March 21, 2013
Farm Heaven, ON

Springtime salutations from sparkling Snowland. I am once again in Farm Heaven visiting my dear Captain Dirt at her famous farmhouse. It blizzarded with a passion on the day I arrived, but I rocked the long drive like an Ice Road Truckers superstar. Today I'm safe and warm by the fire, and quite focused on all my artistic endeavours.

The Captain and I are working out the final arrangements for our last two new album tunes (to be recorded next week) and they sound so good. I'm madly in love with the gorgeous 1978 Larrivée classical guitar my dad gave to me recently. He bought it on a trip out to Victoria, back in the days when Jean Larrivée still worked out of his tiny shop in Market Square. It has brought me new songs. And I am grateful.

Today I've been working on the lead guitar part for my newest instrumental piece "Soul Captain." It was inspired by the William E. Henley poem Invictus - the subject of my latest experiment in the Aristotelian art of mnemotechnics. Piece of cake. And so worthy. I shall repeat it over and over again ... And remember.

I've also been busy with my magical camera in the name of my eternal self-portrait series. From the Great Northern Railroad to the Lake of the Bloody Ice Hole, you'll find photographic evidence of all my recent Adventures in Sweetland here. My latest photography project is my daily Instagram photo, courtesy of my brand new iPhone. I'll be uploading one photo each day with a wee Sweetlandish vignette. Photos will be posted on my Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram pages. So stay tuned.

And although the land around me is still in deep freeze, I can feel the melt beginning on the inside. It is magical and torturous - but we must incinerate the old to make way for the new. My friends and I have a tradition of making corn dolls on Autumn Equinox. We lovingly call them "The Hag" after the Cailleach, mythological Irish creatrix and Queen of Winter. We care for our Hags though the dark half of the year, and they are said to protect us from winter's wrath. We burn them come Spring - a sometimes bittersweet moment, as one often gets attached. My hag has thoroughly gone up in smoke and I am rising from her ashes. Ready for the next magnificent chapter.

Now it's time to strap on some snowshoes and make a journey into the deep dark woods. There is a cedar forest, a snowy churchyard, and a shimmering snow field with my name on it.

xo

Snow Woods

Perhaps the deep dark woods aren't so dark after all...

More photos here

March 11, 2013

Cordova Lake, ON

Bonsoir from little frozen lake land, a sobriquet that might not apply much longer if it keeps raining kittens and puppies outside. I’ve been hiding away in the Kawarthas for a good week now. It's just me, my guitar, and the long stretch of white that leads on towards the horizon. There’s hardly a living thing in sight, not a songbird, a fly, or even a frozen lake monster to keep a girl warm on a cold winter’s night. Good thing there’s a nice wood stove in the corner. And I build a badass fire.

I have a few days left in sweet solitude before it’s back to the city for me. And I’m getting closer to checking off all the things on my cottage to-do list:

1.) Take one magnificent photograph every day (or reasonably magnificent.)

2.) Write one last new song for the CD&TS album.

3.) Watch inordinate amounts of Remington Steele.

4.) Remember how to relax ... On the inside.

So far I have one, two and three down. I’m working on four. There’s a bottle of whiskey in the kitchen that might have a suggestion or two for me.

I confess, it's my mind that I just can’t seem to slow down – eternally planning, examining, scheming, and dreaming.  Solving mysteries, I reckon. Last night I literally dreamt that the Folk Alliance International conference I just attended was being held in outer space. And I thought I had lots to pack before! That’ll learn me for watching the Discovery Channel before bed. But who can resist programs with flirty, scolding titles like “Bad Universe?” Like seriously.

Speaking of things I am planning and scheming, I am so excited to announce that the official Captain Dirt & The Skirt CD release show will be held on May 29, 2013 at Lula Lounge in Toronto. It will be another grand Ladies In Waiting production with all the trimmings and usual suspects … A glorious soirée to be true. More info coming soon. I hope you can make it!

And now, back to my fire and another new song. This one is an ode to the sea -or the metaphorical sea- and that one sailor you can’t wait to welcome home with a big, red lipsticky kiss.

Wood smoke and whiskey,

xo

La Sweet

More photos from my icy Adventures in Sweetland here

February 28, 2013
Toronto, ON

It's a winter wonderland once more in Corktown, Toronto. And after the grand deluge of yesternight, a surprise, I suppose, to wake up to anything besides an ark outside my window. Despite the weather, I took myself on a grand wandering date yesterday avec umbrella, boots, and camera. What more does a girl need besides a frothy latté from Balzac's and and a dark romantic library corner with her true love? It's been quite the month of madness for me. Late nights, long days, and lack of sleep make a Sweetypie a shell of her scintillating self. But the fog is clearing at last, and it's time to plan the next great adventure.

This past weekend was an epic one, to say the least. For the first time in five years I joined all the members of my musical tribe at the 25th annual Folk Alliance International conference. This year, the party came to me in Toronto, for which I am eternally grateful. It was a big old Little Red Hen Music reunion with my darling road sisters darlenYa, Jan Bell, and our newest little henlette Dede Alderman. We hosted a magnificent private showcase room, caught up with our dear long-lost friends, and made some amazing new ones.

For those of you who have never been to an FAI conference, the experience is difficult to convey. It is at once awe-inspiring, overwhelming, and surreal. Many things can happen when you gather 2000 musicians together in a hotel for five days, and they usually do. It all culminated on Saturday night in a folk-ish full moon frenzy. I only heard rumours of the fire hose flood on the 9th floor, and the Mexican gangsters in disguise as folk musicians. But I believe. You may or may not be able to watch this little clip by Jay Aymar featuring three of our little hens, and a wee peek inside our showcase room ... But I hope you can. Enjoy!

Next on the Sweetlandish schedule of events is planning the Captain Dirt & The Skirt CD release tour and putting the finishing touches on our new album. I have butterflies just thinking about it. And it looks like we'll be joining together with my gorgeous Ladies In Waiting for a late-May CD release show at Lula Lounge in Toronto. Will have the date for you -and others- any day now. So stay tuned.

Till then,

xo

Skirty

More from my wet wanderings, and eternal adventures here.

February 16, 2013
Toronto, ON

Good morning my pets,

Hope you all had a delightful and love-drenched Valentine's Day. I spent mine in the reclining position eating gluten-free pizza and watching Psycho. I'm romantic like that. There was some serious R&R required after the glory of the past week ... So much goodness went down with my beautiful Ladies In Waiting, but it wasn't sans effect on my deep sleep reservoir.

Our "Lovesick" show at Lula Lounge was a brilliant success. We sold out and packed the house! Everybody rocked so hard, and I just can't wait for our next adventure. Whatever that shall be. I will certainly keep you posted.

Next on my list is the great Folk Alliance International conference, which has been so kind as to come visit me in Toronto this year. I'll be co-hosting a showcase room for four nights in a row with my dear Little Red Hen Music pals - road sisters and co-conspirators Darlene (darlenYa) and Jan Bell.  It will be a grand old reunion with all my musical family, old and new. I feel a little verklempt already just thinking about it.

My agenda for aujourd'hui includes a snow-dusted stroll to the St. Lawrence Farmers Market, and a hot and frothy almond milk latté. How exciting. Tonight I'll be heading out to the Cadillac Lounge to see my dear pal Andy White play. You should probably come too. Come find me in a dark corner, and buy me a whiskey.

See you there,

xo
Kristin

See you at the FAI Conference, Feb 20-24

at the Delta Chelsea Hotel in Toronto.

February 8, 2013
Toronto, ON

Salut from under a scintillating snow blanket ... I reckon that most of you in Eastern North America know what I mean. I've just returned from a wee tromp out in the wilds of the urban arctic, and am once again curled up with my new best friend - the hot water bottle.

The snow storm gave me crazy dreams last night. Zombie apocalypse, anyone? Seriously. Then I was baptizing a baby (not mine) all St-John-in-the-river-like, but in an Amsterdam canal. That was followed by a dream of wandering through an old mansion, where everything in every single room was the colour red: Red wallpaper, red furniture, red glitter fireplace. I suppose it was an unconscious response to all the Valentine's bling of late. But I cannot tell a lie. I would totally live in a monochromatic Valentine's glitter mansion. Obviously.

And speaking of Valentine's bling, I'm so very excited for our upcoming Ladies In Waiting "Lovesick" album release this Tuesday, Feb 12 at Lula Lounge in Toronto. I feel truly blessed to be a part of this amazing collective of vibrant and insanely talented Toronto female musicians. Performers include Scarlett Jane, Andrea Ramolo, Cindy Doire, Sarah Burton, Melanie Brûlée, Tricia Foster, Yours Sweetlandishly, an ode to currently-touring-overseas Lady in Waiting, Faye Blais, and burlesque performances by members of Love Letters Cabaret. Also be excited for our kissing booth, and polaroids with pinup doll Pastel Supernova.

Get your advance tickets here, and have a peek at our gorgeous new Ladies In Waiting website. 

Also, be highly entertained by my latest masterpiece video "Lovesick - A Sweetlandish Melodrama." (And darn that heartbreaker, Remington Steele.)

In other news, we are getting close to being finished the new Captain Dirt & The Skirt album, at last! It has been a long and incredibly enjoyable process for us, and we can't wait to share it with you. Just had a superfun album cover photo shoot with amazing photographer Kevin Kelly the other day. I will not blow any of our secrets, but you simply cannot wait to see!

As for my own photography, you'll find all the latest photos from my eternal Adventures in Sweetland here.

I bid you aurevoir for now, but be expecting my Sweetlandish treatise on love, dark matter, and other such ponderables before aforementioned day of crimson bling.

Snowkisses,

xo
LadySweet

Hope to see you at the show!

Photo by Jen Squires. Design by Faye Blais.

January 6, 2013
Toronto, ON

I'm Home Sweetland Home after my last great adventure ... It feels good. Nothing like a tromp out into the wilds of the world to remind you of how much you love your own neighbourhood. I opened one suspicious eye this morning, and then the sweet, comforting clang of church bells across the street reminded me it was Sunday. And my bed.

Not that I don't love New York City. In fact, I love it so much I decided to take myself there on a romantic New Year's vacation. My dear friend Juliette throws these magnificent parties in Brooklyn and the theme for her NYE soiree was "Old Hollywood." Seriously, how could I resist? Now, it was not easy for me to decide on a costume for the night. On the inside I feel so Lauren Bacall, but on the outside - perhaps a little more Audrey Hepburn? In the end it was Elizabeth Taylor's Cleopatra that won out, thanks to my magnificent new emerald velvet gown from Cabaret vintage in Toronto. It's my year to be Queen. Apparently.

And speaking of her ancient royal highness, I also visited her sacred monument, "Cleopatra's Needle" somewhere in Central Park. It was a glorious, frosty day of wandering, bird-watching, and french fry nibbling. (These are a few of my favourite things.) Later that evening I took in a fabulous flamenco show at Joe's Pub, then stopped by Blue Ribbon in Park Slope for my favourite decadent meal: raw oysters and vino. Mmmmm.

On a sadder note, I must report that my famous black and white polka-dot scarf mysteriously disappeared. One day wandering about Soho, NY, I looked down to see it gone ... Sucked right into the vortex, leaving no trace. And coincidentally, it vanished exactly one block from the store from which it originally came. After so many adventures, I guess it journeyed home to meet its maker. At last. (Tear.)

I have prepared a Sweetlandish eulogy video in its name. You can pay your respects here: A Tale of a Polka-dot Scarf.

Sigh.

Love,

xo
K

The new polka-dot scarf in the family! 

More photos from all my recent adventures here.

December 8, 2012
London, ON

It's another grey and rainy day in Sweetland. 'Tis the season. I confess, I've come to secretly love this in-between time of year, in all its glorious sodden decay. My Sweetlandish garden is mostly magnificently dead, with the exception of my brave roses, still blooming surely but slowly. The last bud of the year is threatening to burst on my "Love Grandiflora" rose bush.  How wonderful. I am going to take it as a sign... 

In another corner of my magical garden I've been enjoying my latest artistic experiment, the Rotten Pumpkin Project. One by one I've offered up all my gourds (mostly left over from the Halloween show) to the great outdoors, and observed with interest, their respective demises. The ruby pumpkin I bought at the farmer's market has been nibbled to its last crumb by Chocolate, Hazelnut, and Fudge - the three black squirrels who live in the weed trees above my patio. All other gourd offerings have disappeared mysteriously in the night, with the exception of the one nobody wants to eat, or steal. Hmmmm. Poison, peut-être? A case for Sherlock Sweetland to solve, I reckon.

And speaking of love, death, and detectives, I've been curled up in front of the television all afternoon getting my Film Noir on. Currently, it's Bogart and Bacall in The Big Sleep. Those two have an eternal place in my romantic little hard-boiled heart. As does Raymond Chandler's saucy shamus Philip Marlowe. I always did like the boys with character best. Fortunately, and unfortunately. And even in the noir-est of classic film sagas, love always seems to win out in the end... sigh. 

In the book I've been reading, "A Natural History of Love," author Dianne Ackerman argues that love is not a choice, but a biological imperative. Apparently, just as evolution favoured humans who could stand upright, it favoured those who could feel love. Because love, it seems, has great survival value. It urges us to protect our children from sabre-tooth tigers, and our femme fatales from stray bullets. But we also know, as so eloquently put by Buffy the Vampire Slayer, "Love makes you do the wacky." Ain't it the truth. I think everyone in this movie would thoroughly agree.

And in musical news, said four-letter word will be the topic of an exciting collaboration between myself and the Ladies In Waiting in the coming New Year... Stay tuned for more info on that front soon. In the meantime, if you're in the Toronto area you should come out to the annual Ladies in Waiting Christmas Show this Tuesday, Dec 11 at Not My Dog. It's sure to be an evening of scintillating bling, with performances by Andrea Ramolo, Faye Blais, Melanie Brûlée, Sahra Featherstone, Tricia Foster, Sarah Burton, and Jadea Kelly. And of course, yours truly. There may even be a secret Christmas pageant performance... Or not. You'll just have to come and find out. For more info on all my upcoming holiday shows visit my tour page.

Until then I'll be hibernating in Sweetlandish Suburbia, puppysitting Ursa the family beast for a spell. I shall be endeavouring to teach her some fancy tricks before my folks get home from their trip. We'll see how it goes. I will keep you posted. 

Until then...

Bogey and bourbon,

x
K

I guess I'm in love with you...

P.S. There is photographic evidence of all my latest adventures in love, death, and detective work here.