The D’Urbervilles

The packing has begun. It’s off to Sappy Fest with us for a weekend of fantastic musical awesomeness. Before picking out my best outfits I had time to stop by the residence of Stuart Duncan (aka the big cheese behind our label Out Of This Spark) to help fold the new Friends In Bellwoods album covers. Here’s my partner in crime Tim Fagan (of Lice fame) figuring out how to put these cardboard death traps together.

The compilation sounds awesome and is coming out in late August. Oh, and a new drink was invented during the folding party. Gatorbeer. One part Lemon Lime Gatorade, one part Stella Artois. Both parts amazing.

Catch you on the flipside,

John O

Hey Y’all,

So we all made it back safe and sound from Montreal. We’re really excited with how well things went in the studio and can’t wait to play some of these new songs in a few weeks! Mega props to Drew Malamud for hooking everything up and treating us right.

I got the band to drop me off in Kingston on the way home and spent a few amazing days hanging out with Paul and Ben from my favourite band PS I Love You. They were consummate hosts – showing me around town and taking me out to see some great live music.

Ben and I also sat in for an interview with Kingston’s Apple Crisp Records founder and all round great guy Greg Tilson at CFRC 101.9 FM yesterday. Here’s a picture of the most handsome man about town as he collects his thoughts.

Anyhow, we had a great conversation with Greg that’ll be airing real soon as part of their coverage for the Wolfe Island Music Festival of which we’ll be a part.  More details to come on that one.  In the meantime, enjoy the sun and stay safe.

Kingston, you rule,

John O

Yeah,

Tonight’s the night. Our last evening of recording in Montreal is upon us.  It’s been a solid four days and we’re really excited with what we’ve accomplished. Kyle laid down some sweet bass grooves before leaving us for the Northwest Territories and the Folk On The Rocks Festival with our pals Forest City Lovers. He also took his camera with him, which explains the quality of the following photograph, taken on my laptop using a setting called “Thermal.”

It’s our engineer Drew Malamud and part of Tim’s guitar. Honestly, some of these camera settings are pretty cool in a sort of “we just discovered Photoshop and it’s 1995″ kind of way.

Anyways, it’s back to Ontario with us. We’re playing V Fest in Orillia this August and I’ve gotta start lifting weights if I’m going to stand a chance of beating Trent Reznor in an arm-wrestle backstage.

Au revoir,

John O