Hello everyone who tunes into these sorta things.
The band is off the road for a few days. We just finished clocking in 7200 kilometers in 16 days covering ground from Winnipeg, to California, to BC, and back. All in the luxury of a oh-so-hip and très très chic minivan! white.
I thought I would throw a little excerpt of my road diary into the ever-growing library of b-b-b-blogs.
July 21st, 2008.
“We left the beautiful Nevada City yesterday in the early afternoon.
The festival was so wonderful. We played a total of 3 concerts, 1 workshop and 1 mainstage spotlight. It is one of the best organized festivals we have ever attended. Sacha was overjoyed that they moved his gear from stage to stage and all he had to do was show up. They lined up all the artists gear backstage, by band, and had everyone’s schedule. You really, literally, just had to show up. Amazing. I kept thinking I was supposed to worry about something, but I hadn’t a thing to worry about. Only having tons of fun.
The only downer was a mere 30 cds made it to the festival, of the 300 we had shipped.
What a nightmare. We sold out after the first show, and there were fans pleading with us to bring out our secret stash. We wish we had had a secret stash. Yesterday morning, I called Canada Post to locate the missing boxes and thanks to a lovely radio dj in Nevada City, our cds will be claimed and picked up at the Fairgrounds upon their arrival this week and shipped to Idaho for the Festival at Sandpoint. The kindness of strangers never ceases to amaze us.
We made so many new friends at the Worldfest; bands like Tcheka from Cape Verde, Dhobet Gnahore from Ivory Coast, Ozomatli from LA and saw our good old friend, Joe Craven. Joe is so wonderful, there are no words to express what he means to us. We met him at our first ever show, at Strawberry last year and he is an artist we will always look forward to meeting up with. We had a spotlight on the mainstage Sunday night between David Lindley and Big Bad Voodoo Daddy, that was loads of fun too. All in all, California really dishes out the good times.
From Nevada City, we headed North towards Brookings, Oregon. A man named Phil, whom we met at Strawberry last year, helped us arrange a few house concerts in the Oregon/California area in the week before Strawberry this year. So, the couple who is hosting us on August 24th lives in Brookings and I arranged for us to stay with them for 2 nights on our way up to British-Columbia. We arrived late last night and met them for the first time.
Once again, the kindness of strangers…
Paul and Lori are such lovely people and meeting them felt as though we were reuniting with old friends, or family. What a beautiful little slice of paradise they have too, a welcome change from the Super 8’s of the world; 33 acres in the mountains with 5 horses, 2 dogs, 2 cats and the same sense of humor as us. Sacha and Annick really bonded with the little kitties. They were precious. I have a feeling we are creating a lasting relationship with Paul and Lori and we will forever have a little refuge from the Super 8’s of the world here. They are hosting a BBQ tonight to have friends come and meet us and spread the word about our house concert in August.
We leave tomorrow and head up towards Astoria, Oregon. Phil has another friend, Josef, who will have us on his Folk radio show Thursday morning from 10:30 to 11:15. We will also be performing in Astoria on the 21st of August, so we really look forward to getting to know the town. Word on the streets is Astoria is one beautiful place.
After that, it’s off to British-Columbia where the Mission Folkfest awaits us. I wonder what fun and surprises are waiting for us there.”
Well, that’s it for now. Just wanted to report that the Gamines are happy and well and that the synchronicity of the world works in our favor when we put our faith in it.
Andrina
I want very badly to bring your band to Chico. We have the perfect spot for you to play. The Sierra Nevada Brewery. It has a great showroom. You would be perfect. Have your agent call Bob Littell. If you need any references, I’ll start a petition. Also, Dan DeWayne, the organizer of the Grass Valley World Fest lives here. He’ll probably want to bring you here too, but I’d rather see you at Sierra Nevada than Lexson Auditorium. Selfish motive.
We have plenty of room at the house if you want to be put up. It would an honor. Annick and Sacha, thanks for coming over to our campsite at Strawberry and playing choros with us. We have a little choro group here in Chico and would greatly welcome your pandeiros.
Robert Laughlin
Just learning about you gals via CBC Radio 2 and am really excited to hear your sound. What a great thing to hear something new for a change (no more top 40 for me!). Anyway, I live in Halifax and am wondering when, oh when you might come sing out this way? You might be too big for our Lunnenburg Folk Festival, but that’s one option. We also have the summer jazz festival, but not sure if you fit that category. I’ll just keep fingers crossed that someone in the biz out hear will sign you…soon.
Jennifer
Well Ladies and Gentleman, It was indeed a pleasure getting involved with your superb whimsical, mischievous, outfit! The events and homestays we organized in Oregon and Northern California turned into the most magical time for myself as well as my Australian friend, Tash, who’s visit to America, just happened to be taking place at the same time. I had been looking for a good reason to visit my friends, Paul and Lori in Brookings, when all of a sudden, like sunshine on a cloudy day, Chic Gamine, became the catalyst to bring all the elements together! It was the best of times, and I will never forget Sacha’s Eggplant Parmesan! It was amazing!
Your music touched so many people, during this tour. I’m sure I speak for so many of them when I say it was so special to hear your amazing voices and feel your incredible spirit and energy!
Much love to you from all your new friends out west!
Cheers, Phil