REFLECTIONS | 2009 was the year of...

TRAVEL

I've never been in motion so much in my life.

CREATIVE SPONGING

I felt like a sponge this year, particularily starting in July when I went to The Faroes. Some
untapped channel was opened and I was seeing the world with new eyes. I found myself

wanting to listen to as much new music as possible, talk to as many new people as I could,

connect with as many new artists/musicians as possible becase we are ALL trying to do the

same thing. We are ALL trying to be real, push boundaries and make it work. I started finding
comfort in these thoughts, newly inspired and wanting to soak up every little bit!

RE-ROOTING

I realized that The Big Money Shot over the course of 2008, and my striving for $250,000
left me without my feet on the ground. The competition contributed to me forgetting some

of the main and deep rooted reasons why I ever started writing songs and performing them.

I began thinking way too much about "angles" and "hooks" and "hits". For me it has always

beenimportant and natural to write music that is "accessible" to the music-lover but

somewhere in 2008 I strayed away from the core of my artistry. In visiting places less

fortunate than Canada,in meeting and speaking with people going through incredible hard

times or facing what we would considerimpossible decisions I found myself again. The Faroe

Islands hit this feeling home for me. The Faroes are a Danish colony surrounded and isolated

by the Atlanic Ocean. They are increibly honest and unapologetic people, never trying to be

something they aren't. It was amazing for me to listen to Faroese music and the history of

The Faroese people. As well, surrounding myself with amazing and talented artists on

Babes also contributed to this "re-rooting" : Leela Gilday, Ann Vriend, Tara Holloway,

Ana Miura, Amy Campbell, Jessica Heine, Chloe Albert, NLX, Rhonda Stakich, Jill Zmud,

Lia Dawson, Stef Lang, Sheena Grobb, Jaylene Johnson, Jen Lane and many others.

REACHING OUT

Performing for the troops in Afghanistan was one of the most eye opening and increible

experiences of my life. I have never seen such bravery and dedication, suffering and

perseverence. I have also never been so disgusted by human behaviour (Taliban) nor have I

been so shocked by violence and pure gore. Travelling that far and into a war zone certainly
made me re-evaluate what is really important in my life as well as provided me the feeling

that my music, lyrics and performances actually can and do make a significant impact, that

there is a reason for it all, that i am not just strumming my guitar and singing into open air to

have my efforts drift into the abyss.

Performing on the Babes for Breasts Tour this year was also one of the most rewarding

projects on the heart front. Meeting survivors, families of loved ones who have passed and

people who are currently fighting breast cancer, helped me to remember that music is a gift.

Ana Miura has always said that "as capable human beinsg it is our duty and repsonsibility to

help those less fortunate". I couldn't agree more. If music and singing songs can bring joy to someone's life and help change negative human cells into positive ones, shift somebody's

perspective or help somebody get out of bed that day....count me in.

Thank you to everyone who has helped me such a great deal this year:

My parents and brother, Jos and Jim, Ana Miura, Tara Holloway, NLX, Jeff Logan, Stu Watkins,
Dan Loach, Anders Drerup, Janet Vachon, Dave Ledoux, Drew, Richard Stanton, Amy Read,
Jeff Dawson, Rick Smith, Jay Flesher, Rian Malloch, Holly McNarland, North Easton, Jordon Zadorozny, Jon Tyril and Sigvor, LiVE 885, Amanda Putz, Alan Neal, Sheila O'Gorman,
John Pulente and Terri Poole, Lee Wagner, Ross Murray, Greg Waite, Leela Gilday, Ann Vriend, Grammaand Derek, Gramps and Margaret, Susan Funderbunk, Peter Lehman, Johnny Mac,
John Allaire and everyone else!!!!