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The Audition

I was actually pretty nervous. Not only did I have to wow the owner and audience with my voice but I also had to look smoking.

My good friend, Sean, had started working at this new hot spot called Le Piano Rouge. It’s located in the heart of the old port just off of St Laurent, on the walking street. I could here the live music before I saw the sign. The ambience was just pouring onto the street creating such a romantic setting with brick walls, drippy candles, red couches and of course a beautiful Red Piano tucked away in the corner in front of large bay windows.

I spent at least 30mins trying to decide what to wear. I’m not usually a three inch heel kind of Gal but tonight I was making an exception. I decided on a Grey Vest with a tight black T, Dark Grey shorts with Buttons, and Baby Blue peak-a-boo Pumps. I think one of my favorite things about dressing up is when I come out of my room and everyone is a little surprise to see how nice I can, occasionally, clean up.:)

When I walked into Le Piano Rouge I was greeted with a huge beaming smile from Sean who was behind the bar. Over my favorite drink, The Naked Angel, Sean explained that the regular Pianist wasn’t available and the Pianist they had didn’t really have much of a repertoire of Show tunes and Jazz Standards. But we made it work. As I strutted across the Saturday Night Shmoozers my heart was pounding.

With a last gulp of water the music chimed in. “Fish gotta swim and birds gotta fly, I gotta love one man till I die. Can’t Help Lovin that Man of Mine.” I couldn’t help but think about that night when I was 9 years old peering over the balcony through my Mummy’s binoculars watching that Big Lady belting out that Exact same song in the musical, “Show Boat.” It was the first concert type show I’d ever been to.

The owner shinned a big smile in my direction, which made my nerves disappear…

My First Photoshoot

I don't know if you have those super outgoing, eccentric, quirky friends in your life, I do. Fierce Scott Brown is like a persona. When he is a t the club in his, shall we say, 'Sunday Best' you know. One of my favourite things about him is that under that persona if you need him, he'll be there:)

Now of course Scott would have other super outgoing, eccentric, quirky friends one of which calls himself, Steben Alexander. He reminds me of a diva. And what talent?! We did my first ever photoshoot together in my old skool, hardwood floor, crown molding downtown appartment. Here are a few highlights from that hilarious afternoon in June...

Inked

On a Tuesday evening in June I signed my first ever recording contract. It felt like my stomach was in my butt all day. It was a big commitment. I've been writing these songs since I was 13, you know? They are a peice of me...

All day I was searching for a friend from home. Someone who'd known me for more than a year, some support from home to help me move forward into the future. It was bittersweet...But, I guess I will appreciate it more that way.

(Above my Manager, Rivkah Sherman and the first Artist Signed with Ambrosia Records, George Azzi)

I waited until the very last moment to get dressed to impress and realized that I had no shoes for the new dress I'd recently acquired. I finely settled on my strappy black sandals as black goes with everything and put on some bright pink eye shadow to finish the job.

As I waited for my manager, Rivkah, I smoked...I'd been smoking all day, Why? Because tonight when I sign the contrat I will stop smoking! If they are willing to invest in my voice I should too. Besides, I don't even know why I started.

Actually I do...

I started smoking with my college roommate. He was an amazing dancer. He'd spent a few years at the Royal Winnipeg Ballet and was now branching out to singing and acting to be come what we called, 'A Triple Threat.' I came home one afternoon covered in sweat, just panting from three hours of dance classes. He was leaning back on a lawn chair in the hot sun on the patio. He turned his head just enough to flood his face in shadow, it was as though he could hear my heart pounding in my chest. " You know what you need? A cigarette, come here!" I went outside and had what I would still consider to be the most amazing cigarette of all time. As if time had stopped...That's what smoking was back then dramatic. It was all about the moment.
And that is why it now has to stops because those moment are starting fill to much of my time...

Soo I jumped into the cab with Rivkah and we were off to Ambrosia Records.

In the office it was as though there was no more to say. We'd said it all. Now it was time for me to ink it.


Now on day one of being a signed recording artist I still feel like my stomach is in my butt...But I can't stop smiling:)

Busking on St Catherines

It's funny how playing music on the streets makes you so aproachable. On Sunday of the May Long weekend I went out busking at noon. I set up infront of this beautiful church with shade from a tree. The moment I started strumming this tiny, round, italian man strode over with a purpose. He walked right up to me turned around and started shaking his tooshie at me! Now, keep in mind I was playing a slow romantic jazz tune to set the mood and this man must have been at least 65...As he was dancing these four, young, bravilian travellers decided to join in. They started clapping and dancing with him and then came over and started to do the same with me. They tried to convince me to pack up and go for a drink with them, but I declined seeing as I had only begun playing.. Usually when I play I bring a tea and a big bottle of water, my shades and my set up includes my amp a mic and stand a funky outfit and some flyers or buisness cards for people to grab while passing.

After about what I would say was an hour this alternative midthirties street kid named Rob aproached me. He had sat across the street while I was playing and had made a soap stone carving and was now presenting it to me. He asked if I would give him 5 dollars because he wanted to by some shoe polish to finish the job. " It's doesn't need any shoe polish," I said, " But did you need the 5 dollars?" " I haven't eaten yet today, so yes that would be nice." And so we exchanged gifts and I continued playing. I would say one of my all time favourite songs to play on the street is Video by Indie Arie.

All the city folk were in they're hussle and bussle with there new packages, or strutting in there Sunday best. I particularily noticed this old Lady scuttling along with quite a few shopping bags. She looked down at my case and ask, " Dear, do you think you could use a bag?" I smiled' " Well sure!" So she produced a brand new plastic wrapped handbag and without a word dropped it in my case and continued on her way...How funny is that?

I really appreciate the small things....I think now more than ever:)

Toronto

So I finally made it to Toronto. Those street cars are the thinest form of public transportation I've ever seen...I was confused, couldn't quite make an opinion of what the city reminds me of. I think it's old like Montreal, new like Seattle, and has Street Cars like San Fransisco. My friend Mark Harris is such a character. When we got on the Street Car of course he would assume the position of tour guide announcer with all the quips and started pointing out the different sites as we rode by.

Gig number one was set for Thursday Night at the Free Times Cafe in Downtown Toronto. The ambience gave it a 90s Comedy club feel with the checkered tablecloths and the curtains framing the stage. Darren played this amzing Quartz singing bowl that made the whole room shake. His Voice is amazing and he has sooo much feeling when he sings. David St Bernard has such a fresh sound. His voice is young R&B coupled with with wiity lyrics and guitar. Mark Harris has a unique sound. Sometimes Folk, sometimes Jazz, sometimes hip hop, matched with a comedy and stage presence that brings the audience right in. I enjojed playing that stage because it was dark and felt underground.

Gig number two was at Vapour Central. The stage was great, the audience changed every hour, and we had the whole night. The opening at was a new young female artist. Her voice was similar to that of Dolores O'Riordan, vocalist from The Cranberries, and accompanied herself with an acoustic Bass. Mark Harris played a totally diferent set, experimental Comedy Synth, He's a risk taker and it seemed to go over well with the crowd. Playing at the Vapour Lounge was interested. There was a big audience but I could help feeling like I was in a giant livingroom.

Overall it was a great weekend. Got to visit UofT and sample the cafeteria food, went to a Library, played 2 gigs, jammed with an old friend and saw a lovers quarrel on the street get broken up by a policeman on a horse. Best part was that he never got off the horse...Hope to visit again soon.

Busking

City life is strange...people feel so stressed and nervous about everything. Why is it that when someone looks you in the face on the street they immediately look away. The moment your eyes meet there's they have to look away. It's like they're worried there going to offend you or something. I often find myself giggling in the middle of these situations.
In Thailand my friend Flo and I decided to conduct an experiment. We decided to drop the Good Morning Bomb on whoever looked us in the face that morning. It was great. Some people smiled, some people didn't noticed. But the best was this middle aged Russian Lady. We strolled up and both chimmed in at the same time"Good Morning." She looked like she was going to have a heart attack. She grabbed her chest and said in a thich Russian accent," aah...rg...Hi." It was fantastic.

I find the only way the city folk can redeem themselves, for me, is when I busk. People have a reason to smile when they catch my eye. There so much more human and real. They start strutting on tempo to the music and catch themselves smiling,

Some moments~

~This little girl about 100 metres down the road started running through the crowd. She ran right up to me and put out her little hand. "My mother makes these. It's a ring", she said, "and she said I could give one to you." She waited with her small hand streched for me to stop playing and take it out of her hands. She smiled and started runing back through the street.

~Playing outside on St Catherines last summer... I was jamming away with the sun beaming in my face. This man walked up and grabbed my hand and gave it a good strong hand shake. "Make it happen "he said, I opened my hand to find a twenty dollar bill...

~The sun was going down and It was starting to get a little cold playing underneath the Bay Centre in Montreal. This older gentlement dropped a 5 dollar bill in my case while strolling by. A few steps down he turned around. " Do you smoke?" He asked. We leaned against the wall beside my gear and had a cigarette. As he lit mine he started telling me about his life. How he had been a photographer to the stars. Moments after he left this young guy zoomed on to the curb on his long board." Do you mind", he said as he caught his breath, " If I just stood over here and listened for awhile?" "Of Cousre not," I said and I smiled. It was like being a fly on the wall. He wasn't looking at me. He was just leaning on a light poll and gazing dreamily into the sunshine while I watched his expression change as the music changed.

~When I was 18 years old I started busking in Victoria on the harbour where the boats come in. On this one sunny afternoon I could here these 2 men shouting. It was coming from out in the water. I turned around and to my delight two guys were waving from there sailboat at me while dancing to the music.

I'm starting to realize that no matter how many times I try to fight it there's nothing else I want than to play music. It may not be glamoruus but it's mine. I hope that everyone has something in there life where they get to say," This is mine and you'll never take it away from me," because that's what music is for me.

Dready dread dread

Not sure if it was a good or bad idea. Maybe it was the sea air, maybe I was tired of society's view on how we should look but for better or for worse...I have dreads..!

What I'm About

Verse

Well I want the smorgasbord lifestyle,
I feel it's not about the one
It's about the sum of experiences
The wisdom I've gained from standing on my own two feet,
Younger than you, I suspect.

The memories I've lost, though I'm looking for some answer
and for whatever reason I'm not in any hurry, I'll find it
One day I'll walk right by it. Introduce myself,
add small talk then fast forward to what I have to say...

Chorus

So where have you been? Your taller, I feel much smaller
But your rosey cheeks are gone whats wrong, don't run stay with me
Tell me I need to know what's on your mind
Help me define what's mine
Help me define what's mine
Help Me define what's mine

Bridge

Five more minutes please
Just five more minutes please

Verse

I sing
Sometimes when I'm alone I feel I need a man
in my life for that balance
said
I want a relationship please, not someone who'll sneeze
at anything I through in his direction
"Your Cute" He'll say "Can I see you in Private?"
Then you realize he's a thousand miles further from shy than you though.
I've got gut rought,
Do you ever feel like your body's floating like a floation device?

Chorus

So where have you been? Your taller, I feel much smaller
But your rosey cheeks are gone whats wrong, don't run stay with me
Tell me I need to know what's on your mind
Help me define what's mine
Help me define what's mine
Help Me define what's mine

Bridge

Five more minutes please
Just five more minutes please

My Life

This adventure has done soo much for me as a person. I feel stronger in my own skin. Like I can finally wear my true personality on the outside. Everything feels different, better. I went to a vipassana retreat in Chaing Mai with Gabby. We signed up for 10 days and managed to finish 4 before sneaking out. When we were on the street it felt like I hadn't seen a Car or a store for ages. I think thats sort of how I feel now. Like I get to have the new sock feeling everyday:)

A few moments...

~Gabby and I were having breaky together in Chang Mai at this wicked cafe that was actually someones house. We sat in this back courtyard that was deliciously decorated in random paintings and plants and furniture and jars of snakes and chaos...When saying thank you to the owner and telling him how much we enjoyed his place he started telling us about his life. How he meditated everyday. I asked him what kind of meditation he was doing?(feeling quite savvy after doing my 4 day retreat) "It doesn't matter what you do, he said, just try to concentrate on one thing for awhile and give your mind a break...I paint."

~In the ruins of Angkor on our second day we started to get creative. We decided to climb through the rubble to see what we could find. We peaked over the roof to find a family of locals just chilling and eating lunch.

~In deep practice during the vippassna retreat. I was in my room speaking, we're not supposed to be speaking but me, Gabby and this Australian Actress Kat were in my room speaking. This monk walked by and yelled, "everyone practicing" and in a panic the three of us ran into my tiny bathroom in giggling hysterics. We were plotting mine and Gabby's escape from the temple. I had asked earlier to our teacher, Chi Bo Din, " we'd like to leave today. We've decided that this type of meditation is not what we're looking for and we'd like to have our closing ceremony and leave the monastery this evening."
"Mmmmm, Yes yes, He said, Everyone practice in the temple today. The construction here is to loud." "No We'd like to leave today." " Yes, you go to the temple for practice today" and strolled off, barely even acknowledging the fact that I'd said anything.

~On Ko Chang Island I met so many musicains and so many Rastas. One in paticular named Tong was insanely good at playing Bass. I asked him one day, " how did you get so good on guitar? You know so much theory." " I go to school, he said, "My friend, my friend and I live togetha for 3 years. He go to school and I wait at home. Then when he comes home he teach me what he learn. That way we have more money for ganga. His money for school, my money for ganga..."

~Let me try to give you the mental picture. Your zooming up a half built road, cautiously but also with a ton of adventure lurking in your mind, you ride almost straight up. You come to a peak in the road and you stop. The sun is bright because it's about to set and it's golden rays are shining. Your standing between these 2 dirt cliffs on both sides from the most insane beauty you've seen in maybe years. as you coast down you stare at the bay and the valley of trees and the turquoise water, not a glimpse of civilization in site...All I could think was this is my life!

I hope that all of you are living in whatevere way makes you happy. If your not happy then get out. Even though I know it's cold back there at this time just be thankful of all the people and moments and food is about to be around you. I expect all of you to take an extra peice of Turkey and eat it for me.
I wish for you all everything that you want for yourself in this life.

Annie B

Fast forward

How can anyone be sad when the see puppies and butterflies everyday?

Sooo after Bangkok I headed up north to Chang Mai. I was feeling like some zen time and decide to take on the 10 day Vippissanna. White clothes, free room and board, beautiful surroundings, and meditation(sigh). It's funny, if someone told me at home that I could stay silent and meditate for 7 hours a day I wouldn't believe it...But I did. Mind you it didn't last long. After speaking to my travel pal on day four we decided to leave the monastery. It just wasn't the type of meditation we were compatible with.

Walking down the street after cleaning our rooms and sneaking out it felt soo new and different. I felt so content with anything. Everything seemed so simple. On day 14 we left for the Mountains for three days of trekking. The hike on the first day was beautiful but was almost entirely straight up. There were parts of the trail where the palm trees were completly surrounding us giving me the feeling of being one of the three kids trapsing through their backyard in 'Honey we Shrunk the Kids.' But the view was spectacular.

On day 20 we travelled from Chang Mai all the way to Siem Riep in Cambodia. We were going to Angkor Wat.

We started our first day with a sunrise. It was the coldest, dustiest ride ever. Super bumpy, pitch black, my eyes were mushed with sleep, and the air was freezing. Angkor Wat is huge.There is a moat the size of a lake around it. Not only the bigges religious structure in the world but I think it may be the only religious monument that combines 2 religions, Hinduism and Buddism. As I walked along the walls of the different scenes I wondered if they were myth or reality. It is as magical as I thought and I feel both honoured and blessed for laying my eyes and my hands on it.

As of now, day 33 I think (and travelling solo!) I'm on this darling island in Thailand, Ko Chang. First day I was here I wondered about with my guitar on my back to investigate the area. By night fall I had new friends, a wicked bungalow, and was invited to play regularily at a Rasta Bar in exchange for free food.

~ At home I was thinking that it would be harder to meet people...
Travelling(in the sense of meeting people) is like being in a ski lodge cafeteria. Everyone has red sweaty faces, matted hair, and stinks. You look over and see an older lady struggling to get her boot off and you rush over to give her a hand cause you know exactly how she's feeling and how awesome it's gonna feel when she gets it off.

You tug and tug until you fall backward with the boot in your hands and both start laughing. She thanx you and you smile...

~ Never be afraid to travel because it's just like being at concert. You already have something in Common:)

The Locals

We were so ambitious in Bangkok. I had all these places I wanted to go and got completley turned around by Bangkok traffic. All we had to do was cross an intersection...ha! It was like trying to cross a river with a stampede of wild cars and trucks are crossing through it. The traffic was coming from 6 different directions and one direction had 5 lanes. My friend and I learned quickly how often you have to just run.

Across we were strolling on this stone walkway. I started asking locals where the Museum or The Grand Palace were. One said it's not open today, one it's oepn but not till 3. Another tells us to go to a tuk tuk to get a ride and so on. Suddenly I felt this small finger tracing my tatoo on my back and I half jump half turn. There in front of me are these 2 adoreable Thai Boys. One is toothless in the front and they are laughing and start jumping all over me. They were holding out there shirts to get us to read the english so they new what it said...I expected that they were going to ask us for money...but they didn't:)

We ended up at Wat Po The Reclining Buddha. Lying down on it's side symbolized Buddha's Death. It was magnificent. Flawless gold and the most peaceful smile on his huge glimmering face. It was obvious that they built the temple around the Buddha cause it took at least 6 pictures that I have to put together to see him fully.

Did I mention that I can't stop dreaming about the beach...

Saw waa dii Ka...

Fresh off the boat after 32 hours of travelling we step out of our taxi on Rambutri. Later the next day we'll realize it to be the best area we could have chosen to stay in. We drop our bags and find a bit of Montreal comfort across the road with shisha to start off our adventure. We're in Thailand!!!!!

Day one we're all bug eyed. Looking at everything! We head to the first temple we see where a friendly local directs us to the police station. There we meet this livley man who wants to show us everything. He hackles with a Tuk Tuk driver to get us a good price for a cruise around town. We head to our first market. Indoors and busseling with people. Next we're of to the giant golden buddha. His baby toe was bigger than the size of my head! In the evening we head to Chinatown. We wanted to go to the night market and got our first taste at getting lost. Funny how we felt perfectly safe in the dark bowells of a foreign country but we were invinsible:)

That night strolling round Rambutri Gabby asked me to sing something...all that came to mind was the Long Distance Blues which soon became our sound track thus far...

Long Distance Blues

CHORUS
sweedle ee bap bap un dai da, sweeden badn do dai
Sweedle ee bap bap un dai dah, sweeden baden doh dai

VERSE

Baby, understand me, Cause it's not easy to relay.
Said Baby, watch my mouth move, I need you

CHORUS...

VERSE
Cause who needs to be right as rain all the time?
We need surprises now and then to keep a sane mind
I can't do this abused miss, I obviously love you
ask anyone that I know

CHORUS...

I've got the long distance blues cause I can't chose to see you,
The long distance blu-u-ues

One more time for the Cheap seats

sweedle ee bap bap un dai da, sweeden badn do dai
Sweedle ee bap bap un dai dah, sweeden baden doh dai

This is my Band

When I was in Vancouver I was working with two beautiful people. The First was Chris Penton. I'd see him in the seen. He was the reason that Alex Maher would move the piano out from it's cover on Thursday nights. He hosted my favourite open mic in Vancouver. One of those places thats pack with talent, tons of audience, and if you didn't know it was there than you were missing out. Chris would play these crazy piano pieces that would catch everyone off guard.

Anna Reiser was the second. She was this ball of energy who worked with me at the Mansion. I miss that place. It was this beautiful Mansion with a restaurant inside, 5 minutes walk from the ocean and almost always packed. As Anna would say it was 'Epic.' She could play these wicked jazz scatts on her flute that made me want to run away and become a gypsy.

Together we formed Say La Vie. It was the best. Anna played Flute, Percussion, and Back up Vocals. Chris would play the Piano, Ukulele, and Back up Vocals. I played guitar and was the singer/songwriter. We could pack the Backstage Lounge on Wednesday Nights like the best of them...

Our music always made me feel like I was at the beach.

2 days to Thailand and Counting

Overseas in 8 days

I was standing in the Metro at Peel in Montreal.  Me and some friends had just finished going to the movies. Zoning out on my music it dawned on me. My last day of work is Saturday! I'm leaving the country in 8 days.  I have so much to do.  I can't believe this actually happening. Gaby and I are going to Thailand and Australia!!! 

What a trip this is gonna be.  I fell like everything was happening so slowly and now it's all so fast.  It's true that I am a beach girl, island girl, but not so much a city girl anymore.  I just want to sit in a hammock and stare forever.  I want to be able to stare so far out into the world that it fells like it never ends.  It reminds me how small we are and how we're all part of the same thing.  Like when your up at a Ski hill for the day.  Up in the cafeteria everyone's hair is deshevelled and this Lady is struggling to get her boot off.  She notices you watching and can't help laughing and you smile because you know exactly how she's feeling...

My name's Annie.  I'm a musician from Vancouver BC.  ( this is where I put that line about being an island girl, beach girl, and city girl. But I'm changing and evolving and thats why I'm going over seas.) I recently moved to Montreal to play music and so far I love it.  What I don't love is the winter:)  So for the first time in my life I'm cheating the gatekeeper of the seasons.  I'm skipping winter.  For the next 8 days I'm fully comitting to winter so I can get the fashion out of my system.  Then it's off to the unknown.