Braden Gates

It's that time again. That time of year where we wait patiently, or impatiently, for the summer. That time of year where the yard of my parents' home smells of thawing horse shit. The time where we come together over Easter dinner and talk about our days, our lives, while shovelling easter eggs and coleslaw into our mouths. Perhaps most importantly, its that time of year where every night hosts an array of playoff hockey. Yes, it's the Stanley Cup playoffs.

There is nothing quite like the pursuit of the Stanley Cup to me. 16 teams battling for the coveted trophy. It is no doubt a fine display of grit, determination, and pure dedication to achieve a common goal. The tradition of growing your playoff beard, the brotherhood of hockey, and the desire that is showed speaks to me. Quite like the way the fiddle speaks to me, or a song that hits you where it hurts. Whether you hear words or melody that can draw tears to your eyes, or if you witness a spectacular game-winning overtime goal, it lights a fire in you. It make you FEEL something. I think that's what it's all about. I want to feel, and I want to make people feel.

My latest attempt at this is a brand new full length record! It's all recorded and is now being mixed and mastered. I worked on it with Miles Wilkinson, who also recorded Break it to Me Gently. I'm super excited about it. 12 tracks, one spoken word, two fiddle/dance tracks and 10 new folk songs. My good friend Cayley Thomas is singing harmony, Dean Kheroufi is playing bass, and Rott'n Dan laid down some gnarly blues harp on a song about bowling. Can't wait to put it out!

I have a couple shows coming up as well. On Thursday, April 24th, I will be playing at the Last Call Garage Bar with JP Hoe. Check out the details here:

https://www.facebook.com/events/443033049165088/

On Saturday, May 3rd, I'll be playing at Filty McNasty's in the afternoon. That should be a rowdy one!

That's about it for now. Thanks for following along. Enjoy the Stanley Cup Playoffs, my money is on the Ducks.

Be cool, be true, be you.

B

Hello Hello,

It's been a bit of time since I've written one of these. This is what's been going on.

August has been a blur, days and nights have become one long period of time. Can't seem to escape the music these days, it's all around us. In the pockets of our hearts and in the sliver of the moon. The party started with the Canmore Folk Festival. A gorgeous festival in the heart of the mountains. The landscape is breathtaking and the music there was incredible. I was fortunate to take part in some great workshops and bear witness to some folk heroes. Del Barber, Matt Anderson, Rose Cousins, and David Francey, just to name a few. It's so wonderful to rub shoulders with these people and I hope to continue to have the opportunity to. Here's a review of my performances at the festival written by Pete Wrench, all the way from the UK.

http://edenontheline.co.uk/journal/2013/8/6/canmore-folk-music-festival-3-5-august-2013.html

After Canmore, we headed back north to Edmonton and participated in the renowned Edmonton Folk Music Festival. What a riot that was. Great music, great friends, right in the heart of the city. Some cool news, I was chosen as one of the top three emerging artists from the festival by Penguin Eggs. That was rather exciting! Good for Grapes and Rachelle van Zanten were also chosen. Please check them out!

Immediately following the festival, I jumped in the CarBed and headed south to Calgary. I joined the T. Buckley trio on fiddle for their house gig at WineOhs and played a house concert the following night. Food, beer, wine, and folk songs, all in the comfort of a home. Nothing better than that.

Come by the Hills festival in Mistahiya, AB was next on the plate. A smaller, more intimate festival with a great supportive crowd. Campfire jams and late late nights came together with two days of fine music to create a real gem of a time.

I'm back in Edmonton now, playing local shows, shooting pool, and enjoying the summers end. If you're reading this, thanks for following along. I hope to see you at a show in the near future!

Stay Groovy,

B

Hello.

I'm in Toronto now, I ran into some friends that I met last summer at the Vancouver Island Music Fest who just so happen to be living in Toronto and they graciously allowed me to slumber upon their floor for the past few nights. This past weekend I participated in the International Folk Alliance Conference, held at the Delta Chelsea Hotel downtown Toronto. I was immersed in a gaggle of folk heroes, singing their songs and all hours of the day. I was fortunate to catch artists such as Sam Baker, Joe Pug, Jeremy Fisher, and many others in very intimate settings. Inspiring to say the least. It was humbling to be able to come and showcase as part of the Alberta rooms, put on by the fine folks at the Bow Valley Music Club. Many thanks to them.

Tomorrow I'm off to Guelph for a couple days to shoot some video and sing some songs. Then off the North Bay for a show on Saturday and back in Edmonton on monday. Excited to keep moving on. I don't have a vehicle this time around it's been an adventure trying to get around. It's where the magic lies however, and it's all about chasing the magic.

Today I went and visited the Hockey Hall of Fame and then rambled on over to the CN Tower. It costs 32 dollars to climb that thing! I decided against it and bought some bread and fruit instead.

That's all for now my friends.

Stay Groovy,

B

Hello all,

I'm currently in Giessen, Germany where tonight we are playing at the local university. It's been a wild stretch of days as we've performed house concerts thoughout the Netherlands in Landgraaf, Oss, and Wahlwiller. Tomorrow we head to Ireland for the last part of this tour. Belfast and Lismore are our targets and then we fly home on Monday! I'm getting excited to dance around the streets of Edmonton.

B

Greetings,

We've made it to the Netherlands, in a place called Eck en Wiel, where we've been stationed for the last couple of nights. We are at L'Abri, a place of shelter and solitude, for people all over the world to seek answers to questions of God and the significance of human life. Alana has spent a lot of time at L'Abri, all over the world, and has come back to this particular one with me on her coat tails. We did a show last night in Utrecht in a cave type room underneath the street. It was intimate and allowed us to interact with the audience.

Tomorrow we're off again to do a few more house concerts around the Netherlands. After that, we'll be driving into Germany and then flying into Ireland. We have 8 shows left to play.

It feels like we've been gone forever, but forever is a long time.

B

Hello.

I find myself in England, singing songs to folks with a captivating cadence in their voices. Been rambling around for the past few days and snow has been in close pursuit. We've played three shows to date. A church in Cambridge, the local pub in Trowse, and a beautiful house concert in Turner's Hill. I enjoy playing every night, it makes for good practice. I quite like it over here in England, but my mind often wanders back to Edmonton, the Oilers, Whyte Ave, the girl I left behind me, and the midnight moon in Alberta. There's nothing quite like travel but there's also no place quite like home. One thing is for certain, no matter where you go, there are always people keen on welcoming you into their lives for an ounce of time until you must ramble off again. We're off to play in London tomorrow night. After the show, we'll be slumbering in the airport, awaiting a flight to the Netherlands. Currently, it's 1:37 am here and time for dreams. Enjoy the NHL.

Goodnight,

B

Hello,

I am currently in Richmond, going to do a show in Vancouver tomorrow at the Cafe Deux Soleils. I lay my head tonight, still digesting the wonderful weekend spent on the Island at the Music Fest. I am so blessed to have had the opportunity to share my music with such appreciative crowds all weekend. One highlight in particular was doing a workshop with Sam Baker, an incredible songwriter, human, and influence. An enormous thank you goes out to Doug Cox for having me play, and to each and every volunteer that helped make the festival what it was.

The tour is quickly coming to a sleepy end. I have a show tomorrow, two shows on Friday, and one in Medicine Hat on Sunday. I will then be back home, focused on moving out of my apartment and trying to figure out what the next step will be in my musical journey.

Last night I slept on the floor of an incense soaked 10x10 shed, affectionately dubbed as the "Zen Den". Please don't ask.

That is all.

B

Hello dearest readers,

I write to you from a beautiful home in Qualicum Beach that sits along the ever so powerful Pacific ocean. It is quiet here, a place where all of the inhabitants are pals and say hello to each other on the street.

We arrived Wednesday evening after a long day of travel from Kamloops. As we pulled into town, we passed two girls in bathing suits hitchhiking their way to the beach. In that moment, I knew that this was the place for me.

Last night, we played a show in the Qualicum Beach Community Hall with a few other artists in a fundraising effort to elect NDP Barry Davis. The hall was packed and it was great to play for more than 3 people. I also met the legendary folk singer, Bob Bossin. He had some great songs and brilliant stage presence. He also told me stories about my hero John Hartford. Back in the day they played some shows together and became friendly. It seems that everywhere in my travels, there is something or someone that has been influenced or acquainted with Hartford's spirit. I think it's a sign...

Today we are of to the Vancouver Island Music Festival in Courtenay. Excited and thrilled to be a part of it. A little nervous.

Anyways,

That's all for now,

B

I'm in Kamloops eating toast and preparing to head to catch a Fairy, and a ferry too.

Last night Marlee and I played fiddle tunes in Armstrong to a small but appreciative audience. Thank you to everyone who came out and especially to Denise for bringing her piano!

I don't have much to say at this moment other than that I am excited for the far west. Can't wait to be taking in some great music at the Vancouver Island Festival.

That's all of for now.

Otis

Hi,

I write to you from my parents' home just outside of Fort Saskatchewan, the place where I grew up and the place that is forever in my heart. It is Canada Day now, and I would like to wish a very happy one to my fellow Canadians. Especially those who I have met along my voyage across this great land.

Last night, I played in Lethbridge at the Owl Acoustic Lounge. It is a cozy place with great vibes. I met Jay, a great singer/songwriter from Medicine Hat who shared the stage with me. After the show at about midnight, I ventured back north in an attempt to perhaps make it to Edmonton with the sunrise. It did not happen however and I spent the night in my car in Claresholm along a quiet service road. I awoke with the hustle and bustle of the new day and made it back to Edmonton around noon.

I spent the evening playing for a 50th wedding anniversary with the family band. It's been a long time since our last gig and it was real good to get together and provide some dance music for the fine people in our presence. Before we played, they opened up the floor for people to share their experiences with the golden couple, Tony and Rose. There were so many people who came forward with tales of how Tony and Rose had influenced their lives. I loved the stories told by their grandchildren about the times they have shared together and how grateful they were. It brought me back to all of the times I have had with my own grandparents. Quadding, hockey games, sleepovers, target practice, golfing, cribbage, and a heck of a lot more.

Tomorrow, we are playing an early evening set at Legacy Park in Fort Saskatchewan. I'm hoping the sheep will be there so that I can fiddle for them. BAAAAAHHHH. Also, today on CBC i heard a really great joke. Adelle has come out with her own brand of insect repellent. She calls it, "Rolling in the Deet". YES.

Well, on that note, I will end.

B