One half of Peterborough-based fuzz-folk alt-country duo Mayhemingways, Josh and bandmate Benj Rowland embarked on a cross-Canada tour from Peterborough to St. John’s to B.C.
This is Josh’s final report from the road. Read part one, part two, and part three.
It is so nice to be writing from home. After a month on the road, there is nothing like your own bed, your loved one, and familiar coffee shops.
I must say, without sounding too dramatic, that this is a crazy life we lead. Town after city after town. Meeting new friends and seeing old ones all over this vast country. Different beds each day. Four hour drives being routine. Cutting across wide swathes of Canada and seeing the bits and pieces of this big, diverse and beautiful land.
It’s hard work (yes, it is work!) but we love it. Glamorous? No. Satisfying? Yes.
Reflections on the Badlands
I was lucky enough to have my partner Alisha fly out for a part of our trip. She got to meet some very good friends of ours out there and to see some unique and beautiful parts of Alberta.
One of the coolest places we got to visit together was Twin Butte. Home of the Twin Butte General Store — a Mexican restaurant, venue, post office, and liquor and convenience store. Among musicians, it is a gem of touring. Where the prairies meet the mountains. Where the owners Jeny and Phil treat every touring musician like gold. And you get to stay at a bunkie overlooking the Rockies with views of a coulee, golden hills, and horses.
We also decided to take a road through the foothills to the Cowboy Trail. We drove our rental car to beautiful vistas and winding roads. This was ranching country where cows still roam and the landscape inspires “wow” moments with each turn.
Lastly we got a chance to check out the stark, layered beauty of the Badlands. Specifically we drove to Drumheller and the surrounding area.
We took the opportunity to go to the Royal Tyrell Museum as well. It features one of the best collections of dinosaur fossils in world, many of them from that area or just further southwest from Dinosaur Provincial Park.
Stampede, Sheepdogs, and Recordland
I’ve been to Calgary a number of times, but this was the first time being in town for a big chunk of the Stampede. What I hadn’t realized in the past is that it’s basically a 10+ day bender with a bunch of rodeo events.
Stampede breakfasts happen all over the city, with hotels usually offering up alcoholic beverages as early as 7 or 8 a.m. By noon there are some happy people walking around Calgary, and by evening it’s definitely a party.
We had an off day on the same day that the Sheepdogs, currently featuring Bailieboro’s Jimmy Bowskill, were playing the Stampede. I got in touch with Jim and we were able to hang pre-show. We went record shopping at one of Canada’s best record stores, Recordland. Rare LPs, CDs, cassettes, and they currently feature a $1 vinyl sale. Four huge shelves, maybe 40 feet long with records from floor to ceiling. All for $1. I could have spent days and still been finding gems. It was amazing.
After the Sheepdogs show, I was able to get backstage and hang with the boys for a few beers. As I was entering the backstage area I heard someone say, “Josh?” It turned out my cousin Misty was working security for the stage area. What a small world.
Then we ventured to new-country artist Brett Kissel’s trailer in the backstage area of the Stampede and continued on to some other “VIP” areas. It’s a bit of a blur at this point, but it was a whole other side of The Stampede … and it sure was great to see Jimmy and the boys.
Final thoughts
Every time I go to Western Canada, it captures a little bit of my heart. I’m not sure why it does that, exactly. It could be the prairies, the mountains, the people, or maybe a combination of these and more. One thing that they certainly get out there is the appreciation of live music and the musicians who bring it to them.
Touring Canada can be exhausting. The sheer distances between destinations could make some folks crumble. But I like the challenge. It comes with rewards. There were a lot of thankful people on this tour; thankful that we overcame distance and the inherent difficulties.
In return, I am so grateful for audience members who support live music. The reward for us is the grace and hospitality we are showed at most of our stops. It’s rejuvenating and reminds me why I choose this crazy occupation.
Thank you to everyone who supports us at home and on the road. Until the next time!
