If you are one of those people who have been in one of those incredible theaters in Geneva, NY, Kalamazoo, Michigan, or Joliet, Illinois, you’ll appreciate this next sentiment: These old rooms are a priceless treasure to your community. They were the gems when they were built in the 1910’s and 20’s, and for those of you smart enough to have preserved or restored those buildings, arts and culture will continue to thrive. The investment of preserving these historical theaters will have long lasting effects on promoting not just your communities, but the thing that brings people together in a community: the arts.

I live in a town that doesn’t believe in preserving landmarks.

If I could say one thing to my city councillors it would be this:

Tearing down the history of a city is the act of erasing all future possibilities for it. I am continually mortified by Hamilton’s lack of foresight, likely due to a handful of people who need to get out and see how other towns turn neglected buildings into the cornerstone of a city’s resurgence. When the mafia stops running Hamilton’s urban renewal plans (or lack thereof), hopefully there will be a few buildings left for our city to restore so we can enjoy what so many others do: a sense of ownership and pride in our town.

Resting in ruin: The Tivoli

I had a great time touring with Amy and Emily, they’re as lovely as you could hope them to be in your imagination. It occured to me quite suddenly on the first night that they were huge influences of mine. Songs were played all night that I heard so many times in my teenage life, and their new material continues to be affecting. It was a scary thing getting up on stage alone (after Jim returned home for “baby watch”). Amazing to feel the full circle of life this month: Singing “Closer to Fine” with the girls, a song which I believe may be the first I learned to play on guitar. Sorry for the fuzzy pics, but here they are anyway…. also, a note on the amazing rooms I got to play in, below…. getting my boxing gloves out now… x K.

Here’s the deal: John and I met 4 years ago when we both got asked to sing at a Gram Parsons tribute concert hosted by Gram’s daughter, Polly. John offered to sing “We’ll Sweep Out the Ashes” and called me to see if I’d join him. It was plutonic love and admiration at first sight and getting to sing on “Golden State” was a track that furthered my belief that friendship and great songs is what making music is about. We will be heading out shortly for what I expect to be the highlight of my year. 2 weeks of sharing the stage with John, including a night at Carnegie Hall in NYC (well, Ok, Zankel Hall….), a stop in my adoptive American home of Austin, Portland, Oregon, and possibly a not-yet-announced show at the Dakota in the first week of November. It is getting my butterflies flying a flurry in my tummy already.

So the point of this is: We have formed a 2 week extravaganza tour called “Hurtin’ and Flurtin’ Tour”. We’re gonna sing some cover songs, I’ll play some of my songs, and John some of his. If you don’t come the night we roll into your town, you’re missing out on a great night. It’s going to be a whole fucking bag of fun. Plus John is hot, ladies, so make no mistake….. it’s a win/win situation.

See you there. Kathleen (and John and spirit).

Yes, I’ll be in Halifax this Monday night, and for those of you who were unable to get tickets, please know that I’m sorry about the short notice and the small venue.  It was a last minute trip out east, but I promise to return sometime soon for a show that is accessible to those of you underage AND those of you ticketless this Monday (meaning a larger venue).

I am dying for a fish cake fix, suggestions welcome!

x

kathleen

A great laugh.

http://www.cbc.ca/arts/artdesign/story/2008/08/12/poo-sculpture-escape.html?ref=rss

I suck at blogging lately. Well, I don’t suck at it so much as I have ignored it for too long. Sorry, as a good Canadian girl should say. Sorry.

What’s new pussycat?
Well, to start in order we have a new man in the band. Gord Tough. A wonderful friend who funny enough played in my band back in 2001/2002 and drove that long way down to Austin, Texas the first time I ever played SXSW. Strangely it was that first SXSW show where Rounder Records came to see me and months later I was signed to them. Oh the days of being an indie artist! So legitimate! So long ago. Sigh.

Here are Gord and John Dinsmore the morning after a hard night, we emptied the tour bus back in Toronto to find a few treasures. And some Maker’s Mark.

A few days later I got to meet the Heartbreakers in Toronto. My beloved friend Benmont took good care of me and here they are. Mike and Scott. Sigh.

Then we went to Europe. Led by our fearless friend, Paddy McPoland, we finally found a good shopping outlet, and a member of the Arcade Fire, Jeremy Gara, who slept across the way from me in the tour bus, my faithful companion who riddled us with laughs and nice fitting jeans. Oh, and Berlin was one of our highlights!

On my arrival home inspired by the Danish legs, I purchased a bicycle. She is gorgeous. Only one day later thanks to the wet tracks of a Queen St. streetcar, I gave myself this, a mild concussion and forgot a few things over the last 2 weeks. I didn’t forget, however, to buy a helmet. I wear it always, as my own stubbornness and stupidity reminded me with a week long headache.
Pemberton was a blast, and again I saw the Heartbreakers and my highlight of the festival, My Morning Jacket. I long for the days of touring with rock boys who a) rock and b) are fucking amazing.

Oh, and I turned another year older in July, marked by a ritual my brother engages in which I find immature and embarrassing, but when you’ve got that many drinks in you, WHO’S gonna tell you otherwise!

And in keeping with making the best music video I’ve ever made, here is a link to a hilarious CBC Radio 3 video. I laughed and laughed.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A4yWmzAtqb4

Off to Regina now.  Yes, that’s the name of the city.  It rhymes with Fun, you know.   more pics from the video shoot to follow

xoxox

kathleen

involves many things. But at this moment in time, i can only acknowledge that alcohol has been involved tonight. The worst thing about leaving the south is a great Marguerita. And the feeling of my hot skin with every satisfying sip.

Playing music is an experience like no other and for all the perception of great times, there are dark corners where we live in-between. Oh my, that is pretentious. But how about rolling into Tuscon, Arizona and running into the Calexico boys. And how about playing a show that most certainly should be turbulent to find Blue Rodeo sitting stage side. And how about barely being even to catch your breath at 8,000 feet in front of only 60 people in Aspen, Co., but having the best time ever.

All I am familiar with now is this bus, our repulsive yet undeniable environment where we get to be 15 at summer camp again. From the plains to desert to seaside to near tropical mountains in Northern California. This is where we sleep and where we live if only for a moment in this life, I am eating every second up in the highs and lows in the company of my great friends.  Also, I recently saw the Suburban of my dreams.  Nothing short of Fucking spectacular in Madison, WI.

I swear to GOD i will post about the video in the next few days with some photographs that still give me chills. Tomorrow Portland, a city on my top 5. Can’t wait. Oh shit it’s late. Goodnight, small town Oregon.g13.pdf

My newest merch item!

I decided after getting my dirty little hands on some vacuum tubes I would make Martha Stewart proud and create a fun and recycled art project……  A tube fridge magnet.  I personally hand glued every magnet, assembled and numbered every box and there will only be 1000 made.  Gary Houston who makes my hand silkscreened posters is responsible for the super cool sticker design.  They’ll be at the shows for sale until they run out!

good morning. Another bumpy ride through the night on America’s highways. It’s 8:30am, I’m wide awake, but one step shy of happiness without my morning coffee yet. I woke to find my mind racing about all the things I’ve neglected and the blog seemed like the easiest to attend to, as it involved not moving. The last 6 weeks have been busy and full of wonderful and strange things. The earliest memory I have is at the Black Sheep Inn where it all started. My friends Jeff, Leigh, and Mark bought and run a great spot down the road from the Sheep, and it was there that I realized my Dad and Jim look similar, but more importantly, I finally found the world’s best dill pickle. I’m not joking. Here it is.

In Northampton, we had a day off where I met a wonderfully groomed dog. Inspired by the vision, I watched “Best in Show” later that night. I’m still trying to figure out if this dog enjoys its life.

In Nashville there was a great party happening at one of the country’s best independent music stores, Grimey’s. Part sale, part outdoor bbq, part flea market of the best kind, I found this amazing tshirt. Not eating much chicken these days, but fun no less, plus the shirt is pink, a possible first in my wardrobe.

And finally, a day off in Roanoke, VA led to some excellent shopping (I’ve never been introduced to a Bath/Body store by a boy before, but Tom the tour manager has quite a knack for girly endeavors!), and we had giant beers of Bud and a small diversion named after a Madonna song (which might have been better named “Like a Virgin”).

We are all in fine form, slightly lonely for our loved ones, but excited no less for all the great things to come. Arriving in Philly and coffee awaits. Goodbye x

It doesn’t get any better than this.  Happy Easter!