Raise your hands, all of those who didn't eat enough turkey this past week.
I see no hands. Hope everyone had a good weekend!
Instead of a periodic e-mailing list for my music endeavours, I've decided to write this blog-ish note, summing up the musical activity of my company in 2008. With such a note, there is no obligation, no salesperson will call. I won't get stuck in your spam filter. This retrospective is for my own review and to share with others as well. Read some or read it all!
And the highlights from 2008 are (dot dot dot)
- ‘Amazing' received its second industry nod - an Honourable Mention at the 2008 Billboard International Songwriting Competition, placing it in the top 500 of the competition, worldwide. This follows the International Songwriting Competition in 2006, where the same song made it to the second round of the competition, ahead of 14,000 other songs. Go little song, go! That one was written in Caraquet, back when I lived there. The line ‘Think I'll go out for a while, city-style' is a reference to the Friday night 5 à 7 at Dooly's.
- East Coast Music Awards, Fredericton - it was a busy weekend, accompanying three different bands at their showcases: Barley & The Durt (lovingly introduced as Farley & The Durt), Mel Keith & The Strombachs and The Keats. This was one of several gigs I got to play with these acts over the course of 2008. Thanks to all of you for having me along this year. As a songwriter, I also had an editing session with Ron Hynes. It was a great learning experience that I now apply to every song I write. And Ron was nice.
- In movie-land - Director Pamela Gallant, whose short film ‘La Voisine' won Best Atlantic Short at the Atlantic Film Festival and Best New Brunswick Short at the Silver Wave Film Festival in 2007, invited me to score her next work of short fiction entitled ‘Secrets of Autumn (Passing Through)'. It screened at the 2008 AFF and at Silver Wave, where it was nominated for best NB short. The musical score was also nominated.
- In TV-land - CinImage Productions produced Season II of a documentary series called ‘Petites vues de chez nous' for Radio-Canada. I created the musical score for both seasons I and II, with 6 episodes in season II, and season III is now in production. I had the privilege of working with producer/director Monique LeBlanc and director Charles Thériault, along with Janelle Dupuis on fiddle, Laura Huffaker on clarinet and Isabelle Thériault on accordion. I can dream the notes up fairly well but these musicians play those instruments MUCH better than I do.
- Visual artist??? - I had my first visual art exhibit, which was a series of photographs, at an employee exhibit at the Capitol Theatre. It was surprisingly nerve-wracking. The photos looked great blown up. I'm hoping Ansel would have said something along the lines of: ‘Don't give up your day job. But don't give up.'
- Shows as a songwriter - The New Brunswick Songwriters' Circle Series performed at the Imperial Theatre, the Fredericton Playhouse and the Riverview Arts Centre (in co-production with the Capitol Theatre). Along with Darcy Mazerolle, Mel Keith, Chris Colepaugh, Jessica Rhaye, Ross Neilson, and Steve LeBlanc, we showcased songs that are of particular significance to us in an acoustic-type songwriter environment. Thanks to those who came out to the shows, and to all of the venues for supporting New Brunswick songwriters. I also had a few solo shows elsewhere, including Sessions in Saint John and the venue formerly known as the Mersey House in Liverpool.
- The First Annual Dangerous Parade Company Retreat - ok, so it was just me and some wine and a laptop in Summerside for three days. However, there was a purpose, which was to rewrite my business plan, and to restructure my professional work around songwriting and production. One of the results is that I'm now taking one week per quarter, away from home, dedicated exclusively to writing. This year's retreats included Shelburne & White Point, with really positive results that will make my singer-songwriter record in 09. The first writing retreat of ‘09 is scheduled for Caraquet.
- Honouring a very brave young man, and hitting the charts - this year I was involved in a very special project. Peter Post was approached to write a song to honour the late Sean Collins, a Moncton boy who lost his battle with cancer in 2007. Pete wrote a beautiful song, and asked me to produce a version of it for radio. Performed by Big Whale, the song aired on Magic 104 and went into rotation leading up to its live performance première at Relay for Life in June. It broke the top 100 of the Canadian Adult Contemporary Charts, peaking at #87 (between James Blunt and Justin Timberlake). We all poured our hearts into this song and hope that it has positively affected those who have heard it. We have all been touched in one way or another by the humanity of this disease.
- A freelancy kind of summer - which included shows all across the Maritimes as a solo artist, and as a bassist for Barley, Mel Keith and some sub gigs with Mason's Tender. Thanks to Bryon for having me along. Thanks to his bass player Gab for going to Barbados.
- Canada is awesome - I attended the Magnetic North Contemporary Theatre Festival in Vancouver, held almost entirely on Granville Island. Got off the plane back in Moncton and drove straight to Saint George, New Brunswick for a gig. I leave the possibilities of those 72 hours to your imagination. You probably won't imagine what I actually lived but I expect you will nail the vibe.
- Indianapolis Irish Festival - through a special showcase organized by the ECMA and Celtic Colours in October 07, Banshee was booked for the Indy Irish Fest in September 08. The band went over really well with the 25,000 sized crowd, the tech crew and conference organizers alike. Positive e-mails flowed up from the States for weeks after. The bass player even got fan mail. That never happens.
- The Songwriters Association of Canada - following a seminar and very positive demo critique session, I joined the SAC, and look forward to starting a SAC-branded open mic night for songwriters in the Moncton area in early 09.
- CAPACOA and adult pregnancy - I was sent by the Capitol Theatre to Canada's annual conference of soft-seater venues in Ottawa. I saw mostly good things at the showcases. More importantly, I had lunch with a very close friend and her husband, and they told me they were pregnant. I know, I know, people get pregnant every day. But this girl had a 30% chance of beating cancer just a few years ago ... not only did she beat it, but she's been clear since, and now able to begin a family! It's not music but it's a major 2008 highlight for me.
- CD launch! - under the new moniker of rae, ‘social latin line dancing', a record of original techno-lounge music, was launched. Thanks to everyone who came to the launch party to celebrate this with me. There will be some DJ-style performance of the record, and the process of developing relationships for film & TV placement is well underway. The record is hanging out of reverbnation and CBC Radio 3, and is en route to various internet radio and digital music networks and stores world-wide. It is actually available for download as .mp3s and ringtones on MTV3 Finland. Ostoskärry! On emusic.com, it's featured on several members' playlists. I don't even know these people! Longue vie, ‘social latin line dancing'!
As you can see, 2008 was fun. Since I like fun, I hope for more of the same in 2009. Thanks again to all the artists that I collaborated with this past year, and to everyone who supported my work. Best wishes to everyone for a great year to come.