faye blais music mail - back on the flip side
helllllooo friends!
'twas a long way home, but worth every stop! the sweet home tour was a smashing success - so thank you to all of you fabulosos who made it out to the show(s), who housed me along the way, and who just generally made the journey all the awesomer. here's a little list of things new and newer on this side of the world, back home (again)...
upcoming shows
- october 14th - c'est what - TORONTO -
w/ jesse dee & jacqui b and ory no'man (67 front st east)
- october 24th - st andrew's place - SUDBURY (!!!) -
w/ scott cook (111 larch st) - **pre-purchase your tickets at www.fayeblais.com
- november 6th - il motore - monthly mess, indyish event - MONTREAL -
w/ random recipe and more...(179 rue jean-talon ouest)
- november 7th - the black sheep inn - WAKEFIELD, QC -
w/ jesse dee & jacqui b and ory no'man (420 riverside dr)
bloggin'
check out le blog for the full story on touring le globe this past month...
t-shmerchts
new fancified t-shirts are now available on my website - check them out - www.fayeblais.com
new pics
check out the website, myspace and/or facebook page for new live pics from the sweet home tour!
links
more music, vids, pics, blogs and fun...
official website - www.fayeblais.com
myspace - www.myspace.com/fayeblaismusic
facebook - facebook fan page
youtube - www.youtube.com/fayeblais
twitter - www.twitter.com/fayeblaismusic
itunes - both albums available on itunes
cbc radio 3 - www.radio3.cbc.ca
sonicbids epk - www.sonicbids.com/FayeBlais
last fm - www.last.fm/music/Faye+Blais
that's all for now, folks...
...until next time - stay cozy!
f:)
Saturday, September 12, 2009
Wednesday, September 9, 2009
home sweet home...
ahhhhh....i'm here. "home". how sweet it is.
i left melbourne just over a month ago, headed to the land of lakes on a roundabout, let's-stop-everywhere-along-the-way tour. which included places that were not along the way, titled the "sweet home tour". i figured i might as well sneak past some of the people and places i've come to know on my way waaaay down under (like taiwan, california, vancouver, pefferlaw (!?), ottawa, montreal, toronto....and sudbury). little did i know this musical tour would grow to be quite the journey...
the pre-departure period in melbourne was delicious. filled with hearty dinners and heartier conversations, wonderful jams, arty projects, exciting tourganization and much needed calm in my safe space before the stormy unknown of new familiar land. leaving a city i love was as hard as ever, but knowing i'd be back soon and often gave me peace of mind as i took off to taiwan.
so there i was, staring out at the smoggy super-city, back before being home again - in taiwan. a city and home i'd left in a rush, almost two years ago, off to oz, with no looking back. but i was back! crazy feeling to be standing on taiwanese soil again. too good, which surprised me and excited me...and relieved me. we totally made peace. taiwan and i are as tight as ever now, and i love it. so, on with this feeling i slammed into four days filled with three wonderful shows - solidifying the fact that taiwan is, well, awesome. and the people who flock to, are, well, awesome too. the support and turnout were unbelievable. so much so, that i'm already planning my next tour-return. it felt like i'd never left (which is kind of what being back in a place you once lived in always feels like...but in asia it was a whole new level of it. i mean, i was driving a scooter around again - so gooood!). the connections and reconnections made were more than i bargained for on my tiny little tour-stop. i could've stayed another month and it wouldn't have been enough...but i suppose that is the sneaky little spell taiwan is known for.
so i left, unfulfilled, but grateful for so many answers the tiny island provided during my mini-stay. and in california i was, under the sun, basking in perfect-weather-comfy-ness. i was greeted by my fabulous brother and his fiance, with giant smiles and hugs - the first taste of family in two years. ahhhmazing. it felt so good to just be. we caught all the way up, and jammed our little hearts out in time for our first show a few days after my arrival. having neil behind me on drums was like stepping back into your favorite pair of shoes. i can't think of a good adjective for it right now...but it was grrreat. getting over jet lag was grrreat, too. so was checking out the hollywood sights and nightlife, and some fabulous live music (from new friends jen & abby, and oz stunner mia dyson). the second show was lovely lovely. it was great to catch up with some friends and family who made the trek, and have a final stage session with neil before heading north...and closer to home. speding some quality time with the nearly-weds was just what the travelin' muso ordered. soulfood.
landing in canada was an incredible feeling. it felt like a big giant hug. really, it did. overhearing normal, everyday canadian expressions was the weirdest thing. weirdly awesome. i hadn't even realized that some of the strings of words (most) that come out of my mouth are purely canadian...until now. i was literally giggling my way to the baggage pickup, like a madwoman - so insanely overjoyed with being "back home". oh what a feeling.
the mountains, as majestic as ever, are truly the coolest backdrop. and the air here! so thick, and...oxygenated (is that a word?! it must be...there isn't a little red line telling me it isn't. either way, it's definition should read: western canadian air). so i took many a deep breath. and many a deep stare. a good thinking space, vancouver is. after dropping off my bags, i decided to take a nightly stroll on commercial drive...and within minutes, mere hours from touchdown in canada...i ran into a friend on the street. a really good friend, from university. a close neighboor, and one of my favorite people. soooo, canada really IS this small!! sheesh. the reunion was as obnoxious as it deserved to be. too good. needless to say, the show the following night was filled with similarily awesome people from different parts of my life - a sort of reunion for moi. the rest of the week was spent in many a mountainous nook and cranny up in whistler, with an oustandishly super crew. i did not want to leave and cannot wait to get back.
this pattern followed in ottawa and montreal, following an amazing weekend at the eaglewood festival near lake simcoe in ontario - where i was reunited with the rest of my family....and more family(!) who made a surprise appearance, enhancing the whole fab-festy experience. the weekend was a showcase of seriously potent canadian talent. it was an honour to have been in the mix. in amongst this bag of treats, i managed to swindle a little backline drum/bass duo for my gig a few nights later in montreal (the magnifique lyndell montgomery and adam lalonde, who make up two thirds of captain dirt and the skirt), which, apart from a scary sound system was magic. as was my week with besties in ottawa, another dose of homey-ness.
between the special rides and stays with friends, new and old, i had managed to squeeze a whole lot of perspective into my limited baggage, just in time for the last show on the tour - toronto.
this final "sweet home" gig was truly heartwarming. i mean, sure, i've been pumping every online networking site imaginable for like, a decade now (not really), but sheesh - that was overwhelming. the support, turnout, energy and response was just unreal. like a dream (the kind you try to fall back asleep into when you wake up from it). i am so grateful that i will forever have the memory of stepping onto the stage and looking out at that room full of amazing people from all parts of my life. how lucky am i. and to have been able to tell them that i'll be sticking around for a little while...!...not rushing off to make some other far-away-land my home...but here, in fact - "toronto". such super words to spit. a moment in time.
so now i sit, in sudbury, my hometown, where i plan to spend september decompressing, regrouping and reconnecting - cleansing. yesterday, i spent almost twelve hours going through boxes and bins in a closet that contains my life story. so i went through. bit by bit. and relived my life from the moment i left nearly four years ago, backwards to the beginning. letting go of all things unecessary. all things that no longer energize me, bring me joy, or bring me good - nearly half. i realized in doing this, that it was a mere continuation of the thread of decisions i'd been making since i stepped on the plane out of australia. it just so happens that i've been re-evaluating my entire life up until this point, and all things in it. the "journey" home has been littered with tiny signs, answers, realizations, all pointing to a fresh new start. the next chapter.
i knew there was something very special about the feeling i had when the decision to move home was made. home is a whole new set of sweet.
mmm.
to infinity and beyond!!!
f:)
i left melbourne just over a month ago, headed to the land of lakes on a roundabout, let's-stop-everywhere-along-the-way tour. which included places that were not along the way, titled the "sweet home tour". i figured i might as well sneak past some of the people and places i've come to know on my way waaaay down under (like taiwan, california, vancouver, pefferlaw (!?), ottawa, montreal, toronto....and sudbury). little did i know this musical tour would grow to be quite the journey...
the pre-departure period in melbourne was delicious. filled with hearty dinners and heartier conversations, wonderful jams, arty projects, exciting tourganization and much needed calm in my safe space before the stormy unknown of new familiar land. leaving a city i love was as hard as ever, but knowing i'd be back soon and often gave me peace of mind as i took off to taiwan.
so there i was, staring out at the smoggy super-city, back before being home again - in taiwan. a city and home i'd left in a rush, almost two years ago, off to oz, with no looking back. but i was back! crazy feeling to be standing on taiwanese soil again. too good, which surprised me and excited me...and relieved me. we totally made peace. taiwan and i are as tight as ever now, and i love it. so, on with this feeling i slammed into four days filled with three wonderful shows - solidifying the fact that taiwan is, well, awesome. and the people who flock to, are, well, awesome too. the support and turnout were unbelievable. so much so, that i'm already planning my next tour-return. it felt like i'd never left (which is kind of what being back in a place you once lived in always feels like...but in asia it was a whole new level of it. i mean, i was driving a scooter around again - so gooood!). the connections and reconnections made were more than i bargained for on my tiny little tour-stop. i could've stayed another month and it wouldn't have been enough...but i suppose that is the sneaky little spell taiwan is known for.
so i left, unfulfilled, but grateful for so many answers the tiny island provided during my mini-stay. and in california i was, under the sun, basking in perfect-weather-comfy-ness. i was greeted by my fabulous brother and his fiance, with giant smiles and hugs - the first taste of family in two years. ahhhmazing. it felt so good to just be. we caught all the way up, and jammed our little hearts out in time for our first show a few days after my arrival. having neil behind me on drums was like stepping back into your favorite pair of shoes. i can't think of a good adjective for it right now...but it was grrreat. getting over jet lag was grrreat, too. so was checking out the hollywood sights and nightlife, and some fabulous live music (from new friends jen & abby, and oz stunner mia dyson). the second show was lovely lovely. it was great to catch up with some friends and family who made the trek, and have a final stage session with neil before heading north...and closer to home. speding some quality time with the nearly-weds was just what the travelin' muso ordered. soulfood.
landing in canada was an incredible feeling. it felt like a big giant hug. really, it did. overhearing normal, everyday canadian expressions was the weirdest thing. weirdly awesome. i hadn't even realized that some of the strings of words (most) that come out of my mouth are purely canadian...until now. i was literally giggling my way to the baggage pickup, like a madwoman - so insanely overjoyed with being "back home". oh what a feeling.
the mountains, as majestic as ever, are truly the coolest backdrop. and the air here! so thick, and...oxygenated (is that a word?! it must be...there isn't a little red line telling me it isn't. either way, it's definition should read: western canadian air). so i took many a deep breath. and many a deep stare. a good thinking space, vancouver is. after dropping off my bags, i decided to take a nightly stroll on commercial drive...and within minutes, mere hours from touchdown in canada...i ran into a friend on the street. a really good friend, from university. a close neighboor, and one of my favorite people. soooo, canada really IS this small!! sheesh. the reunion was as obnoxious as it deserved to be. too good. needless to say, the show the following night was filled with similarily awesome people from different parts of my life - a sort of reunion for moi. the rest of the week was spent in many a mountainous nook and cranny up in whistler, with an oustandishly super crew. i did not want to leave and cannot wait to get back.
this pattern followed in ottawa and montreal, following an amazing weekend at the eaglewood festival near lake simcoe in ontario - where i was reunited with the rest of my family....and more family(!) who made a surprise appearance, enhancing the whole fab-festy experience. the weekend was a showcase of seriously potent canadian talent. it was an honour to have been in the mix. in amongst this bag of treats, i managed to swindle a little backline drum/bass duo for my gig a few nights later in montreal (the magnifique lyndell montgomery and adam lalonde, who make up two thirds of captain dirt and the skirt), which, apart from a scary sound system was magic. as was my week with besties in ottawa, another dose of homey-ness.
between the special rides and stays with friends, new and old, i had managed to squeeze a whole lot of perspective into my limited baggage, just in time for the last show on the tour - toronto.
this final "sweet home" gig was truly heartwarming. i mean, sure, i've been pumping every online networking site imaginable for like, a decade now (not really), but sheesh - that was overwhelming. the support, turnout, energy and response was just unreal. like a dream (the kind you try to fall back asleep into when you wake up from it). i am so grateful that i will forever have the memory of stepping onto the stage and looking out at that room full of amazing people from all parts of my life. how lucky am i. and to have been able to tell them that i'll be sticking around for a little while...!...not rushing off to make some other far-away-land my home...but here, in fact - "toronto". such super words to spit. a moment in time.
so now i sit, in sudbury, my hometown, where i plan to spend september decompressing, regrouping and reconnecting - cleansing. yesterday, i spent almost twelve hours going through boxes and bins in a closet that contains my life story. so i went through. bit by bit. and relived my life from the moment i left nearly four years ago, backwards to the beginning. letting go of all things unecessary. all things that no longer energize me, bring me joy, or bring me good - nearly half. i realized in doing this, that it was a mere continuation of the thread of decisions i'd been making since i stepped on the plane out of australia. it just so happens that i've been re-evaluating my entire life up until this point, and all things in it. the "journey" home has been littered with tiny signs, answers, realizations, all pointing to a fresh new start. the next chapter.
i knew there was something very special about the feeling i had when the decision to move home was made. home is a whole new set of sweet.
mmm.
to infinity and beyond!!!
f:)
Tuesday, August 4, 2009
faye blais music mail – sweet home canada tour!
faye blais music mail – sweet home canada tour!
hello friends!
i write you these bits from under the sun in l.a., where i’m back on the other side of the world a wee bit closer to home – and the sweet home canadian tour!
the taiwan mini-tour this past weekend was truly magical. scooting around my old stomping grounds was a serious treat (all wrapped in seaweed). playing taichung’s loveliest venues surrounded by the sweetest of souls, on stage and off, was, well, sheer delight. the friday set at 89k ended with a ten-piece jamathon until the itty hours, as they do…and as they did a little earlier at the refuge on sunday, following a day of jam homemaking. we wrapped it all up with conversations spilling over into monday morning’s breakfast…mmm. the saturday show at retro was everything I could’ve hoped for in an intimate set. the perfect filling for this, the tastiest jam sandwich tour, of sorts. thank you, again, to all of you, for your support and superness. i will most definitely be back for more taiwan tourness…for longer next time :)
leaving melbourne (and australia!) last week was so very bittersweet. the city and people will be outrageously missed by moi. i cannot explain how incredible these past near-two-years have been on the underneath. just wonderful. thank you, to all of you, for being so very ausome (hehe). i’m already looking forward to the next australian tour (two-thousand and eleven…toes crossed!).
the canadian tour will kick off in three days!! this thursday (august 6th) in hollywood, at the cat club. so send all of your bestest out this way if they’re in the hills or beach-bummin’ it nearby! (note: i realize that “hollywood” isn’t officially "canadian"…but it sure feels close to home coming from four years halfway around the globe…do play along…)
tour dates are listed here below. if you’ll be making your way to the ontario shows (the eaglewood festival – aug 28-30, and the rivoli – sept 5), go-on and get yo tickets before they’re all goooooone!
- sweet home canadian tour -
6 AUGUST - The Cat Club - Hollywood, CA
11 AUGUST - Room 5 - Hollywood, CA
19 AUGUST - The Backstage Lounge - Vancouver, BC
28-30 AUGUST - Eaglewood Folk Festival - Pefferlaw, ON
3 SEPTEMBER - Shaika Cafe - Montreal, QC
5 SEPTEMBER - The Rivoli - Toronto, ON
*join the facebook event now - join now!!
- music videos -
oh la la! more music videos to come….next month – keep your eyes all youtubed up! we just wrapped up shooting in melbourne and will have the “something’s changed” video on your screens sooooon!
www.youtube.com/fayeblais
- both pieces -
a wee reminder that you can purchase both albums, “first tooth” and “two pieces” online on my websites, myspace, and itunes(…etc.). they are also available at selected independent record stores in taiwan, australia and canada (see website for details).
www.fayeblais.com....
www.myspace.com/fayeblaismusic
cannot wait to see your smiley faces :)
see you soooooooon (for real this time!)
mmmuah!
f:)
--
www.fayeblais.com
www.myspace.com/fayeblaismusic
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Faye-Blais-Music/19349551578
Tuesday, July 7, 2009
funmail!
howdy-ho!
thought i would share this super-flattering bit of funmail i received today...
vaughan, you are the sweetest thing.
thank you.
f:)
"Hey Faye!
I got asked to describe you for the gig you've got coming up ....
So i put this in the email that I sent out inviting everyone....
The first time I saw her I was in a garden of Ale
Where the amber was cheap and egos weren’t on sale
Where the winter coats were buttoned up all the way to the top
And the sweet accents of her tones matched her funky shaggy crop
Where legends or urban said that the man behind the bar
Had relations with Bon Scott lead screamer of Aca daca
Where her eyes pierced the same holes that her voice did moments before
So many stimulations it could never be a bore
When I was running so late but I just couldn’t bale
It was the first time I saw her in a garden of Ale
So if you wish to join me in this mystic Maze
Where time will pace by like you’ve been in a magical daze
And your eyes will get locked in an absorbing gaze
Do your ears, your mind and your soul a favor
Come check Out Faye Blais"
thought i would share this super-flattering bit of funmail i received today...
vaughan, you are the sweetest thing.
thank you.
f:)
"Hey Faye!
I got asked to describe you for the gig you've got coming up ....
So i put this in the email that I sent out inviting everyone....
The first time I saw her I was in a garden of Ale
Where the amber was cheap and egos weren’t on sale
Where the winter coats were buttoned up all the way to the top
And the sweet accents of her tones matched her funky shaggy crop
Where legends or urban said that the man behind the bar
Had relations with Bon Scott lead screamer of Aca daca
Where her eyes pierced the same holes that her voice did moments before
So many stimulations it could never be a bore
When I was running so late but I just couldn’t bale
It was the first time I saw her in a garden of Ale
So if you wish to join me in this mystic Maze
Where time will pace by like you’ve been in a magical daze
And your eyes will get locked in an absorbing gaze
Do your ears, your mind and your soul a favor
Come check Out Faye Blais"
waaay down undercovered...
hello friends!
ahh..it's back in melbournetown now, for the final stint of australianism before heading home in a roundabout touring schedule that will eventually get me there...i love being a tumbleweed.
the past two weekends have been filled with shows in tasmania and adelaide - two more places that i've stuffed into my heart as oz-specials. more memories to check at the luggage claim.
i spent four days in tazzie - and four shows with the lovely andrew marshall, gretel templeton, rosie burgess trio and hayley cooper. the gigs were filled with happy, silent faces, sitting still through the songs and being ultra-sweet straight to the finish, with yummy chats to follow. the vibe reminded me much of the new zealand tour, and the respected response for original music there. there's something about wide open spaces, nature and seaside that just seem to chill people out, and allow for appreciation of all kinds. me like. i got to sneak in a little sight-seeing, as well, thanks to rod, who served as a fabulous tour-guide (thanks, rod!)...tazzie is a wonderful place. i'm looking forward to scoping it out on my next - summer - round.
adelaide was also filled with magic this past weekend. not only was it an absolute pleasure to play alongside miss loren kate, but it was glorious just to be alongside her, in general. such a wonderful soul. much time spent in the treetops with little ones made me feel all grounded and still - a nice foreshadow to the peace to come, familyside. i look forward to making my way back to the singing gallery (a converted chapel venue...ahhhmazing) soon(ish).
back in the city, things are in full-gear again. filming, recording, farewell gigging, and mustering up canadian tourness is where it's at before taking flight. so many to see and sing with before another chapter closes...
i wonder how many are left in this epic read...if only i could skip ahead. oh, but the mystery of it all is a wonder. so lucky am i to play the lead...
big hugs and love to you all,
looking forward to catching up to you in taiwan, california and canada and wrapping up with you in oz....
mmmmuah!
f:)
ahh..it's back in melbournetown now, for the final stint of australianism before heading home in a roundabout touring schedule that will eventually get me there...i love being a tumbleweed.
the past two weekends have been filled with shows in tasmania and adelaide - two more places that i've stuffed into my heart as oz-specials. more memories to check at the luggage claim.
i spent four days in tazzie - and four shows with the lovely andrew marshall, gretel templeton, rosie burgess trio and hayley cooper. the gigs were filled with happy, silent faces, sitting still through the songs and being ultra-sweet straight to the finish, with yummy chats to follow. the vibe reminded me much of the new zealand tour, and the respected response for original music there. there's something about wide open spaces, nature and seaside that just seem to chill people out, and allow for appreciation of all kinds. me like. i got to sneak in a little sight-seeing, as well, thanks to rod, who served as a fabulous tour-guide (thanks, rod!)...tazzie is a wonderful place. i'm looking forward to scoping it out on my next - summer - round.
adelaide was also filled with magic this past weekend. not only was it an absolute pleasure to play alongside miss loren kate, but it was glorious just to be alongside her, in general. such a wonderful soul. much time spent in the treetops with little ones made me feel all grounded and still - a nice foreshadow to the peace to come, familyside. i look forward to making my way back to the singing gallery (a converted chapel venue...ahhhmazing) soon(ish).
back in the city, things are in full-gear again. filming, recording, farewell gigging, and mustering up canadian tourness is where it's at before taking flight. so many to see and sing with before another chapter closes...
i wonder how many are left in this epic read...if only i could skip ahead. oh, but the mystery of it all is a wonder. so lucky am i to play the lead...
big hugs and love to you all,
looking forward to catching up to you in taiwan, california and canada and wrapping up with you in oz....
mmmmuah!
f:)
Monday, June 22, 2009
Faye Blais - the Waaay Down Under Tour!!!
hello friends!!!
well, it's touring time again (just can't get enough --- when in oz....)
i'll be hitting the deep down under this weekend and next, first tasmania, then south australia.
voila les shows:
- tasmania - -
thurs - june 25th - hobart - ABC Radio Hobart - 11:30am
thurs - june 25th - hobart - Edge Radio - 4:15pm
thurs - june 25th - hobart - The Republic Bar (w/ andrew marshall & gretel templeton) - 8pm
fri - june 26th - hobart - The Alley Cat Bar - 9pm
sat - june 27th - margate - Brookfield Vinyards (w/ rosie burgess, andrew marshall & dominic francis) - 7pm
sun - june 28th - launceston - The Hub (w/ andrew marshall & gretel templeton) - 5pm
- south australia --
sat - july 4th - adelaide - The Singing Gallery "Sista's in Song" (w/ loren kate & mary webb) - 8pm
sun - july 5th - adelaide - Higher Ground - 3pm
start spreadin' the news!
- more tours -
canadian, californian and taiwan tours to be announced next month! keep checkin' in :)
- more videos -
new animated music video for "canvas" is out! ...check out the cable car sessions, filmed on the new zealand tour, as well!
www.youtube.com/fayeblais
more news to come, soon-soon!
big hugs to ya,
f:)
www.fayeblais.com
www.myspace.com/fayeblaismusic
www.twitter.com/fayeblaismusic
well, it's touring time again (just can't get enough --- when in oz....)
i'll be hitting the deep down under this weekend and next, first tasmania, then south australia.
voila les shows:
- tasmania - -
thurs - june 25th - hobart - ABC Radio Hobart - 11:30am
thurs - june 25th - hobart - Edge Radio - 4:15pm
thurs - june 25th - hobart - The Republic Bar (w/ andrew marshall & gretel templeton) - 8pm
fri - june 26th - hobart - The Alley Cat Bar - 9pm
sat - june 27th - margate - Brookfield Vinyards (w/ rosie burgess, andrew marshall & dominic francis) - 7pm
sun - june 28th - launceston - The Hub (w/ andrew marshall & gretel templeton) - 5pm
- south australia --
sat - july 4th - adelaide - The Singing Gallery "Sista's in Song" (w/ loren kate & mary webb) - 8pm
sun - july 5th - adelaide - Higher Ground - 3pm
start spreadin' the news!
- more tours -
canadian, californian and taiwan tours to be announced next month! keep checkin' in :)
- more videos -
new animated music video for "canvas" is out! ...check out the cable car sessions, filmed on the new zealand tour, as well!
www.youtube.com/fayeblais
more news to come, soon-soon!
big hugs to ya,
f:)
www.fayeblais.com
www.myspace.com/fayeblaismusic
www.twitter.com/fayeblaismusic
Monday, June 15, 2009
Animated Music Video - Canvas
Canvas - Animated Music Video
Hello Friends -
New animated music video for "Canvas"
Enjoy!
co-produced by Sven How and Xavier Smith (June 2009)
f:)
Hello Friends -
New animated music video for "Canvas"
Enjoy!
co-produced by Sven How and Xavier Smith (June 2009)
f:)
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