Kim Barlow

Writing from the ferry to Nanaimo, City of Romance, where Mathias and I are going to play a special Valentine’s Day show at the Port Theatre. We’re in the middle of our Spring Breakup CD release tour, for our new collection of breakup songs, “It’s Not You, It’s Me”. It’s been a grand adventure so far, as to be expected when touring in Canada in February. The shows have been fun, and in Terrace, BC, the organizers celebrated with a chocolate fountain in the lobby, heart-shaped cookies and other treats named after our songs. 

Despite some travel snafus caused by impassible snowstorms in B.C. we made it to Whitehorse in time for a special Hockey Day in Canada concert with Dave Bidini, Canada’s hockey-rock hero, and his fantastic BidiniBand. The show featured Mathias, myself, John K. Samson, Geoff Berner, Sarah Harmer, Buck 65, and CR Avery. It was an amazing night and a real treat to be on stage with a bunch of my favourite musicians playing some great songs about hockey. Ron McLean hosted along with other Hockey  Night in Canada regulars with guest appearances by hockey greats including Lanny McDonald (handsome moustache!), Wendel Clark, and Trevor Linden. After John K. Samson sang about his online petition to induct Reggie Leach into the Hockey Hall of Fame, we were surprised and charmed when Reggie emerged from the audience and met John for the first time on stage.

Next, Spring Breakup is on to the Maritimes for a few shows, and I’ll then be going down to Memphis to perform with Annie Lou at the annual Folk Alliance showcase. See you on the trail somewhere.

Kim

Waiting in the Edmonton airport, on my way home after 12 days touring, enjoying some time alone in the crowd. The Wise & Weathered tour, with Catherine MacLellan and Raghu Lokanathan, was sweet, and we felt that we grew into the name as we racked up the winter miles. We started the tour with a sold-out show in Whitehorse and continued to have good turn-outs and enthusiastic encores all along the way. Seems it was a balanced combination of funny, odd and beautiful music. We hunkered down in my cabin in Whitehorse for a few days before the tour began, to work up each other’s tunes, and we spontaneously composed a few instrumentals as well. This collaborative style of touring is interesting; sharing the stage with other songwriters I admire, and pushing ourselves as accompanists while we step back and let one another take the lead. Raghu has a calm grace and humility about him that makes songs like “I’m a Fucking Genius” all the more hilarious. Catherine sings like a goddess and makes you feel like really, everything will be all right. I launched some of my new songs into the world, and it’s gratifying to have them well received and to let them do their work; heartening and hopeful missives. 

After Wise & Weathered was over Raghu and Catherine headed home while I stayed in Alberta for two more shows with Annie Lou. A bit of a change of pace from what came before – these girls are rowdy and we played some smokin’ fast fiddle tunes and Annie Lou originals for the crowds in Lloydminster and Athabasca. Makes me look forward to the summer, when we’ll hit the festival circuit again.

Kim