It was such a gorgeous summer day in Edmonton the day we were in the studio. A bit of a shame being inside instead of out in the sunshine enjoying the weather but being in the studio is definitely the next best thing! We made sure to take a few breaks and get our vitamin d fix!

Next up will be the auxiliary instruments now that we have the foundational guitar, drums and bass recorded. Jered and I sat down to brainstorm about what we want on each track, and a recurring theme was steel guitar. Of all the musicians I know in town, I do not know a steel guitar player. So I asked my friend Troy Kokol (super songwriter and country music world maven) if he had anyone to recommend. He gave me a few names, and I ended up contacting Scotty Sanders. I told Scotty about the type of stylistic steel Jered and I had in mind and he’s going to be able to help us, and most excitingly, with a wrather quick turn around. My grant deadline of July 31st is hanging over my head a little bit these days!

The night before our studio day I had my first gig since Asher was born. I opened up for Karla Adolphe at the Haven Social Club. I wasn’t too sure what the turnout would be like since I haven’t had a show since November, but all my lovely friends showed up and it was a great crowd.

Not sure if anyone has heard of the interesting vocal issues a woman can have after having a baby, but I’ve been learning that it’s almost like going through puberty again! The hormones, the stretched out diaphragm and the exhaustion from lack of sleep makes for a fun time for sure. I’ve been fighting not being able to control my voice, and a lot of vocal cracking. However, miraculously that night at the Haven I felt like I had decent control and was happy with my overall performance. Plus, it was just a blast getting to share my songs with people again! Sang a few of the new songs off this new album and had some great feedback.

A pic & little video from the show:

Until next time,

Lisa xo

As I mentioned in my last blog I have been bringing Asher along with me to the studio. It’s been a very special time for me as a new mum, having my wee babe wrapped up in my arms falling asleep to me singing scratch vocals. A bit surreal really! In a studio full of boys I have been breastfeeding and changing my little man. Jeff (engineer) has three kids of his own running around upstairs so it’s definitely a baby friendly zone and I’m loving it. Being a little indie artist, you only get to make so many albums in your lifetime so picking a studio is an important process. So glad I have chosen Phonetic Sound so Asher & I can feel at home while working on this record.

I am also really happy with the songs I’ve chosen to record on this album. I haven’t spent a ton of time focusing on anything other than the babe these last two-three months so revisiting these songs has been really lovely. I’m also excited about the co-writes that I’m including – a song I wrote with Chloe Albert called “It’s just a season” about going through trying times, a song I wrote with Marty Pawlina and Rob Heath called “Words to weigh” about lil’ Asher, and “Four Little Chickadees” that I wrote for my sister when her twins were born, which Erica Viegas helped me finish with a beautiful bridge that really brings the song together.

It also goes without saying that I am a spoiled spoiled girl having my husband work from home. We are getting to spend some serious quality time together as a new little fam during the day and in the studio. Being able to collaborate with Jered is such a treat. He has such wonderful musical taste and ideas, and truly cares about making my songs sound their best.

On a more mummy related note, I think I am just now starting to find my mummy rhythm. I feel like I can start to fit more into my day other than just feeding, changing and soothing the little goose. I have started going to a new mum’s group, I went to my first post baby zumba class this week , and I bought a running stroller to start running again. I’ve finally started taking some ownership in my home – trying to organize and clean on a regular basis… I’ve never been the best home maker and I’m definitely not claiming to be even a decent one now, but at least I’m trying!

Well that’s the update for now!

Cheers!

In my blog about being pregnant and “project baby” I made reference to using a good part of my maternity leave to write, record and create music. I’m happy to report that that plan is still a go, but as of December I am also the recipient of a Rawlco Radio 10K20 grant. So what previously was going to be a little low budget home recording project, can now be a full fledged album! My second full length album. I originally applied for the Rawlco grant in 2009, before I had even begun recording Prairie Belle, obviously looking for funds to help me record my first record. Here we are three years later, and they contact me… what a wonderful surprise!

We begin recording in two weeks at Phonetic Sound studios in St. Albert with Jeff Olsen. Jered has recorded with him before for Jesse Peters and Lindsay Nagy’s records, and we have already met to discuss and brainstorm on what this record is going to sound like. It’s going to be ten tracks, and tentatively titled “Tree of Life”. Tree of Life is a song I wrote quite a few years ago about dreams, and longings… when they are fulfilled, they become a tree of life. Branches sprouting off in all directions creating new opportunities, new dreams, new experiences… that was what Prairie Belle ended up being for me. Prairie Belle lead me to my first grant from FACTOR, a tour, more radio airplay, tv features, a trip to Folk Alliance International in Memphis… This new record will also be a tree of life for me, and little Asher is obviously a major tree of life of his own! The other material on the record will consist of newer songs that I have written in the last year or two, including a few cowrites with Chloe Albert, Erica Viegas, Rob Heath and Marty Pawlina. Needless to say I’m over the moon. New baby, new record… I’m such a lucky girl!

Also happening right now is a fun new contest (insert collective groan sound bite here). I know, I know.. there are so many contests always going on, with indie artists always asking you to vote for them. Well this time around it’s CBC Music and the contest is called “Searchlight: The Search for Canada’s Best New Artist”. I’ve entered my song “Too Easy”, my favourite track from Prairie Belle. Also the track I’m using as a guide for the direction I want the new record to take. Of course I would love your vote to help me out, but my friend/music enthusiast/radio personality/program director Cory Noel put it best today when he said on Facebook:

“I get a lot of requests to vote for different artists/musicians in all kinds of contests. Instead of just blindly voting for someone because they’re your friend, I’d strongly encourage people to give every entry a listen and vote for the strongest song. Which one has the smartest lyrics? Which one has the most interesting melody? Which one made you think? Laugh? Cry? FEEL…?? We all want to help our friends, but let’s help the industry as a whole by using our brains to choose the best options….just a thought…”

So I agree with Cory, go check out this super contest that CBC Music is putting on, and listen to the songs. If you think I deserve it, vote for me. If you think someone else deserves it more, vote for them! Either way, just go and vote and help the indies out! You can vote HERE

Well that’s all I have for now. I plan on blogging throughout the recording process again this time, so stay tuned if you’d like. To close, I leave you with a picture of my beautiful babe! Cheers. xo

What is a Foodie Pen Pal you ask? Well, you can check out all the details on how to join here. This month is my second round of Foodie Pen Pals! This time around I received from Leslie Pellerine!

Leslie sent me a fantastic little package with some delicious goodies!! She knew I was pregnant, so she sent me a lovely healthy little plethora of treats!

My very favorite part of the package was some tasty tasty teas from David’s Tea. Banana Bread Tea and Creme Carmel Rooibos! Leslie is a self proclaimed David’s Tea addict! I am a huge fan as well, but rarely go out and purchase David’s Tea for myself. Tea is SUCH a super gift. It was a chilly day, and I came home, trudged through some snow, to see my package waiting for me in the mail! The first thing I did was brew myself a cup of the Banana Bread tea, and read her sweet lil’ letter.

Hilariously enough, Leslie also sent me the same gluten free pretzels I sent MY foodie pen pal. Small foodie world! My inlaws were visiting so we cracked these babies open right away and they didn’t last long at all!

Also in my package was a Ontario made granola bar, VERY tasty. Along with the granola bar was a peanut butter protein bar. I took these with me to work for that afternoon snack attack I have been getting these days. After eating the peanut butter protein bar, baby was having a full on dance party in my uterus!

Last not but not least, Leslie included a recipe card for some Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Oatmeal bars. I haven’t had the chance to make them, but they sound wonderful. Thank you so much Leslie for your very sweet package and for thinking of not only me but the babe! Hope your pen pal spoiled you!!

As far as who I sent to, I got paired up with the lovely Chelsie Smith from Balance Not Scale. Go check out her blog to see what I sent her! Looking forward to round 3 in November!

Cheers
~lng~

This week marks one year since I released my first “baby” my first full length record Prairie Belle. I released Prairie Belle on iTunes with a new website on October 14th (my parent’s wedding anniversary) but had my real physical cd release date on October 27th on an Old Strathcona Streetcar that I chartered for a private little party with 55 of my closest friends/family/musical supporters. Crazy to believe it has been a year, one season ends and a new one begins with this little babe coming soon.

It also made me think about all the dreams and goals I have been lucky enough to accomplish in the last year. Releasing my album, having a cd release party, going on my first ever VIA RAIL tour from BC – MB with my brother Brent, getting my first FACTOR grant, travelling to Memphis for the Folk Alliance International Conference in February, doing a private showcase there… Then there was attending my first songwriter’s retreat in Canmore with Jason Blume this past August. I haven’t had the chance to perform live a ton this past year with buying our catering company, but the few shows I’ve had were really fun and unique (C3E Women’s Conference, Muttart Conservatory Country Harvest). I’ve also got a house concert coming up with Erica Viegas next month, and mostly likely a Christmas show or two. 

I’ve also been exploring cowriting more these days and have had the lucky opportunity to write with a lot of fantastic artists lately (Marty Pawlina, Rob Heath, Chloe Albert, Lesley Pelletier, Erica Viegas) and I believe two songs I wrote with Erica are going to be on her new full length record she’s working on right now.

Although of course I plan on using a good portion of my upcoming maternity leave to write and record and create, I am looking forward to focusing on my newest and most precious project - this baby… and becoming a mum.

~LNG

I had a pretty chaotic September with my big event at work – the YWCA Walk A Mile In Her Shoes - travelling to Calgary to pickup the shoes for the event, then going to Banff to assist with their event, and driving through Calgary again to drop off the shoes. Plus being pregnant, injuring my back in the hustle & bustle of the events, and catering three weddings… when my package came in the mail, I had almost forgotten about Foodie Pen Pals!

My package came in an adorable little box with a very sweet letter from Bibi.

She included some fruit syrups from the Okanagan valley, some Epicure dip mix, some Sumac Ridge wine jelly, apple chips and fruit filled chocolates! It was a very Okanagan Valley appropriate treat box!

So far I have devoured the apple chips & chocolates, and they made for a delicious little snack. I plan on using the Epicure dip mix next weekend when we go visit the in-laws for Thanksgiving. I am waiting for a morning where I can make the hubs waffles & use some of the fruit syrups, and I’m saving the wine jelly for a wine & cheese night once baby comes! (I realize I could eat it now while preggers, but I think it would go so well with some actual wine and treats so I’m saving it for a romantic night post baby!)

Thank you Bibi for putting together such a sweet and thoughtful foodie pen pal package! If you want to have a look at what I sent Natasha, you can see her Foodie Pen Pal blog here. Looking forward to round 2 this month!

Cheers
~lng~

Today I get to be a part of what promises to be a fantastic fall event. A Country Harvest at the Muttart Conservatory. Brent, Jered & I are playing three sets tonight at the pyramids during a special evening opening. There are a number of fun things going on – a deliciously fall themed menu at Culina Muttart, music (a la me), a mini farmer’s market, dance lessons, herb potting and a fall feature pyramid called “A Cornucopia of Colours”.

This is my first show since April, and first full band show of the year since we bought the catering company. I’m excited to play with the boys again, and share my music with some new listeners. I’m also excited for the wee babe in my belly to hear me perform tonight. She/he moves like crazy when I sing!

Earlier this week we were on Global Edmonton talking about the event and playing on the morning show.  Another fun little morning show appearance was yesterday on Breakfast Television, I got to model a cute maternity dress from Spruce Grove boutique Bellies.

Hope you are all enjoying your fall as much as I am! Next week we’re off to Medicine Hat to celebrate Thanksgiving with Jered’s family and friends.

Cheers! xo

We started bright and early with an object writing session. I haven’t been up at 7am in a while! I was a bit groggy and I have done some object writing seminars before but I learned a couple of new tools & tricks that I am excited to share with Daneel when I get back for our weekly object writing sessions!

Then we all had breakfast together. That has been a really fun part of this retreat, we all sleep and eat in one location – Georgetown Inn – and then have the retreat at Mystic Springs Chalet just down the road. A nice change of pace for the official learning, and a separate place for the more casual networking. The food has been fantastic and the service at Georgetown Inn amazing! We’ve had a lovely girl named Sarah taking very good care of us!

The sessions focus yesterday was LYRICS. We learned tools and resources for writing effective, original, detailed lyrics that make a statement. Mostly when I write I tend to just spew out onto the page, and rewriting has always been a bit of a challenge for me so I’m looking forward to having a few tricks up my sleeve for rewriting and refining in the future.

In the afternoon we had 8 people (the early registrants) get to have a one on one song critique with Jason. It was really great to get to hear all the other people and their songs, their stories. Even though I was one of the last to sign up for the retreat and therefore don’t get a direct critique I felt like I learned a lot from listening to everyone else’s songs and hearing what Jason had to say about their lyrical content.

After dinner we had another song circle and I braved the piano once again to play Prairie Belle for everyone. I made it through. I didn’t really have any other songs I am proficient enough on piano to play for everyone so on the second round of songs I sung one of my newest songs “Four Little Chickadees” just straight up acapella. This is a song I wrote for my sister and her four little ones, and haven’t even had the chance to sing for HER. I had finished writing it just in time for her birthday but have still not gotten around to sharing it. SO first thing on the agenda when I get home is to sing it for her. I was having a little trouble with the third verse and bridge so the lovely Erica Viegas gave a fresh perspective and helped me finish it!

Today’s session is all about melody. I learned today that out of all the elements of a song, the melody is the most important and again learned some great tools to try and use as I continue to songwrite.

Only a few more hours together with these wonderful folks and Jason Blume, and I’m going to take as much advantage as I can! I’ll admit it though – so much information and focused learning and I’m ready for a quality nap when this all wraps up!

Thanks to Cori Brewster, the Georgetown Inn and Mystic Springs Chalet for all the amazing hospitality and for making us all feel at home.

Can’t wait to put this inspiration to work when I get home!

Cheers.

I arrived in Canmore with my parents after a bit of a rainy roadtrip. They dropped me at the hotel where the retreat was, I registered and immediately struck up a conversation with the lovely lady sitting beside me – Danielle French – from Calgary. We soon realized we were both in Memphis for the FAI Conference and I had met a friend of hers that had told me all about her and her fabulous music. Then I met my roommate for the weekend – Miranda Jackson – a sweetheart from Drayton Valley whom I just know I’m going to get along great for the next few days.

Jason Blume arrived and gave us a bit of an introduction on his personal and songwriting history and success. A bit intimidating I will not lie! Then we had a group song critique/song circle led by Cori Brewster (head honcho of the whole workshop) and Rob Heath. The late registrants (like myself) were invited to sing a song since the rest of the registrants will be getting some one on one critique time with Jason. I sang my newest song “To Write Love On Her Arms” and got some wonderful feedback and ideas on how to improve it. I was a little nervous playing in front of so many songwriters but I think I did alright.

Then we had an amazing meal at the Georgetown Inn (where we’re all staying) and off to another song circle! I was sitting there wracking my brain on what to play as with all the events at the YW, and all the catering we’ve been doing I haven’t really sat down at a piano for a few months at least. I went over the chords for Better Things in my head and went up and played infront of everyone for a second time. It felt good!

Tomorrow is the actual first full day of seminars/sessions with Jason, so I look forward to taking notes and learning lots. What a great first day! I’m already feeling inspired!

Cheers for now!

So that has been our main focus “these days”. I’m working full time at the YWCA coordinating events, and then I’m working pretty much full time doing all the administrative work, prepping and serving for our Catering Business (Catering by Gail – yes once upon a time there was a Gail, there no longer is, we’ve kept the name for the sake of returning clients for the time being – that is my daily spiel). Jered spent two years recording my album, making my little baby, my little dream come true. So now it’s my turn to pour into his dream, and I’m more than happy to do so. Things have been going well and we’ve been busier than we can handle really, so that is a blessing. *insert plug about if you need catering call us, here*

Just the other weekend I was part of the LOVE.MERCY women’s conference at C3Edmonton. I was involved in the planning, the “activating” and I even performed a little. I was really excited to incorporate the YWCA into my “extra curricular event coordinating” and we made the YWCA the charity of choice for our annual gifting. The phenomenal 70 women who attended raised $3,200 for the YWCA’s Lakeside Haven Retreat for women and their children rebuilding their lives after domestic violence. When I met with Linda Beth (conference head honcho) and introduced the idea of fundraising for the YWCA, I had hoped to raise maybe $500. This far far exceeded my expectations and I was so thrilled, and blessed by my church family and their friends. I am already very aware of the fact, but this definitely reinstated the idea that a small group of women can really change the world when they come together for a cause!!

As part of an art show, wine & cheese environment we had going on the Friday night of the conference, I got up and played for about 30 minutes. It was more of a background thing, so I was happy to just plunk away at the piano and enjoy myself amidst the socializing of the ladies. I sang my newest song called “To Write Love On Her Arms” in public for the first time (inspired by a charitable movement with the same name, feel free to check it out here). I haven’t had time to do a ton of songwriting lately, which is odd because usually when I’m going through a lot, I write a lot. So this has been a quiet, and slightly frustrating time for me songwriting wise. After singing this song, I had a few lovely ladies come up to me crying, sharing that this song really touched them. This is the best feedback any songwriter can ask for. So to those women who had the strength to come share with me, thank you. In a season when I don’t have too much time to write or perform, that little tidbit of connection really fed my heart and songwriting soul.

~LNG