It would've been easier if I had of written another blog in between now and, oh say the last 2 months. Because there's no way I can squeeze everything in here.
Last time checked in here I'd just arrived in Buffalo. I kinda just came from Buffalo too. (no I didn't get stuck there for 2 months, its was a cool place…but not that cool)
I'm in sunny Santa Cruz California at the mo, catching up with an old friend before heading to play in San Fran next week. Then up to Mendocino to play at the Living Culture Festival.

The Festival Darren and Co organized in Buffalo was the perfect place I needed to be after a month in NYC. The festival was set about an hr Sth of Buff on a fair-few aches of land, surrounded by trees and nature…and a lot of Amish people. Was a bit surreal hanging out around the festival, and you hear the clip-clop of Amish carts on the near by road carrying afew bags of grain, gallons of milk and friendly smiles and waves. …who's missing out on what, us or them eh?
The festival was independent and fairly lowkey, so it wasn't over run with ppl mayhem (maybe acouple of 100, if that). But the vibe was perfect. It was like all the cool goodtime-loving cats from Buff had come out to Beat Fest to escape the small town vibe, and see some good music for a weekend. Big respect to Jony James Blues Band-The hardest working band I've ever seen. Who also allowed me to play during their break acouple of time in Downtown Buff. Which was some of the best gigs I've done on this Journey. The ppl there love their music…I'll def be passing thru again.

Toronto was a slight change of pace….Back to the big smoke.
I guess TO was a lot like Melbourne….but so not too.
I spent about a month there…maybe to long. But I was worth it. I wanted to spread myself as far and wide a possible, playing as much as I could. It's a tough town to make waves in, due to its size, and sheer number of artist all trying to do 'their' thing. I guess that's why it's like Melbourne. There's always something going on somewhere…if you want to find it, or if it wants to find you really. There was always a jam night going on somewhere. Which is kinda different to an Open Mic. Because ppl just get up and play with you if they think they can. Sometimes it works….sometimes it doesn't. But when it worked; Oh my god magic. One night I played at Supermarket in Kensington, and had drums, bass, keys, harmonica all join me onstage for afew tunes. And it was perfect. I felt like I had a band with me, (which ive missed SO much) for 15mins everything was in sinc.
I meet an awesome up and coming band Ideas of August (well I think their on their way up!). And hopefully they'll be on their way downunder for a co-tour too next year.
I laid down some slide guitar for their- Feeling Alright track on their debut EP. We did some shows together over that time, where we'd swap between instruments and each others songs.
Its great to meet other musos that you're on the same page with that you can connect on life, and music as the common goal. It's what makes traveling worthwhile. And keeps me moving. But also make towns harder to leave.
I pretty much spent 3 weeks crashing on Dan's floor. Sleep by day, play by night. Good times….

After feeling fairly stationary in TO after a month, I decided I needed to move on.
For years I'd always wanted to get to Montreal, don't really know why. But I'm sure we've all got a place in our mind like it.
Once you're there people will ask you 'why on earth did you want to come here'?
But the only answer is, wait til you're somewhere else you wanted to be…
And, I'll be heading back don't worry. I'd like to spend a summer (Aus winter) there in 09. Brush up on a little French, and try and find some work for afew months, and play more gigs.
Again, tough city to create a vibe. But thru the magic of couchsurfing.com I managed to always have a roof over my head, and an outlet to hound about upcoming gigs.
Any downtime I had, I'd spend it riding around on borrowed bikes from friends, and meeting new people jamming in parks like Mont Royal or Le Fontaine…
I loved the culture there…always some type of Street Festival going on.
3 weeks just wasn't enough!

I headed back to TO for 5days to see Silverchair play, get my foot tattooed and play one last gig. Before playing in Buffalo last week, where I'd also booked my flight to San Jose…
This is probably the least interesting blog I could write, sorry if it's a bit stale.
I'm itching to get outside and start enjoying some ocean breeze and sunshine….And I went to a SWEET Reggae gig last night, and think I left ½ my brain at the venue. Only I SCruz is "420 Friendly" written on the tix. No need to budget for smoke machines on stage, when there's 100's of 'em stanking away infront.


Peace out my friends and foes( …if any? but hi and goodbye to you too anyways)
Keep the music spinning and ya cheeks a'grining.
Take it easy…
Shane Walters