. Though some people assume artists are all about the attention, for most of us it’s just about the work. And when it’s time to put that work out in the world and the publicity machine fires up, most often I find myself mis-quoted and squirming as I read. So big thanks to Ben Bengston of the North Shore News, old friend Alex Varty with the venerable Georgia Straight, and Shawn Conner with his Five Reasons theme for helping to spread the word about the Centennial Concert on Tuesday and beating the drum about the new album in a well considered and classy way. Thanks all!
(Read more to see articles)
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The Big "Ta Da!"
I'm sitting in the back of a car careening down Interstate 5 en route to Eugene Oregon, with Julia and James in the front listening to podcasts. I'm so grateful James loves driving so I can catch up on things, like writing to tell you.... IT'S HERE!!!
The official release of "Back to Shore" is June 21 but you can order the CD or the digital album at Borealis Records right now!
The main CD release concert will take place at the Centennial Theatre in North Vancouver on Tues. June 18 – which is a committed and passionate community very supportive of the arts. The Centennial was keen to work with me to host the show which made it all so much easier. The availability of the musicians dictated the concert had to be on a Tuesday (June 18th), which according to an article Nancy White sent me years ago, is analyzed as the WORST night for drawing an audience. But hey, I’m a rebel and love a challenge so to hell with the statistics.
The official release of "Back to Shore" is June 21 but you can order the CD or the digital album at Borealis Records right now!
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