December 21, 2010 

Toronto, ON

Happy winter! And a lovely day it is to begin a shiny new season. I'm feeling rather shiny and new myself. Even after staying up the better part of the night to watch la lune in all its orange shadowy glory ... And glorious it was to be true.

I have a big day today, new musical adventures to embark upon, dance classes to attend, and mysterious rendez-vous, to rendez-vous. Just how I like it.

Bon hiver mes petits... x

 Happy Holidays from Corktown! More photos here.

December 10, 2010 

London, ON

I'm back in L-town avec famille for a wee spell. Since I last visited but a fortnight ago, the sky has dumped a whole meter of snow here! And in Toronto, two hours away we got all of two centimetres? Bonjour lake-effect. The snow drift in my parents' backyard goes all the way up to my Sweetlandish eyeballs. Apparently it's the highest it's been since I was two years old! And I won't tell you how long ago that was. Besides the lure of delicious Friday night family dinner out, the true purpose for my visit this weekend involves dog kisses at the end of the rainbow! Nothing beats the magical pink tongue of Ursa the Abominable Snow Poodle. Except maybe bourbon, shortbread and watching old Charlie Chan movies with my dad. Happy girl!

December 6, 2010 

Toronto, ON

It is winter here at last in dusty white Toronto! Brrrrr. I've been hibernating away in my warm Sweetlandish sanctuary avec faux fireplace, gingery beverage and steaming pot of soup. It's been so wonderful to have time off to rest, breathe, think, work and organize my life. All in preparation for the next phase. Be expecting a new album from Captain Dirt & The Skirt in 2011! As well, there are plans for another Kristin Sweetland solo recording, so stay tuned ... Also in the works is a book of Sweetlandish photography, and a mysterious new writing project. More exciting details tba in the New Year!

Until then, keep warm and cozy.

Love,

x

K

November 25, 2010
Toronto, ON

Just home from an incredible night out on the town. Went to see my flamenco dance teacher Esmeralda Enrique's company's performance "Espejo de Oro" at the Harbourfront Fleck Dance Theatre ... It was absolutely brilliant and beautiful. I'll be dreaming of those costumes for the rest of my life. Not to mention, I am so inspired to practice my moves now. Olé!

November 12, 2010 

Toronto, ON

It was a foggy night in hogtown to be true! I spent much of it up on my high perch above the street, watching the mist roll in ... But I simply could no longer contain myself. I had to venture out in it. Wandered down to the Distillery where I grabbed a few sweet shots of that gloriously heinous still effigy in Trinity square. It proved far more attractive dressed in pea soup than sunlight. After that I proceeded to secretly invite myself to a party full of well-dressed strangers. Then I went home. Quel Saturday night.

Foggy hogtown ... More Toronto photos here

November 1, 2010
Toronto, ON

New Captain Dirt & The Skirt tour video posted on YouTube! A song from my childhood à la highway...

xo
La Skirt

October 26, 2010 
London, ON

I'm home at last from my grand adventures! Now it's time for serious sleep, major laundry and dog kisses at the end of the rainbow. It was the busiest tour in Sweetlandish touring history and I'm sorry I didn't have more time to write. Tour tales and blog updates coming soon, I promise! Until then, have a peek at the two new Fall Tour photo albums I posted in the Adventures in Sweetland gallery.

Talk soon...

x

K

 Captain Dirt & The Skirt ... More Fall Tour photos here!

August 27, 2010 
Toronto, ON

Home Sweetland Home. So happy to be back in the hood! No festivals this weekend. It's my mom's birthday so my folks are coming to town. Taking them to Julie's Cuban Restaurant tonight, my favourite little hidden romantic dinner spot. Peppery corn fritters with sour cream and spicy Sangria! Just sayin'. Will need to go for a run after dinner avec poodle ... to be sure.

I've so been enjoying the glory of my Toronto Corktown neighbourhood lately. Many strange alleyways and mysterious paths to plunder. I also happen to live across the street from Toronto's oldest surviving church. Which is so cool. Unless it's Sunday morning after a night of too much wine ... Ding dang dong. There are weddings every weekend right outside my window! I secretly like it. Watched the wedding party exit the church today with the cheering and the bubbles and the chartreuse bridesmaid dresses and the '57 Chevy "Just Married" escape car. All from my lofty perch. I was too far away to catch the bouquet, alas. But better luck next time ...

Somewhere above the Don River ...

More photos from my Tdot hood here!

August 22, 2010
Owen Sound, ON

Hola from the shores of beautiful Georgian Bay. Came up for the weekend to see my sweet gypsy road sister Darlene rock it at Summerfolk! It's been yet another wet weekend in festival-land but this time I came armed with red wellies and a polka-dot umbrella. Nothing can stop me now!  Had an adventurous eve hier soir at the Saturday night festival after-party ... Many thanks to Chuck & Albert for the lovely company, and of course - the step dancing lessons. Watch out world. Mama's got a new trick.

Backstage at Summerfolk ... more summer festival photos here!

August 15, 2010
Ear Falls, ON

I just crawled into a warm snuggly booth at the Hotel 105 Restaurant in Ear Falls. Came in from the elements to seek shelter and fill up on some local freshwater fish and chips! It’s been raining for two days straight and I have few a thing left not thoroughly sodden, or at least quite damp.  It was a wonderful wet weekend at Trout Forest Music Festival! The people were spectacular and Northern Ontario as magnificent as always. Played some amazing workshops with the delicious likes of Oh Susanna, Annabelle Chvostek and new friend/ damn fine songwriter Ben Spencer … Had a particular blast this afternoon singing with my dear pals from Digging Roots! Damn they rock. Soooo looking forward to our hotel room jam tonight. But now it’s time to find myself a hotel room of my own, where I will systematically and creatively hang up every piece of camping equipment graciously lent to me, and pray it dries by morning. Tomorrow I drive. Tuesday I fly. Home sweet Toronto, see you soon!

P.S. Photographic and video evidence of said adventures coming soon … Plus a brand new video for rootsmusic.ca! Stay tuned. x

At Troutfest ... More summer festival shots here

August 13, 2010 
Thunder Bay, ON

Good morning from the North Shore ... or the North Coast, as I've been calling it. I don't know why but I always end up having the best damn time in Thunder Bay.  Much credit goes to my beautiful host Jen Metcalfe and her magical oasis of a home. Played a Yarden concert here on Wednesday night, which turned into a house concert, by the grace of buckets o' water falling from the sky.  The lovely Annabelle Chvostek showed up just in time and we got in a great jam and spontaneous rehearsal for this weekend's Trout Forest Music Festival up in Ear Falls! Yesterday morning was all about Finnish Pancakes in our pancake holes at The Hoito. Obviously. Today I pack up, pedicure, buy beer and bid adieu to my internet connection for a while. Heading for the woods, where the music will be fine, the men handsome and the mosquitos kind (here's hoping.) Will report on Monday with tall tales, and photographic evidence.

Till then,

x

K

August 7, 2010
London, ON

Bonsoir from the depths of my late-night chambers ... It's Saturday and I'm at home watching tv. It's Errol Flynn night on TCM. I should probably get a life of something, but whatever. There's plenty of time for that. I'm back in L-town briefly for last night's family Friday night sushi, and to return the poodle I borrowed. She had lots of fun in Toronto. I head back to the city soon for rehearsals and suitcase packin'. Boarding a plane to Thunder Bay Wednesday for a mysterious Yarden party ... From there I head up to Ear Falls for Trout Forest Music Festival! There's sure to be trees and rocks and rocks and lakes, and probably beer in a can. And I'm seriously contemplating going fishing for the first time. Who's coming with?

x

K

August 4, 2010 
Toronto, ON

Mes Amis,

A million apologies for not being more in touch ... I will so make it up to you. Retroactive tales of Sweetland are coming soon! These tales involve, a giant tank, a mysterious barn, a massive guitar, a pleasure cruise, a sailor suit, a cherry pie and of course, a video camera.

In the meantime, feast your unsuspecting eyeballs upon my first video blog assignment for Roots Music Canada: Kristin Sweetland does Home County Folk Festival!

I've also posted some new shots from my Adventures in Sweetland eternal self-portrait series ... here.

See you soon,

x

K

 

Adventures in Sweetland ... more photos ici

July 24, 2010
Toronto, ON

I'm awake Unsweetlandishly early, by the glory of strong coffee and James Keelaghan in my CD alarm clock! En route to Kingston today to play an afternoon set at Raise the Roof Women's Music Festival ... Loads of my esteemed Toronto colleagues will also be performing! The likes Layah Jane, Karyn Ellis and Kirsten Jones to name a few. Kirsten and I will be embarking on another video blog mission for Roots Music Canada. We'll see what happens this time... 

Tomorrow I head to Guelph for the last day of Hillside Festival to see my pal Andy White play. Andy and I have a show together Monday night @ The Dakota Tavern. It's gonna rock. Show starts 8 PM sharp so come early!

See you there ... x

 Captain Dirt & The Skirt go for a climb.
More summer festival photos here

July 18, 2010 

London, ON

Just fresh from a brilliant weekend in London playing at the Home County Folk Festival! We said aurevoir this evening in true folky style with a rousing version of Goodnight Irene in the rain ... Rocked the mainstage Saturday night w/Captain Dirt on bass, and sported the brand new polka-dot apron I bought at one of the craft vendors! Um ... hot. Other weekend highlights included: A sweet instrumental workshop with Don Ross  and the Foggy Hogtown Boys, a band photo shoot on top of the Holy Roller, Victoria Park's famous tank and a craft booth of candles that looked exactly like desserts. I mean, cherry pies, chocolate sundaes and the whole world of cupcakes ... dude, it was impressive.

Not to mention, this weekend marked my first gig as embedded reporter for Roots Music Canada! I'll be putting together video blogs of all the festivals I attend this summer ... From a Sweetlandish perspective, of course. Took lots of footage and interviewed a whole host of characters. Can't wait to edit! The polished video will surface soon on www.rootsmusic.ca. Stay tuned.

Captain Dirt & The Skirt go for a ride.
More summer festival photos here!

July 1st , 2010 
Tillsonburg, ON

Happy Canada Day!

This afternoon we rocked Tillsonburg's Festival of Music. I mean really, how can you go wrong when you go on after the travelling reptile show? My co-pilot/bassist Lyndell Montgomery/Captain Dirt and I had a blast and are now dreaming of a hot delicious dinner at the end of the rainbow ... Had to stop by the side of the road for a photo shoot when we came upon the most massive guitar we have ever seen! Not quite as big as the world's largest sausage, but large nonetheless. Evidence below.

Petticoats & Patriotism,

xo

La K

Tillsonburg Moth@f*&#a!
More summer festival photos here

June 18, 2010 

Toronto, ON

Sweetland is a grand place to be be these days ... I am so love with my new neighbou rhood!. Not to mention, highly attractive and thoroughly entertaining Australian house guests don't hurt. Have been hanging loads with the stunning Jess McAvoy this week, in from the land down yonder for NXNE and various other exploits.  Our mutual friend set us up on a blind friend date as Jess had never been to Canada before! As soon as I picked her up at the airport I knew she was trouble, in the best kind of way.  We both have NXNE showcases tonight -at the same time!- how is that fair? Regardless ... we both shall rock. Myself at the Free Times Café 10 PM, and Jess at the Cameron House 10 PM!

See you somewhere ....

June 6, 2010 
Toronto, ON

Bonsoir from my beautiful new apartment. Spent the day loading vans and carrying boxes and I am all moved in at last! Thanks so much to my parents and friends who helped immensely. And of course Ursa the dog, who helped too. First thing we did was set up my badass new HD flatscreen. Um .... yeah! Who's coming over to watch a movie?

Yesterday I celebrated my last day as a homeless singer-songwriter with a trip to the Fleetwood Country Cruize-In with my folks. Omigosh. I think I said "cooooool" about five hundred times. And I am so impressed with my dad's classic car knowledge. We bought at least ten tickets for the K of C 1969 Mustang convertible raffle. Obviously. Now I just have to win ....

Cross your fingers! 

x

K

 At the Fleetwood Country Cruize-In avec papa.

May 24, 2010
Toronto, ON

Happy May Two-Four! My friends and I have decided to celebrate this quintessentially Canadian holiday in true Ontarian style. Yup. Beer in a can and a BBQ! Fresh Ontario pickerel awaits in the fridge next to fresh Ontario produce. We'll grill it up after we take a wee pleasure cruise around Toronto Island. With ... of course ... beer in a can! After we might climb up on the roof to see if we can catch a firework or two.  Happy birthday Queen Victoria, wherever you are...

Up on the roof ... More Toronto photos here