One half of Peterborough-based fuzz-folk alt-country duo Mayhemingways, Josh and bandmate Benj Rowland have embarked on a cross-Canada tour from Peterborough to St. John’s to B.C.
This is Josh’s third report from the road, read part one and part two.
In my last column, we were heading back to the mainland from beautiful Newfoundland and now I’m writing this one from Calgary, Alberta. In a matter of just a few weeks, we’ll have played every province (sorry to the territories, you’re just a little too far this time).
Canada’s makeup is much like a quilt. It’s one big blanket, but there are so many differences, subtle and otherwise. Each time we cross the country, I am left in awe of the variations in our geographic, cultural and artistic landscapes.
My third column will attempt to chauffeur you from Halifax to Peterborough to rural Alberta in a few hundred words, giving you a window into what a tour is like and how there is often a connection to Peterborough just around the corner.
From the Peterborough Folk Festival to fish & chips and a special song in Dartmouth
Benj and I played a fun Peterborough Folk Festival volunteer party last August at The Spill. That evening, none other than Joel Plaskett and Mo Kenney walked into the bar as we were playing a set.
We proceeded to chat with Joel, who is as engaging and kind of a musician as one can imagine. He invited us to drop him a line to meet up and to see check out his studio in Dartmouth, Nova Scotia — which also houses a coffee shop, a barber, and a record store.
The @MAYHEMINGWAYS @CarletonHalifax . Go see this band. pic.twitter.com/DnL41iqBa3
— Joel Plaskett (@joelplaskett) June 10, 2016
So while we were out east we got ahold of him and he invited us to meet up. He has a really neat studio space in a former furrier’s warehouse. It was our lucky day on numerous levels, as Joel proceeded to play us an almost-finished version of his epic rock tune written for Gord Downie (it was a secret then but not so much now.
Joel then led us to a great local spot for fish and chips, and later made it out to our show at the lovely Carleton in downtown Halifax.
Just another day on tour.
Cool version of @springsteen 's Atlantic City by @MAYHEMINGWAYS last night @CarletonHalifax pic.twitter.com/6cZ7T8MMwa
— Joel Plaskett (@joelplaskett) June 10, 2016
Back for a brief “home-cation”
There is an indescribable feeling when you edge closer and closer to home during a big drive.
This time it was during a 14-hour drive from Shediac, New Brunswick. We had played a house show the night before that was full of … um … colourful people.
The evening was highlighted by an older lady dancing and then falling into our equipment. No one was hurt, but we knew maybe it was time to get home.
You know you’ve been away from home a lot when being back feels like a vacation. We had eight days in Peterborough between journeys east and west. It was nice to see loved ones and friends, play a couple of games of softball, and see our city in all of its summer glory.
From Peterborough to Alberta: a brief synopsis
I had barely unpacked my suitcase and we were readying ourselves for departure once again.
There were some memorable settings for shows as we headed out west.
In Sault Ste. Marie, we played in a laundromat attached to the Gore St. Cafe.
In Thunder Bay, we played a Finnish hall that sits above the famous Hoito, home of amazing Finnish pancakes.
In Red Lake and then in Winnipeg, we played house concerts at two beautiful homes.
In Saskatchewan, we played in the church of what used to be a ghost town.
This run of shows made me realize that perhaps we like venues that are a little different than your average bar room.
We also played in Vulcan, Alberta. Yes, Vulcan. It was named long before Spock’s home planet in Star Trek, but the town decided to go Trekkie for an extra tourism boost.
Downtown features teleporters built on the side of buildings and a large Enterprise sculpture. The tourism office looks like a space station.
I could write paragraphs about the music scene in Alberta, including the venues where it would seem only fields and coulees sit. There are a lot of great venues and the talent here is palpable.
I’m just going to leave you with one more Peterborough connection.
We were lucky enough to be a part of the great Wild Oats and Notes Festival that takes place every two years in Tofield, Alberta (about 30 minutes from Edmonton). The setting is a beautiful farm property surrounded by bright yellow canola and big sky.
You know who was headlining the final night? The great Weber Brothers.
It’s one thing to see and hear these guys back home, but it was magic to hear them light up a big outdoor crowd in rural Alberta. The band received four — count ’em, four — encores. These guys are a musical treasure right in our city.
