Cat Jahnke Mews

My prediction is realized: a good strong start, a fading perfunctory finish (See Tour Blog February 17: 2 + 2 = ?). Without saying too much, I’ll say this: blogs call for the truth, but NOT the whole truth. Or maybe I’m not brave enough yet…

Quick run-down of what you might have missed:

Saturday, Leopard Frog Studio, Kingston, ON (Thanks Chris and Ellen!)

Coco and I played for a great little crowd. I love it when the listeners are practically sitting in each other’s laps. It helps to create a mood of camaraderie, just like watching a comedy in a theatre filled with a giggly audience. Big bonus: sleeping at the venue – no need to pack up and drive home and unpack and sleep and repack.

Sunday, Black Sheep Inn, Wakefield, QC (Thanks Roch and Tiff!)

My impression was that we drew in a pretty big (drinking) crowd for a Sunday afternoon. Darren wrestled with the digital mixer, a boomy room, and cold encouragement from the local soundman but we all won in the end. Well, some more than others… But I sung my guts out.

Hmmm…

And def check out Lynne Hanson and her “Porch Music”!

Monday, Day Off, Ottawa, ON (Thanks Gordon and Lucia!)

While I still think it’s a good idea, my personal interest in the “thrift store” has waned. I wouldn’t have imagined that I could be so bored amid the racks of broken toys and pilled t-shirts. What a way to spend a day…

I had a nice time retracing my steps with Coco’s cousin Tiffany. I’m surprised I haven’t had to seek out my forgotten travel mug more often. It’s a nuisance, that little plastic goblet, but it houses my Yogi Throat Comfort Tea and I just can’t leave that behind.

Tuesday, Day Off, Toronto, ON (Thanks again Gordon and Lucia!)

I’ve never had to pay for an elevator ride, let alone so much! Even with our 2-for-1 coupon from Lucia, Darren and I still spent $35 to visit the top of the CN Tower. Perhaps I should count the fee instead as a payment towards better self-awareness; without my run-in with the glass floor, I wouldn’t realize the extent of my paralyzing fear of heights.

Nataraj on Bloor: YUM!

Great amazing wonderful time at the Free Times Caf.. here in Toronto. I’d been shivering all day and couldn’t bear the thought of singing cold so I started the show off with a quick session of free hugs. The supporters who came out tonight seemed up for anything and were very enthusiastic and generous with the arm-love. A few even remembered to come visit me up on stage! Check out the inspiration:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vL7Jo_1Z3Y8

Now, that’s a revolution that I can definitely be a part of!

Well, I’m officially nocturnal again, and that’s not a good thing to be while on tour. Here I am, in cities I’ve never visited, wasting away my sleepless nights and sleeping away my wasteful days. At least I wake up in time to play my evening shows…

Today we were in St. Catharines at Strega: home of the best Nanner Split I’ve ever had, and I’ve recently become a connoiseur. (Does anyone out there have other nominees for top Canadian banana split?) I also partook of the Havana salad (tomato, avocado, boconchini, romaine, LIME!) and it’s stoking the fire. I love that within my career I’m allowed to be inspired by anything and everything. Thanks so much Kelly and Dee!

Fresh tomato
Avocado
Bite size cheese and
Lettuce leaves and
Lime

Obviously a lack of sleep is getting to me… Good night.

I’m going to do my best to blog during this tour but if we were taking bets on how I’ll do, I’ve got a fiver against. My track record for things like this would anticipate a few good attempts at the beginning and an utter void at the end. It’s not a struggle to yada yada about my day; it’s a struggle to send it out into the wild blue yonder and expect people to be bothered to read it.

Well, here we go…

It was a real treat to hear Coco sing again:

Hey mommy, can I go outside again?
I haven’t been out to play since I can’t remember when.
Oh yeah, it was yesterday and the day before…
Can I go outside again?

A keen observation of childlike flakiness or a revealing look at forward-facing human nature? Probably both, but you don’t have to take my word for it… It’s so easy to hear Coco’s voice through her music; she is in every note and every word she brings to the stage, and even in the ones she makes up on the spot!

Thanks to everyone who came out to the show. There were a few blasts from the past (Mr. Friesen from Saskatoon, Bryan from my days busking in Winnipeg square) and so many friends that have been discouraged by my unfailing commitment to hermitude (hermitation? hermitdom?). And even though up to 15 years might have passed since I last saw these folks, no one failed to comment on my short short hair. I’ll try to get some nice pictures taken and posted, but until I get used to it, I’ll be hiding it under a cap!

And don’t bully me to take it off or you might make me cry… Or write a song about you…

In a bittersweet twist of fate, my darling vehicle Enjie is on the road again and I’ve been left behind. Darren and I had a last minute opportunity to score another film and while I was really looking forward to playing the Apollo again, I just couldn’t pass this up. The project should be finished up soon and we’ll be flying to Toronto on Monday afternoon to join up with Coco and Simon for the London show that night. I’m so grateful for these gifts of busy-ness (and for my parents who still lend me their credit card to book flights even though I’m older than I look…).

So, two plus two: Darren/Cat + Simon/Coco on an extended double date. Or Cat/Coco + Darren/Simon on a portable, and hopefully profitable, commercial venture. We’ll see how the dynamic is born and raised. I’m excited to be travelling with so many people that I enjoy so much, but you never know what stuffing them all into 100 cubic feet will do.

Please keep us in your thoughts as we noodle around southern Ontario.