December 22, 2007 

Toronto, ON

Wassail! Happy winter, dear ones. Have been doing my share of stirring spicy cauldrons of hot ale and cider... delish. Try this one at home: 

2 bottles of fine ale
3 bottles of hard apple cider
2 tsp powdered ginger
1 tsp ground cloves
1 tsp ground cinnamon
dried cardamom pods
8 oz water
honey to taste

Mix water and spices in a pot and heat till gently simmering... add some fine honey till it's sweet. Turn stove down to low-ish and add beer and cider. Warm slowly till perfect temperature but don't boil! You don't want to evaporate all that delicious alcohol! Add even more spices and honey if you like. x

Stir with passion in your heart and the desire for a successful year! Drink and wassail~!

Trying to figure out my new computer webcam

November 18, 2007
Brooklyn, NY

Am having such a blast in Brooklyn and I never want to leave! But, I'm leaving in the morning. Tonight I got taken to the Shaghai Mermaid 1920s cabaret-style benefit @ Superfine in DUMBO. It was AMAZING. Everyone was so talented, with particular musical kudos to Mamie Minch who I really enjoyed. Played a great gig last night with Kim Beggs and Natalie Edelson from the Yukon... lovely ladies. Afterwards my pal Katy Rose Cox's band Shotgun Party (from Austin) seriously rocked the house!!! Yeeeow! Now, better see if I can sleep a bit, for tomorrow is a long long drive. Lotsa love. 

x
K 

  

Pete Harris took some photos of Kristin performing @ the 68 Jay St. Bar in Brooklyn, check them out here.

November 14, 2007
New York City

Have been in NYC for a couple days on self-enforced vacation. Been totally off the technological radar and it feels amazing. I've been staying with a good friend from high school on the Lower East Side and am headin' to Brooklyn to see my Little Red Hen Music compadre and brilliant songstress Jan Bell for a spell. Have a gig tonight @ the 68 Jay St. bar in DUMBO and I'm looking forward to it immensely. In other fun tourist news, I went to the Met yesterday and wandered around with my jaw dropped for about 4 hours. Was so thoroughly entranced by the ancient Egyptian everything and couldn't get enough! Am currently on book 13 of the Amelia Peabody mystery series (majorly entertaining brain-candy set in Victorian Egypt) and had so much fun figuring out what all the things they talk about in the book look like in real life. Stood and contemplated the huge medieval armour exhibit for a long while too... so crazy imagining someone inside all that metal -- who were they and what was their life like? Hmmmmm. Then I had to go on a bit of a shopping mission. Operation new gorgeous warm outfit. I have to say I'm not so into this whole oversized shapeless knits phenomenon that's going on this season in the fashion world.... Didn't find anything I love yet, but will certainly not quit trying. I heart NYC. A lot. 

Amelia Peabody would be proud.
(more NYC photos)

November 10, 2007
Monticello, NY

Double-O-Sweetland reporting for duty from inside the walls of Kutsher's Country Club in the Catskills... came down here to play some showcases at the North Eastern Regional Folk Alliance conference. What a crazy place! The Kutsher's Hotel apparently had it's heyday in the 60s as a superhip "Borscht belt" resort and is said to have been the inspiration for the movie Dirty Dancing. I believe it. Did some dancing myself... The craziest thing about Kutsher's besides the hallways that go on and on in seemingly all directions forever (seriously à la Shining- I mean, I have dreams like this) is glory of the Stardust Room. Imagining all the big shows they had in there every night- Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin and that whole crew- I had to creep in while quiet & empty to contemplate and take some sweet photos.
Saw first snow of the year too.

Sleepy. 

In the legendary Stardust Room @ Kutsher's Coutry Club

November 5, 2007
London, Ontario

I have finally had some glorious days of rest after working so hard for so long! This weekend I did lots of running about the sunny and windy forest with Raven the dog and cooked and baked and cooked and baked... All the while I listened to my Amelia Peabody Egytptian archaeological mystery audio books (I'm a total geek, I know) and made pumpkin everything-- cream cheese muffins, pankakes... delish.

On Saturday I had an total adventure accompanying drummer extraordinaire Paul Brennan to his gig at the Royal Winter Fair in Toronto. Paul was there playing drums with Alannah Myles who performed an 11 minute medley during the big horse show. They played while Canadian dressage champions Cindy & Neil Ishoy did their incredible thing. It was AMAZING and I was blown away. I also thoroughly enjoyed mingling and chatting with all the fine and distinguished horse-folk. My maiden equestrian event was a smash hit.

Now I prepare to blast off to NY later this week... I really should be cleaning and organizing instead of playing on the computer...

x
K 

A beautiful day in the blustery forest.

October 31, 2007

Toronto, Ontario

My new CD "Own Sweet Time" is now for sale!
Please visit the Kristin Sweetland Store for purchasing options...

October 13, 2007
London, Ontario

I am exhausted.... oh my, has it ever been a crazy week! Just got home from the yearly Ontario Council of Folk Festivals conference that was held in London this year. Much fun was had! Got to see some of my dearest pals, played some fine showcases - much thanks to Richard Flohil, Nutshell Music and Home County Folk Festival for hosting me this year. And I was so busy I didn't even take any photos!

In other news, I am so pleased to report that the new CD is all manufactured and looking positively gorgeous! Get yer credit cards ready as they will go on sale Tuesday morning, October 30th at Midnight!

September 25, 2007
London, Ontario

Ladies and Gentlemen, I am so proud to present to you all

the new "Own Sweet Time" album cover...

designed by the masterful and simply lovely
A Man Called Wrycraft

with
photography by
Kevin Kelly

September 3, 2007
Toronto, Ontario

I had an AMAZING time this past weekend at the Shelter Valley Folk Festival just outside Grafton, Ontario. We had beautiful weather, the lineup was great and there were no shortage of my dearest pals about! (Darlene, Bill Bourne, Trevor Mills and Ember Swift... to name but a few. ) I got to wear a new hat this festival -not literally- as stage host! It was a fabulous learning experience for me and -among other many other things- I introduced performers, caught flying drum-brushes and hosted a symposium discussion panel on muse and inspiration... yum. Now it's time to rest, and recover... xo

At the Shelter Valley Festival I did an incredibly fun
photo shoot with the famous Six String Nation guitar...
(photos by Doug Nicholson)
click here to see
 

August 13, 2007
London, Ontario

I was so determined to see me some flaming balls during this year's Perseid shower that I drove out of town quick as I could as soon as the clouds lifted last night around 2am. This image was taken by moi on some random farm dirt road outside of London, Ontario at approx. 2:22am... Besides the meteors you can clearly see the Pleides above and Mars just below. C'est magique!

Loving the meteor magic... click image to enlarge!

August 12, 2007
London, Ontario

Ladies & Gents, the good news is, we're finally done mixing the new album (for real!!) Hooray! Now onto the mastering and getting it out into the world! Also, in the last ten days I've done two major photo shoots with the amazing Kevin Kelly for the album cover. We did one shoot in his studio and the other up in majestic clock tower of Toronto's Old City Hall. It was quite the process to get granted access and quite the adventure to get us up there. 290 steps (on the hottest day of the year!) with all our stuff... I was a melting statue of makeup and clock  tower dust by the end of it all but we got some gorgeous shots. You'll all be seeing them very soon on the "Own Sweet Time" album cover! Otherwise, I've been enjoying a relaxing summer. Have been house sitting for some gal pals in TO and loving their super-sweet pad, ginormous bathtub, patio heaven and cable tv! How much do I love the bad Relic Hunter re-runs on a too-hot to breathe weekday afternoon ? SO MUCH!

July 31, 2007
London, Ontario

Hello dahhhlings. Getting ready to head to Toronto for some new-album photo shoots this week! Do you like the black and white skirt or should I go with a red dress.... I don't know!! ohhh decisions decisions! Regardless, I'm so looking forward to getting something fine done to my hair and heading out into that unfathomable humidex and seeing how well it all holds. Will report later, with hopefully some fine photos to show to boot...! xxx K

Oh, what to wear for the new album photo shoot?

July 22, 2007
Kingston, Ontario

This weekend I had so much fun kickin' it up at the Canadian Guitar Festival! Played my mainstage set on Saturday and stayed Sunday to be one of the judges for the International Fingerstyle Guitar Championship. This judging thing was a whole new experience for me! Very cool! It was a blind jury and therefore myself, Wendell Ferguson, Don Ross and Andy McKee (a super-fine guitarist from Kansas) were locked in a air-conditioned trailer for the day with the windows covered and the sound fed in via a monitor. All the contestants did such an amazing job!! It was a serious day of seriously listening and in the end we agreed on three winners. My sincere congratulations go to:

1st Place: Craig D'Andrea / CT, USA
2nd Place: Don Alder / Vancouver, BC, Canada
3rd Place: Stefano Barone / Rome, Italy 

At the Canadian Guitar Festival mainstage workshop
with Wendell Ferguson and Don Ross
photo by David Carriere (more photos!)

June 21 2007
Toronto, Ontario

HAPPY SUMMER Y'ALL!!!

Hello sweethearts! Had a wild night last eve at my friend Miss M's karaoke birthday party. We got the full-on private room with the black light mural and the disco ball and everything. Thought you might all enjoy the photo of me doing my agent Scully routine, trying to escape though the ceiling. Self portraits à la Sweetland can be so entertaining... and by the way, I sang me some serious Madonna - and I Live to Tell. 

June 15, 2007
Toronto, Ontario

Just back from an amazing gig at Hugh's Room this evening... "Girls do Boys" presented by Michael Wrycraft was a crazy evening of fabulous female singer-songwriters performing the work of their favourite male songwriters. I was joined by the glorious likes of Lori Cullen, Sass Jordan, Angela Harris, Margaret Stowe and more... got to bust out my Eminem (Lose Yourself and Stan) and ripped it up so hard! Loved it. Gonna have to start playing those songs more often. Sooooooo much fun!!!! For more photos from the show click here.

Doing Eminem @ the Girls do Boys show (more photos)
photography by Daniel Marcincak



Michael Wrycraft's gorgeous "Girls do Boys" poster

May 29, 2007
Toronto, Ontario

Well folks, I'd say we're about 97% done recording the new album! Yeeehaw! Still a bit of work to come but I am SO so so pleased with all we have magically created. This has been a supreme month in the studio filled with amazing guests... Suzie Vinnick (harmony vocals), Anne Lindsay (violin ), Roman Borys (cello), Ben Grossman (hurdy gurdy and percussion), Jorge Miguel (flamenco guitar) and Ernie Tollar (flute) all came and did amazing things. For some photos of the sessions click here.

Rock on! Sweetland in the Studio (more photos)

May 18, 2007
London, Ontario

Ladies and Gentlemen... In London briefly with time to kiss the dog and run out the door again. Had a fine night last night in Hamilton watching Luke Doucet and his amazing band rock the Casbah. Oh Yeah!! Heading to Windsor tonight to play a spontaneous show with those boys... good times ahead. Will report more on all other fronts soon. xo

Maxin and relaxin in the Hammer

May 15, 2007
London, Ontario

I have been fascinated for weeks by the family of cardinals that made their little nest outside the kitchen window. First they built the nest, then the mama cardinal laid some eggs, then she sat on the eggs for days and days until the wee ones finally hatched. Now they're growing up fast and are soon to fly away... Does anyone remember that episode of the Sopranos where Tony loves the ducks and when they fly away he gets very sad? Hoping I will not suffer the same fate when my little fledglings fledge... fly little birdies, fly. xx

May 1, 2007
Toronto, ON

HAPPY MAY DAY!

I just can't help but love the supreme glory of May. Perhaps it's because I'm a May-baby or perhaps cause it usually means that Spring is finally and truly upon us! (No more freak Ontario spring snow-storms...please!) Couldn't find a maypole to dance around today but got to enjoy the Morris dancers doing their crazy stick dance outside the restaurant where I breakfasted this morn. Had yet another great day in the studio today with the amazing Stephen Fearing. Have posted some new photos from the studio sessions and there's more to come soon! Lots more fine guests coming to play on the album in the next couple weeks and then we are done!! There will be much celebration in the streets... I am sure. 

Till soon, xo K

In the studio Sweetland-style... more photos here!

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April 2, 2007
In the Chambers...

Hello Sweethearts, I have been hard at work these past couple days getting ready to get back into the studio... We had a couple recording delays and set-backs this month due to various illnesses, airplanes and other unfortunate events. But all is well and still progressing as planned! Looks like my dream for a spring-release won't quite happen, but the Universe has a plan for me indeed... I can't call the album "Own Sweet Time" and expect it not to take it... xoxo

A Sweetland in her natural habitat

March 26, 2007 
London, ON

Last night I performed at the Jack Richardson Music Awards here in London and enjoyed myself immensely! Thanks so much to the "Jacks" team for putting on an amazing show! I managed to seriously entertain myself backstage by taking some self-portraits to add to my never-ending series... take a peek below

Backstage at the "Jacks"... more photos.

March 20, 2007
Toronto, ON

Hello Kittens, HAPPY SPRING! The sun is finally a shinin' in beautiful Toronto, although it still seems to be a bit nippy out there in the frozen department. I suppose the thaw will come eventually and there's not too much we can do to stop it... What are you all doing today? I'm thinking a nice stroll might be in order followed by a minor amount of responsible shopping and then my flamenco dance class at 5:30. The moment of Equinox is at 8:07pm EST this evening and I will SO need to be having as toast to the end of a sweet and intense winter and the beginning of the glory of the great new season.

Happy melting,

xo
Lady K

March 17, 2007
Toronto, ON

Happy St. Patty's Day all... I had an incredible night tonight (green beer-free!) playing with Bill Bourne at the Harbourfront Centre here in Toronto. It was my first real adventure playing in someone else's band and I LOVED it. There will be more of that to come in the future for sure... Ended the night a fine wee hotel party overlooking the Toronto harbour... self portrait from hotel window above. nighty-night xx

March 1, 2007
Asheville, NC

Ladies and gents, am fresh from my adventures to Memphis for the 2007 Folk Alliance Conference. For those of you who do not know, the yearly F/A conference brings together a wild collection of musicians, presenters and general music-biz types under one roof for five days of pure insanity. Had a record amount of fun this year, mostly due the amazingness of my fellow Little Red Hen Music artists who I love so dear. We put on an incredible show over 3 days and 3 nights in our LRH showcase room and THANK YOU so much to all who participated and helped to make it happen.

Currently I'm in North Carolina visting my best friend Jenny and her husband Chuck Brodsky in their gorgeous new home. Resting up from all the fun and trying to stave off a wee bout of what I'm calling "the post-afolkalyptic plague".... a nasty little cold that is not welcome. Must be healthy and heal quickly as there is much work to be done! Back in Ontario and back in the studio soon... Stay tuned. xo KS

February 18, 2007
London, Ontario

Hello gentle readers, just a quick note to let you know that I am well... Busy busy busy is the way of me and I'm preparing to hit the road to Memphis tomorrow! Ohhh Yeah! Going to hook up with my Little Red Hen compadres at the Folk Alliance Conference in Memphis, TN to cause all kinds of fine trouble. Cluck yeah!

All is extremely well on the new-album front and things are progressing quickly! Back in the studio again upon my return in March and will then be having various guests come in to play on the album... such fine folk include the likes of Suzie Vinnick, Stephen Fearing, flamenco guitarist Jorge Miguel and some other very exciting surprises! 

Till soon, xo K
 

Come join the Little Red Hen Hooteneanny at Folk Alliance 07!

January 12, 2007

London, ON

I was interviewed this morning by Shelagh Rogers on CBC Radio's national morning show "Sounds Like Canada." The topic was weird winter weather and I told the story that inspired my new song "Gone Gone Gone" (from the upcoming new CD!) I explained how a very strange adventure on the Trans-Canada highway somewhere west of Ignace not only inspired the song, but also gave me the opportunity to take the photograph above -from my ongoing self-portrait series- this one I titled "My Own Private Ontario." And as for the story, I will tell it again one day, to be sure...

 My Own Private Ontario

January 1, 2007
Toronto, ON

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

In this glorious coming year of Two Thousand and Heaven I pledge to: write more frequent and more juicy tidbits in my journal/blog, make a kick-ass new album that I will be so very proud of, keep working hard like a busy Sweetland bee and of course, eat more chocolate.