Rachelle Van Zanten

I cruised into Burns Lake after an intense weekend of folking and rocking in Kispiox. Big Muff puffed some smoke and then came to a halt outside the bank. I knew what it was...alternator. Not a big deal really. Painting Daisies' previous van went through 3 in one touring season. I think this one may be the original from 1981 so good on 'er for going this long. It was a quiet and lonely drive without the band in the back. I had to find my Little Feat tape and crank it. Kispiox was an extremely fun festival with the best dance crowd yet this year. We did all of our moves and more. We also had the joy of having Graham Guest on keys for an added texture. Thanks Graham #2.
Prior to Kispiox was the Discovery Coast Music Festival in Bella Coola. I had the joy of meeting Buffy Saint-Marie and learning about her busy and inspiring life. Marshal Boucher was our low end for this go and Graham Roby (drummer boy) was able to fly from L.A. for the occasion. I am not writing with flow tonight as I am falling asleep so shall carry on tomorrow.

Posted by Rachelle at 9:01 PM | Permalink

Kispiox Valley Music Festival
Kispiox, B.C.
Look out for the RvZ Band!
www.kispiox.com/kvmf

Posted by Rachelle at 10:26 PM | Permalink

Discovery Coast Music Festival
Bella Coola, B.C.
Look out for the RvZ Band!
www.bellacoolamusic.org

Posted by Rachelle at 5:57 PM | Permalink

Rocker Girl Camp
Calgary, AB
www.rockergirlcamp.com

Posted by Rachelle at 10:46 AM | Permalink

Rocker Girl Camp
Edmonton, AB

Posted by Rachelle at 9:39 PM | Permalink

I love Canada. Even though we are going through one of the biggest and toughest transitions we have ever faced in my time, I am still in love with the ole gal.
Canada Day in Calgary was good...lots of people, great sound and a four piece band! It was my first time in ages playing as a four piece- we had keys! Thank you Graham Guest for coming to Calgary to give us your Hammond Sweetness. Oh and your Wurlitzer was ace as well. Graham Roby (drummer) and I then went camping in the Rockies for a day just to smell the good smells and taste the glacier water. Robes was amazed at the beauty and so was I.
I then flew to Halifax overnight and headed up to Canso, Nova Scotia to attend the Stan Roger's Festival. I was one of many slide guitar players to take the stage that weekend. The highlight for me was Tex Emmery, legendary pedal steel player. Born in Stockholm, SK, he taught himself to play lap steel guitar, and a year later he was a working professional, backing up Stu Davis, who was at the time a Canadian country music star. Soon after he went on the road with Canadian Country Music Legend Hank Snow. In the next 59 years he played with most of the major country music stars in Canada and the United States, including Chet Atkins, Gene Autry, Bob Wills, Spade Cooley, Hank Thompson, Wilf Carter, Grandpa Jones, and country musician-turned-jazz-legend Lenny Breau. I was honored to share the stage with him. I also loved my workshops with Liam Titcomb, Kraig Kenning, and Kevin Fox. The jams were intense and left the audience feeling inspired I think. I sold out of my CDs so if anyone still needs one, please head to http://cdbaby.com/cd/rvz.
So now i am living in my van again in Edmonton, producing Rocker Girl Camp. I am surrounded by good women who can play there instruments really well! We have 32 girls at this camp which is the perfect amount for the staff we have working. Alright...off for a river valley run now.

Posted by Rachelle at 9:23 PM | Permalink

Stan Roger's Festival
Canso, NS
www.stanfest.com

Posted by Rachelle at 1:07 PM | Permalink

Canada Day Celebration
Olympic Plaza
Calgary, AB
RvZ Band (Graham Roby, Graham Guest, and Kaley Kinjo) with David Wilcox

Posted by Rachelle at 11:00 PM | Permalink