Next Friday, we (the Boxcar Boys) are co-hosting a night with our pals the Slocan Ramblers at The Tranzac. Both bands released albums in this hall 6 months ago, so it seemed like the perfect occasion to team up for a commemorative show. The Boxcar Boys will also be celebrating our three year anniversary as a band. All the more reason to party like it’s the end of the prohibition era!
The Boxcar Boys and I are pleased to have come across a kind album review in the current issue of WholeNote magazine. If you’d like to hear this “wonderful singing romp through a variety of hills and dales, swamps and deltas” for yourself, it is available through the Boxcar Boys website as well as on iTunes. We are looking forward to playing every Wednesday evening in May at the Local (Roncesvalles & Dundas St. W), and to sharing a bill with our bluegrass pals The Slocan Ramblers at the Tranzac on May 17th. 
I’d like to take a moment to personally congratulate Rush on their recent induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Way cool! Thank you to Stephanie Tran for snapping this sweet candid shot of me wearing my Rush T.
If you are one of my violin students looking at this photo you may notice that my 2nd and 3rd fingers are down and that my 1st finger is up in the air. Yes, I am breaking my “keep your fingers down” rule! However, please note that when channelling the spirit of rock, your first finger is granted exception from the rule 
The Trent Severn tour was packed with many incredible moments. One of these was our interview with my pal Andy Frank from Roots Music Canada. This opportunity was particularly cool because Andy graciously let Emm, Dayna and I take the listeners through the entire album. You can stream the interview to hear us share the stories behind each track and the story behind the band. Thanks a lot Andy!
I am very honoured to be included in the current issue of Maclean’s Magazine. A HUGE thank you goes out to Tabassum Siddiqui for interviewing us and writing this piece. You can read the article here.
During the Trent Severn performance in Goderich, Ontario Canadian Astronaut and current Commander of the International Space Station Chris Hadfield called my cell phone. Pictured above is the DI box used to put the call through the PA system! I still can’t believe that this happened, but I have proof in my call history (it came in with a Texas area code!) as well as a video of the call you can watch via the Trent Severn blog.
Freedom is our valentine to Canada. Here we are playing, stomping and singing in a room. Mojito Mastering captured this as part of their minimalist recording series. Part of their goal with this series is to create a live-off-the-floor vibe that sounds reminiscent of the ’60′s and ’70′s. Some of the inspirations we’re drawing on for Trent Severn are of this vintage, so it made a lot of sense to team up with Mojito for this video. As a band we wanted to make something honest, something real, and I think we’ve achieved that.
A huge thanks to Reuben Ghose and Chris Doble of Mojito Mastering and Michael Welfle and Lucas Santo of Orange Peel Pictures.
Here we are preforming our original tune “Mugg’s Island” and our faveourite classic number “You Are My Sunshine” live at Sense Appeal coffee shop, filmed and edited by Mitch Fillion of Southern Souls.
Our new album Rye Whiskey is now available on iTunes or you can order a physical copy through our website!
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Album Release
Canadian Music
Del Bel
Festival Express
Teaching
The Boxcar Boys
Tours
Trent Severn
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comments
I’d like to reflect on a few 2012 experiences and successful moments that I am especially grateful for, and I’d like to thank my bandmates and my family for enriching my life. I don’t know where I would be without you. Seriously!
February 25 – 29th - I entertained from Toronto to Vancouver on ‘The Canadian’ VIA Rail train as part of the duo Festival Express. I pretended to be Janis Joplin and I ate like a queen in the dining car.
April 7th - A lunch date at Foster’s Inn in Stratford, Ont changed my life: I officially joined Emm Gryner and Dayna Manning to form Trent Severn.
April – November - Over 800 emails were sent between Emm, Dayna and myself as we worked on our album. My gmail inbox brought me so much joy!
May 4 – 6th - I ran a conference to certify string educators to teach Mark O’Connor’s new violin, cello and orchestra method. This was the very first O’Connor seminar held in Canada.
May 10th – 22nd - East Coast tour with Del Bel. Noise, beautiful drives and general debauchery ensued.
May 25th - I recorded my first tracks on the Trent Severn album in my parents basement in Stratford.
June 8th – 10th - First live off the floor recording sessions with The Boxcar Boys at Verve Music Lab. Our 2nd album was conceived!
July – August - I rocked some festival dates with The Boxcar Boys including The TD Jazz Festival, Blissfest Festival (Harbor Springs, Michigan), Rogers Tennis Cup 2012, Northern Lights Festival (Sudbury), Blue Skies Festival (Clarendon), and Savour Stratford (Stratford).
November 2nd - the Boxcar Boys released Rye Whiskey at the Tranzac to a packed house.
November 6th - Trent Severn released our self-titled debut album in stores and online. We received some kind press including reviews in NOW and EXCLAIM.
November 21st - Trent Severn did a live performance and interview on CBC radio Q. I’ve never been so nervous for a performance in my life! Click here to listen to the performance.
November 23rd - the very first Trent Severn show at the London Music Club. Our fan, Peter Janes gives us our very own hockey jerseys! (Thanks Peter!) We went on to play shows in Stratford, Toronto and Colbalt.
November 27th - Burton Cummings of the Guess Who checked out Trent Severn at our in-store performance at Sunrise Records. He digs the band!! Holy moly!
December 18th - I became the proud mamma of a baby tarantula. I named her Dolly, after Dolly Parton of course.
December 19th- Canadian Astronaut Chris Hadfield blasted off from earth to command the International Space Station. He took the Trent Severn album with him!
I wish you all the best in 2013!
Today is a huge day in The Land of Laura as we lift the locks on the Trent Severn album.
I’m gushing with the utmost admiration and respect for the other two thirds of this project, Dayna Manning and Emm Gryner. The musicianship and songwriting skills that these two women possess are unparalleled. Together we’ve made a truly Canadian record.
I urge you to follow @TrentSevernBand on twitter, join our facebook page, and read about what inspires us on our website.
You can get your ears on a copy at a record store near you, order it online, download it on iTunes, or get one from me.
Track list:
1. Snowy Soul <– Click to download the single
2. Bluenose on a Dime featuring Joel Plaskett
3. Like A Donnelly
4. Freedom
5. Muskoka Bound
6. Mulroney Times
7. Road Less Travelled
8. Wild One
9. Answers
10. Truscott
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Laura C. Bates
Copyright © 2013 All Rights Reserved
Copyright © 2013 All Rights Reserved