In Memory Of...

Today marks a year since the death of my Grandmother. She was also known as our dear Mutti. What a difference a year makes. I didn't start performing until after her death, but I know she would be very pleased and proud of what I am doing with my life.
My Grandmother meant so much to me, my heritage, my creativity, insight, love, open heart, strength. She was more of a second parent than a grandparent, which is why the loss was so difficult for me.
Today I met with my Mother and my Cousin at the cemetery and I brought my accordion. I sat and played. The Spring weather still holds a chill in the air and I could only play for so long before my fingers were pretty much numb and I couldn't play properly anymore.
I'm grateful for my Grandmother, and I'm grateful I have found music and that it is holding such a strong presence in my life now. It is a perfect fit for me.
This entry has been for Mutti, who was always so supportive and loving, caring, open, generous, strong, full of stories, and much more.
xo N

Onto the next intense week...

The four nights of performing in Atomic Vaudeville's "Cute Attack" are now complete. This was one of my favourite episodes to be in, and what a whirlwind it was! I came down with Salmanella poisoning the first week of it, and didn't realise what I had, and performed a show in that strange state.
On a better note, I got better!
The show was such a hit, and so much fun. I played my accordion in two acts, felt great to play infront such a large sea of people on closing night. The place was packed wall-to-wall, and what a powerful feeling of having 150+ eyes watching you.
My Mother got some pretty good footage of our dance off and of the "Lion and Lamb" skit which I played in. All available to watch on youtube.
Highlight of my night was having a very lovely female audience member come chat with me afterwards telling me she saw me play at the December 07 Accordion Club meeting. I mentioned at the meeting I was in Atomic Vaudeville, and because of that she has been coming out to the shows.
Onto the next projects taking over my life...SKAM School House rocks, Girls Girls Girls, working on pieces with Chris and Jason, busking in May....

Cute Attack!

Rehearsals have been underway since early last week. It's always an intense rush to get everything figured out, dance numbers memorized, who is going to say what etc.
I've got my accordion ready for two numbers! Come out and see the show! Here's all the info:

Atomic Vaudeville presents CUTE ATTACK "It's so bad, it's good"
4 nights of cute overload with a dizzying number of cast members, a keytar and plush toys.

Thursday Apr 10
Saturday Apr 12
Thursday Apr 17
Saturday Apr 19

8:00pm showtime
7:30pm doors open
at the VEC 1415 Broad St.

Tickets are $12/$15 and available
at Rebel Rebel 585 Johnson St.
(starting Friday April 4th)

Esoteric Day

What a day! Jamming with two fantastic musicians Jason and Chris this morning/afternoon...finishing my day with Treena, hammering out more songs for our "doll" act. A Balkan/Esoteric project is in the works with Jason and Chris. It was mesmerizing today. Chris has this amazing oud that sounded lovely with the accordion.
Treena and I discovered improvising songs and getting lost in space while we do this is our new favourite thing.
Preparing for the next Atomic Vaudeville, quite possibly am doing three extremely different skits with my accordion. Rehearsals will be quick and the show opens next Thursday night. Not much time!!!

New Order

The accordion isn't commonly associated with 80's synth music, but it seems to be making a connection with New Order for me.
In highschool I was obsessed with bands like New Order, Depeche Mode, Pet Shop Boys, Erasure, Bronski Beat, The Smiths, The Cure, Crowded House...so when hanging out with myself and my accordion I try to learn any ol' song. I attempted and I feel I succeeded with a nice version of "Blue Monday" by New Order. I first recorded it onto this mp3 player that was given to me by a cherished friend. I passed along the recording to my friend DZL, who loves New Order. He told me it sounded like I dubbed myself 5 times on an old tape deck.
Awesome.

I then recorded myself on video, and I preferred that take because I was more rehearsed, but DZL still loves the first one. I can do "Bizarre Love Triangle" as well, but "Blue Monday" is probably my favourite New Order song, coming in close is "Temptation" and "Regret".

Here's the video on youtube: http://youtube.com/watch?v=y8_FHNzvgkM