Back from Hiatus

Friends (the both of you),

This has been my longest absence from the Blogosphere yet and, let me tell you, I missed it! Did you know that the so-called Real World is not HTML-compatible? Yeah, I know! (Nerd jokez.)

So I'm back. Am I better than ever? Probably! Have I done a lot of mind-blowing artwork and music over my "holiday"? Not exactly. But, for those who are curious, here's what I've been up to:

1. Joining The White House (The OTHER White House). Run by the only other lady in Toronto who shares my first name, the WH is a lovely collective of artists that periodically puts on the best parties attended by the most hipsters. When they announced they were moving their studios to Kensington Market, I jumped at the chance to snag my very own 100 square feet amidst all the happening action! Plus, my apartment being a tiny hole above a Chinese restaurant, I'm just glad to have a separate space to work and keep my supplies/hoarded trash.

2. Recording in Montreal with my old pal Reginald McLean, producer and engineer of ye olde TRANS FROM. Things went slightly awry, however, as I seem to have set a record for Number of Notes I Cannot Hit in my own Damn Songs. On top of it all, I had a cold in my lungs. So we recorded a coupla demos that will be up at some point in the near future but the production of the blasted Staircase EP keeps eluding me. I encourage you to send me angry demands to help motivate me to finish the darned project.

3. Sleep (self-explanatory).

Well, God help me, I'm going to update this guy (or lady) once a week! I have so much **** to put up, I just need to photographize it all. (How did this post suddenly turn so angry?)

First and foremost, check out the project that WAS my Intaglio & Relief class last semester.

So one October afternoon my kind pal Keren kept me company all of the seven-and-a-half hours it took me to collect one subway transfer from each station on the TTC.  The result: 84 transfers documenting our travel time.

Using black ink and stampery, I made copies of these to create a sort of transportation diary.  I am interested in documenting banal things and also marrying the objective/technical with the subjective/personal.  (I can write an artist statement... not.  Sorry, Shannon Gerard.)

Then what happened was I displayed these guys in the shape of the subway map and was quite happy.

(Transfer Project, 2009, series of 84 linocuts)














Next week: childhood joys and pleasures!

New Video of New Music

I have been a bad blogger. Here's a video.



The lovely Petra of Heartbeat 960 videotaped a couple minutes from the October 22nd show.  I am playing "Red Rover" (not yet recorded).  Thank you to everyone who came out and those who made it possible!

Heartbeat Music Show This Thursday

Here are the details for the show!

7:30 - Doors

8 - Jeremy Murphy (talented singer/songwriter on acoustic guitar)

9/9:30 - meeeee

There may be a surprise musical act in the middle.

The cover won't be more than $5 and there will be snacks and stuff for sale.  (If you would like booze, please bring your own and disguise it at least a little.)

I will be playing brand-new never-before-heard songs (!) and, of course, the old favourites like April Fool, etc.  Perhaps there will also be a cool cover or two!  I am super excited!

Please, please try to come and tell/bring your friends.  This is the first show I'm headlining so it's a big deal for me!

HeartBeat 960 is located at 960 Queen St. W. between Ossington and Shaw.  It's a brand new artist-run gallery/studio/shop/concert venue that's creating a lot of opportunities both for local artists and the people that want to connect with them.  By coming to this show you will not only be supporting me but this lovely initiative and all the local artists it's helping.

Hope to see you there, lovelies!

Poops, a Tiny Landmark, and Promises for a Bright Bloggo Future

Friends!

Someone has been pooping on my latest posts...  I can only assume that these people really don't want me to play shows!  And to them I say, you mind your own  business, misters! 

Now that that's out of the way, we can celebrate: I officially have TEN FOLLOWERS.  Thanks to all who've stayed loyal since the Spring and to the newest additions to the Colony! 

I'm going to start archiving my older artwork on here, though it might take a while.  But look forward to it!  I will try to have everything organized with titles and prices in case anyone wants to adopt some art.

Happy Thanksgiving if you are a celebrator.  And if you are not, like myself, then please be celebrating life this weekend in your own special way. 

Like maybe by listening to the Great Lake Swimmers.

Another Music Show

Hello friends!  I will be playing at ol' Heartbeat 960 - 960 Queen St. W. - on Thursday, October 22nd.  There will be at least one other act, so stay tuned for the details.  My set will feature the new songs plus a brand-new cover or two.  I look forward to playing for you at this lovely venue!

PS: From now on, the blog will be updated at least once a week, so keep checking back.

This Just In...

I'm opening a show for a lovely lady named Nadia Hosko THIS THURSDAY NIGHT at College Street Bar.  Doors are at 9pm and cover is $8 (sorry).  I'll be playing all my newest songs - some never heard before at a show!  Please come and support me and tell your buddies, too. 

Present this coupon to me at the show and I will give you a big hug for free.

New Music, Sort of

Over the past week or so, I've talked to a bunch of you about my previous post, and I want to thank you all for your concern and advice!  I'm happy to announce that I have since regained my excitement about my work and I have several new projects currently on the go.  My new-found focus is more on exploration/experimentation and less on sell-ability.

I also feel very lucky to live in this wonderful city where inspiration is a local and renewable resource.  This past week I've had the pleasure of experiencing the lovely folk band Bear Layer and my friend Suzanne's new band Kind Heights.  Check them out - they are great!

I'd like to share with you my own latest musical meanderings.  Stairwell and Aren't You Glad are demos of songs that will be on the next EP, hopefully sooner rather than later.  (I put Stairwell on myspace a while back but I don't think many of you listened to it?)  Enjoy and comment - I feed  on your feedback, like a hungry, hungry word-eating monster.

Aren't You Glad.


Stairwell.


Happy Fall.  (Don't be sad that it's getting colder; be happy that the Earth is still turning.)