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.

May 14, 2010
Brooklyn, NY

Word up from the Park Slope slope! My week in New York City is already more than half over. How did that happen so fast? I've been having an epic time, perhaps the best NYC trip ever. Played a great show last night at Caffé Vivaldi and made some new friends. Then ran over to catch the end of  brilliant cellist Brent Arnold's set at The Living Room ... Made it for the last two songs, and the biggest glass of whiskey I ever done seen. Long live the American free pour.

Tonight I head out to Red Hook for the "Urban Cowgirl Cabaret" show at Jalopy with pal Jan Bell! It's such a magical little venue and I've always wanted to play there. Come on out y'all, for a little cowgirl adventure! But don't forget your umbrella. I feel a thunderstorm coming on ....

Giddyup,

              x x

                     La K

Red Wellies save the day!
More Mini Birthday Tour photos here

February 23, 2008

Memphis, TN

Greetings from the depths of the annual musical mania that is the North American Folk Alliance conference! This year I've been co-hosting the Little Red Hen Music showcase room with my dear pals Darlene and Jan Bell. We've had a most fantastic and successful year, oh glory! Played some damn fine showcases too, drank some supremely delicious Scotch and most importantly saw tons of my dearest pals I hardly ever get to see. Made some new pals too that I am so excited about (smile.) More on all that later. Now, it's nearly 6 am and it's definitely sleepytime. Nighty-night. x

Andy White came to visit

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)