Showering Before Bed

My online presence has been lacking for the last few months.
But I thought I'd say a thing or 2 now.
Movember!

This is My Movember page. 
I've been putting 50% of my Merchandise sales towards the Movember charity. 
It's become a year thing to do a small tour for the cause.
I've done research and and 91-92% of the proceeds actually go to the research for Prostate Cancer and Mental Health)
Click the link and check out my moustache growth. It started off slow. 
If you would like to donate there's a button for that!

Touring for nearly 3 months this summer.
It was tiring. 
I'm pretty sure I will not be doing such a long tour next summer. 
But I did have fun at the shows...mostly, and met a great number of people all over Canada.
It was great seeing familiar faces too!

Christmas is coming so you should download my version of You're A Mean One Mr. Grinch! 
at:  www.eyeswidemusic.bandcamp.com

Upcoming Shows: (and Last of 2012)
Nov 30 The Stinking Rose Campbellford, ON (End of Movember! The ladies should be celebrating)
Dec 14 The Brownstone Orillia, ON

That's it for me I just don't have blogging in me today. maybe next week....
oh wait a picture.
here's what happens when I shower before bed.

-Neil
www.eyeswide.ca

I don't care about parking tickets. Towing fines I care about.

So as I wrote the last blog in Calgary, I received this.

It is a parking ticket.
when I came out of the bar. all the cars on the side of the street(including mine) had been towed.
I had to walk to the lot in sporadic rain ( I refused to pay for a cab knowing I have a towing charge) and paid $109 to get my car out. they gave me this parking ticket as well. I'm glad I live in Ontario. I won't have to pay this.
I also got one in Saskatchewan for running 5 minutes past what I paid in the meter.

Young Steve Buschemi watched me sleep.

I never had such nightmares... 

So Calgary was a fun gig. It was also quite a different gig than I'm used to.
Its a community of sorts. they have a self watering garden, fire pits, honey bees and a stage.
We stayed up until 4:30. Me sober waiting for everyone to leave so I could set up my tent.
I was exhausted. But sitting around the fire someone told this story or fable about someone who planted an acorn and danced around it. I'm sure there was a moral but it was lost on me. and then someone else read a poem from his iPhone. He was having trouble's of the heart (seems his older lady liked to hit him) and he didn't know what to do. but his poem was very long. VERY long.
I gave him advice that every girl you "fall in love with" will seem better than the last. even though you think you love this domestic abuser you will me someone else along the way and think whoa this is love, and then after that the same thing. It's a cycle says I.
So he thanked me and went on his way. I wonder what will become of him.
Again great time there but I was annoyed that I had to wait until the next day to be paid.
and at that 3 hours after the time we were to meet.
A frustrating time when you are used to being paid that night.

The Area

I had a few days off and spent them in Okatoks camp ground. $15 to set up my tent by the river.
plus use of a shower not to shabby.
I met the bass [player of Fludd. he is retired and lives by the river.
He told me how he did sound for the likes of Annie Lennox, Rod Stewart(who fired him twice in the same night), THe Beach Boys(who according to him were bad singers and needed click tracks to get through a show) and Fleetwood Mac.
He later built a sound system for a hotel in Vegas and then later a stroke lost the use of his left arm and is unable to play bass or do any real physical labour.
Quite an interesting fellow I hope to stope in Okotoks on the way back east and chat with him some more.

Okotoks

Topless Tent Whiskey.

I recorded a song (Brick) at Norwood Studios with James Murdoch. He played the tambourine and shaker on the tune. Tambourine is really hard to keep steady. I'd start off good then slowly start to fade.
So that will be online eventually.

James rocking the Tambo!

I played in Sherwood Park after this. It was another cafe tipping gig. After the last one I was weary of what I would make. It was slow but I did make $70 for the night. Had a group of people that sat in front of where I was playing and talked loudly the whole time. not a great feeling. But one of them did take me in for the night.
I went out with him to his friends place, to play Monopoly.
I was asked "How old are you?"
"32"
"Cool we're 19."
Cool indeed the girl kept making weird sound effects, deep guttural ones, talked about her camel toe and how she couldn't help it if she had her underwear was up her cunt. (her words!)
and on her playlist from her iPod was the sound track to Mario Brothers and the Legend of Zelda.

When I got back to the fellows house we had some of my Collingwood Whiskey and just chatted about travelling for a while.
I set up ,my tent on his back deck (as I was not allowed to build it on their immaculate lawn. (it was nice grass) and off to bed with me.
The next day was in Red Deer. I like red Deer
It's a quaint little place and The Velvet Olive is a great venue.
he owner kept trying to get me shots but I think I only had 2. She was on a mission to drink and have everyone else drink. Too bad I had a car full of equipment to take care of.
Coleman in the Crow's nest pass area. It was dead. I played to almost no one. Good thing there was a guarantee up front.
There was one fellow who asked me when I started and said he would come back.
and come back he did... for 2 songs. He walk in when I for whatever reason was having trouble with a song and messed up 2 times quite badly. He finished his beer and walked out.
I hung out with the staff afterwards and again they were buying rounds of shots and free drinks but I had to turn them down as to make sure my car load of equipment was taken care of.
We ended up by a camp fire of a New Zealander who came to Canada to study Native Medicine. after 5 years she is considered a Shaman of sorts. (I mean of sorts in that the actual shaman's don't really consider her to be one because she is not a Canadian First Nation, just a silly ol' kiwi who studied the stuff)


And now here I am in Coleman, AB I may have a place to stay tonight but not sure. I was told about an area near three witches that is not checked very often and I might be able to camp there.

The hard thing about being on the road with no hotel or guaranteed place to stay is that you have no rest in the day. I wake up early drive get to where I need to be then wander until it's time of the show (I'm not one who can sleep sitting up straight) and then play until late in the evening. It's tiring.
I'm tired right now.
My inflatable air mattress is not the most comfy thing in the world and usually creates a sore back in the morning.
And that's me winching.
All right I'm going to end this. Next post will have a plethora of dog photos as most people I stay with have dogs. It makes me miss mine

Trail

I'm out
Til next post...
-Neil
www.eyeswide.ca

From the road in Calgary! I'm eating a burger.

                              

 See? There is the famed burger mentioned in the title.

So this tour I'm on, so far, is 46 or 47 dates (I've forgotten which and refuse to count). I'm trying to get it up to 50.

Here's the list.

Jul 12, 2012   Outlet             Thunder Bay, ON
Jul 12, 2012   Ruby Moon          Thunder Bay, ON
Jul 13, 2012   Pappy's Cafe       Wabigoon, ON
Jul 14, 2012   Shooters           Kenora, ON
Jul 16, 2012   Shannon's          Winnipeg, MB
Jul 18, 2012   Spadina Freehouse  Saskatoon, SK
Jul 19, 2012   23 Main Street     Moose Jaw, SK
Jul 20, 2012   Akropol            Swift Current, SK
Jul 21, 2012   The Area           Calgary, AB
Jul 26, 2012   Haven Cafe         Sherwood Park, AB
Jul 27, 2012   Velvet Olive       Red Deer, AB
Jul 28, 2012   Rum Runner         Coleman, AB
Jul 31, 2012   The Storm Cellar   Banff, AB
Aug 01, 2012   The Storm Cellar   Banff, AB
Aug 02, 2012   Tonics             Kelowna, BC
Aug 03, 2012   The Last Drop      Revelstoke, BC
Aug 04, 2012   Hell's Kitchen     Vancouver, BC
Aug 05, 2012   Elephant Island    Penticton, BC
Aug 05, 2012   Voodoos            Penticton, BC
Aug 08, 2012   Bushwakker Brewery Regina, SK
Aug 09, 2012   Centre for the Art Qu'Appelle, SK
Aug 10, 2012   Ellice Cafe        Winnipeg, MB
Aug 11, 2012   Lakeshore Hotel    Kenora, ON
Aug 16, 2012   Bossy's Pub        Sault Ste. Marie, ON
Aug 17, 2012   The Local          Barrie, ON
Aug 24, 2012   Callahan's         Brighton, ON
Aug 25, 2012   The Old Nick       Toronto, ON
Aug 28, 2012   The Spill          Peterborough, ON
Aug 29, 2012   DG & Newf's House  Bowmanville, ON
Aug 30, 2012   The Stinking Rose  Campbellford, ON
Aug 31, 2012   La Maison Tavern   Cornwall, ON
Sep 01, 2012   Avant Guarde       Ottawa, ON
Sep 07, 2012   The Loyalist Inn   Shelburne, NS
Sep 08, 2012   Rudders            Yarmouth, NS
Sep 09, 2012   House Concert      Yarmouth, NS
Sep 11, 2012   House Concert      Lunenburg, NS
Sep 12, 2012   Plan B             Moncton, NB
Sep 13, 2012   The Split Crow     Truro, NS
Sep 14, 2012   The Cellar         Fredericton, NB
Sep 15, 2012   Log Cabin Diner    Woodstock, NB
Sep 19, 2012   The Rainbow        Ottawa, ON
Sep 20, 2012   Clark Hall Pub     Kingston, ON
Sep 21, 2012   Burritoville       Montreal, QC
Sep 22, 2012   Studio 310         Belleville, ON
Sep 23, 2012   CJ's Cafe          Bronte, ON
Sep 24, 2012   The Old Nick       Toronto, ON
Sep 28, 2012   The Griffon        Bracebridge, ON

Before I left I modelled for a magazine (Pie) I played the uncle.

Can't say I agreed on all the clothing I wore.

And I celebrated a birthday at The Local Gastropub, where the dinner theme was Bacon. 

This is what Scott brought out first. I almost ate it. 

"Uh, this looks burnt." As I reached for a piece. 

It had been in his oven for a week. 

Caesar Salad Soup

2 pieces of steak, bacon mashed potatoes with bacon, and bacon gravy

Chocolate ice cream float...with bacon.

Here are some dudes that came out.

Saw the Tragically Hip on Canada Day. Lost everyone and enjoyed the show on my own. 

Someone received a MacBook

and that is how I can type right now!

Here are some tour notes.

Photos of me are lacking as I am on my own. 

Thunder Bay, ON

2 shows this night. The Outlet where my mother, who came with my aunt and grandmother, asked in one of those loud whispers that is not a whisper at all, "Where is everyone?" She also had an half confused half angry look on her face. 

It was a quiet show had about 13 people out to watch. Nothing crazy but I didn't really expect a big turn out as it was a weekday. 

Afterwards I went to The Ruby Moon and had a jam with Aubry and Jenn here's a clip

This is the tail end of Standing at The Podium. Click the link it's posted on Facebook.

Photo courtesy of T to tha Jack

In the Morning I did a radio interview at LU radio with Kayla.

Next was Wabigoon. 

Immediately after my second set everyone went straight for the door. No lingering for them. 

It was odd. But they did seem to enjoy the show, clapping, toe tapping, and all that jazz.

They cooked my a dinner for 3 for 1. It became lunch and dinner the next day.

Kenora was great. I did end up blowing my voice for the next show but we had a fairly busy Shooters Bar! 

Day off jam after a day on the lake was cancelled by rain. 

We still made an effort hoping it would stop. Leaning in to the boat's windshield clutching our cans of pre mixed Mott's Caesars. We turned around defeated. 

Winnipeg: you were slow on a Monday. Not too many out at Shannon's Irish Pub that night. 

Which I'm almost glad for since my voice was shit from 3 sets in Kenora. 

One jovial (and in jovial I mean drunk) fellow asked for requests and bought me a shot. He was having a good time. 

 After the show I asked him "What are you doing here on a Monday?"

He looks at me with a scowl "What are YOU doing here?"

"Working."

"Huh, Ya!" shoves him self away from the bar and storms out, leaving his beer. 

What a great guy. I feel we really connected.

I drive barefoot most times.

While on the Manitoba Highway I had to pee. 

Pulled over, got out of the car, grabbed my sandals walked around the car sandals in hand, placed them on the ground, pee'd, picked up sandals walked back around and placed them in the car. 

Not until I sat down. I thought to myself. Why didn't I put the sandals on?

And to this day the mystery remains unsolved. 

And I will leave it at that as I am tired of typing I'm going to have another drink. After I finish this (it's Steam Whistle) and do a little Calgary wander. More later.

Cheers! 

-Neil

www.eyeswide.ca

Former and Current CD Covers

It is Sunday June 24.
I've just finished recording.
I had to sing 2 songs today, Day Waster and My Songs. I also had to make an executive decision and scrap Celebrity Status for the time being. It wasn't working out right and  not enough time to make it right. I will be performing it across the Canadian landscape, and will record it in the future.

Right now Jeff is doing some tweeks to the vocals before the final mixing commences.
I've gotta say it's pretty weird listening to vocals with out the music to back it up.
Safe to say I will never put out an acapella album.

I've got a few of the Studio's lined up across Canada where I will be recording some songs that did not get to be on the album. Since it got shortened to an EP. the songs recorded on the road will be released a day or 2 after the session on Bandcamp and itunes...if all goes according to plan.
So far I will record at Unity Studios in Barrie, ON, James Murdoch's Studio in Edmonton, AB and Pumpk'n Patch Studios in Memramcook, NB. Trying to work out time in BC to get another one done, but it really depends on the gigs. my time in BC is very tight.

I've went through some changes for the CD
here's the 1st one I planned on using. I still really like the image. I took the photo in Montreal.
I will probably make use of it for stickers or a t-shirt.

This is the second version I was messing about with water colour backgrounds. I'll be using a version of this for the tour poster but in shades of brown. I may still include this image inside the CD, It's up in the air.

Here is the final draft still staying with the water colour theme. The album was almost called Water Colour, only because I had no idea what to call it. 

Because the album is taking more time than expected I won't be having a CD release party before the tour. Basically I'll be getting the discs have a couple days to mail them off to some radio stations and then tour time. Maybe I'll be able to do a late party when I'm done touring but it won't be until October... Kind of weird doing a CD Release 3 months after the album is out.  maybe I'll throw a CD Celebration. who knows. I've got months on the road to plot that out.

I also just lied about recording we are adding in some background na na na's! Right meow.
Here's Matt Snell

And Jeff Pelletier takes a crack at it.

Here's what Day Waster Looks like.
What do you think?
Will it sound good?

Tour dates continue to grow, Posters will be mailed out to the venues on Monday. with as current a tour schedule as possible.

Jul 12, 2012   Outlet             Thunder Bay, ON

Jul 13, 2012   Pappy's Cafe       Wabigoon, ON

Jul 14, 2012   Shooters           Kenora, ON

Jul 16, 2012   Shannon's          Winnipeg, MB

Jul 18, 2012   Spadina Freehouse  Saskatoon, SK

Jul 19, 2012   Akropol            Swift Current, SK

Jul 20, 2012   23 Main St. Cafe   Moose Jaw, SK

Jul 21, 2012   The Area           Calgary, AB

Jul 26, 2012   Haven Cafe         Sherwood Park, AB

Jul 27, 2012   Velvet Olive       Red Deer, AB

Jul 28, 2012   Rum Runner         Coleman, AB

Aug 01, 2012   The Storm Cellar   Banff, AB

Aug 02, 2012   Tonics             Kelowna, BC

Aug 03, 2012   The Last Drop      Revelstoke, BC

Aug 04, 2012   TBA                Vancouver, BC

Aug 08, 2012   Bushwakker Brewery Regina, SK

Aug 09, 2012   Centre for the Art Qu'Appelle, SK

Aug 10, 2012   Ellice Cafe        Winnipeg, MB

Aug 17, 2012   The Local          Barrie, ON

Aug 25, 2012   The Old Nick       Toronto, ON

Aug 28, 2012   The Spill          Peterborough, ON

Aug 29, 2012   Mad Cafe           Oshawa, ON

Aug 30, 2012   The Stinking Rose  Campbellford, ON

Aug 31, 2012   La Maison Tavern   Cornwall, ON

Sep 01, 2012   Avant Guarde       Ottawa, ON

Sep 07, 2012   The Loyalist Inn   Shelburne, NS

Sep 08, 2012   Rudders            Yarmouth, NS

Sep 09, 2012   House Concert      Yarmouth, NS

Sep 11, 2012   House Concert      Lunenburg, NS

Sep 12, 2012   Plan B             Moncton, NB

Sep 13, 2012   The Split Crow     Truro, NS

Sep 14, 2012   The Cellar         Fredericton, NB

Sep 19, 2012   The Rainbow        Ottawa, ON

Sep 21, 2012   Burritoville       Montreal, QC

Sep 23, 2012   CJ's Cafe          Bronte, ON

Sep 24, 2012   The Old Nick       Toronto, ON

The event page for the tour. Join it and find out the up to date additions or cancelations (of which I hope their are none.) EVENT

TAWD
A friend of mine is recording 15 songs in 15 days and posting them all on Bandcamp he is 1/3 of
The Morals  check the songs out over the next couple of days 2 are posted so far. GO HERE

Alright, Crowe out!
www.eyeswide.ca

Album update! Plus a girl wears shorts WAY too small.

It's been a while.
Yes it has.
But let's look at this photo.

We all do dumb things in Vegas.
This girl thought these shorts were a good idea.
She must have shitty friends since they said nothing.
Now she has total strangers taking photos of her and posting them on their blogs.
Such horribly shitty friends.

Now look at this photo.

I hate the paper boy.


I'm still working on the new album. One more day in the studio will finish it up. Then Mixing and Mastering.
I've played some local gatherings Ecofest, A Food Bank gathering, a park festival I can't remember the name of, and I went to Vegas and learned how to gamble...by losing. I did win at first, but ultimately lost in the end.
You've got to fill the time somehow when Europe gets cancelled.

There has been a slight change in my album.
It will be in 2 parts. One in CD form the other download only.

The original plan was to have 5-6 songs full band then 3 or 4 just acoustic. 

I do travel solo quite a lot and it would be nice to have some straight acoustic tunes to help relate the album to the solo shows.

but it seems the other studios I planned to record the acoustic songs at here in Barrie are unable to fit me in.
I was disappointed at first. 

But here's the idea

I'm going to make it an EP of full band songs. 

But while on the road I will record 3-4 acoustic songs in studios across Canada. At least one in the East, one in the West and one in Central. 

They will most likely, be download only. So while I am touring across our great nation promoting the new album. I'll have new songs to record along the way. 

I'm going to try and wrangle a few guest musicians for those tracks. 

It should be fun.  New studios, new engineers(maybe new players).
I'm excited about this idea. 

And I hope you are too.

Summer Tour: I'm at 30 plus dates for the summer and I can't wait to hit the road. I'll be hitting some of the same cities and towns plus a handful of new ones. But I've got more dates with less travel time. I'm pumped. I really love hitting the road and seeing new places meeting new people. 

I'm still filling in some odd dates. So far here is the hit list
(I was just doing some editing and I realized the tour dates come out wonky. I really don't want to write them out again so they will stay wonky. Just go to my web site to see them unwonked. www.eyeswide.ca

Jul 12, 2012   Outlet              Thunder Bay, ONJul 13, 2012   Pappy's Cafe       Wabigoon, ONJul 14, 2012   Shooters           Kenora, ONJul 16, 2012   Shannon's          Winnipeg, MBJul 18, 2012   Spadina Freehouse  Saskatoon, SKJul 19, 2012   Akropol            Swift Current, SKJul 21, 2012   The Area           Calgary, ABJul 26, 2012   Haven Cafe         Sherwood Park, ABJul 27, 2012   Velvet Olive       Red Deer, ABJul 28, 2012   Rum Runner         Coleman, ABAug 01, 2012   The Storm Cellar   Banff, ABAug 02, 2012   Tonics              Kelowna, BCAug 03, 2012   The Last Drop      Revelstoke, BCAug 08, 2012   Bushwakker Brewery Regina, SKAug 09, 2012   5th Ave Cup&Saucer Yorkton, SKAug 10, 2012   Ellice Cafe        Winnipeg, MBAug 25, 2012   The Old Nick       Toronto, ONAug 28, 2012   The Spill               Peterborough, ONAug 29, 2012   Mad Cafe                Oshawa, ONAug 30, 2012   The Stinking Rose  Campbellford, ONAug 31, 2012   La Maison Tavern   Cornwall, ONSep 01, 2012   Avant Guarde       Ottawa, ONSep 07, 2012   The Loyalist Inn   Shelburne, NSSep 08, 2012   Rudders              Yarmouth, NSSep 09, 2012   House Concert      Yarmouth, NSSep 11, 2012   House Concert      Lunenburg, NSSep 12, 2012   Plan B                  Moncton, NBSep 13, 2012   The Split Crow     Truro, NSSep 14, 2012   The Cellar            Fredericton, NBSep 19, 2012   The Rainbow        Ottawa, ONSep 21, 2012   Burritoville       Montreal, QCSep 23, 2012   CJ's Cafe          Oakville, ON

Sept 24, 2012  Old Nick          Toronto, ON

check www.eyeswide.ca for continued updates

As you can see nothing in my home town yet....(update as of today I now have a gig in Barrie)

Alright I've got to continue working on the album art so in the mean time here are some photos

Here are some photos from the last time in the studio with Julien Michaud and Jeff Pelletier

I'm never in the shots because I'm always taking them.

Julien Joined me for a gig at The Brownstone in Orillia

shortly after recording

Vegas!

Playing in The Park

That is all
-Neil
www.eyeswide.ca

Let's Record: Phase One Day One

Day 1 at Phase One

We did our second rehearsal the night before our first day in the studio.
What can I say Eyeswide is more of an off the cuff entity.
I suppose it's not meant to be an exact science.
So that kept me up until 2am.
I awake at 7 to get ready for the drive down to Toronto for a 10 am start.
Of course since we are all musicians we did not start until 12.
That just seems the way things work out with the musically inclined.
Today it was Adam Skinner (who's in a fancy little band called Atlantis Blueprint, they just opened for The Trews not too long ago), Fraser Gauthier, and me.
Plus Jeff Pelletier running the boards and ripping on Adam as much as possible.
Adam only had 2 hours sleep since he had to get up at 4am to drive down and pick up part of his kit.
He's a trooper.

We laid down all the Bed tracks for the drums 6 tracks, bas for 2, and some beginnings of guitar.
It was a long day and I didn't get out of the studio until 11pm.
Fraser will be getting the rest of the bass down next.
The album will be out in June in time for the Summer tour.
Here is a video and a little rough audio sample of something very much unfinished.

Here is a mish-mash of photos taken with a good ol' Cannon and the not as spectacular iPhone.

We arrive  

Fras and his long neck.

drum set up

most of Gina's day

Adam kickin' it!

Lesson time. 

Fraser, you're out. I'm in.

Jeff, this man has a good ear.

I did not create this chart, although we all stood by it.
Kidding Adam!

Closer look at the chart.

The team Mike, Adam, Neil, Jeff, and Fraser.

 Only 2 hours sleep was wearing on Adam Gina re enacts Where The Wild Things Are.

Phase One can make a recrd...

Showing mostly Canadian but thee were gold and platinum albums for Ludicris, Rhianna, 50 Cent as well.

Hurry Up Adam!

Th only thing that gets me through the day.

There you go. Day one complete.
The tour dates promoting this new CD are up on www.eyeswide.ca
and head to www.eyeswidemusic.bandcamp.com to download #22 for FREE!
As well for the 1st time T-Shirts are now available to order online at www.eyeswide.ca!

-Neil
www.eyeswide.ca