December 30, 2008
New York, NY

After a very long drive and more than one adventure I've finally arrived in Manhattan! Just succeeded in carrying my entire army of small red bags plus a motherload of musical gear up way too many flights of stairs. .I am so exhausted and I thoroughly surrender. There will be more tales to tell when I catch my breath and regain my brain.

Till then, dreamland is calling. Bonne nuit, x K 
 

I Surrender 

December 24, 2008
London, ON

Gentle Readers and Bestest Friends,

Bonsoir from swiftly-melting snowbound suburbia. I’m hiding away in my chamber at the Sweetland ranch, post family bonding and pre sugarplum fairy. Looking up from my nest on the white sheepskin rug I see a sky of glow-in-the-dark stars shining on walls I painted black in grade nine. I’ve spent a lifetime of Christmas Eves in this room, and somehow they all feel the same … How is it that the dark seems darker and the night more silent than on every other eve of the year? Nostalgia is a powerful magician and tonight I am his willing daughter. Against the wall, between the lamp and the Fender Deluxe Reverb is the shelf of ancient Sweetlandish manuscripts. Thirty-five journals and diaries (what I call “the archives”) have trapped my words and secrets in time and space for over twenty years. Every so often I do this thing I call “This Day in Time” where I go back and look though all my journals for entries on that day in any particular year. Tonight the ghost of Christmas past was calling my name and I knew I was going on a trip to sweet memoryland.

Twenty–three years ago on this day I was writing about chocolate, and Remington Steele. Ten years ago, a recipe for Pad Thai. Fourteen years, a note scrawled in a hotel room in the dark. Twelve years, lyrics to Richard Shindell’s song “Nora.” I have shivers just thinking of the melody as he sings of those angels “trumpeting in ecstasy!” Six years ago I wrote an epic tale after dreaming I was with Harry Potter on a class trip to an otherworld demon dimension. Somehow Mulder and Scully got involved and thank the goddess we all saved the world in the end! Five years ago I penned a hilarious letter to Santa and two years ago a workaholic list of things to do. And most importantly, seventeen years ago I wrote myself a whole page of wishes. #1 read: Never give up on your musical dreams. Keep writing songs! My ghost of Christmas past would be proud to know I never gave up. And most likely never will.

Now if you’ll excuse me, I’m expecting a visitor to drop down the chimney any minute. If it all goes well he’ll be tall, dark, handsome and carrying a chilled bottle of Veuve-Clicquot.

Thanks Santy … and Bless Us Every One.

Love,

K

December 19, 2008
Dalkeith, ON

Word up from Sweetlandish Siberia and the frozen glacial fields of Ontario farm heaven. It's a balmy minus 18 degrees Celsius (That's zero Fahrenheit my precious Americanos) BEFORE windchill, and dropping! Just in from a trip to town for supplies, hauled some wood and am now snuggling by the fire, waiting for the mother of all storms to hit tonight. Lyndell and I have perfected the recipe for hot toddies which I'm calling "Appley Snickets" in honour of the secret ingredient (cider!) and the omnipresence of true Lemony goodness. Try it at home, kittens:

Pour as much apple cider as you can dream of drinking in a big pot. Add pileloads of shredded and pressed ginger. Then, squeeze in the juice of one giant lemon ... or two. Bring to a boil then simmer gently for so long as you can stand not drinking it. When it's strong, strain out ginger then add the aqua vitae of your choice (whiskey is GOOD!) Drink and enjoy while it cures everything that's ever been wrong with you in your life.

And when you're done ... midnight snowshoe mission, anyone?

x
K

December 13, 2008
Montreal, QC

Ice princess of the North reporting for duty from bitterly frosty Montreal. I decided I needed a night on the town and came in from my warm toasty country lair for some roaming of the unforgiving streets. The recent major ice/snow storm here left roads more than a bit sketchy and driving -not to mention walking- is quite the adventure! Did some shopping then headed up to Le Cagibi for hot spicy apple cider toddies that cured me of all that's ever ailed me in my life. Next, I went to the Titanic artifact exhibition at the Eaton Centre. It was brilliant! So dramatic and magnificently presented ... worth the trip to Montreal just to see! Then it was time for The Day the Earth Stood Still on IMAX. No popcorn. Way fun.

Home, James. The dangling carrot of fireplace is calling my name.

Frozenbunnynoses,

x K

Tabula Rasa ... at Le Cagibi in Montreal (more photos)

December 9, 2008
Dalkeith, ON

Bonjour from the snow-covered countryside of Eastern Ontario. I've just come in from a tromp in the beastly storm for a fireside whiskey reward! The snow was up past my knees in parts of the path, and I kept falling over face down into pileloads of powder. There is photographic evidence! I can't believe I still have energy but I think it's time for my daily Coldplay airband flamenco dance performance ... wish u were here. x K

Le Petit Hiver

December 6, 2008
Farm Heaven

It's family weekend in farm heaven and all my ladies are here for a wee country vacay. I've been reading the Twilight series (like a good little girl) and have been joking that my gal pals are my "vampire family." Because of my usual need for photographic mayhem I declared it "family portrait night" in Dalkeith, Ontario. Made everyone get dressed up after dinner and glory ensued. Miss M called us "Mom, Dad, the Irish twins and the accident." But who's who? ... Ha ha, glad I am so thoroughly able to entertain myself in snowed-in farmhouse-land a million miles away ... kiss, K

P.S. we saw ponies!

The Whole Fam Damily

November 29, 2008 
Toronto, ON

It's been a November bender of fun in the big smoke of Toronto. Came in spontaneously last Thursday to play the Open Door Festival of Music benefit at the Mod Club with Lyndell Montgomery. It was AMAZING! I had so much fun and officially love being a guitar slingin' sideperson. More please! Stuck around town this week for so much good music I don't even know where to start. Had wicked fun at the Dakota for the weekly Beauties gig. Have been hearing of their deliciousness forever and finally made it out a show! It's not very often that I go to a bar for one just drink and end up staying for three sets ...Yeow.

This weekend I got treated like a princess by my friend Selena and taken to the Aboriginal Music Awards and seriously rockin' afterparty at the Opera House. It was hosted by Raven and Shoshana from Digging Roots, two of my beautiful friends and such brilliantly talented performers. They bloody ROCKED! As well, major kudos to Tanya Tagaq who eternally blew my mind, and Stevie Salas for teaching that green sparkly electric guitar a lesson it won't soon forget.

I am so inspired .... sigh. x

   

I Heart Toronto

November 4, 2008
Toronto, ON

Congratulations American friends! We celebrated Barack Obama's historic victory tonight watching Amy Ray and her brilliant band at the Mod Club. Amy has been one of my musical heroes forever and it was so great to see her play live again! It made me happy like I haven't been since I was seventeen ... The sweeping presidential victory and the whiskey didn't really hurt either.

It's been such an amazing five days in Toronto this visit. Way too much fun has been had with my girls! Here for another day and then off to London for a show at the APK this weekend. Hope to see you there. More Sweetlandish musical news coming soon on all fronts ... Exciting things are afoot in my world like never before.

Stay tuned, kittens, it's getting hot ....

x
K

Amy Ray at the Mod Club ... more photos

October 31, 2008
Toronto, ON

Bonsoir, my spooky sweethearts and Happy Hallows! It's such a gloriously warm evening in Toronto tonight after that freaky snowfall! I'm all decked out in my hat, suit and Double-Winsored tie ... pipe and magnifying glass in hand. Mysterious and elementary, of course. Heading out on the town to solve a case or two and put my detectival powers of deduction to good use. Photos to come soon! Take care what'cha put in your candy-hole tonight kiddies, and call Sherlock Sweetland if you need any help at all .... x

Because it just ain't Halloween without a giant fanged 

bunny of the apocalypse jack-o-lope-o-lantern!

October 28, 2008
Dalkeith, ON

Salut from no more than two feet from the wood stove. It has gone winter storm postal in eastern Ontario farm heaven! Am hiding away once more chez brilliant bassist/violinistra Lyndell Montgomery stoking the magical fire and writing for a new project ... We weren't quite ready for the crazy cold here and were forced to retaliate with a steamy pot of beet stew and a seriously blazing inferno. And a photo shoot in the snow! (And a fine Cabernet.) Feeling excited for the coming dark season and all that will be accomplished therein. Stay tuned for the new frontier. x K

 
First snow ... before Halloween! wtf?

October 26, 2008
Ottawa, ON

Allo bonjour from Capital City! I've been held up here in the Crowne Plaza Hotel for what seems like an age ... so thoroughly enjoying the company of my peers at the Ontario Council of Folk Festivals conference. For those of you who've never been to such an event, imagine an entire hotel crawling with mad folkies up all night playing music in every last nook and stairwell. Thanks so much to Fumiko Maehara and Petrie Dish, Leah Morise and her Powder Room, and Luther Wright, Jenny Whiteley and the Hootenanny for having me over to showcase! I took to calling the Saturday night Gala dinner the "folk prom" and got to bust out my new prom dress for the occasion ... (Cryptic stairwell dress photo here.) Thanks to all responsible for making this year's OCFF possibly the funnest ever. I'm still glowing from the love and feel so blessed to be a part of this incredible community.

Next, I'm headed back to the country for some recuperation time and a wee bit of writing hibernation. Then it's down to Toronto for Halloween! Good times are ahead and I will surely keep you all posted.

xxx
Moi

Has anyone seen a sousaphone? (more Ottawa photos)

October 12, 2008
Dalkeith, ON

Happy thanksgiving my pretty pumpkins, and greetings from country-fried farm heaven. I'm back up here at my friend Lyndell's place hiding away from the world, contemplating my life and writing some new kickin' rock songs! The fall colours are simply glorious and I'm lounging on the back porch soaking in some Indian summer vitamin D while I still can ... Fighting off a wee touch of catarrh, and doing a smashing job of it. Think the fire in the wood stove is helping loads, not to mention all the goodness I'm getting from eating out the magical garden. Picked beets and carrots, squash, dill and lemon balm for a stew. It's gonna cure me I am sure. Also back up to my old tricks with my farm-photo self portrait series. Will be posting lots of them during my fortnight here, so come back and check for more soon ... in the meantime looky here.

Kitten kisses,

x
K

 
A sugarbeet victory! ... (more photos)

September 25, 2008
London, ON

Hello darlings, I've just posted a page with some shots from my Parisian photo shoot with amazing photographer Williams B.

J'aime Paris!

In Paris with Eric Coubard from Bad Reputation ... more photos

September 22, 2008
London, ON

Happy Autumnal Equinox everyone! I am back in London, Ontario for a few weeks of puppysitting and recovery from my NYC exploits. Have much photo and video editing work to do during my stay ... let's see how much I get accomplished in the next few weeks! Until then, I promise to be a thousand times better at updating my site frequently, so stay tuned for news and new pretty things to watch soon. xo

With Raven before her adventure to the salon

September 9, 2008
Brooklyn, NY

Word from the steamy hot depths of my sun-drenched Brooklyn loft room. The morning light is pouring in through the skylight, so delicious but oh so early ... it was a late one. Am in NYC on a secret mission, details tba soon. Have done so much since I've been here I don't even know where to start --- so I won't. News soon. Love and kisses, x K.

Brooklyn candy shop, for real ... more NY photos here

September 1, 2008
Grafton, ON

I've had the most magnificent past few weeks with my friends! Spent last weekend at the Shelter Valley Folk Festival, glorious utopian artistic creation of Aengus Finnan and his amazing community. Hosted the daytime Village Stage there and got to see loads of amazing pals like Darlene, Bob Snider, Brian MacMillan and Rick Fines ... not to mention Lynn Miles who I love so and simply cannot stop listening to!

Last weekend I played the Eaglewood Folk Festival and slept in my sweet little van by the pond ... Thanks to brilliant artistic director Trevor Mills for having me, Darlene, Carrie (you're the best manager ever!) and Nathan Rogers for making me laugh my ass off all weekend. And of course, the amazing Ken Whiteley, friend and producer was there playing along with me ... Next stop NYC. Watch out world. xo

 

At the Shelter Valley Folk Festival ... more summer festival photos

August 11, 2008
Toronto, ON

It has been a sweet, hot summer in Toronto and I've been living it up in style. Am currently house sitting for my pals Kt and Miss M, and lounging about their luxurious pad so very happily. Played a bunch of shows in Southern Ontario this week with brilliant Irish songwriter Andy White ... Peek at some photos from our gigs here! Relaxing in the Tdot for a few more days, then off to some fabulous festivals. Yeeee!

In Toronto on the neighbour's roof ... again  

July 5, 2008
Paris, France

Bonsoir from gaie Paris. I had yet another magnificent day in the most romantic city in the world. Tonight I am silent in my little poetic Parisian room, while outside Paris is still wildly awake! At 4am the motorcycles roar, the cars honk madly, the people scream and laugh . . . In the room next door the shutters moan, opening then slamming shut again in the wind. Zut alors! How can I possibly sleep?

This morning I visited the gorgeous home of Victor Hugo in the Place des Vosges (serious wallpaper envy!) where I took some excellently creepy Miserables photos. Next I had a lovely lunch followed by minor amounts of high-quality shopping. Then it was time to head back to the hotel for an interview with Blues Magazine journalist Frankie Bluesy Pfeiffer. Also met with Eric Coubard, head of Bad Reputation label that's releasing my album in Europe this month! After une petite café we were joined by photographer Williams B and I prepared for my honest to goddess Parisian photo shoot in the streets! All the photos look amazing from what little I saw and can't wait to see more . . . hopefully I will post soon. Tomorrow X-roads journalist and pal Alex Cecilia is taking me to the Solidays festival somewhere beyond the Bois de Boulogne . . . I have ancient memories of that place from childhood. Should be une grande aventure! Home via the friendly skies will come sooner than I like. Had planned to head down to Barlcelona to visit my brilliant flamenco dance teacher Renata but Air France wanted to charge me $4000 to change my ticket! *&^%! Think I will be heading to Spain some other time . . . Autumn sounds perfectly lovely to me.

Bises, x K

J'aime Paris ... more photos 

June 29, 2008
Beaucroissant, France

I am having the most incredible time in belle France! The people are amazing, the scenery is magnifique and I am being treated like a queen! I've been at the "Sur la Route de Tullins" festival all week and it may win the prize for the funnest fest ever. So far I've done 2 televisions interviews on France 3, a radio interview on France Bleu, a concert in Voiron, played at the festival's inauguration party (with the mayor, walnut wine and loads of the finest cheese ever!), helped artistic director François Louwagie launch about a million stages for the "Festival Off" (a free festival night with stages all over town), opened the festival mainstage two nights in a row and taught an AMAZING master class at the Tullins Ecole de Musique! Somehow amidst all of that I've had time to meet so many incredible people, visit the "Caves de Chartreuse" (where the monks make the magical green liqueur of the same name), eat loads of pastries and trop de fromage, not to mention practice my French! Right now I'm in a sweet little countryside hotel in a town called "Beaucroissant" (apparently world-famous for it's fair.) There is no air-conditioning here and I am slightly suffering. However, the most incredible view of the mountains from my window seems to be taking the edge off. A soft moon is rising in the bright evening sky over groves of walnut trees and hoppy skippy jumpy French bunny rabbits. All I need now is an icy bucket of champagne and I can die . . .

With my class at the Tullins Ecole de Musique ... more photos!