Hi folks,
I had so much fun going through the year through photos last year that I thought I would do it again this year; a tradition is born. More than anything, I’d like to say THANK YOU to everyone for another great year on this ball under the sun, playing music for you, with you, meeting you, hearing your stories, sharing mine, it was a pleasure. This year, I celebrated the 10-year anniversary of my very first show at the Free Times Cafe in 2003 where I played a set of my own songs. I’m still here, still trying to figure it out, and I’m more committed than ever to trying to make the best music I can make and to come play it for you. It’s what I love to do, but it all doesn’t work without you, so thank you again for allowing me to do this for another year.
Here are some of my fave moments looking back on 2013 (in no particular order):
Playing Blue Skies and Eaglewood Folk Festivals. At Blue Skies, I had the incredible honour of having the entire Blue Skies choir (100 strong) back me up on ‘First of the Last to Know’. (video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MnkTDy39r1s) I also got to play later in the evening to a crowd of about 2000, right after one of my longtime musical heroes, Sarah Harmer played. Special thanks to Andy Rush and Liz Scott.
Being invited to play and speak at TEDxWaterloo again, such an inspiring event. Side note (or is it the best part?…), I got to have a beer with Rob Manning, the man behind the Mars Rover mission, I was geeking out, amazing man who LOVES what he does.
Getting to spend the most inspiring 2 weeks of my life working with an incredible group of 15-16 year-old-students, all because I put some songs out there in the world and they unbelievably found their place as part of the curriculum for a character-building program for youth in Alberta. My life was forever changed by that experience. A memory that goes along with this picture, is getting to play a new song I wrote called ‘Weightless’ for one of the students that inspired it. Here’s a video I made for him of me playing it while on tour in the Netherlands: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S1vxB9teisw I got to play it for him in person a couple of weeks later, a moment I will never forget.
Touring Canada with the golden-voiced Emma-Lee and multi-instrumentalist/band-mate extraordinaire Karen Kosowski. It was an epic journey, full of ups and downs, but it was a true ‘get in the car and cross this huge country’ good-old-fashioned Canadian tour and we had ourselves some great shows, met so many great people and made some amazing memories. Quick highlights: Celine Dion sing-along, Tina-Turner (on the banjo) cover out in the audience every night, the ferry to Vancouver Island (my fave), Buddha Bowls (Communitea = the best).
Rolling into Fort Macleod (a town I had never played before) to find the beautiful Empress Theatre full of an audience in the hundreds that knew my songs. Was totally (totally) stunned. This is a pic of me playing ‘Oliver’s Tune’ out in the crowd. Easily one of my favourite shows of the year.
Seeing the lyrics to my song ‘Forgiveness’ printed in a University textbook. My hope in writing that song was that I could help spread Michael’s Berg message. It was a life highlight to see that happening in such a concrete way like this.
Touring Europe with one of my longtime favourite singer-songwriters Royal Wood, both of us joined onstage every night by the aforementioned Karen Kosowski. Quick highlights: gorgeous theatres in the Netherlands, full-band show in Switzerland, song-circle in Slane Ireland, me watching Back to the Future for the first time, getting to sing our co-written song ‘Brother’ every night on stage, Karen and Royal agreeing to a 2-hour shorter sleep and detour so that we could sneak in a tour of the Auchentoshan distillery (had to get this in here, bucket-list item for me).
Being invited to play at several weddings, including this one on New Year’s Eve 2013 (congrats Lauren and Dean!). It’s a big honour for me to have my music be a part of such a key moment in people’s lives.
Getting called onstage in Copenhagen by Glen Hansard to play a song of mine with him and his band (The Frames). I know it’s not the first time this has happened, but it’s a massive thrill when it does. He was the catalyst to me deciding to do this for the rest of my life. Video here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lwQURD5aaAE
Writing writing writing, demoing demoing demoing. So many amazing writing sessions in Los Angeles, London and Toronto, writing with some world-class writers who have written and worked on so many incredible projects. I’m trying to shake myself up, to evolve, to not repeat, and it was a beautiful feeling to have the opportunity to be so inspired and learn from others all this year. The fruits of that labour are coming together in 2014, stay tuned…
Beyond all this, new tour dates are posted HERE including a 2nd show added for Aeolian Hall with Royal Wood as the 1st show just sold out! I have 2 new music videos being released in the coming weeks too, lots to look forward to.
Wishing you all a great 2014, hope to see you out there again soon, take care and again: THANK YOU, Peter
