me-stew

Prologue:
Shel Silverstein’s poem, Me-Stew, read by my pre-schooler.

In November of 2024 I started talking, really talking, about recording again.

A wee burst of confidence and some nudging from my pal Carolyn Mark got me on the horn with Paul Rigby and discussing whether he’d produce an album for me. I know Paul’s work through his years of collaboration with Neko Case. My idea was to do four songs and see how that went. When I talked to Paul he said,

“If you’re going to do four songs, you’re almost doing six. And if you do six, that’s almost nine or maybe even 10 or 11 and… that’s an album!”

I had heard this reasoning before and so I asked Paul how on Earth my husband had gotten to him first.

In the weeks that followed I received a few arrangement suggestions from Paul for my songs. I also started planning the recording. In January ‘25 I began crafting more songs and applying for grants. In February I traveled to Vancouver to write and arrange with Paul. In April I took the crew to Saskatoon and we recorded the bed tracks at RecHall. Since then I’ve been chipping away at the album’s completion between pre-school drop-offs, children’s birthday parties and batches of morning glory muffins.

Last week Blake brought up the idea of a Kickstarter campaign.

“It could really help!” he said. “People like to help, Mel. You like to help people. Why wouldn’t you give that opportunity to others?”

People do love to help. I have no argument with that! I’m a benefactor of human generosity on the daily. But here’s the thing with Kickstarter… I’d want it to be really good, because I’m like that. And because I’ve never done it before I fear I could end up in a real pickle of over-committing myself.

See, one time I paid $100 to an artist’s album fundraiser campaign because they said they’d write a song for and about me. I thought that was an amazing deal. I made a strong case for it and Blake bought in for one too. We were excited to hear our songs! I should add that I didn’t expect a hit song. I was simply jazzed at the idea that someone would do that.

But here’s the thing: We never got the songs! What we got was one copy of the vinyl for us to share. Sad face.

The lesson I took away was that the artist just overestimated their capacity. In a circumstance where the artist is self-managed it’s on them to keep it all straight and get packages where they’re supposed to be, and with the right things! What if you want a t-shirt and I send you the wrong size? I’ll feel terrible! I will spend time and money rectifying that because I have to get it right!

I’ll also have to package the stuff up and mail it. It’s a legit job and I have a pre-schooler now and do you know what he loves? TAPE and CARDBOARD. Explaining that he can’t use either will be devastating for him, so I’d probably cave and then I’ll have bought shipping supplies that my kid will turn into projects that I won’t know what to do with. So I’ll throw them out in secret after taking a photo.

A noodle that my son broke and then taped together. He was later upset that I threw it out.

I have a lot of respect for artists that do Kickstarters. My friend Rose Cousins has had great ones. I’d want to be as good as her! I’d want you to feel special, because you are! But I also know that crowd funding is a lot of work on top of promoting an album during the release campaign when it’s just me and Blaker.

In summation: When I think about executing a Kickstarter campaign my spirit goes flaccid.

Have you ever heard someone say a task will make their spirit go flaccid?! I haven’t, but that is exactly how I feel. That’s the kind of innovative thinking I hope you’ve come to appreciate from me!

So here’s my pitch! If you’re a free subscriber, would you consider switching to paid? Let me provide a button:

There’s a lot to be said for this: It’s economical, there’s no packaging waste, it keeps me writing and it keeps me connected to YOU. I love that! Support making records by supporting creativity all the time! I will make myself into a tasty stew for you to enjoy, just like Shel declared. Enjoy me with crackers!!

Birthday portrait. Posed and captured by my kid. I think he called it “Pink Pillow World With Hands”.

As an update on music, I’ll be sharing a single from the new album, The Weather, this February. It sure feels good to make new things for you to hear. Drop a comment on this post, but please don’t ask me to crowdfund. Let my spirit live!

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UPCOMING SHOWS!

February 6
Community Centre
Kipling, SK
w/ Blake Berglund & Lachlan Neville
Tickets

February 7
Lyric Theatre
Swift Current, SK
w/ Blake Berglund & Lachlan Neville
Tickets

February 14
Darke Hall
w/ Blake Berglund & The Western Seer Hired Hands
Regina, SK
Tickets

February 19
Broadway Theatre
w/ Blake Berglund, Lachlan Neville & The Western Seer Hired Hands
Saskatoon, SK
Tickets