fiery indie folk for the flute

Here’s another video for you, this time a mix of stuff from Montreal to Newfoundland. It’s got some silly moments for sure.

I’m writing this to you from St. John’s, Newfoundland. Got here late last night, after a long drive from Corner Brook. Just had a bunch of great shows on the Western side of the island and now I am off to perform at CBGT’s in the heart of downtown tonight. The shows have been going awesome. I feel so fortunate to be on this tour right now as it’s been an experience of a lifetime.

You’ll notice that everything I describe in this video as being “so beautiful.” I can’t help it. There are really no words to describe how breathtaking Eastern Canada is, especially Newfoundland. You’ll just have to see it for yourself to truly understand.

This is a pretty long video podcast, from my last week in Toronto. It includes a few performances as well as some video from my weekend on Toronto Island.

I’m writing to you from a library in Sussex, New Brunswick, where I am staying for a week. Not much internet around here. The library’s the only place with wireless in the entire town. Staying at my Dad’s place which is close to Alma and the Fundy Park. So far, it’s been raining non-stop but it’s still beautiful country. I went wild blueberry picking yesterday! Figured that it was good preparation for playing at Truro’s Wild Blueberry Festival this Sunday, although the mosquitos just about killed me! I head to Newfoundland at the beginning of next week and am I ever excited!!!

Well this just totally made my day.

CD Review
Rozalind MacPhail - Edgework
Independent
9-out-of-10

Review first appeared in Yorkton This Week newspaper July 23, 2008 - Yorkton, SK. Canada

Oh my, sometimes musicians just find a way to make you go wow! That’s exactly what Rozalind MacPhail accomplished on the song Tofino Kiss, the opening cut of her CD Edgework. To begin with, there was MacPhail’s voice, happy, unique, clear. It carries a sweetness which is memorable. That said, it is a voice which is enhanced by the fact MacPhail is wise enough to allow it to slip into the background. At those moments she remains central to the music, as she plays her flute. Now I will admit to my ear the flute, when handled by a fine musician, can be one of the most hauntingly beautiful instruments. In this case it is used to wonderful affect. MacPhail attended several music schools in Canada and abroad, having become both a long-term resident at the Banff Centre and an Artist-In-Residence at The Atlantic Center for the Arts in Florida, and the experience shows as her flute work obviously draws on the traditions of several cultures. The music is overall modern pop-oriented. No it’s not bubblegum sweet, but rather filled with emotion and heart, thanks to the combination of MacPhail’s voice, and the skillfully used flute, which is allowed to be an integral part of the music. Of course instrumentation is a strength here. The title song is a wonderful ride of different sounds, all put together smoothly. At times the music is haunting, like the lead in to Baba’s – Unite Us All, at other times it’s happier like on Tofino Kiss, but whichever emotion MacPhail choses to bring out with her flute, it all works. This is one of those albums which should have more musicians exploring how the flute can be incorporated into music clearly geared to a younger audience, although this CD will be appreciated by any listener with an ear for wonderful music. MacPhail does set her own course here, but it’s a journey the listener will be glad they signed on for. Check this amazing artist out at www.rozalindmacphail.com — CALVIN DANIELS

This was a neat experience…I had the wonderful opportunity to play a few songs with Kim Barlow last night at the Tranzac in Toronto. The video below is hard to watch because it’s such poor lighting but at least you can hear it well. I have a very small flute solo towards the end of the song.

The Burning Hell opened the night, performing a more acoustic set which was a serious treat. Talk about the most thought provoking lyrics and what a voice! Mathias Kom had me captivated from the moment he began his set to the very end and he left me craving for more. The music that Mathias and Nick Ferrio shared with us, all that sweet music that warmed my heart, made me smile and made me laugh…it was amazing.

And Kim Barlow. Wow. Beautiful voice, intoxicating banjo and such soothing guitar lines. She’s all about the music and it really shows. What a treat. I often found myself so immersed in the music that I was surprised when it was over. Her heartfelt songs have lyrics which one can really relate to. I shed a tear during one of her songs because it hit so close to home. Haven’t experienced that in a long time. Toronto musician Ryan Driver was performing with Kim as well, experimenting with many different sounds throughout the set, which was a nice compliment to what Kim was doing. You’ve gotta love musicians who really push that envelope as they try out new things. Their performance was perfect for the intimate Toronto Tranzac crowd.

Funny, Ryan decided to pick up his flute just as I was invited up for my guest flutist appearance with Kim. I hate to say this, but I would have preferred him to have played his flute during a different song. He’s got some amazing musical ideas but it really didn’t compliment the song to have two flutes playing at the same time. It was really distracting and a bit too much for the music. One of those moments when I felt that it really took away from the magic that could have been, had we kept things simple. As you watch this video, you’ll be able to see what I mean.

This is a long ramble about what I’ve been up to lately. There’s also some footage of Ron Leary, Scotty Hughes and I performing together at the Cameron House, that is, if you make it to the end. : )

It may have taken me an entire month to fall in love with Toronto again but I can officially say that it’s happened. I now remember why Toronto is so awesome for indie music and why it is one of the real hotspots for music in Canada. And it’s all thanks to Wavelength.

Wavelength takes place every Sunday night, at Sneaky Dee’s (College/Bathurst) and you can always count on seeing the best up and coming bands from Toronto and all over Canada. Last night, I got to see:

Have Fun At The Altar
Phantastic Prayer Book
The Heart Beats

All three bands were great but Have Fun At The Altar stole the show. They were amazing! Talk about a high energy band who plays for the love of music and it really shows. It was such a fun time. The energy was like nothing I had ever experienced before. And what a mix of the best musicians from all of the top indie bands in Toronto. They even had Laura Barrett performing on clarinet! What a treat.

There’s nothing like a great night of live music to inspire you to be the best musician that you can be. I was so excited to get home today to play with all the ideas that were brewing in my head from all the wonderful music I was so fortunate to experience. It’s always great to feel like you’re part of a thriving artistic community and at Wavelength, I know that I will always meet people who think the same way as I do and who feel just as passionate about indie music as I do. Last night was no exception. I got to meet the coolest people and I feel like I’ve just made a whole bunch of new friends.

For anyone traveling through Toronto on a Sunday night, you MUST check out a show at Wavelength. I’ve never been disappointed. It’s always packed with the hottest music dudes, sexy music-lovin’ gals…you name it. It’s a blast and everyone’s made to feel welcome there.

Thank you Wavelength. You just made me fall in love with Toronto all over again. : )

Here’s a song I wrote before I left for this tour. It’s called, “We Could Be”. I normally loop it but I was being lazy tonight. The song’s about those moments on the road when you’re missing the people you love and wondering if they miss you back.

This was recorded tonight on Toronto Island through my MacBook, after I got back from my Bikram yoga class in the city. I’ve been taking full advantage of my yoga pass lately, going to a class every day. It feels amazing to be taking care of my body and to feel myself getting healthier and healthier as the days go by. I’m going to need lots of strength and endurance for the next 4 months on the road. I can’t believe that I leave for my Eastern Canadian tour in less than three weeks. Crazy how time flies!

Here are lyrics to a new song that I’ve been working on, inspired by my recent experiences on the road.

They are such simple concepts to be aware of yet so challenging to live by, at least for me. I’ve spent most of my life being afraid of change, obsessing about the past and the future and trying to control what was out of my reach. It’s a daily battle to change my old habits and this song is one of those ways that I’m trying to remind myself of how to live a more peaceful life, without attachments. Sounds very granola I know but it’s worth thinking about…

BE HERE NOW

Lyrics by Rozalind MacPhail

Be here now
Be here now
As it is,
Constantly changing

Forget about tomorrow
Let go of yesterday
It is what it is so why fight it this way?

Stop trying to hold on
It’s no good for you
Stop trying to be so strong
Vulnerable moments are beautiful too

There will come a day
When all of this will be a blessing to you
You just can’t see that now
And that’s alright too

So be here now
Be here now
As is is,
Constantly changing

Canada is a happy place today but not for all of us.

A dear friend of mine, Doug Prest, passed away at 10:10 this morning and the world just ain’t the same without him in it. Doug was one of the most beautiful people I have ever met. He warmed my heart over the past 6 months with his gigantic smile, a laugh that could ease anyone’s pain and his passion for enjoying every moment of life. While I was waitressing at Bon Rouge Bistro in Victoria, Doug and his wife Jo-ann quickly became close friends of mine. They would often visit me once or twice a week, always sitting in my section and they always made my day brighter. They claimed that I was the best waitress in town. We had the most amazing conversations. They knew more about me than even my boyfriend knew about me at the time. I could tell them anything and they were always accepting. I adored Doug and Jo-Ann. Two of the most beautiful and fun people that I ever had the privilege of serving. Their love for one another often gave me hope that the love I was searching for would eventually come my way. It was inspiring to witness and so heartwarming.

Every Sunday, they would come in and Doug would get a pint of amber, Jo-Ann a dry apple cider. They were so cute, always sharing their meals together. I always tried to sneak some extra fresh baguette in their bag as they loved it so much. I got to make Doug’s birthday extra special, singing to him and bringing him a special treat from the bakery. And every Sunday, I looked forward to when they would come for their late lunch. Just weeks before I left, Doug forgot his credit card at Bon Rouge and it was so cute how he came back for it, minutes later and all because Jo-Ann had remembered. She always looked out for him and I’ve always admired her strength and striking beauty. Doug was such a gentleman. He treated Jo-Ann like she was the most precious thing on earth and for good reason. It always warmed my heart to watch the two of them eat their meals together. They made the most of every moment and never took anything for granted. They knew that life was too precious to waste.

On my last day of work, Jo-Ann and Doug came to have one final lunch together with me in my section. They gave me the most beautiful card, wishing me good luck for my journey. They were the only ones who gave me a card to wish me good luck before I left and I held their good wishes close to my heart. They always gave me hope. I have missed them so much while I’ve been on the road.

This is a photo of us on my last day of work at Bon Rouge, our last visit together. I look exhausted and tired but seeing the two of them warms my heart. I cried when I had to say goodbye that day. They meant so much to me and still do.

Jo-Ann, I am sending you all of my love. I can’t imagine how you must feel right now. Doug was a truly beautiful man. And Doug, if you can read this, know that you have touched so many of us. My life will never be the same because of you and I will always miss you and our special lunches we shared at Bon Rouge. May you rest in peace. Remember, I’ll be seeing you soon…

I’ve been back from the Ontario Vipassana Centre for two days now and am finally getting adjusted to being back. With the 349 emails that I had to filter through upon my return and so many other things that I had to get caught up on, it was a bit overwhelming.

Oh man, driving on that highway after meditating for 10 straight days was quite the trip, as well as experiencing the busy vibe of Toronto more and more as we reached the city. It was pretty trippy to say the least.

WOW. There are no words to describe it. What a gift. It was one of the best experiences of my life. I am a changed person now and all for the better.

June was a tough month for me. I’m so glad that it’s finally over.

The love of my life said goodbye to me just shortly after I arrived in Toronto and needless to say, it crushed me to hear the news. It came as a complete surprise. The pain that I experienced from that late night Skype conversation was more excruciating than I have experienced in many years. It’s always hard when you think that you’re going to spend the rest of your life with someone and then you suddenly discover that the beautiful dream you had in your mind of what was to come was so far from reality. And bad news never comes to us at a good time. It’s especially painful when one is on the road, is missing home and has no support system. Life is change, we all know that, but it doesn’t stop some of these changes from shaking our inner core to the point that we can’t eat, we can’t sleep and we can’t see anything good in life. I began to lose hope and felt totally lost. It wasn’t good.

And then came the Ontario Vipassana Centre. What a gift. I spent 10 days, meditating from 4:30am until 9pm, only stopping to eat and rest. I ate healthy and delicious meals, I had my own room with lots of privacy and the most magical nature right at my doorstep. It was inspiring and uplifting and at the same time, so painful and dark. When you can’t communicate or speak for that long, you are forced to deal with the darkest layers of your pain. The truth that you discover through the process can be hard to handle and so scary to see. It was probably one of the most difficult things I have ever had to face but because of it, I now feel that I can face anything that the universe throws my way. At the same time, it was also one of the most beautiful experiences that I have ever been a part of as I could see myself growing as a person by the minute. I am a different person now. Nothing I will write here can truly explain the magic of this experience. You’ve just got to experience it for yourself to understand and everyone’s journey is unique.

I wasn’t allowed to take pictures or video but I broke down on the last night, as we ended our noble silence and had a slumber party in the women’s dorm! This video is a little snapshot to give you glimpse of some of the special people I met that night. We were so excited and happy to be able to chat and were we ever full of the giggles. The conversations we had that night were so meaningful, some of the best conversations that I’ve ever had. it was so great to see each other’s smiles for the first time and hear everyone laughing. Such beautiful people. I feel like I am part of a wonderful family that I never knew I had.

One door closes and another door opens. Life is so beautiful that way.

And finding new love? Love can wait, until I meet someone who truly adores me, just as I am.