NOMFA awards, Earth Day and CANADA SUMMER TOUR DATES!!

hello friends!!

it's time for an update!

i've spent the last few weeks working my way home, and most recently simmering under a (heavy) blanket of jet lag and re-acclimatization (who knew it was so dry in toronto)!? the flight dramas were kept to a minimum in this direction, which was lovely, and i was greeted by my mom (by surprise) on the home end, which was lovelier!

it's been great getting back into the swing of things here - 'not my dog mondays' with 'the ladies in waiting' (cindy doire, andrea ramolo, sarah fitzpatrick, sarah burton, and weekly special guests) in toronto is always a ball, and has been the last two mondays home. and then there was easter with the family....yum.

...and it's only been two weeks! the rest of may is full of goodies - this weekend i'll be heading back to sudbury for the NOMFA (Northern Ontario Music and Film Awards - I've been nominated for track 'ball of light'!) and a performance at the earth day festival. later in may i'll be kicking off the 'chasing the sun' canadian summer tour 2011 at the cameron house in toronto, which will take me all the way west and back (with a short jaunt to california) from june to september! lucky for us, the incredible aussie trio of roots/rock ladies - JUNGAL - are back to tour with me in bc/alberta over july/august!!

more detailed info below - including tour dates!!

looking forward to a HOT canadian summer (and seeing all of YOU)!

f:)

australia/new zealand tour videoblogs

just in case you missed them - there are HEAPS of videoblogs and music videos from the last four months down under - on my youtube channel, at www.youtube.com/fayeblais

NOMFA awards & Earth Day Sudbury

i'll be heading back to sudbury again this year, for the NOMFA awards 2011! i've been nominated for 'best vocal performance' for track 'ball of light' off of my latest album/dvd 'here in the shade - a night at sing sing'. (check out the new music video for 'ball of light' on youtube here)

i will also be performing at sudbury's earth day celebration in tom davie's square - alongside fellow musicians 'cuff the duke', 'ox', and 'ryan bishops' (among others!)!

here are this weekend's scheduled performances:

Friday, April 29th - The Townehouse - 11pm

Saturday, April 30th - Tom Davie's Square - 3pm

Saturday, April 30th - The Great Hall (Laurentian University) - 8pm

'chasing the sun' canadian summer tour 2011

this summer tour is shaping up to be a beeeauty! there are still dates to be added - so keep an eye out. i'll be touring solo westward and back, with the middle months of july and august as a double-bill with JUNGAL (who will also be my backing band) - all the way from australia! love it.

the tour will be kicking off in toronto - here are the details:

the cameron house - TORONTO

(408 queen st west - back room)

saturday, may 28th

10pm - $10

*this will also be the 'ball of light' music video launch party!!

tour dates:

Sat, May 28th - Toronto, ON - The Cameron House

Sat, June 2nd - Sudbury, ON - Fromagerie (*LIMITED SEATS - tix $15 at Fromagerie - SELLING FAST!!)

Sat, June 4th - Sault Ste Marie, ON - Loplops w/ The Provincial Archive

Tues, June 7th - Rossport, ON- Serendipity Gardens

Wed, June 8th - Thunder Bay, ON - House Concert

Thurs, June 10th - Winnipeg, MB - Mondragon

Sat, June 11th - Brandon, MB - Lady of the Lake

Wed, June 15th - Saskatoon, SK - House Concert

Fri, June 24th - Canmore, AB - The Glue Factory w/ Jungal

Sat-Sun, June 24-25th - Revelstoke, AB - Revfest w/ Jungal

Sat-Sun, June 15-17th - Hinton, AB - Wild Mountain Music Festival w/ Jungal

Tues, July 19th - Kamloops, BC - Music in the Park w/ Jungal

Wed, July 20th - Salmon Arm, BC - WOW Park Series w/ Jungal

Fri-Mon, July 29-Aug 1st - Wells, BC - Arts Wells Festival w/ Jungal

Sat, Aug 13th - San Francisco, CA - Acoustic Lounge

Fri-Sun, Aug 19-21st - Oakland, CA - Art & Soul Festival

Thurs, Aug 25th - Prince George, BC - Nancy O's w/ Andrea Ramolo

Fri-Sun, Aug 25-27th - Fort St James, BC - Music on the Mountain

Sat, Sept 10th - Medicine Hat, AB - Ye Olde Jar Bar

Thurs, Sept 15th - Regina, SK - McNally's Tavern

Fri-Sun, Sept 16-18th - Winnipeg, MB - Harvest Festival

Wed, Sept 21st - Fort Frances, ON - Little Beaver Cultural Centre

Thurs, Sept 22nd - Thunder Bay, ON - The Black Pirate Pub

Fri, Sept 23rd - Thunder Bay, ON - Biindigaate Film Festival Gala

Sat, Sept 24th - Nippissing, ON - Pie Bird

big hugs to you and thank you so much for all of your support ;)

f:)

Canada Tour Launch (and "Ball of Light" Music Video Launch Too!)!

Saturday, May 28th, will be the Canada "Chasing the Sun" Tour launch show in TORONTO at the Cameron House (408 Queen St West)...this will also be the official launch for the "Ball of Light" music video!!!! Come play!!

f:)

aus/nz recap, music videos, awards, and last melbourne show!

helloooo!!!

wow, what a wild few months!

this past sunday was the official end to the epic australia & new zealand tour(s) with The April Maze and Jungal (well, there may be one more sneaky little farewell show here in melbourne....see below). it has been a fantastic journey, once again, here in the warmth. as always, i've documented the bulk of it, and narrowed it down into snug little videoblogs for you - so you can sit back, and youtube your face off. hehe. and just to top it all off, the 'ball of light' music video is OUT! so you might as well grab a bowl of popcorn too ;) perfect timing as well, as i've just been nominated for this very song, at this year's 2011 NOMFA awards (yay!), which will be held in my super little hometown of Sudbury, Ontario (Canada) at the end of April.

THANK YOU SO MUCH to all of you here in australia & new zealand who have been so incredibly supportive, in so many ways. your kindness and open-heartedness/armness (hehe) keeps me coming back for more (....already planning my return!). thank you for making me feel so at home, so far from home.

only one week left to enjoy the australian sun, then, it's touring time again....in canada - from east to west over june-september, with loads of toronto gig-fun before i go! will keep you posted on the upcoming shows - and the next australia/new zealand tour ;)


here's to chasing the sun!!!!!
CHEERS!
f:)



last melbourne show

i'll be playing one more little show THIS THURSDAY at one of my favorite spots here in melbourne - Pure Pop Records, in St Kilda. i used to catch amazing shows in their sneaky back courtyard/cafe/bar when i lived in the area and have been hooked ever since, so it only makes sense to wrap things up in style - laid-back-solo style.
here are the details:

Thursday, April 7th
Pure Pop Records
222 Barkly St, St Kilda
6pm - FREE
*this will be my last performance on this side of the word until next time.....!



aus/nz tour recap - videoblogs

so much fun touring down the east coast of australia, tasmania and new zealand with the april maze! here are the 4 videos to recap the goodness. more videos to come, to highlight the 'together again' country victoria tour over the past two weeks with jungal - stay youtuned!

videoblog #1 - week one


videoblog #2 - from the floods to the festival


videoblog #3 - tasmania


*new* videoblog #4 - new zealand





'ball of light' music video

the music video for 'ball of light' (audio track from the latest album/dvd "here in the shade-a night at sing sing") is out! we will be having a video launch party in toronto sooon, so keep checking in. the video was filmed just outside of toronto with a powerhouse team of talented females: Producer & Director - Agi Gutkowska, DP/Stills - Keri Knapp keriknapp.com, Editor - Tiffany Beaudin & Agi Gutkowska, Art Dept & Hair/Make Up - Chris Hewitt, Wardrobe - Rachel Etigson, and Jewelery by Eliza Kozurno elizakozurno.com.

watch the video!





'NOMFA' award nomination

this lovely track ('ball of light'), has also gotten me a NOMFA (Northern Ontario Music and Film Awards) nomination for 'best vocal performance'! really looking forward to this year's ceremony- had a great time last year...
for more information on this year's nominees - check out www.thinknorth.ca .



links

check out more info, videos, photos and fun on these links.... ;)

www.fayeblais.com
www.myspace.com/fayeblaismusic
www.facebook.com/fayeblaismusic
www.youtube.com/fayeblais



that's all for now - big hugs from down under,
f:)

faye blais music mail - australia & new zealand tour dates announced + free (unreleased) song!

hello friends!

happy holidays!

it's almost touring time again! this time, i'm ditching the fluffy outerwear for some flip-flops and a palm full of suntan lotion - to the other side. eeeeee!

i'll be touring australia & new zealand with wonderful melbourne-duo, the april maze (www.theaprilmaze.com). we've shared many-a-show when i lived in melbourne and toured new zealand together in 2009. magical things seem to happen every time we find ourselves in the same room/van/stage. so this time, as with the last few canadian tours, i'm going to document it - for you! make sure to keep checking in on my sites and youtube channel for the tour videoblogs - and all that fun in the sun!

to kick things off - here's a quirky lil vid to announce the tour date -http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y055uAD9-rM

the dates are now up and out - so make sure to pass them along and write them down on your calendar. i look forward to seeing so many of you aussies and kiwis - it's been a year and a half since i've seen you last!! wow, time flies.

before i go, here is a free download of "momsong" (link below), which is unreleased. it was recorded in australia before i left in july 2009.

thank you all so much for your continued support and smiley faces. i hope your holidays are filled with love and laughter all around.

it's almost time for me to take (long) flight!!! i'll speak to you soon from the other side of the globe (and see some of you sooner!)!

big hugs from chilly toronto,

f:)

wallet full of words tour dates announced

this lovely tour of australia and new zealand with the april maze is filled with special guests who will be joining us along the way, including: sam lohs (aus), billy whims (aus), hannah howes (nz), brooke singer (the ragamuffin children, nz), matt langley (nz), diana hickey (irl), becky syson (uk) susan l. grant (nz), lynette diaz (usa),....and more!

oh, and i'll be playing some additional, sneaky little shows - so keep your ears to the ground (and eyes on the screen!)...

AUSTRALIA

Jan 6th - The Caf Coolum - Coolum Beach, QLD

Jan 7 - The Upfront Club - Maleny, QLD

Jan 8 - The Danish Club - Brisbane, QLD

Jan 9 - Sphinx Rock - Mount Burrell, NSW

Jan 12 - Emma Soup Gallery - Newcastle, NSW

Jan 13-16 - Illawara Folk Festival - Illawara, NSW

Jan16 - Headlands Hotel - Wolongong, NSW

Jan 16 - The Bar Next Door - Wolongong, NSW

Jan 21-23 - Tamar Folk Festival - George Town, TAS

Jan 26 - Crossroads - St Helens, TAS

Jan 27 - Republic Bar - Hobart, TAS

Jan 29 - House Concert - Hobart, TAS

Jan 30 - Brookfield Vinyard - Margate, TAS

Feb 4 - Selby Folk Club - Selby, VIC

Feb 11 - Grind n' Groove - Healesville, VIC

Feb 12 - The Bendigo Hotel - Melbourne, VIC

NEW ZEALAND

Feb 16 - San Francisco Bath House - Wellington

Feb 17 - The Lounge - Wairapa

Feb 18 - Le Cafe Picton - Picton

Feb 19-20 - Lochmara Lodge - Queen Charlotte Sound

Feb 21 - The Mussel Inn - Golden Bay

Feb 26 - Dux De Lux - Queenstown

Mar 2 - Chicks Hotel - Dunedin

Mar 4 - Wunderbar - Lyttleton

Mar 6 - Al's Bar - Christchurch

videoblogs

make sure to check in - we'll be posting videoblogs throughout the tour!

you can watch them at:

www.youtube.com/fayeblais

more info

to find out more info about the tour, dates, photos, blogs and videos - check out my sites:

www.fayeblais.com

www.facebook.com/fayeblaismusic

www.myspace.com/fayeblaismusic

www.youtube.com/fayeblais

free download - "momsong"

well, not only is it the holiday season - but i do believe it's time i send you a little freebie, yes? yes.

so here is a digital download of "momsong", which was recorded before I left melbourne, australia in july 2009, by the lovely bradley viterale. the song is unreleased, a special little treat just for you ;)

"momsong" FREE DOWNLOAD LINK: http://www.fayeblais.com/momsong.html

(you can also find the link through my homepage ;)

--

that's all for now, folkies!

muah!

f:)

faye blais music mail - australia & new zealand tour announced + toronto farewell show!!!!!!!!!!!!

helloooooooo!!

ah, fall. it's been lovely swooping into this season and digging out the sweaters - but i have to say, my bones have been yearning for more sunshine.....and musical goodness down unda! sooooo - i'm headed back to australia and new zealand!

i made the announcement that i would "see you in 2011!" at my farewell show in melbourne australia, almost a year and a half ago. so i thought i better stick to it. and really, what better way to spend the canadian winter, than touring down the east coast of australia and hopping over to new zealand for a little island fun!?!

mmm...i can't wait to get back down there. chasing the sun for another round of summer....!

much more tour info and show details to come...but i'll leave you with a poster teaser for now and your last chance to catch a toronto show before i goooooo at the el mocambooooo!!

big hugs and love to you all,

see you sooooon!

f:)

australia & new zealand - wallet full of words tour

eee - it's back on the plane for another looong flight to the special island of oz! i'll be spending my time there, troubadouring around with good friends, melbourne duo the april maze (www.aprilmaze.com) for both the australian and new zealand tours!

the tour and my time down under will be filled with special guests and super-shows along the way.....oh it's gonna be goooooooood!

we will be releasing all of the juicy details in the next couple of weeks...but until then, find more updates on the tour and what we're up to in the meantime on les links:

www.fayeblais.com

www.myspace.com/fayeblaismusic

www.facebook.com/fayeblaismusic

www.youtube.com/fayeblais

farewell winter show - last toronto performance @ the el mocambo, saturday, nov 27th!!!

last toronto show before i gooo! i'll be away until the spring - so it will be a long winter without me in it ;)....soooo, come say g'day, ok? i'll be performing in toronto at the el mocambo on saturday, november 27th (that's next week!) with very special friends of mine - josh turnbull on percussion and zoe guigueno (fish & bird) on upright bass. yummy. it will be a big fat fun show - with toronto musical friends the cunninghams, box tiger and edo & best on the bill - and it's only $5!!!!! i know, crazy.

ze deets again:

faye blais - farewell winter show - toronto !

saturday, november 27th

el mocambo (spadina and college)

doors 9pm, show 9:30pm

$5

with josh turnbull on percussion and zoe guigueno on upright bass!

with the cunninghams, box tiger and edo & best!!!!!!!!!!! yipeeeeeee!!

looking forward to a snug hug before i'm off!!!!

see you soon!

f:)

faye blais music mail - summer tour stories - indie week - and more tour come!

heya friends!

i've missed you! it's been an incredible summer season, jam-packed with good times and good music all the way across the country....i think it's time i fill you in. yes? yes.

firstly, i should mention that some of the best moments, and the overall awesomeness of Summer Tour 2010 are squeezed into tiny frames - in videoblog form on youtube ;) here are the links, quickly:

Summer Tour - videoblog #1

Summer Tour - videoblog #2

Summer Tour - videoblog #3

i'm still hoping to get one more video out to you, which will sum up the final two portions of the epic journey. but i think these three will be a big enough bite-size of stimulation, for now ;) they are highlights of the first five weeks of tour - from toronto to vancouver, with the incredible australian trio - jungal (www.jungalmusic.com), who happen to be some of the funniest, most talented and just plain 'ole lovely ladies you'll ever meet. the second part of the tour, squished in the middle, was spent on vancouver island, rolling around in an old VW van with one of my favorite new canadian songwriters (and her glorious violin player), o'mally (www.omallymusic.com). and the third -- the perfect ending to an overwhelming touring experience -- was headed eastward, with the low flying planes (www.myspace.com/thelowflyingplanes), from edmonton, and miss jacquie b supporting me on accordion and vocals (you may remember her from the cherry pickin' tour) - who equally blew my heart and mind with their fabulousness.

oh, what a season. i'll leave the details for you to scope out on youtube - there are more lil vids for you there - www.youtube.com/fayeblais (enjoy!).

coming up: two fall mini tours in october before i retreat into major hibernation (writiing!) zone to prepare for a winter.....in the sun! i will keep you on the edge of your seat for more news of upcoming (sunny!) tours during canadian cold months....muhahaha.

until then - here are the details of october tourin' in ontario....

will write again soon!

big hugs from my cozy abode,

f:)

----fall tours - october in ontario----

two tours coming up in october - and both in ontario with friends from away! the first, is with o'mally (who i toured vancouver island with this summer), and the second, with old friend and fellow taiwan musican - bradley tindall (the rising hedons, taiwan, www.therisinghedons.com). here are the deets:

with O'MALLY (vancouver)

Wed, Oct 20th - House Concert - Guelph, ON

Sat, Oct 23rd - Burritoville - Montreal, QC

Tues, Oct 26th - House Concert - Ottawa, ON

with BRADLEY TINDALL (taiwan)

Thurs, Oct 28th - London Music Club (Cellar Room) - London, ON

Fri, Oct 29th - The Black Dog Pub - Scarborough, ON

Fri, Nov 5th - The Cameron House (Back Room) - Toronto, ON

Sat, Nov 6th - MatStock (Zdanowicz Farm) - Whitby, ON

Sun, Nov 7th - The Cornerstone - Guelph, ON

*for more show info - visit www.fayeblais.com

----indie week - finalist!----

this past weekend was spent running around toronto, moving up the slots into the finals at this year's INDIE WEEK INTERNATIONAL here in toronto. it was a total trip. i was lucky enough to be joined by the lovely josh turnbull on percussion and sj darling on backup vocals...aaaand, miss jacquie b on accordion and vocals - as she just happened to be troubadourin' her way through the city on her own tour with jesse dee!

we played our last showcase with the top 10 bands of the week - at the INDIE WEEK FINALS at toronto's "tatoo rock parlour" on queen st west. though we didn't win, we had an incredible time playing for the hefty judge panels and being part of all the glitz and glamour. it was a pretty funny time to be a folk bunch, i must say. hahaha - but we giggled our way through it.

check out more pics and info about indie week and all of the bands involved at www.indieweek.com

----links----

www.fayeblais.com

www.myspace.com/fayeblaismusic

www.facebook.com/fayeblaismusic

www.youtube.com/fayeblais

that's it for now - but there's mucho coming in the weeks ahead, of course. including (sunny!) tour announcements, new music videos, new recordings!...and - *sigh - rest.

a winky right-eye to you all,

muah!

f:)