Cora McLachlan

Well, this Friday I am playing the last gig I have booked. I have no more booked.

I must say I truly enjoyed opening for Karla Adolphe at the Prickly Pear in Medicine Hat last month, and was warmly received by her warm-hearted fans!

I have some new direction for my music.

I will be focusing on connecting with different communities of friends who are also musicians, and hopefully booking some house concerts, possibly this fall, but more likely next spring. I’ll also be doing some recording, and have some new ideas about that, too. Things are brewing, but in their own time.

I am also taking a creativity coaching course, beginning in August, which will be keeping me busy for the next while.

July is folk fest time, and just relaxing in my yard and home with my guitar and my music.

Talk to you soon,

and maybe see you at Steeps Tea on Whyte Ave this Friday, July 10, at 7:30.

~ Cora

My next gig is at the Blue Chair in Edmonton with Dave Von Bieker.

I’m excited to play music with Dave, and just to be at the Blue Chair!

Well, for the most part, I have gone solo now! I’m no longer with the Shrinking Violets, simply because I felt the need to focus on my music, but not enough time to put the energy I would like into a band.

So for now, most of my shows will be “just moi”. I do plan on collaborating with people now and then, but am focusing on my song writing and solo gigs right now.

Friday April 3rd I’m playing at Merchant’s in Camrose. Hope to see you there!

I’m in a reflective mood, and I thought I would write an update as to what has been going on with me musically lately!

1. I have been writing new batches of songs - meant to be played by just me and my guitar. I hope to share these songs with you soon.

2. I have started booking solo gigs. Keep checking back to my site, as I am planning to play at least one coffee shop style show per month over the next year. I’m also going to be playing a show at the Blue Chair with Dave Von Bieker at the end of April, which I’m excited about already - and you should be too!

3. From January 15-18th, I went down to an artists retreat in Colorado, and spent some time with some really good people. It was actually a really big weekend for me in terms of gaining direction for my music, what I need to work on, and in feeling encouraged about who I am as an artist.

I hope this day finds you well. Thanks for reading

Yes - the end of the “Cora and Kirsten” era….October 25th, our show at the Mocha Cabana in Lethbridge was our last show together, (which, by the way, was a fun show, a nice venue, and great chance to visit with some old friends). But wait! I’m not saying goodbye to working with Kirsten!

Kirsten and I are now in a band called “The Shrinking Violets”. We have had the chance to collaborate with our friend Kimberley MacGregor, and the three of us are the core band. Currently, we’re seeking out a drummer, lead guitarist, and bass player who will be able to support our songs. So far, it’s been a lot of fun practicing. I have been brushing up on my harmonizing skills, as well as branching out into new fields (i.e. the harmonica!).

My first show with The Shrinking Violets is December 5th, at the Carrot (see details on my “shows” page).

I hope to see you there!

Well, September has come and basically gone, and has been eventful once again as far as music goes!

Tonight I played with Kirsten at the Carrot stage of the Kaleido Arts Festival which is put on by the Arts on the Avenue Organization in my neighbourhood. I was glad to be a part of the festival. After we played, TJ and I wandered over to the main stage outdoors, and sat and listened to the Wheatpool, warmed by the nearby firepits. It was really cool to be able to sit outside in our neighbourhood at night, with the smell of campfire, and a sort of peace in the air.

This month Kirsten and I have also been practicing with our friend Kimberly, who will be joining us/collaborating with us on a regular basis. I’m really excited to see where this new road will take us!

On Tuesday, Kirsten and I will be playing at a friend’s church, and that will be it for September!

October is going to be filled with much practice, as I challenge myself, and also work with Kirsten and Kimberly to re-think/fresh the set-list. I think of it as a re-creation right now, and hope to grow into a new phase of performing, of music, and adventuring. I have a couple of shows in the end of October, so until then - ciao. 

Velvet Olive…and Beyond!

Just thought I’d write about my August shows.

Myself, TJ, and Kirsten went for a little road trip to Calgary on August long weekend, and played at three stops there: a Chapters Store, House Coffee Sanctuary, and Steeps Tea. All in all, it was a fun time, and we learned a lot about promotion, sound, and set some new goals for our music to come. We still haven’t found a band name, though! (any ideas out there…?)

Tomorrow we’ll be playing at the Velvet Olive in Red Deer, and I’m quite excited about that! I’m hoping to see a few of my old friends there, and just looking forward to playing this new venue.

Keep checking back here for updates on new dates for shows, as we plan on revamping our set list, and adding some new and different live material…and hopefully be collaborating with some of our other musician friends, too!

Take care,

Cora.

On July 19th my self-titled CD will be officially released! Please check back here to see where you can get a copy for yourself…..(a sneak preview of one of the song “Two By Two” can be heard on my “Listen” page).

Also, you can email me at this address: cora@coramclachlan.com and ask me to send you a copy……

Doing this CD has been something very necessary for me and all of the songs are autobiographical. I’m proud of the way it turned out, and thankful for all the help I had in getting this collection of songs compiled in such a way.

Now that I have these songs recorded and am almost ready to put them out into the world, it seems I have opened a new window in my songwriting life. I have already begun writing new songs that are more adventurous both on the guitar and vocally, and I feel I’m growing into the style that I had been striving for in the past. I guess for me to grow I had to be willing to lose my need for perfection and start exactly where I was at!

I’m so happy to be writing this on my new website! Thanks to Dave Von Bieker I now have an official website! 

Thought I would write some of my music news…

First off - I have been working on a CD that is currently in the “wrap-up” stage. It’s self-titled, with 11 songs of mine, each of which express different places I’ve been at in my life over the past year and a half. I’ve been blessed with having a handful of talented people help me out with this CD….there will be drums, bass, some lead guitar, and harmonies. Check back here soon for previews of the songs and info about where you can get a copy!

Secondly - I am currently collaborating with some lovely people and planning on doing a handful of live shows around Alberta this summer/late fall…to promote the CD, but also for the experience itself. See you at a coffee or tea shop sometime soon!

–Cora–