HOME
NOTES
FROM THE ROAD ARCHIVES
2008 ... 2006
... 2005
...
2004
2003
... 2002
... 2001
"OWN SWEET TIME"
THE NEW ALBUM
BUY
IT HERE!
All content © 2008 Arbora Vita Music
Trying to figure out my new computer webcam
December 22nd, 2007
Wassail! Happy winter, dear ones. Have been doing my share of stirring spicy cauldrons of hot ale and cider... delish. Try this one at home:
2 bottles of fine ale
3 bottles of hard apple cider
2 tsp powdered ginger
1 tsp ground cloves
1 tsp ground cinnamon
dried cardamom pods
8 oz water
honey to taste
Mix water and spices in a pot and heat till gently simering... add some fine honey till it's sweet. Turn stove down to low-ish and add beer and cider. Warm slowly till perfect temperature but don't boil! You don't want to evaporate all that delicious alcohol! Add even more spices and honey if you like. x
Stir with passion in your heart and the desire for a successful year! Drink and wassail~!
Amelia
Peabody would be proud.
(more NYC photos)
November 18,
2007
Brooklyn, NY
Am having such a blast
in Brooklyn and I never want to leave! But, I'm leaving in the morning.
Tonight I got taken to the Shaghai
Mermaid 1920s cabaret-style benefit @ Superfine in DUMBO. It was AMAZING.
Everyone was so talented, with particular musical kudos to Mamie
Minch who I really enjoyed. Played a great gig last night with
Kim Beggs
and Natalie
Edelson from the Yukon... lovely ladies. Afterwards my pal
Katy Rose Cox's band Shotgun
Party (from Austin) seriously rocked the house!!! Yeeeow! Now,
better see if I can sleep a bit, for tomorrow is a long long drive. Lotsa
love.
x
K
Pete Harris took some photos of Kristin performing @ the 68 Jay St. Bar in Brooklyn, check them out here.
November 14,
2007
New York City
Have been in NYC for a couple days on self-enforced vacation. Been totally off the technological radar and it feels amazing. I've been staying with a good friend from highschool on the Lower East Side and am headin' to Brooklyn to see my Little Red Hen Music compadre and brilliant songstress Jan Bell for a spell. Have a gig tonight @ the 68 Jay St. bar in DUMBO and I'm looking forward to it immesely. In other fun tourist news, I went to the Met yesterday and wandered around with my jaw dropped for about 4 hours. Was so thoroughly entranced by the ancient Egyptian everything and couldn't get enough! Am currently on book 13 of the Amelia Peabody mystery series (majorly entertaining brain-candy set in Victorian egypt) and had so much fun figuring out what all the things they talk about in the book look like in real life. Stood and conteplated the huge medieval armor exibit for a long while too... so crazy imagining someone inside all that metal -- who were they and what was their life like? Hmmmmm. Then I had to go on a bit of a shopping mission. Operation new gorgeous warm outfit. I have to say I'm not so into this whole oversize shapeless knits phenomenon that's goin on this season in the fashion world.... Didn't find anything I love yet, but will certainly not quit trying. I heart NYC. A lot.
In the legendary Stardust Room @ Kutsher's Coutry Club
November 10,
2007
Monticello, NY
Double-O-Sweetland reporting for duty from inside the walls of Kutsher's
Country Club in the Catskills... came down here to play some showcases
at the North Eastern Regional Folk Alliance conference. What a crazy place! The Kutsher's Hotel apparently had it's
heyday in the 60s as a superhip "Borscht belt" resort and is
said to have been the inspiration for the movie Dirty Dancing. I believe
it. Did some dancing myself... The craziest thing about Kutsher's besides
the hallways that go on and on in seemingly all directions forever (seriouly
à la Shining- I mean, I have dreams like this) is glory of the
Stardust Room. Imagining all the big shows they had in there every night-
Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin and that whole crew- I had to creep in while
quiet & empty to contemplate and take some sweet
photos. (above.)
Saw first snow of the year too.
Sleepy.
A beautiful day in the blustery forest.
November 5, 2007
London, Ontario
I have finally had some glorious days of rest after working so hard for so long! This weekend I did lots of running about the sunny and windy forest with Raven the dog and cooked and baked and cooked and baked... All the while I listened to my Amelia Peabody Egytptian archaeological mystery audio books (I'm a total geek, I know) and made pumpkin everything-- cream cheese muffins, pankakes... delish.
On Saturday I had an total adventure accompanying drummer extraordinaire Paul Brennan to his gig at the Royal Winter Fair in Toronto. Paul was there playing drums with Alannah Myles who performed an 11 minute medley during the big horse show. They played while Canadian dressage champions Cindy & Neil Ishoy did their incredible thing. It was AMAZING and I was blown away. I also thoroughly enjoyed mingling and chatting with all the fine and distinguished horse-folk. My maiden equestrian event was a smash hit.
Now I prepare to blast off to NY later this week... I really should be cleaning and organizing instead of playing on the computer...
x
K
October 30th, 2007
Toronto, Ontario
My new CD "Own Sweet Time" is now for sale!
Please visit the Kristin Sweetland Store for purchasing options...
October 13th, 2007
London, Ontario
I am exhausted.... oh my, has it ever been a crazy week! Just got home from the yearly Ontario Council of Folk Festivals conference that was held in London this year. Much fun was had! Got to see some of my dearest pals, played some fine showcases - much thanks to Richard Flohil, Nutshell Music and Home County Folk Festival for hosting me this year. And I was so busy I didn't even take any photos!
In other news, I am so pleased to report that the new CD is all manufactured and looking positively gorgeous! Get yer credit cards ready as they will go on sale Tuesday morning, October 30th at Midnight!
September 25, 2007
London, Ontario
Ladies and Gentlemen, I am so proud to present to you
all
the new "Own Sweet Time" album cover...
designed by the masterful and simply lovely
A Man Called Wrycraft
with
photography by
Kevin
Kelly
========================
At the Shelter Valley Festival I did an incredibly fun
photoshoot with the famous Six
String Nation guitar...
(photos by Doug Nicholson)
click here
to see
September 3, 2007
Toronto, Ontario
I had an AMAZING time this past weekend at the Shelter Valley Folk Festival just outside Grafton, Ontario. We had beautiful weather, the lineup was great and there were no shortage of my dearest pals about! (Darlene, Bill Bourne, Trevor Mills and Ember Swift... to name but a few. ) I got to wear a new hat this festival -not literally- as stage host! It was a fabuous learning experience for me and -among other many other things- I introduced performers, caught flying drum-brushes and hosted a symposium discussion panel on muse and inspiration... yum. Now it's time to rest, and recover... xo
Loving the meteor magic... click image to enlarge!
August 13,
2007
London, Ontario
I was so determined to see me some flaming balls during this year's Perseid shower that I drove out of town quick as I could as soon as the clouds lifted last night around 2am. This image was taken by moi on some random farm dirt road outside of London, Ontario at approx. 2:22am... Besides the meteors you can clearly see the Pleides above and Mars just below. C'est magique!
August 12,
2007
London, Ontario
Ladies & Gents, the good news is, we're finally done mixing the new
album (for real!!) Hooray! Now onto the mastering and getting it out into
the world! Also, in the last ten days I've done two major photoshoots
with the amazing Kevin
Kelly for the album cover. We did one shoot in his studio and
the other up in majestic clocktower of Toronto's Old
City Hall. It was quite the process to get granted access and
quite the adventure to get us up there. 290 steps (on the hottest day
of the year!) with all our stuff... I was a melting statue of makeup and
clocktower dust by the end of it all but we got some gorgeous shots. You'll
all be seeing them very soon on the "Own Sweet Time" album cover!
Otherwise, I've been enjoying a relaxing summer. Have been housesitting
for some gal pals in TO and loving their super-sweet pad, ginormous bathtub,
patio heaven and cable tv! How much do I love the bad Relic Hunter re-runs
on a too-hot to breathe weekday afternoon? SO MUCH!
Oh, what to wear for the new album photoshoot?
July 31, 2007
London, Ontario
Hello dahhhlings. Getting ready to head to Toronto for some new-album
photoshoots this week! Do you like the black and white skirt or should
I go with a red dress.... I don't know!! ohhh decisions decisions! Regardless,
I'm so looking forward to getting something fine done to my hair and heading
out into that unfathomable humidex and seeing how well it all holds. Will
report later, with hopefully some fine photos to show to boot...! xxx
K
At the Canadian
Guitar Festival mainstage workshop
with Wendell Ferguson and
Don Ross
photo by David Carriere (more
photos!)
July 22, 2007
Kingston, Ontario
This weekend I had so much fun kickin' it up at the Canadian Guitar Festival! Played my mainstage set on Saturday and stayed Sunday to be one of the judges for the International Fingerstyle Guitar Championship. This judging thing was a whole new experience for me! Very cool! It was a blind jury and therefore myself, Wendell Ferguson, Don Ross and Andy McKee (a super-fine guitaritst from Kansas) were locked in a air-conditioned trailer for the day with the windows covered and the sound fed in via a monitor. All the contestants did such an amazing job!! It was a serious day of seriously listening and in the end we agreed on three winners. My sincere congratulations go to:
1st Place: Craig
D'Andrea / CT, USA
2nd Place: Don Alder
/ Vancouver, BC, Canada
3rd Place: Stefano
Barone / Rome, Italy
June 21 2007
Toronto, Ontario
HAPPY SUMMER Y'ALL!!!
Hello sweethearts! Had a wild night last
eve at my friend Miss M's karaoke birthday party. We got the full-on private
room with the black light mural and the disco ball and everything. Thought
you might all enjoy the photo of me doing my agent Scully routine, trying
to escape though the ceiling. Self portraits à la Sweetland can
be so entertaining... and by the way, I sang me some serious Madonna -
and I Live to Tell.
Michael
Wrycraft's gorgeous "Girls
do Boys" poster
Doing Eminem @ the Girls do Boys show (more
photos)
photography by Daniel Marcincak
June 15, 2007
Toronto, Ontario
Just back from an amazing gig at Hugh's
Room this evening... "Girls do Boys" presented by
Michael Wrycraft was a crazy evening of fabulous female singer-songwriters
performing the work of their favourite male songwriters. I was joined
by the glorious likes of Lori Cullen,
Sass Jordan, Angela
Harris, Margaret Stowe
and more... got to bust out my Eminem
(Lose Yourself and Stan) and ripped it up so hard! Loved
it. Gonna have to start playing those songs more often. Sooooooo much
fun!!!! For more photos from the show click here.
Rock on! Sweetland
in the Studio (more photos)
May 29, 2007
Toronto, Ontario
Well folks, I'd say we're about 97% done
recording the new album! Yeeehaw! Still a bit of work to come but I am
SO so so pleased with all we have magically created. This has been a supreme
month in the studio filled with amazing guests... Suzie
Vinnick (harmony vocals), Anne
Lindsay (violin ), Roman Borys
(cello), Ben
Grossman (hurdy gurdy and percussion), Jorge
Miguel (flamenco guitar) and Ernie Tollar (flute) all came and did
amazing things. For some photos of the sessions click
here.
Maxin and relaxin in the Hammer
May 18, 2007
London, Ontario
Ladies and Gentlemen... In London briefly with time to kiss the dog and
run out the door again. Had a fine night last night in Hamilton watching
Luke Doucet and his amazing band
rock the Casbah. Oh Yeah!! Heading to Windsor tonight to play a spontaneous
show with those boys... good times ahead. Will report more on all other
fronts soon. xo
May 15, 2007
London, Ontario
I have been fascinated for weeks by the family of cardinals that made
their little nest outside the kitchen window. First they built the nest,
then the mama cardinal laid some eggs, then she sat on the eggs for days
and days until the wee ones finally hatched. Now they're growing up fast
and are soon to fly away... Does anyone remember that episode of the Sopranos
where Tony loves the ducks and when they fly away he gets very sad? Hoping
I will not suffer the same fate when my little fledglings fledge... fly
little birdies, fly. xx
In the studio Sweetland-style... more
photos here!
May 1st 2007
Toronto, ON
HAPPY MAY DAY!
I just can't help but love the supreme glory of May. Perhaps it's because
I'm a May-baby or perhaps cause it usually means that Spring is finally
and truly upon us! (No more freak Ontario spring snow-storms...please!)
Couldn't find a maypole to dance around today but got to enjoy the Morris
dancers doing their crazy stick dance outside the restaurant where I breakfasted
this morn. Had yet another great day in the studio today with the amazing
Stephen
Fearing. Have posted some new photos
from the studio sessions and there's more to come soon! Lots more fine
guests coming to play on the album in the next couple weeks and then we
are done!! There will be much celebration in the streets... I am sure.
Till soon, xo K
A Sweetland in her natural habitat
April 2, 2007
In the Chambers...
Hello Sweethearts, I have been hard at work these past couple days getting
ready to get back into the studio... We had a couple recording delays
and set-backs this month due to various illnesses, airplanes and other
unfortunate events. But all is well and still progressing as planned!
Looks like my dream for a spring-release won't quite happen, but the Universe
has a plan for me indeed... I can't call the album "Own Sweet Time"
and expect it not to take it... xoxo
Backstage at the "Jacks"... more
photos
March 26, 2007
London, ON
Last night I performed at the Jack Richardson Music Awards here in London and enjoyed myself immensely! Thanks so much to the "Jacks" team for putting on an amazing show! I managed to seriously entertain myself backstage by taking some self-portraits to add to my never-ending series... take a peek here.
March 20, 2007
Toronto, ON
Hello Kittens, HAPPY SPRING! The sun is finally a shinin' in beautiful Toronto, although it still seems to be a bit nippy out there in the frozen department. I suppose the thaw will come eventually and there's not too much we can do to stop it... What are you all doing today? I'm thinking a nice stroll might be in order followed by a minor amount of responsible shopping and then my Flamenco dance class at 5:30. The moment of Equinox is at 8:07pm EST this evening and I will SO need to be having as toast to the end of a sweet and intense winter and the begining of the glory of the great new season.
Happy melting,
xo
Lady K
March 17, 2007
Toronto, ON
Happy St. Patty's Day all... I had an incredible night tonight (green
beer-free!) playing with Bill
Bourne at the Harbourfront Centre here in Toronto. It was my
first real adventure playing in someone else's band and I LOVED it. There
will be more of that to come in the future for sure... Ended the night
a fine wee hotel party overlooking the Toronto harbour... self portrait
from hotel window above. nighty-night xx
March 1, 2007
Asheville, NC
Ladies and gents, am fresh from my adventures to Memphis for the 2007
Folk Alliance Conference. For those of you who do not know,
the yearly F/A conference brings together a wild collection of musicians,
presenters and general music-biz types under one roof for five days of
pure insanity. Had a record amount of fun this year, mostly due the amazingness
of my fellow Little
Red Hen Music artists who I love so dear. We put on an incredible
show over 3 days and 3 nights in our LRH showcase room and THANK YOU so
much to all who participated and helped to make it happen.
Currently I'm in North Carolina visting my best friend Jenny and her husband Chuck Brodsky in their gorgeous new home. Resting up from all the fun and trying to stave off a wee bout of what I'm calling "the post-afolkalyptic plague".... a nasty little cold that is not welcome. Must be healthy and heal quickly as there is much work to be done! Back in Ontario and back in the studio soon... Stay tuned. xo KS
For photos from the 2007 Folk Alliance Henfest click here
Come join the Little Red Hen
Hooteneanny at Folk Alliance 07!
February 18, 2006
Hello gentle readers, just a quick note to let you know
that I am well... Busy busy busy is the way of me and I'm preparing to
hit the road to Memphis tomorrow! Ohhh Yeah! Going to hook up with my
Little
Red Hen compadres at the Folk Alliance Conference in Memphis,
TN to cause all kinds of fine trouble. Cluck yeah!
All is extremely well on the new-album front and things are progressing
quickly! Back in the studio again upon my return in March and will then
be having various guests come in to play on the album... such fine folk
include the likes of Suzie Vinnick, Stephen Fearing, flamenco guitarist
Jorge Miguel and some other very exciting surprises!
Till soon, xo K
January 20, 2007
Hey Folks! I've just posted a new musical slideshow of my crazy ongoing self-portrait series.
January 12, 2007
I was interviewed this morning by Shelagh
Rogers on CBC Radio's national morning show "Sounds
Like Canada." The topic was weird winter weather and I
told the story that inspired my new song "Gone Gone Gone" (from
the upcoming new CD!) I explained how a very strange adventure on the
Trans-Canada highway somewhere west of Ignace not only inspired the song,
but also gave me the opportunity to take the photograph above -from my
ongoing self-portrait series- this one I titled "My Own Private Ontario."
And as for the story, I will tell it again one day, to be sure...
January
1st, 2007
Toronto, ON
HAPPY NEW YEAR!
In this glorious coming year of Two Thousand and Heaven I pledge to: write more frequent and more juicy tidbits in my journal/blog, make a kick-ass new album that I will be so very proud of, keep working hard like a busy Sweetland bee and of course, eat more chocolate.
NOTES FROM THE ROAD ARCHIVES
2008 ... 2006 ... 2005
... 2004
... 2003
... 2002 ...
2001
home/news/music/tour/bio/galleries/store/press/media/links/contact