Dear reader,

I was worried you would think I was neglecting you, so I thought I should check in.
I’ve been spending a lot of time alone, in my little studio. I’m making music, plain and simple. Songs, songs, songs. Writing, arranging, trying stuff out, seeing what sticks – making it great.
It will still be a while before there’s anything to share, but good things take time.

A few sporadic shows coming up, just because I can’t really stay home completely. Check local listings (especially if you live here in QC).

Anyhow – back to it. More soon.
xo Snailhouse.

Dear reader,

Before I sign off for the year’s end, I offer you a little treat. In case you missed it last year, I wrote and recorded a song for a compilation of Canadian music for the holidays. It was assembled and made available by www.thelineofbestfit.com, a UK based music site. (They made one this year too – check it out)…
My song, “Believer”, was recorded here at home and features Katie Ward on backing vocals. Enjoy below!

2012 is going to rule — hard! I can feel it. The idea is to stay productive, busy and communicative. It’s that simple.

See you soon. Happy holidays – whenever and however that applies to you.

xo Snailhouse

PS – in early 2012, you can expect to hear more about A Sentimental Companion, a collection of raw demos and alternates from the Sentimental Gentleman germination period and beyond.

Hey Gang

I’ve got a few little things to mention, but mostly I just want to say hi, happy holidays (whatever that means to you) and thanks for all your curiosity and support for Snailhouse this year. It’s been good – busy and good. Really busy and really good.

Sentimental Gentleman got a couple of  really nice nods recently.

The album turned up (surprisingly) on the Exclaim’s Folk and Country year end list. I never really saw Snailhouse in that genre, but I guess even when pressed I never really see it in any genre. I can’t complain though – I’m keeping some amazing company on that list (Gillian Welch, Dan Romano, Barr Brothers, Nick Lowe – seriously some of my favourites). Here’s some of what they said.

5. Snailhouse Sentimental Gentleman (White Whale)
… Few artists can so comfortably marry the musical ideals of classic Americana with wildly inventive and exploratory instrumental manipulation and Feuerstack accomplishes that here with aplomb, creating an album of such melodic strength that it should appeal to anyone who loves great songwriting, regardless of genre. - Scott A. Gray

Another nice tip of the hat came from www.folkradio.co.uk, who said “…This is music to dive into, to empathize with and to think about.”

Also, Said the Gramophone, that archive of discovery and magic, included “Apple” on their list of the year’s best 100 songs!

Grayowl Point and Germany’s Crazewire also listed Sentimental Gentleman among their favourites for 2011.

The record also got a sweet bunch of words from HeroHill too, on their musical advent calendar thingy, which was brlliant. Thanks so much! Very kind words:

I owe this record an apology. Not having this record on my Polaris ballot was the biggest musical mistake I made last year. Sure, I loved Sentimental Gentleman and gushed about the quality of Mike’s pen, but over the last year this record has blossomed into something magical. Random couplets he throws into a song would be the pullquote of almost any songwriter alive, so imagine how poignant and perfect his best moments really are. The playfulness and experimentation he adds helps his workmanlike melodies stand proudly alongside his lyrics. Mike’s a treasure that has been overlooked by too many for too long. – Herohill

Anyhow – one other bit of news is that I’ve begun a blog (mindparade.tumblr.com), which I have reserved simply for the of posting audio and video clips of music and art that I admire. So simple. I’ve always meant to reserve a corner of this site for that, but I think this makes more sense. It’s easier to access in case you want to know what I’m into, but you don’t particularly care what Snailhouse is up to!

The plan now is to take a little break, both from shows and from excessive typing, just to sepend time with loved ones and make a whole bunch of new music. I’ll get back to you shortly in the new year. Until then, take it easy.

xo Snailhouse

There’s been an unexpected benefit of all these trips in the past few years. I’ve moved through wonderment at cobblestones and old churches and managed to return enough times that it feels real to be here. I’ve made significant, lasting friends. At first the challenge seemed to be to live in the moment and enjoy the people and places for the time we have together – never really thinking of it as part of my ‘actual’ life. But after a few visits something has changed: my anonymity has dissipated, and I belong (weirdly) here, there and everywhere.

If I am completely honest, I began this tour with a partly defeated feeling – the feasibility and career-mindedness of our work here is a bit of a joke. However, we were determined to have a good time and make the most of it as a holiday doing what we love. Playing music for people never gets old.

There’s no real reason why I should be able to fly so far and be connected to these people and places. For all the problems that are implied, this new small world is totally inspiring. I’ve been enriched by the kindness of our hosts and the dedication and soul of the promoters we work with. This is a loose network of people who simply want to see cool stuff happen, and they are willing to sacrifice their time and energy for it. Hats off to them!

This happens in a variety of settings and across a huge array of classes and styles, and I feel grateful that Snailhouse manages to find a place in each of them. All this to say: sometimes when It’s cold, and I end up eating shitty overpriced pizza in another in a gaudy Christmas market in the cobblestone tourist square, I have to remember to keep my eyes on the prize (whatever it is!).

Sincerely,
Mike.

Dom - Cologne

Snailhorse - Dresden

Xmas market - Anytown DE

Tour reading/listening list so far:
The Collected Stories of Lydia Davis, Tape Op Magazine, The Smiths BBC sessions, Lisa Ekdahl, A Camp, Irma Thomas, Circle C, Sandro Perri and of course Nina Simone.

Dear world

I’m starting to think there are more than 7 wonders of you.

I don’t have the energy to type enough zeroes to tell you how many kms we’ve driven since I last wrote you. I’m exaggerating – there were likely more letters in that sentence than zeroes I would have needed. Anyway, I’ve made my point. We’ve played beautiful shows, for beautiful people in beautiful places – but we’ve had to drive a long way each day to do it. Boo hoo.

I still feel lucky and grateful. Seems like we have really just barely begun this tour. I realize I haven’t given you much so far, but hey, a man’s got to sleep too. He can’t spend all his down time typing. Here are some treats for now.

Sincerely, Mike.

Autobahn from Prague to Berlin (or, this can't be right)

Tubed cat. Leiden NL

You can't tell, but this bear is almost as big as me.

Hi

I’m writing you now from Prague. We’ve just had time for a couple of short, aimless walks, but we couldn’t drive through on a day off and not stop to check it out.

So far we have had a terrific time – with really fun shows in Zwolle, Leiden, Offenbach, Munich and Graz. I’ll leave you with a video from the lovely folks who organized out Munich show. Visit hauskonzerte.com to see what other kinds of great things they are doing.

From here we’ll head to Berlin, where we play tomorrow at Schokoladen. I’ll send more information when I can.
- Mike F.

I just returned from the East coast, where the Snailhouse band was re-united to play some shows in Sackville, Halifax PopExplosion and Fredericton. Thanks so much to all of you who showed up to these shows. Heartwarming!

Special thanks to Bob Deveau, who filled in on the trap-skins for our dear Mr Belyea who is adrift internationally. Bob nailed it, and was a pleasure to hang with (when he wasn’t yelling at strangers***see below). Thanks also to the rest of the band who never, ever mess up in any kind of way that matters.

Kyle Cunjak, and "Toilet: The Novel"

Nick Cobham

Fish Denny and Baub

True Story:

I was saying my goodbyes to Tim “awesome set” Walker and Brad “high class food items” Perry outside Fredericton’s Capital Bar after our show there with Ohbijou, when we were approached by an inebriated young lady.

Though drunk, Brittany still had her charms intact, and she told us she had stolen a globe from somewhere. When she went to the dance bar, she checked it at coat-check (presumably she had to charm them too). At the end of her visit to the establishment, she went to pick it up.

The doorman was all like: “A globe?”
To which Brittany goes: “You know, like an atlas but big and round…”

By the time we met Brittany she no longer had the globe in her possession. I like to think that she bestowed it on someone more needy and less wise. All I really know for sure is that she taught me a mind-load: You can coat check the f—ing globe! If that’s not something to live by, nothing is.

Brittany told us we were the best part of her night, which I take as a huge compliment when I imagine how her night went down. Likewise – charmed, I’m sure. Coat check the globe.

Sincerely,
Snailhouse

*** Notable exception: Yelling “nice rack” at “clothes guy.”

Snailhouse

Next: in Laval for Diapason Festival and yes, the European dates have now been posted!!! See you out there.

Hi world

After the hoedown at Pop Montreal, I headed to Ottawa immediately for a show at the Beautiful GCTC for the Acoustic Waves series. Fun times in a beautiful sounding space.

Evening Hymns, who shared the show in Ottawa.

The West Coast tour was really nice. Big thanks to everyone who came out to support the shows. Thanks also to those who organized and helped with the shows. Also – thanks to the pals who put us up and treated us right. Big thanks also to Scott da Ros – caregiver, co-pilot, camprade and consigliare.

Scotty DR

You can see videos of the Kelowna performance which was broadcast live in a web cast. Go here: Streaming Cafe. They are doing cool things over there. (Sorry if I talk too much sometimes.)

Now I’m going to give you a break and just show you a bunch of pictures.
In short – a lot of driving, a lot of friends old and new, and a lot of nice, mellow shows. I’ll send you another report from the East, and I’ll fill you in on the upcoming EU dates shortly after that.

Until soon,
Snailhouse.

Photo by Scott Da Ros.

Columbia Ice Field. We were already late and so we had to run up the path. The altitude and cold were both unexpected, somehow. Photo by Scott.

Chris Vail of Key to the City (and Snailhouse alumnus!) in Calgary.

A disgusting soother in a tree. Obviously a good omen.

Wildlife list: Mountain Goats, Elk, Deer, Magpies (some people say birds don’t count I say that’s bull shit).

Photo by Scott Da Ros

Photo by Mike

Hi friends

It’s been a while since my last report. There is no real excuse for that other than I was busy. Now, however, I have a bunch of news I want you to know about. First things first: Southern Souls, that marvelous and relatively new installation on the Canadian music scene has done a new performance video of Snailhouse perform the song “Great Storytellers” under one of Montreal’s terrifyingly antique overpasses. Enjoy!

This week, I have been in rehearsal for a show at Pop Montreal with a version of the Snailhouse band which features Jeremy Gara on drums and keys, and Nathan Gage on double bass. We are doing a loose and moody set of old and new. If you are around town for the festival, we would love to see you at Casa del Popolo on the Friday night, when we will share the stage with Dave McLeod, Jennifer Castle and One Hundred Dollars. It will be a great night.

From there – I will head to Ottawa for a solo show as part of the Acoustic Waves Concert Series, of which I’ve always been a fan. My pals Evening Hymns and Mountains & the Trees are also on the bill. It’s going to be a treat. Come out if you are in town. It’s Sunday Sept 25.

Also – zooming up quickly is the Western Canadian tour. I will bring songs from Sentimental Genlteman (as well as old and new “hits”) to the masses in a solo fashion, tooling around with my friend/manager/tour manager/merch girl/consigliare/comrade Scott da Ros. See the FB event here, and cancel your other plans. See you there.

Once the West is conquered, you’ll find us in band form in the East Coast, sharing a couple shows with our friends Ohbijou and then at Halifax Pop Explosion. If we don’t see you in the West we’ll assume to see you at one of these shows.

Plans for Europe in November are also shaping up nicely. Mike Belyea and I will bring you the music as a duo for that one. Get in touch if you want us to visit your town. More on that after you’ve digested all this info (read: after I’ve recovered). It’s been a busy summer … but I’ve missed all your e-eyes.

xo Snailhouse

Paper Beat Scissors Sessions

Since we last spoke, I’ve been making a record with Paper Beat Scissors, which is going to rule. This is my maiden voyage in the role of producer – a vague term that I am constantly redefining for myself. At the beginning of July, we retired to Riverport NS to make the basic tracks (drums, bass and some guitar) at The Old Confidence Lodge with Diego Medina engineering. This is an amazing place to make a record, and I would recommend Diego and his studio to anyone. Later, we took all of the sounds that we made in NS and put them all back together and layered more stuff on top at my house. Currently we are in the middle of mixing with Jeremy Gara. He’s taken one run at it, and he’ll do another few days at the end of August. So far everything is coming together beautifully. The record likely won’t come out for several months, but whenever Tim (PBS brain-master) is ready to share some stuff, I’ll send you his way. We celebrated the end of tracking the PBS record by going to Casa for a show where PBS played with Olympic Symphonium and Al Tuck.

The beautiful (and large!) tracking room at Confidence Lodge. Photo by Mike Belyea.

Photo by Mike Belyea.

HILLSIDE

The next day we woke up early-ish and hit the road for Hillside festival in Guelph. After the drive we had a few beers and a hotel room rehearsal, which was possibly the most relaxed and happy moment of my summer thus far.

Boatin' - Photo By Fish Denny.

Presumably he was eating the sandwich because he was hungry. I can't remember why he was crying.

First thing on Saturday morning, we had a workshop with a band from Brooklyn called Callers. I knew the band’s music and was excited to hear them play. However, if you are not sure what a “workshop” in this context is, let me fill you in: the artists who play at the festival are arranged in varying combinations on stage together throughout the weekend and they have to figure out some way of generating a show based on an extremely loose theme. Our theme was “calling occupants”, presumably based on the names of our bands. Callers were adept at joining us on the Snailhouse songs, and I think we held it together in theirs. Before one of their songs, Ryan (Callers’ guitarist) shouted out “drone in D!” as he launched into a chord progression that took us a bout 3/4 of the song to get behind. Not all the chords sat perfectly comfortably with ‘drone in D.’ Anyhow – if was fun enough that we formed some type of bond that will go beyond that one day we spent together. Callers: fascinating, wholly unique and tremendous band  and awesome people. We hope to meet up with them again soon.

Our official set at the festival was great, but perhaps not as interesting to report about. We played our songs, we did a good job, people applauded. I had wanted to play Hillside with Snailhouse for such a long time (after being there with every other project I’ve been involved with), so I was grateful to be there, and to be treated so well.

Mike at Hillside. Photo by Marilis Cardinal. (Thanks!)

The days were otherwise spent catching up with old friends and acquaintances and catching shows here and there. Highlights: Little Scream, Callers, Etran Finatawa… lots of good music.

Our second and last workshop was with Montreal’s Charlotte Cornfield. Charlotte writes great songs and she and her band were so open hearted that this workshop was about as “good vibes” as one can be. We alternated and joined in on each other’s songs with timid verve, if there is such a thing.

Someone to watch over me.

SAPPY

I got up early on Saturday morning to check out the Kid’s Corner Power Jam show. This is when the kid’s unveil the magic they’ve been conjuring in camp thourghout the week leading up to Sappy. This was my 1st year uninvolved in the camp, and so needless to say my experience as simply a spectator was mixed – I’d say 10% bitter, 90% sweet. That said, the video team and Adrian (of Apollo Ghosts) and Pat Lepoidevin seemed to step up and deliver as well if not better than I did in the past.

Universal Dawn: Dawn-Aeron Wason (1965-2011) was a poet and friend to many old school Sappy-related people. We lost her this year, and this annual event is named after her. Of course it was not straightforward, but this beautiful couple of hours was one of the hidden treasures of SappyFest this year – featuring readings, songs and films and more from various people, some who knew Dawn and some who didn’t, but all of whom shared something of her beautiful and generous way of looking at life.

Recording in Sackville Music Hall: Another of the things the Festival had to offer this year was Sappy Sessions, where James Anderson had set up a modest recording set up in the Sackville Music Hall. This is a gorgeous theatre that is rarely used and is in pretty serious disrepair. It’s beauty – both visually and acoustically – remains intact. Artists were invited to book a time slot during the weekend to go in there and take advantage of rare main stage silences to take one or two stabs at recording a song in that uncommonly beautiful space. I performed a version of “Bell,” which is quite an old song. I chose it because it includes so much silence and space. Also – I have never recorded it on guitar as I wrote and often preform it – the released version is accompanied by Dave Draves on the piano. I thought I’d try to document it in its native form – maybe it will become public at some point…

Even though the plan for Sappy this year did not include a Snailhouse performance per se, I was happy to have a chance to play a few songs in the Freeebird. For those of you who don’t know what this is, let me fill you in. bleubird! is a rapper from Florida who has made it his mission to travel all around North America in a smallish RV and do guerilla performances and jams wherever he goes. He and comrade Thesis (together they comprise Les Swashbuckling Napoleons) turned up at Sappy and rocked the parking lot next to the main stage whenever there was a gap between acts. More than a few people talked about this as a highlight. It was a surreal pleasure to see that van stuffed and bouncing, with tinny bass flying out of the top speakers and people crowded around outside trying to get a peek in the windows.

Other highlights: Arcade Fire‘s secret show was of course the big news, and they were great and gracious. Maylee Todd ruled against all odds. Drumheller was so good I thought I might freak out. Charles Bradley was unquestionably the highlight of the festival for me, musically. It’s possible that I’ve never heard a band as good at being a band as this one.

And of course, there were a few sweaty games of wall ball.

Bell Orchestre Weekend

I write you now from Vermont, where Bell Orchestre is taking a week out to reconnect with each other at Kaveh’s (Bell O’s trumpet player) family cottage. Lucky to be among friends in a beautiful place, I am catching my breath long enough after this already action packed half summer to get you all caught up on Snailhouse related happenings. We brought our instruments and made some amazing space music with no goal other than to enjoy our time playing and make some noise… success!

As you can see, it hasn’t been all Snailhouse all the time, but Snailhouse goes where the magic is, and the magic always feeds back into Snailhouse.

Coming up

Welcome to Toronto.

There are of course a bunch of shows coming up. Next week will see Snailhouse playing solo, supporting old friends A Northern Chorus, who are reuniting for a couple nights only in their hometowns of Hamilton and Toronto. Then there will be a rooftop show in Montreal at Ubisoft with Monogrenade. September will bring Pop Montreal and finally the Western Canadian portion of the Snailhouse tour plans.