Props to my band mates!

Posted

Nov 6, 2011

The last time I sat here and wrote, I was just coming thru the arse end of a week of jetlag, Hot on the heels of a 3 week Japan tour. As noted, it was an incredible, unforgettable & exhausting experience. It didn’t slow down after that however….

Upon returning to our home in Halifax, I had a few days to decompress, sleep in our luxurious new bed, snuggle with our wonderful lil dog & see some friends & family I’ve been missing.  By the time I was able to catch my breath, it was full throddle into rehearsals with a wonderful group of musicians I had put together for 2 of the 5 CD launch shows in Canada. Nova Scotia, PEI, Quebec City, Sherbrooke & Montreal. I had another group waiting for me in Quebec to do the 3 shows there. (Aren’t I spoiled rotten??)

Working with the likes of Benn Ross (drums), Kev Corbett (bass & vocals) & Don Ross (g-tar & vocals) is always more than a joy! These guys work hard, play hard & make it FUN! I can’t say enough good things about these cats. As long as I’m in

Maritimes, (or come back to perform) I will call on them. Yes ma’am! We kicked off the set of shows with a wicked performance in Halifax @ The Carleton. A fantastic music club downtown. Props to the audience members that night for coming out! It was also the kick off night for the Halifax Pop-Explosion Fest & lord knows everyone was trying to pack in several shows that week, so thank you all for your support.

Huge props to Benn & Kev for going above and beyond to make the shows musically wonderful!!! You bring greatness to the table every single time. I just adore working with you guys.

When it was time to go to Quebec on Oct 24th, I was nervous. Incredibly. I don’t get nervous very often, or at least when it comes to performing, but coming to Quebec for 3 shows for my first time was a huge deal. It’s a market I want to make friends with. I fell in love with Montreal recently, and we are now planning to move there come 2012. There is something about Quebec, stole my lil Anglophonian heart, and I gotta try my hand at it. Just gotta!

My boys in Montreal were ready to rehearse. Again, completely spoiled am I to work with Mathieu Groulx (drums & vocals), Frank Larouche (bass & vocals) & Don Ross (guitar & vocals).

I have to admit something here…going into that rehearsal studio, setting up, getting ready to play with these guys, I was shaking. I was trying so hard to keep my cool and just be a smooth operator, I wonder if anyone noticed…. It had nothing to do with my expectations of their musicianship. I KNEW these guys would blow it outta the park at first pitch! NO worries there.

I was puffing up mychest on the inside, giving myself lil pep talks ‘Comon Brooke, hold up yer chops.

Play like hell, don’t screw up in front of these guys.’I instantly put a lot of pressure on myself to meet the musical standards of the company in the room. Hey, its’ something we all do, something we rarely admit to, or even work on. This is me saying ‘AAAAAAAH I’M FREAKIN OUT HERE!’

Welcome to my brain…

So we get things rolling and I’m melting on the inside. Everything is butter! We hash out all the right lil intricacies, harmonies & keep it simple at the same time. My inhibitions dissipate within minutes. I’m weak at the knees all over again and loving every minute. It hits me at this moment that despite what happens this week in Quebec, what ever the turn outs may be, it’s going to be an artistic success! Point.

The gigs go well. I’m going to just sum it up like that. There were some great surprises and some not so great ones, but the MUSIC! The BAND!…we were goooooood.

I know there will be many more future gigs together. I think I’ve found some really key peeps to hang with. Not to mention, the sound man…Sebastien Cloutier, friggin LOVE this guy. Made things together so well. Merci Merci Merci Seb. Thanks to ALL of you for making it a successfull bunch of shows. Even with all the little quirks and variables. That’s just how it rolls baby.

I’m a happy woman

xoxo

B