Photo by Dane Collison
I've been listening to so much amazing music lately, I decided to compile a playlist of a whole bunch of my favourites! I called it "heartstrings80" which was actually my first ever hotmail email address lol. I forgot the password a long time ago, so don't try to email me there!! haha.
https://open.spotify.com/user/12175245116/playlist/73C9KyOAXN3tYkg8DQEiO1
It's a mix of new and old...but it has all the feels!! Hope you enjoy! Let me know what you think xo
I am very lucky to have some amazing bandmates who help bring my music to life!
Let me start by introducing Michelle Odorico (violin/piano/vocals). We actually met when we were 3 yrs old, because we were taking violin lessons from the same teacher. From age 10-17 we commuted downtown Toronto every Friday and Saturday for our lessons, and our parents basically told us we should be friends, as it would be easier to travel together!! We've been best friends ever since. I am so grateful to have another girl play in the band, and I appreciate her musicianship and insight so much.
Now I'll introduce the boys! Dan Saitua (guitar) and Gary Rugala (bass) both came along 2 years ago. I was searching for players, and my label Black Box recommended them. They both played in a band called Crash Parallel back in the day, and they are well seasoned, experienced players. I've appreciated getting to know them better, especially while cramming for shows, and touring both in Canada and in LA. Dan is really funny and always has the best advice, and Gary is like our dad who drives us around and takes care of us.
Michael (Mike) Taylor - our drummer - was the last member to join us! He'll always tell you exactly what he's thinking, which is the most refreshing quality. He is so funny, and really ties our band family together. Not to mention, his drumming is NEXT LEVEL.
I invited the lovely Amy Buck to come to our band practice to take some candid pics and video. I'll be uploading more over the weeks to come, but here are a few for the time being!
While I was home visiting my family in Ontario, Canada over the Christmas holidays, I got to experience some exceptionally cold weather! My friend, Amy Buck, and I went for a walk in Durham Forest and she snapped a few pics.
I actually got lost in these woods once, about 5 or 6 years ago! It was the middle of the winter, and somehow thought it was a good idea to go off the path. The snow was deeper than my knees, and I got completely turned around. My phone was almost dead, and I was so scared! I actually ended up writing a song about it called "Creatures of the Night" that never got released...maybe I'll get to share it with you one day. I'll NEVER forget that experience.
It really feels like you're in the middle of Narnia. Amy and I were so cold we only lasted a short while...thankfully we stuck to the trail this time so it was easy enough to run back and defrost our frozen toes in the car!
Here are some of my fav pics from our little adventure...
ps. also big thank you to Amanda Wood for lending me her beautiful and warm winter coat xo
