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