May 21, 2003
Hello everyone,
I can't believe we're moving into summer already! As I mentioned on the main page of the
site, things have become insanely busy with the Jennys and I have been on the road a lot
over the last year. There are lots of exciting things happening right now with the trio
and we are about to add some new personnel to our team. Please be sure to check out the
site at http://www.thewailinjennys.com
for news, tour dates, pictures and more. We have a busy summer ahead of us and then we
will be back in Winnipeg to start recording the album. I have been writing more lately
and while some of the material will be performed and recorded by the trio, there will
definitely be those songs that remain solo songs. So, I will endeavour to book some
solo shows over the next year where and when I can. While this site will likely be
updated less often than the Jennys site, you can be sure that I'll post my solo shows
when I have them. So, please do check back here now and then.
Thanks so much for all your continued support! February 10, 2003
Hello everyone,
Wow, things have been really busy as of late--it's been quite the challenge to stay on top of The Wailin' Jennys
stuff and my own. But I can hardly complain. We have had so many amazing opportunities these last few months
and it doesn't seem to be slowing down anytime soon. Right now we are gearing up to attend the annual North
American Folk Alliance. This year it is in Nashville starting February 6th! We are very much looking forward to
going south and showcasing--in fact, we were chosen to perform an official showcase for Folk Alliance Canada
so we are very excited about that. After Folk Alliance, we will have a bit of a breather and then we head off
to Ontario for most of April. And after that, we will start pre-production on our full-length CD which we hope
to release in July. We have lots of exciting news to tell about the CD but have to firm up some details before
we can let any cats out of bags. Stay tuned!
The summer promises to be a busy one with lots of festivals in the works. We will be posting new summer dates
as soon as plans are confirmed. We will likely spend most of the summer out west and probably much of the fall
as well. If you would like to check out The Wailin' Jennys site, please go to: http://www.thewailinjennys.com
Thanks to everyone who has continued to support me and the trio over the last couple of years. I know that
I have not been playing many solo shows (and I will try to rectify that as much as possible when I can) so it
has meant a lot that people have followed me over to the Jennys! There will be new changes to my site
shortly so please do check in every now and again when you have a chance. I am still learning how to balance
my two projects and am happy to report that both are going very well! Thanks again for all your support
and kind words.
Take care, September 24, 2002
Okay...
so I am failing miserably in keeping this section up to date. My brother and I are
working on a way for me to be able to post new entries without his help so that
I don't have to keep bugging him every week. Have faith and some day I will
come through with my plan to update the site weekly (at least).
I am happy to report that I had a fabulous summer. My trio "The Wailin' Jennys" had a
crazy couple of months full of amazing shows and countless miles. I can sincerely
say that I was astounded by the quality of people we met on our travels. So many kind
people offered us places to stay, fed us, and gave me advice on my case of poison ivy.
In the first weekend of our eastern tour, we played an all camping festival called Blue
Skies. It was a truly great musical experience (and the people and food were astounding)
but I think we all decided that camping and performing don't mix well (at least not for us).
I was attacked by virtually every species of insect known to humankind, Ruth suffered
a spider bite that made her look like she had been punched repeatedly in one eye,
and then later in the weekend whacked herself with a tent pole and gave herself
a fat lip. I got poison ivy, Cara didn't sleep all weekend and by the end of it,
we were a mess. But due to the kindness of our fellow campers, we made it through.
We had a great performance there too!
Before we embarked on our eastern leg, we played the venerable Winnipeg Folk Festival
as many of you know. We had a main stage set that we were really proud of and spent
the rest of the weekend running around to various workshop stages. I wasn't nervous
in the least for the main stage show (don't know why) but suffered INTENSE fear before
my workshop with Ron Sexsmith and Martina Sorbara. I thought I was going to choke.
It was one of only three times in my performance history where I would rather have
been shot than open my mouth to sing. Thankfully, I have the ability to fake it
reasonably well (a trait which has only been perfected over years of being
terrified to get on certain stages) and made it through my songs. I was pretty
happy with myself after that. The next day I played another workshop where
I believe that I was just about the most boring performer at the festival.
Sometimes you win some, somtimes you lose some.
I did get a chance to sing backup for a favorite performer of mine. It was a dream come
true. I got up on stage with Lenny Gallant, a fabulous east coast performer, and sang
a song with him called "Meet Me at the Oasis". This experience was proof of the idea
that if you visualize something enough times in your head, you can make it happen.
I had wanted the performance to have taken place on the main stage with him but
sometimes you don't get everything exactly the way you want it. Heehee.
Lenny unwittingly stole my capo after I loaned him my guitar. But he's forgiven.
As long as he uses it in the future. And credits me.
There were so many wonderful experiences on this tour that I will have to report
them in installments. Let me know if you enjoy these kinds of entries and I will
endeavour to tell more stories in this section of the website. Also, feel free to
make suggestions as to how I can improve the site and I will be sure to bug my hapless
brother.
Thank you to all of you that continue to visit the site and support the music.
And welcome to all of you first-timers. I appreciate all of your encouragement and
attention.
Take care, July 28, 2002
Hi everyone!,
I am currently on the road with the Jennys and having a fabulous summer.
Thank you to everyone who has come out to the shows and signed up to the mailing list.
We will be sure to keep you informed on future performances.
Keep an eye on the On Stage page for new show listings. The Jennys are in the
middle of booking a fall tour and will gradually be adding new dates.
I might also be playing a couple pf solo shows here and there so stay tuned!
The plan for the Jennys' fall tour is to spend some time at the end of
October in the States (Minnesota, Wisconsin, Illinois etc.) and then tour
through Western Canada for all of November and part of December.
If anyone would be interested in hosting a show for us or if anyone has any
ideas about where we might play, please feel free to email me at nicky@nickymehta.com.
I will be adding pictures to my site in the near future and plan on adding
new songs to my listening page. There will be some changes coming so
be sure to check back regularly. Also, I'll do everything in my power to change
these messages more regularly. I know, I've been pretty bad at that!
Be sure to check out The Wailin Jennys page for more information about the trio.
Just go to the following link: http://www.thewailinjennys.com
Thanks for all your support and enjoy the rest of your summer!
Take care, April 24, 2002
Wow, things
have been crazy! Between my shows and the interest
in the trio, I am being run off my feet. But it's all good and I am doing well.
I was just accepted for a showcase at the New Music West conference
in Vancouver (May 9-12) and will be performing at The Main at 11:00 pm on
May 9th. Check the On Stage page for more details about this show as I don't know
much about it at the present moment.
I will continue to perform solo shows alongside gigs with the Wailin' Jennys
(and all summer festivals with the trio will feature solo workshops, by the way).
Any shows that don't indicate "w/ The Wailin' Jennys" underneath the gig location
are solo performances.
I will be sending out a new mailing list letter (it's been a while) very soon with
a whole bunch of new news. Stay tuned and keep checking the site regularly as
new articles will be posted in the near future. Also, keep an eye on the
On Stage page for new additions. Thanks and take care everyone!
April 10, 2002
Hi everyone! Sorry once again
for letting this section fall behind but I didn't want to add to my brother's sleep
deprivation by making him a slave to the site. You see, he and his wife just had a baby boy!
His name is Max and he is their first child. I haven't seen him yet in person but I
plan on making a trip out to Calgary very soon. He is my second nephew alongside
my sister and brother-in-law's son Aidan and their daughter Kate. I'm thrilled
to be an aunt again.
I just got back from a fabulous little tour to the States. I met some great people
(hello to all my new mailing list members in North Dakota, Minnesota, and Wisconsin)
and played some truly fantastic venues. Thanks to all of the fine people who put
Laurie and I up and made us feel at home. I certainly plan on heading down there
again as soon as I get a chance.
This summer looks like it is going to be a busy one. The Wailin' Jennys will be
playing festivals across the country. Keep your eye on the "On Stage" page for
updates and come and say hello if you make it to a show. For those in Canada,
listen to CBC 990 for "Basic Black" on April 27th from 10 a.m. to noon.
The Jennys were invited to play one of Arthur Black's final shows at the Walker
Theatre in Winnipeg and will be featured in a live performance with Finjan, James Gordon,
Al Simmons and others.
We will continue to add new information to the site so check out the Press page
often for new additions. Also, we will be creating a new page for The Wailin'
Jennys at some point in the near future so please check back!
Thanks for your continued support.
March 11, 2002
Check out the
new page of images in the IMAGE section of the site. These were taken during at the Poulter-Friesen house concert
in Winnipeg.
February 10, 2002
Hi everyone!
I've just returned from a short tour out west (hello to everyone who attended the shows)
and am busy preparing for the upcoming North American Folk Alliance Conference.
I was chosen for an official Folk Alliance Canada showcase and will also be showcasing
with my new trio "The Wailin' Jennys" which consists of Ruth Moody (Scruj MacDuhk),
Cara Luft and me. The trio, despite having played only two shows, has been selected
to play at a few exciting festivals this summer and we are solidifying the details of
those shows presently. We will be recording a demo this coming week to take with us to
Florida and then will be making further plans for the next few months. We have been bowled
over by all the interest to say the least and are truly thrilled!
January 11, 2002
Hi again. In my
last mailing list letter, I forgot to mention a very exciting show that I am doing next
week on Friday, January 18th and Saturday, January 19th at Sled Dog Music (783-2542)
in Winnipeg. Ruth Moody (Scruj McDuhk), Cara Luft and I will be performing as a trio!!
We will perform some traditionals, some contemporary covers, and several originals and
will accompany each other on almost all of the material. We will also unveil our new name.
Sled Dog is a small store and there are limited tickets so I urge you to drop by
( 869 Westminster in Wolseley) as soon as you can. This is going to be a great
show so don't miss it!
January 10, 2002
Hi everyone. I know I'm still slow with these entries but my brother
and I will have a new system soon wherein I will be able to post new diary entries several times a week
(that is, if I have that much to say!). In fact, we should have it up and running by the end of the month (time permitting).
So please keep checking back for new bells and whistles. We will be changing up some site elements
over time and are always working on finding new and improved ways to post new tour pictures
and other info that may be of interest to you.
December 23, 2002
Greetings one and all! First of all, my sincerest apologies for not updating the "What's New" section of the site.
The house concert entry was beyond stale by the time I got around to writing something new. But here it is! And my brother (the fabulous web designer) is in the process of setting a program up that will allow me to write the new
notes like a daily diary. It means that I will be able to add new information and comments when I am on tour and from my own computer. So you will find something new each time you visit.
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Nicky
Nicky
Nicky
Nicky
For more information about hosting a house concert, feel free to email Nicky at
nickus@mb.sympatico.ca.
I will also be performing solo over the next while as well, of course, and am
very excited to report that my album "Weather Vane" was nominated for a Canadian
Independent Music Award in the roots/folk category. I am nominated alongside such
artists as David Francey, The Cosmoline Brothers and Fred Eaglesmith, so I am quite
pleased and very surprised. Go check out www.cmw.net for more details concerning the
awards.
More news to come. Please stay tuned (and please pass on the word if you like what
you hear and see at the site!)
Other than that, please check out my "on stage" area for new show announcements and toru details. And
please come and introduce yourself if you have signed up to the mailing list--I like to put a face to
the name.
Many sincere thanks for all your support and encouragement. It means a lot.
Take care.
I am just getting around to updating everyone on the mailing list about my cross Canada tour from last month (if you would like to be on the mailing list, just go to that icon on the site and fill out the form).
But I also have great news concerning national distribution and even better news about my new agent/representative as well as new pictures to post in the "images" section! So please visit back for more information often.
Also, my brother and I will be working on changing up the sound clips at my MP3 site, so if you don't own the record and want to check out a couple more tracks (which will hopefully encourage you to buy the album!), we'll have those up.
There will be continued changes to the site other than the aforementioned, so please keep coming back! Thanks so much again for all of you that have visited the site and continue to support me. I appreciate it greatly.