I just wrapped up a string of shows over on the Continent, a tour that had me visiting the Netherlands, Belgium, Denmark and Germany.  It has been several years since I last toured there, so it was truly wonderful getting back to some familiar venues and meeting all sorts of amazing new folks.  I must admit, though, that I’m exhausted (anyone want to come as my driver on the next tour???!!).  Prior to this tour I was out on the US West Coast playing to some very appreciative audiences, and got hit with pretty horrid seasonal allergies that have turned into a nasty chest cold.  It’s been dragging on for over a month now and I’m not feeling 100%.  But I’m going going going and trusting that everything will be ok.

My last show on the Continent was at a venue called Cafe Castaneda and it was a most welcome return!  After the show, one of my German Indie Music Angels came up and told me how much he enjoyed receiving my mailouts.  He loved that they were written so personally, and felt he was almost taking part in my travels and experiences.  It warmed my heart to hear this.  Thank you Juergen!

I have to share one other highlight, and that was visiting Dresden and a community of artists/musicians based just outside the city in an old castle.  Through some good Canadian friends I was able to hook up with these fine folks who put on concerts in their castle and run quite a stunning recording studio.  There was a sense of family and home, I felt so welcome I didn’t want to leave!  It also helped that two dear friends (who live in Augsburg, a good 5 hour drive away) came to surprise me on my birthday while I was there!  Talk about friendship!  Driving 5 hours in Germany is like driving 16 in Canada 

A shout-out to the good folks at Avis who had remembered me from several years ago and gave me a car that was made for the German autobahn! 

I return to Canada in July and will be packing the car to head West, then fly East, then back West.  September will see me performing some solo shows (first time in Fort McMurray!), then taking part in a Musician Exchange/Collaboration with British artist Bella Hardy and performing some shows together in Alberta and BC, showcasing in Calgary, then heading back to Europe for a collective tour with two other great Canadian Artists – Awna Teixeira and Brandy Zdan.  The tour is called “The ABCs of Canadian Music.”  Get it?    The New Year will see me heading West again, hopefully this time with some side players (for those who have never seen with a mini-band this could be a treat!), then heading East for a tour of Ontario and possibly a dip down into the States.  In between all of this I plan to test-drive my Musician in Residence program, bringing the combination of workshops and concerts to various communities.

And, I need to find a home.  More on that in my next post…

I’ll finish off sharing about something I’ve been dealing with, and that’s the big “B” – burnout.  The journey of the solo independent artist is often overwhelming, exhausting, lonely and straight out difficult.  I’ve been able to carry on as long as I have due to the many supporters and fans cheering from the sidelines, and I want to keep at it.  I’m at the point where I’ve realized I cannot do this alone, and I need to gather a team of folks to walk alongside me, people who have the skills I don’t possess, who can help “manage” this career with me so that it is one of longevity, sustainability and creativity.  I no longer want to just subsist and maintain my career (and my life!) at a minimal level, I want it (and myself) to grow and change and connect more with others.  I’m reevaluating how I tour, how I record, how I operate, so that I’m rejuvenated and not depleted, renewed and not burnt out.  I hope to find/build that team sooner rather than later, and have a few irons in the fire…  Some of you may be able to help, whether it’s through wisdom, guidance, support, leads, connections, or by offering a skill.  Some say it takes a village to raise a child, and I say it takes a community to nurture a musician!  Let’s dialogue 

There are many more songs, tours and albums to come.  With your support, all is possible.

With love,

Cara

Wow, I’m extremely excited to share some fabulous news with you all: four of my newest songs are semi-finalists in the International Songwriting Competition!  What a ray of light this is for me, I’m truly honoured.  Three of the songs are co-writes with two very close friends:  Karla Anderson from Edmonton, AB and Lewis Melville from Guelph, ON.  Here are the songs and the categories they are in:

- “Only Love Can Save Me” (from the new album Darlingford) in the Folk/Singer-Songwriter category
- “Holding On” (co-write with Karla Anderson, on the Engadine Sessions album) in the Americana category
- “Idaho” (from the new album Darlingford, co-write with Lewis Melville) in the Americana category
- “Charged!” (from the new album Darlingford, co-write with Lewis Melville) in the Comedy/Novelty category

Thanks to ALL my Indie Music Angels for making “Darlingford” a reality!  These songs would not have seen the light of day without your support!

Much love and heartfelt thanks…

Merry Christmas!  This year I have recorded another carol on the banjo as my gift for family, friends and fans.  I hope you enjoy!

I now find myself alone in my rental house, doing a massive purge of everything I own, organizing items and getting things ready for storage. I’m moving out of where I’ve been living for over 6 years and it’s amazing the amount of stuff one collects. I’m feeling mixed emotions… Moving is stressful and exhausting and overwhelming, and I’ll be house-hopping until I find a new place to call home. But purging is helping to lighten things a bit — it feels good to take stuff to the Sally Ann, knowing someone else will be able to use something that has been weighing me down. Purging, packing and moving is also a time when we find out who we are. The “things” we surround ourselves with, be it furniture or books or instruments or knick-knacks, say a lot about ourselves. I for one have a hard time letting anything go, I tend to hold onto things, thinking these items are going to offer me some kind of security or sense of home. The concept of home and family has been something that I’ve often struggled with, of learning how to feel at home with myself, no matter where I am. Because I travel for a living I’m constantly staying in other people’s homes, and so many have welcomed me into their families as well, and it has helped me maintain a sense of belonging when I’m on the road. It’s when I get home to where I live that I often feel out of sorts, I start wondering where I belong, where I need/want to be, who I want to be with. I think this is something that all humans struggle with at points in our lives — where do we belong, who is our family, where is our home. Deep thoughts to start the holiday season

Before I sign off, I’m offering some Spectacular Seasonal Specials on CDs and merch! If you’re looking for something unique and fun to give to friends and loved ones this holiday season, I may have the answer! Check out the photo above: there are LOADS of fun colourful socks for him and her, even for babes and toddlers, as well as cool t-shirts, hand-screenprinted posters, and of course CDs!  Reviews of the new album are coming in, and all I can say is WOW. One reviewer in New York called it a Certified Desert Island Disc!  If you’re interested in purchasing something for the Season, I can mail items to you gift-wrapped, signed and ready to go. Payment can be made via PayPal as well as with Credit Card over the phone (in a few days I’ll be ready to accept cards)!! All prices are in CAD$ and include GST; all you need to add are shipping/mailing costs. Here are the deals:

CDs $20
Shirts $25
Socks $10

Deals!
CD + Socks = $25
CD + Socks + Shirt = $45
Shirt + Socks = $30
2 CDs = $30

Even Better Deals!
2 CDs + 2 pairs of Socks = $45
2 CDs + 2 pairs of Socks + 2 Shirts = $80
2 pairs of Socks + 2 Shirts = $55
5 CDs + 5 pairs of Socks = $110
5 CDs + 5 pairs of Socks + 5 Shirts = $200
10 pairs of Socks + 2 CDS = $100

Send me an email – cara@caraluft.com – and we can sort out how to get these gifts to you!

Heartfelt thanks to all the promoters and hosts this past year, and to the best fans a folkie could ever wish for…

Much love, peace and hope to you all this holiday season,

Cara

I was lucky enough to carve out a bit of time to head to Idaho where my aunt lives and get some visiting in.  Now I’m heading back to Manitoba for a show at Poor Michael’s Bookstore in Onanole (Riding Mountain National Park) and then performing at the Harvest Sun Music Festival.  Back to AB after that for a stint at the FAMI camp and a performance in ROSEBUD (one of my favourite places) as one of their headliners for the “15 Minutes of Fame” festival.

My goal this fall is to purge my house and all my belongings, and make sure I can get out to play for all my amazing friends, fans and supporters.  Plans are in the works….

Highlights of the past few months:

- seeing all the amazing friends & “adopted family” I have in the UK (you know who you are!)
- playing the Bob Harris radio show on BBC Radio 2 with my good friends Scott Poley & Andy Worthington
- playing both the Maverick Festival & Canada Day in Trafalgar Square
- playing banjo with Johnny (on and off trains… hee hee)
- getting to play the famous 12 Bar club in London
- hanging out with my dear friend Andrew McCrorie-Shand and all the fine folks at The Chapel
- driving across the Canadian Prairies with my dear friend (and neighbour) Andrea — haven’t had someone else drive in so long, it was such a treat!
- being back at Mt Engadine Lodge and playing banjo in the sun on their fab deck
- getting to teach at PSGW — such a magical life-altering experience…  wow…

See you down the road!  Oh, please check out this GREAT video my friend and partner-in-crime Alex made for me all about the new album:

Love, hope and peace  - Cara

Album Launch Party for Winnipeg!

Socks after my own heart in Victoria, BC

Wow, what a wonderfully exhausting past 3 months it has been. I found myself driving more than I have in quite some time, playing for brand new audiences, finally dipping down into the States for some shows after a long absence, and then finalizing all the details for the new album. I am excited to say that the CD (named “Darlingford”) will be released to the public in Canada and Europe in May, but there are a few special pre-release concerts I’ll be doing where folks can pick up a copy — Winnipeg, Darlingford, Cranbrook, Kelowna, Vernon and Calgary. And for all you Indie Music Angels, your signed pre-release copies will be coming to you verrrrry soon! In the meantime expect a digital copy to appear in your inbox

Rogers Pass

I’m home for a few weeks, then out West, then overseas for some shows in Germany and a whole whack of shows in the UK. I can’t wait! The fall will see me back touring in North America in support of the new record.

Thanks to all the amazing hosts on this past tour, to new fans who came out to the shows… Wishing you all peace, hope and enough moisture for crops and gardens –

Love Cara

A New Year's Kiss

Happy New Year folks!  If you didn’t get a smooch when the clock struck midnight (or if you were fast asleep) here’s one for you 

This year promises to be a good and busy one.  I hope it has started off on a good note for all of you.  The new album comes out soon, and as I type this I’m looking at my oh-so-long “to do” list…  oh my, it is somewhat overwhelming…  It’ll all be worth it!  I hit the road for a Home Routes tour out West come the end of January, sneaking in some visits with dear friends along the way, then some shows in North Dakota, and finally a local Winnipeg Show!

MARK YOUR CALENDAR WINNIPEGGERS!  I’ll be at the West End Cultural Centre on Friday April 13th (my new lucky day!) to celebrate the new album.  This will be my first local show in many years, it would be so lovely to have you come and soak up the new tunes, eat some great food, pick up a disc and grab a few hugs.

Release touring continues in Western Canada, and then it’s off to Europe!  For my Germany fans I’ll be there for 2 weeks in mid-May, and then it’s off to the UK for a solid 5 week tour, including a performance and workshop at the most fabulous Maverick Festival, and a guest spot at the Canada Day Celebrations in Trafalgar Square in London with Ladies of the Canyon!  What fun it will be!

I’ll sign off for now, with a wee youtube clip of me playing one of my favourite carols (on the banjo no less!). Hope to see you at a show sometime soon!

Love, peace and hope -

Cara

Having too much fun at Ontario Contact

What an amazing past few months it’s been.  I spent all of September and early October overseas touring the UK.  I feel like it is my second home… so many amazing fans and friends and communities of folks — people who put on concerts, drive long distances for concerts, tell their friends about concerts, feed me, drive me to and from airports, take me in for a night or 2 or 3…  When I got back to Canada I battled the flu (ah those overseas flights are always a joy) and then zipped off to perform at two different showcase events (Edmonton and Parry Sound).  My dear friend, teammate and photographer extraordinaire Julie Vincent joined me for both conferences and we had a blast.   I then spent several weeks giving some Teaser Concerts throughout Ontario.

How cool is this? Finding my own CD in the best indie record store in the UK (Coda Music)

Some highlights from the past several months:

- driving my oh-so-lovely rental BMW (a free upgrade! what’s up with that!??!) along the west coast of Scotland with my dear friend Matt Morrow. First time in Glen Coe!
- all the gigs in Scotland… from the Bute Guitar Fest to shows with the fabulous Rob Ellen up in Strathpeffer, to Live at the Star in Glasgow, the Leith Folk Club, and the Kirkcaldy Folk Club.  Most awesome!
- seeing my dear friends James and Anna Hill and having a return house concert in Coventry (thank you Jeremy and Anne!)
- meeting Miriam Jones, an awesome Canadian artist living in Oxford, and doing a show together
- re-conneting with JJ in London and the great show he put on for me!
- sharing a meal with Johnny and Anna in London (from the Whitstable Folk Club)… All we needed were some banjos!
- staying with my various UK “families” (Bruce & Nicola, Andy & Pam, Tom & Dawn, Caroline & Toby)
- doing a show at The Chapel with Andrew McCrorie-Shand on hurdy gurdy!  I thought the banjo was hard to tune 

The Reverend James with the Reverend James

- meeting so many great musicians in the UK and at the various showcases back home in Canada
- being asked to sing on a new album with Songs From The Blue House (love you guys!)
- driving around Lake Superior as the leaves were changing, and then after the first road closures (thank God for snow tires!)
- staying with my Toronto “family” the Weeds!
- such amazing concert hosts in Ontario… thank you all so much!
- having members from a community choir in the audience during the concert in Kingston… heavenly!
- reconnecting with all my Ontario friends and fans
- lino-cut art therarpy day with Lynne McIlvride Evans, and getting to see Grant in his element (actor extraordinaire)
- first time to St Jospeh’s Island (near the Sault)… amazing people, great coffee, and awesome maple syrup!

Valdy and the beautiful Julie

Thank you all for your support, I can’t wait til this new album is ready to go.  I so want to share it with you!

I’ll sign off with attaching a video of me playing “Black Water Side” in honour of Bert Jansch.  Bert sadly passed away this October.  He was one of the finest guitarists around.

Peace, love and hope to you all –  Cara

Sailing fun...

What a summer… I played a bunch of shows, taught an amazing songwriter’s workshop, connected with friends and family, celebrated with my dear friend Mel at her wedding (the wedding band ROCKED!), tried sailing for the first time (thank you Scott & Janet!), and squeezed in a wee bit of down time…  Now I’m home assembling all my ducks, getting ready to head across the pond for a UK Teaser Tour.  Can’t wait!

Some other exciting news…  I recently found out that I’m a Mountain Stage NewSong Contest regional finalist, and if I win in my region I get to go to NYC in October to showcase in the final round!  SO fun!    The NewSong contest is all about discovering great artists, and I feel immensely honoured to be one of the regional finalists.  You can help by voting for me!  Just click on the link below and share it with your friends.  There’s a great live video you can check out too…

VOTE FOR CARA! CLICK HERE!

On the album front, we’re on the home stretch!  Yahoooo!  It’s currently being mixed and it’s sounding so beautiful.  Soon it will be in your hands and on your iPods 

There was a dark cloud this summer — Canada is grieving the loss of one of its fine leaders, Jack Layton.  His Letter to Canadians is beautiful… Please read it.  Thank you, Jack, you will be missed.

Here’s to cooler evenings, campfires, bikerides in the sun, amazing friends, safe journeys, and hope for all of us…

Love Cara