Rachelle Van Zanten

I am slightly frozen after my maiden voyage through the Somerset countryside. Today we rode 17 miles which should have been a piece of cake! Nope. I almost died on the first hill. Luckily my riding partner was very patient as I edged my way over the summit 1 minute later than I had hoped. And I went to the wrong side of the road only once which was a blessing considering how fast the cars and trucks drive around here. I yelled to the confused driver that I was from Barcelona.
I have 3 days of riding and chilling before rehearsals start on wednesday afternoon in Oxford. Then it's off to Sweden, Denmark, and Norway for a CD Release Tour. I am fortunate to be accompanied by the guys until the 10th and then they sought off to pursue child rearing and other rock bands headed in opposite directions.

Posted by Rachelle at 12:01 PM | Permalink

Salty air, slight view of the ocean, John Bonham's kick drum, Dayna Kurtz's slide guitar, Vishwa's Ragga. It all comes together. I love debt consolidation. Thank you to Visa for allowing me to tour for the next 4 months without being completely taken out. The wrath of nature has hit and hit hard...
I swear the summer will turn around. It always does. If anyone out there would like a really stylish RVZ tshirt, I can hook you up.
Only a few more sleeps and I am back across the Atlantic ocean. i am bringing Betsy, my road bike, this time. Thank you REDBIKE. I love you. It is time to get serious about revisiting my rock pants from 2001. I am serious now. Oh an my guitars are coming too!

Posted by Rachelle at 10:17 PM | Permalink

Stellar Year For Edmonton Roots Music by Peter North
...at the top of our order is slide guitarist/singer-songwriter Rachelle van Zanten, who was rocking the free world with musicians from North America and the British Isles. A decade of touring with the Painting Daisies defined dues paying. Now the payoff is coming her way as audiences, critics and peers respond enthusiastically to solo shows that find her fusing numerous influences. Sitting with a spring recording date in India with Vishwa Mohan Bhatt and about to put the finishing touches on an album recently cut in England, 2007 should push van Zanten's profile up to an even loftier plateau. Read

Posted by Rachelle at 11:08 AM | Permalink

I turned to '4' and soundchecked after a full morning of flying from the north to the south and then over the northeast. Apparently no airlines wish to fly direct from Prince George to Edmonton anymore. So I took a slight detour through Vancouver. It was wonderful to see the ocean again.
Last night I played a show with Ann Vriend in the bustling prairie city of Edmonton. I must admit that I am out of shape. My arms ached after 4 songs of slide playing and my voice was soar. I must get back to where I once belonged before the European dates begin. It was a charming crowd and I was happy to see Ponoka again, my small fan club from the southern farming community. Thank you to all of the peeps who braved the -30 degrees to come to the show. I salute you.
I now get an entire week of hanging out in my old hometown before the insanity begins again. I miss the road so everything is in good timing.

Posted by Rachelle at 2:43 PM | Permalink

Northern Lights Folk Club
Queen Alexandra Community Hall
10425 University Avenue
Edmonton, AB
Double bill with Ann Vriend
SOLD OUT! SORRY!

Posted by Rachelle at 7:20 PM | Permalink

I am suffering slightly from post road syndrome. It is a challenge to sit and stare and wait and think and ponder and write and play and eat three meals a day and shower regularily. But I did see a lynx running across the highway. It bounded in front of the car and disappeared into a snow drift. That was magical. And then I saw 4 moose sleeping in the snow, enjoying the sun. Pretty darn exciting times. And well, the deer live here amongst the horses and they are mildly exciting. I run out to the end of the driveway and hold my cell phone in the air to try and receive text messages which I never get...hint hint Hamish and G!...and then out of the darkness a deer jumps out of the ditch and scares the crap out of me. But they don't attack (yet). THey just walk on by and wonder what the heck i am doing out in the middle of the road in my pajamas and down jacket with a cell phone up in the air. Yes, I am missing the lights and the sushi and the cell phone reception.
I'll be out there soon. Until then I shall eat moose jerky, stoke the fire, and think of new slide riffs that Hamish will like. Anything in 'D' is cool with him i reckon. DO you miss me Tescers?

Posted by Rachelle at 11:49 PM | Permalink