I’m about to do a tour. A big tour! First big tour since b4 these bebbies. First gig of the big tour: Yukon Arts Centre. Whitehorse. Lots of reflection going on, looking at these milestones. I remember now, that Nova Scotians are shamelessly sentimental folks. I embrace this full-on now that I’m back here. All my Yukon peeps and beautiful places, I miss you so hard sometimes it hurts to think about you but I’m coming for a visit! Looking forward to having a good laugh-and-cry with you.
It’s been six years since we moved away. Spent most of my adult life in YT. Being back in NS has been weird time-travel (the radio stations are still playing the same songs as when I was in highschool) and getting established in an essentially new/changed place, new connections and collaborations. All while parenting small twins, which has kept the pace slow but steady - time is a more valued commodity now, keeps me focused, and informs the direction of my interests and inspirations.
It has been a surprise to come back to NS and discover a lot more cultural diversity than when I was a kid. An Iranian community in Halifax, for example! I had explored world folk traditions in university, and this new collab with Mohammad Sahraei is a return to some lost threads from way back. Now I’m bringing a lifetime of varied musical influences together in strange and beautiful ways, and excited to bring it to YAC on March 5. Mohammad and I, exchanging trad tunes on setar and banjo, threaded between original songs, guitar, synth, beats. Mohammad is a virtuoso and scholar, and great to improvise with - open, gracious and funny. He and his family came to NS around the same time I moved back, and he started the Open Borders Ensemble with about thirty musicians, playing all over the province. I’m really excited for him to discover northern Canada, and can’t wait for you to hear him.
Also since we came back to NS: I wrote a bunch of songs, largely about kids and domestic life and the usual fears about the world; recorded them with Music in the Woods - Mark Adam; did a little tour with Wax Mannequin last year; joined the Coax Records label; and now I’m touring with Coax founder Rae Spoon. I am so honoured. Rae is a wonder and a beautiful musician and inspiring change-maker, shaker-upper, rallier of hearts in hard times. Can’t wait to sing harmonies, play backup, dance on stage with Rae and Mohammad all through March. These people, working and making things. Together the messy problematic world is bearable, even beautiful. See how sentimental I’ve become! See you on the road, starting in Whitehorse. We have a lot of catching up to do. (Heart emoji!)
