Ninety Three Kilometres

93 Km is roughly the distance from Calgary to Canmore. More specifically, to the Communitea Cafe.

The highway was paved with a darker shade of black thanks to the afternoon rain, but the cold precipitation wasn't about to dampen my spirits. Allowing myself to sink into one of Community's bean bag chairs, sipping a glass of Cabernet Sauvignon it was impossible to not let the feeling of happiness wash over me and let a smile tug at my lips. I was about to be a part of an incredible night of amazing music courtesy of David Vertesi, Colleen Brown and Hannah Georgas.

The Communitea Cafe has been the setting for many memorable shows these past 5 months. Many times have I chosen the intimate setting of this cafe over the venues in Calgary. There is something about the mini roadtrip out to Canmore mixed with a palpable "home away from home" feeling. It could be the beanbag chairs, or the colossal puffed wheat squares like your mom used to bake. Either way, the warm, easy going atmosphere seems to make everyone feel like family.

David Vertesi whom some of you may know as the tall, dark and handsome bassist of the wonderful band Hey Ocean! has recently been strumming a guitar on his own and man oh man is it ever good. Vertesi is a talented songwriter, guitar player and with his honest baritone voice it's no wonder he caught my ear when he played the song All Night, All Night, All Night, the first time I heard him open for MBF. Since then he has continued to peak my musical interest with the lyrics "when gentleman say, treat her like a lady, they mean break her heart." from his song Gentleman Say. If you know what's good for you, you will move your mouse and click here.

Colleen Brown is from Edmonton, and has a voice that is incomparable to any other. Smiling genuinely as her hands moved back and forth across the black&white keys of the Nord keyboard, I couldn't keep my eyes off of her. Singing songs about love, loss and gardens she stole everyones heart in the crowd. After her set I was so spellbound and awestruck by her gift of music and by the fact that she had just willingly opened her heart to a room full of strangers, all I could offer her was a heartfelt handshake and my simple thanks. To give you an idea of this woman's talent move your mouse and click here.

Hannah Georgas. I fell for Hannah's music when I first heard her song "The Beat Stuff". The charming lyrics and Hannah's incredibly unique voice had me singing in the shower almost immediately. She fed my hunger for great music with the release of her single "Thick Skin", a hauntingly beautiful tribute to sibling tribulations.

While on tour with MBF I was incredibly lucky to get my hot hands on a copy of her latest album "This Is Good" and at the risk of sounding extremely cheesy... damn is it ever good. To fall for Hannah yourself move your mouse and click here.

So, my tip for the day. Go out and find those experiences that make your heart smile. The ones that make you truly love life and everything about it. You can be surrounded by friends or alone. Be prepared or unprepared. The only thing you need is an open heart and mind and a your beautiful smile.

Peas & Luhv,

Brie

Ghostridin' The Whip.

Tight black pants? check. Black high top Keds? Check. Red plaid shirt? Check. Thick Rimmed Glasses? Double Check.

"Yeah, so I booked this gig a while ago, and it was supposed to be a solo, acoustic show... I decided to bring a six person band." -MBF.

This blog post brings us back to the wonderful and awesome Communitea Cafe in Canmore, AB.

Seven thirty rolls around and we finally stumble upon Communitea to an already small gathering of people waiting outside to grab seats.

Eight thirty brings us to "The Kiteless Flights" {as Steve #2 lovingly named them} who take the stage. They were basically a wicked little band where the oldest musician was pushing it at 16. They took hold of their instruments and completely shocked me with a great rendition of Glen Hansard's "Falling Slowly". After playing a few original tunes, the crowd; mostly filled with proud parents, applauded their little ones.

Nine o'clock or so brings us to the night's main attraction. Every seat is taken and Michael opens the show with himself, his guitar and his trusty loop peddle. Now, I will let myself indulge in a quick fan moment and say that when he opened with "Heroes" I was über stoked. First, I have never heard or seen videos of him playing this live before. Second, his layering of harmonizing vocals on top of one another made it impossible to focus on anything else. Throughout the night he got good use out of his loop peddle. Case&Point, he did a loop with the entire band for the first time which sounded glorious.

The song "Suzie (I Love You)" brought around a dedication to the "Suzie" in the crowd that night a.k.a. my friend Lizzie.

Shortly after Michael telling loving stories of the first time he played in Canmore, the band stepped in to bring "Maxine" to life while the horn section hilariously mimed the words to the song when their lips weren't pressed to brass.

The rest of the set included bringing out older tracks like "Mary Me Mary" and "Black and White Phonetics". Also, Andrew {drummer}, and Michael got all of Communitea to it's feet with Brand New Spaces' iconic - Stomp, Stomp, Stomp, Stomp&Clap. And not to forget the nights first MVP, who was an older gentleman whom Michael jokingly called out for getting up and walking to the bathroom by saying:

Where are you going, sir?

Give the guy about 5 minutes and he returns and replies with:

I was getting you a beer.

Well played sir, well played.

Overall, I can tell you that this "small cafe show" was none of the sort. With exuberant Saxophone and keyboard solos and hilarious crowd participation it was a night I won't soon forget. Sorry you had to miss it.

Next on the sched. Aidan Knight opening for Dan Mangan. Can't wait for some awesome "Robots" sing along.

Peas & Luhv.

Brie