triskaidekaphobia VS. FRESH*HOT*SWING

For as long as I can remember my Father would find me on the morning of every Friday the thirteenth and ask, "Biscuit, do you have triskaidekaphobia" It got old after a while. But I'll never forget that word. My answer was always no. I was never afraid of the number 13. It's an outcast number, shunned upon avoided, but seems to possess some kind of ominous powers. Thirteen never seemed like much of a threat always remaining aloof, yet standing out 

My Dad's birthday was January 13 1932. He died of Cancer 13 years ago. Jan. 13, 2013 I had a recording session and made an album of 13 songs. Not on purpose, the CD's were delivered March 13th. 

So thank God I don't have triskaidekaphobia. Like I've said before my father is the reason why I play and write music. He died the year 2000 Victoria Day weekend and I've got a performance on that weekend at The Cellar Jazz Club with Dave Webb and John Nolan. I have met some of my father's old friends there from time to time (he used to teach Russian literature at UBC) and am looking forward to the show. I'm digging the trio. lotsa room for fun and expression. 

Missing you Dan Le Van, think of you often!

RANDALL CROW'S BACK !!

Hey! I've got exciting news.. after a couple of years off, Randall Crow is starting up a rocking Blues Jam in Maple Ridge again!

Randall is special to me and here's why- when I first started performing my original music with my friend Trina after 10 years of taking a break to raise my kids, Randall gave me a stage, encouragement and listening ears. I didn't know much if anything about blues music.. so it's fairly safe to say that Randall introduced me to Muddy Waters, Johnny Winter, Albert King etc...... He was also one of my first friends in Maple Ridge, in a time when I felt very displaced.

(this pic was taken the very first night trina and i met randy)

He's a genuine Bluesman on all accounts. Born and raised outside of Stockton California in a settlement he called Okieville (His grandfather was an Okie and an entrepreneur who traveled from the midwest during the great depression) A pillar of strength, Randall's grandfather taught him how to plow a straight line, love the land, raise cattle and work with the highest integrity. Randall has raised cattle most of his life and worked on the railroad before he moved out to Maple Ridge.

Randall bought his first guitar when he was 15 for $0.50. It was cracked and only had two strings. After learning just about every bass line he could on those two strings, he found himself hungry for more. Over the years Randall absorbed everything he could to fuel his obsession with the blues. He recalls the first time he saw a Blues concert in Toronto. It was the fellows from Chicago such as Luther Allison and Buddy Guy that blew his mind and then he knew that there was no end to exploring and expressing oneself through Blues music. 

Here we are very fortunate to have some of the greatest live music venues in the lower mainland such as Kingfisher's Waterfront Grill and The Billy Miner... 

Randall's Blues Jams are famous in Maple Ridge and beyond.. there's no doubt WE HAVE MISSED HIM. He offers something that few else can.. his own unique brand of heart and soul and belief in what he does and says. He speaks his mind and will shake your hand with a smile and charactor. His jams have always been successful, entertaining and unlike any other Blues jam you've ever been to. Anyone who knows him will say the same thing.. "never been to Randy's jam? can't explain it.. you just have to come see for yourself."

And indeed you must!! He's starting up with a four piece band.. keys, guitar, bass and drums... come early and sign up to play .. The venue is.. 

Starting SAT. Feb.23

The Army, Navy and Airforce Club 
22326 North Ave -Maple Ridge

just south of Lougheed Hwy 
and runs every Sat. from 6-10 pm

The kitchen is open, and the beverages are very affordable! This one's about the music.. and about my special friend Randall Crow.. I hope this jam takes off and continues.. I will be there right after my songwriters circle/ open mic at Falconetti's on 2nd and Commercial in Vancouver. It ends at 6pm so timing is perfect! Come support local music! If you can make it out, spread the word. There's no one like Randall and those who know him well know this without a doubt... 

FINGERS CROSSED EYES WIDE OPEN

I'm chomping at the bit here.. staying busy, playing as much as I can as a solo, duo, trio, quartet, quintet.... and now armed with enough material that every show is a little different... focusing on my guitar chops.. and what a great treat it is to play onstage again after these past two years of exclusively singing. Can I call myself a pro yet? I decided that yes I can.. because I am consistent.. because I am reliable... because many of the venues I play regularly at now call me for last minute gigs and in less than 12 hours I can pull something together either by myself or with any of the incredibly talented individuals I work with and provide the highest quality entertainment. Sometimes, it feels like work.. and I'd rather be home sleeping or knitting with a glass of red wine.. but as soon as I step on stage and hear the first note and see the faces in the room and begin to banter I fall in love my craft all over again. 

Being a working musician is certainly not as glamourous as i thought it would be. It means driving a lot, smiling when you feel like scowling and hauling heavy gear into crowded clubs and giving away 100% of your heart and soul on a nightly basis in hopes that maybe a handful of folks in audience will really believe you and feel what a gift live music is.. for the artist and the audience. I LOVE ALL OF THE ABOVE. 

I don't get nervous anymore.. haven't for a long time.. but I always worry just a little that someone simply won't like what they hear. All the old timers I've been running with tell me that fear is a good thing.. it's good to be a little worried because that edge keeps you acutely focused on a solid performance which is what I try to accomplish with CONSISTENCY.

I'm waiting impatiently to hear the first mix of my first album. The suspense is driving me crazy!!! Recorded at Blue Wave Studios with BRILLIANT musicians and engineered by Ken Burke,
it's all my own original compositions inspired by my obsession with various types of swing.. bossa nova, patsy cline style swing, blues, train, roots...fast med slow....except for two beautiful old swing blues tunes that I feel in the deepest part of my soul when I perform them. I produced the tunes, will publish them myself and also designed the cover art.. which is another fearfully exciting reason why I am anxiously awaiting the outcome... DID I DO A GOOD JOB????? who knows? I can only offer to the community what I have in my heart and hope that it will be well received.. keeping all dreams and hopes in check for now.. and moving forward with faith that this is what I am meant to do. It HAS to be more than just OCD ..lol....The working musician in me says.. well.. at least you'll have something to sell off the stage. Now when folks ask "Do you have a CD for sale?" I don't have to stomach the look on their faces when I mumble..no....sorry..... 

Stay tuned! the projected release is sometime in Feb or March...  

In the Meantime.. here's my show schedule for Jan/Feb (so far)

Jan. 25- Heritage Grill w/The Dirty Swing Band featuring Double D
Jan. 31- Trees Coffee house w/Sandy Bone
Feb. 1st- Falconetti's w/The Dirty Swing Band
Feb. 14th- The Haney Pub- SOLO BISCUIT
Feb. 22nd- The Heritage Grill w/The Dirty Swing Band featuring Jack Stafford on sax 
Feb. 27th- Cory Weed's Cellar Jazz Club w/Paul Pigat

and lots more yet to be confirmed.. 
believe me I'll keep you posted!

MY FRIEND MARTY

Meet Marty Bernard.

He's the nicest guy in the world and a crazy good guitar player. He writes his own music and can really play anything in any style. I love his country licks that come from years on the road with 'Diezel.' Marty also has an inner headbanger probably from playing with the heavy metal band 'Catfish' for years and opening for the likes of Iggy Pop. I'd like to say his playing is inspired by Stevie Ray Vaughan and Hendrix but really what's so special about Marty's style to me is that it is completely unique and his own. He can play whatever you need him to play and will, but when he's given the freedom to express himself, his sound is entirely his own and that's why I love working with him and respect him so. 

He's got his own band called 'The Bloo Zebras' and freelances when he's available. He's really quiet and shy so this blog will embarrass the crap out of him but I don't care because the world should know more of Marty Bernard. I'm looking forward to hearing his upcoming album which is in the works and ready to be completed. 

This is a song from his last album.. he wrote it about his wife.. she's got a beautiful head of red hair. 

Marty plays the Kingfisher in Maple Ridge every third friday of the month with The Bloo Zebras.. and has other gigs around town too. He's a Dirty Swing Band member, and I'm proud to share the stage with him, and call him a friend. It took him over a year to say more than two words to me :)  

DIVERSITY AND FREEDOM!!

There is only one way I can describe this past weekend.. well maybe a few ways actually.. It was exhilarating, rewarding, but mostly musically DIVERSE. My Weekend started off with a two hour solo stint at the Christmas Farmers Market. I love being a part of my local community and want to share the best I can offer in entertainment. They asked for Christmas carols, SO I grabbed a fake book from the local music store and spent a good solid week brushing up on the infinite charts of current to ancient songs. Loved it. Got to be background music and noodle away on guitar and even sing classical again. Pleased to report that a few private solo Christmas party jobs came from the gig. Community involvement is a blessing! 

The night went on to include a last minute call at Falconetti's .. called out the Dirty Swing Band to my favourite little sausage factory and vibrant nightlife spot on Commercial Drive. Apparently there was a 75 person reso for the night + regular clientele and the  room was on fire.. haha! they had been on a pub crawl since noon.. so imagine THAT! 

The next morning involved waking up early to perform the brunch show at The Heritage Grill. This is a new time spot for me.. and a very pleasant way to share a different side of my repertoire with again, a community involved venue that cares for and nurtures the art of live performance (not to mention their delicious breakfasts- my mother is a poached egg connoisseur and APPROVED). I am able to pull out Jazz standards as well as my newer and some older original ballads.. contemplative songs inspired by Paul Simon about love and heartbreak and moving on and growing stronger.. strange but true.. yes my songwriting is evolving.. I am greatly inspired by this direction and thankful for having a platform to share and express this.

Then a last minute gig at Guilt. Where do I start? None of my usual Dirty Swing Banders were available for this except the drummer.. so I really needed to pull something out of my hat. I will never turn a gig down at this venue I love it so much!! I felt like the luckiest gal in Vancouver when Mr. Paul Pigat agreed to come down and fart around for an unrehearsed.. mostly original show of my old dirty cowpunk songs and low down filthy blues. I can't speak highly enough about Paul. I have known him for years and have always been a big fan. He's a gentleman of the highest standard and a musician through and through. I was humbled to play guitar with him and in awe of his ability to play original music that he's never heard without a chart.. and for those of you who know my cowpunk repertoire.. IT AIN'T STANDARD if ya know what I'm saying... Regardless.. last night was pretty magical and that line-up will DEFINITELY happen again.

So! from solo, classical, dirty swing, jazz, folk, roots to badass cowpunk slide This weekend has been a whirlwind of last minute gigs and beautiful people. Playing my original music with folks I look up to and respect is my true musical calling.  I love this life and Life is a Gift. 

Bandmates and Heartaches

Haven't blogged in a while.. busy on a Steven Spielburg Dreamworks Show.. and the fun filled drama of being a bandleader has kept my tongue under wraps for fear that I may publicly declare damaging or hurtful words. So dust has settled and emotions are clear and in check.. Getting ready to record a  whack of new tunes and finish my first CD. The day-job has definitely been delaying this process.
Cut to the chase. Way too much ego in this industry. Now that I've re-arranged the line-up of players in the Dirty Swing Band I am thrilled to say that I am so on track with my original goals of sharing creative expression and what comes from within with others who enjoy original music as much as I do.

Being surrounded by supportive and encouraging friends and players is the greatest feeling and truly a gift I appreciate more each and every day.

My research on swing music has become a full blown obsession and I can only move forward with faith in the many talented folks I am influenced by. As soon as this film contract is up I can finalize a date and get into the studio in order to offer my soul to all those who are interested and understand my message. LIFE IS A GIFT

Come down this Sunday and hear the new originals before anyone else. These Sunday brunch shows are lovely.

THE AGENT DEMON

Okay folks! It's been a long time since I blogged so let's keep ya'll INFORMED!! I've had some tremendously fun and creative experiences with some amazing local music legends including a night of jazz and blues featuring Jack Stafford on sax and flute.. (there will be more of that!) as well as a wedding with jazz greats Henry Young and Doug Louie. I am spoiled! The Dirty Swing Band is as tight as can be and lately every venue we've been at has had the dance floor packed with music- loving party animals. Thanks be to the boys.. Jack Lavin, Dave Webb, Marty Bernard and Mr. John Nolan.

I'm now at the level of the dreaded agent... up until now its been a labour of love for me and a rush to book the best rooms in town all by my little old unknown self.. and I'm proud of the fact that I shamelessly sell and promote the band BECAUSE THEY ARE DAMN GOOD!! 

Some agents are knocking, some are peeking around the door to see what the Biscuit is up to next. I feel like I need to be two steps ahead of it all because being the original weirdo that I am, I'd rather fall into obscurity than be pigeon- holed into a role or genre that doesn't fulfill my heart and soul.. 

All I want to do is put smiles on people's faces and take them away from their troubles for a few hours in the evening- make them feel safe and create an atmosphere that is based on freedom of expression and all- inclusive enjoyment of life!

All this who's who and what are they up to? The undercutting and back- talking is doing a number on my head so I'm taking to the ethereal quill to vent something that's been gnawing at me for only a slight while. I promised to be honest. I promised to stay true to my dream of reaching out through the medium of music to tell a story and stay sincere and try my best. 

Being a professional musician pays like shit at the best of times.. but now I'm encountering the insidiousness of so- called business men who lock down venues simply so they can profit off the bands they hire. So far I have been able to do everything and more than any agent has ever offered me. Or, perhaps I have yet to meet the right one for me. Regardless..... 

STAY THE COURSE BISCUIT!! (the voices say)