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May 2008

Wow, it's the May long-weekend already. I'm relieved that spring is here, winter has a way of hanging on just a tad too long. My bike is all tuned up, the trees are finally starting to bud, and the neighbours' tulips are out. I'll soon be in the land of tulips -- I'm off to Holland for a tour in just over a week! It's very exciting! A huge thank you to the fine folks at Rounder Europe who have worked so hard to bring us over. We'll be doing some "Cara with Hugh" shows as well as opening for American artist Caroline Herring. Should be much fun! Hmmm... already dreaming about bike riding.... :)

I've been thinking a lot lately about living in a city, and living in a central neighbourhoods. I've discovered that I can pretty much walk or ride everywhere I need to go, whether the library or the grocery store. Becoming less reliant on a vehicle is kinda nice. I spent much of April in Calgary and it was interesting (and frustrating at times) to see how reliant we all are on vehicles. Walking to get groceries? Not always the easiest thing there. But there were some unexpected delights I discovered -- a year-round farmer's market that carried a lot of organic and locally grown/raised food; a small community dedicated to the old bartering system for goods ("Calgary Dollars"); bike paths that are the envy of most major cities; great alternative health magazines. Very cool.

In music news, I'm happy to announce that we've released a single to AAA Radio in the USA! "There's a Train" is being added to playlists in various regions, and I'm tickled pink! As well, Paste Magazine has included The Light Fantastic as one of their Recommended Albums for the month of May! If you're in the States you can check it out at a Paste listening station located across the country in fine independent record stores (for one near you please check out http://www.pastemagazine.com/recommends/)

Looking forward to seeing you on the touring trail...

Peace and light -

Cara

Apr 2008

Spring is here! (I think... I hope!) I spent part of March and April in my hometown of Calgary where every kind of weather swept through town (more snow in April than they had all winter). Weird. It was great to see friends, discover new haunts, visit old ones, and help paint a classic 70's house. Check out the photo :) If only they still made wallpaper like this! One of my favourite people in the world is back home in the Peg -- the fabulous Gina Mount! Speaking of favourite people... I stopped in Wilcox, SK on may way home from Alberta and had a most lovely visit with Sister Vicki. She even gave me a backscratch before bed. Ahhh, it was glorious.

Upcoming shows... Hugh and I are off to Holland for our first tour there, starting the end of May. The summer will be busy for both of us -- summer festivals, Spirit of the West shows (it's their 25th this year!) and hopefully a bit of lake time with friends.

Wishing everyone a fabulous spring, full of bike rides, good food and lots of sun! Peace and light -

Cara

Feb 2008

Wow, it's cold. My car thermometer hasn't gone much above -24 the past month. Hugh and I ventured out West for some shows in SK, AB and BC and it truly was an adventure! The night we played in Fernie we weren't sure if the snow was going to stop, and if we would even make it out of the hotel parking lot. ai yi. The next day we drove to Jasper, passing cars in the ditches, watching the temperature drop and drop, arriving at the Downstream with our poor wee NanoVan (the Matrix) wheezing like a cold tired soul.

Our last stop on the tour was the fabulous ColdSnap festival in Prince George (so appropriately named!) where we made some wonderful new friends, connected with old ones, and absolutely loved the audiences.
Now we're gearing up for our first trip to Memphis -- showcasing at the North American Folk Alliance conference. Should be fun!

Highlights of the past month:

- playing for Sara's 39th birthday party in Edmonton and watching movies on Rick's Big Screen (BS). I've never truly experienced a home theatre room quite like that!
- snow, snow and more snow! Fernie got dumped on... and so did everywhere else it seemed. Beautiful!
- driving the road from PG to Jasper.... so isolated and beautiful. We always see moose there regardless of the season.
- the ColdSnap Festival. It truly rocked!
- spending some time in Canmore at my friend Mel's house -- knitting time!
- seeing Kevin and Mia from Vanderhoof. I love them!
- watching Tony in Jasper ride his bike in -40 to the Downstream cause his car wouldn't start. Frosty bearded bundled on a classic city cruisebike!

Here's hoping you are all well, staying warm, enjoying the longer days.

Peace and light -

Cara

Dec 2007

That boat is only marginally bigger than the microvan in which we completed the Cross-Canada TLF initial promotional tour...
The new website is in the wings, being stocked with extant goodies and room for expansion so will keep this short for now. More information will appear in the upcoming first journal entry of caraluft.com 2008. Our very best wishes as the days now begin to lengthen, for wonder and joy being present for all;

Peace, light and hope --

Cara

Sept 2007

Hi friends -- I'm back in the province of my birth for some release shows. It's good to be on the prairies... that ever far-reaching sky does wonders for the soul. We're staying with our dear friend Sweet Baby James. He is following in his Auntie Cara's footsteps and has started rocking out on guitar!



"Here's a picture of him strumming and singing "Can't Touch This"




... I need to teach him to sing "Give it Up" hee hee :)
Summer was good, and I wish it were longer. Fall had a rough start... some very sad news, an unexpected death in the family while on the road. Still out there sharing with others, music can be very healing.

Highlights of the past few months:
- hanging out at Mabel Lake with Al and Peg Hiebert -- so remote and quiet.
- doing a tweener on the mainstage at the Canmore Folk Fest. So many old Calgary friends at that festival! The finale was quite hilarious -- "The Mary Ellen Carter" has never had such a funky percussion section before (thanks to the great Mexican, African and Latino percussionists on stage)
- performing at the Festival of Friends in Hamilton, ON -- what a great group of volunteers. Seeing my good friends Larry, Joe, Melody and Andrew
- performing at the Sunshine Music Festival in Powell River, BC -- there wasn't a lot of sunshine but loads of wonderful folks, and a stage that faced the ocean. Ate great food with the Kifts (I love them!). Meeting new friends Todd Butler and Billy Manzik.
- singing in Christ Church Cathedral in Victoria -- what a room! 3 pipe organs! What's up with that?!?! Eating salad with Geanine... Rowing with Joan... b-fasting with Chris and Tracey.
- doing a triple bill with Bob Kemmis and the Gentle Infidels in Vancouver -- what a fun evening! Our label head Steve Dawson came out and sat in on a few songs.
- eating fabulous vegetarian cuisine at the Ashcroft Opera House
- Andy's Garden Concert in Rossland - what a place for a concert! No bears were invited :)

Hope to see some of you at our "TLF" release shows -- we just finished several weeks in BC and are continuing to places further eastward. Peace, light and hope to you all --

Cara

July 2007

Hope this finds everyone well, enjoying summer. Time's flying! Must get outside! :)
We had a great Canada Day show in Calgary where it was cookin' hot. Calgary has changed so much... but they still have the best bike paths! Then we did several opening slots for Joan Armatrading. Here's a fun little photo of the two us (what lovely smiles we have!). The woman is a legend! What a treat it was to do the shows with her and her band! The Calgary shows were hilarious -- it was hot as Hades in the church venue but it was quite the religious experience :) Joan had folks waving their hands and dancing in the pews!
Also, just finished playing at the Mission folk fest where I hung out with Annabelle Chvostek (who took my place when I left the Wailin' Jennys). She too has left the band... amazing to sit and visit and share our experiences. We took part in a hilarious workshop called "Bailin' Jennys, Outlaws and Fierce Independents". It was a riot!
Also gearing up for a cross-Canada tour starting in September. Our first tour to the East Coast! In November! Are we crazy? :) The new record is also being released this month in Europe with Rounder Records. We'll be heading back across the pond in the New Year. Wonder if it will rain... ha ha
Wishing everyone the best. Here's hoping we get to come to your community soon to share some good music with y'all!
Peace out -

Cara

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