Royal Speaks

Feb 9th, 2009

My belly full with a Scottish breakfast and coffee, it’s drug coursing through my veins, heart pumping, I sit in this small hotel in Edinburgh and thank the stars for my life.

I am alone, but only in body today. I have loved ones waiting for me. I have dear friends, and new friends and musical comrades. I have a venue only a block away tonight in this aged city. Ancient walls grown green with moss and crumbling mortar line the street on either side. A short stroll to a place to showcase my heart.

I shall drink it all in and be thankful.

We are the dreamer of dreams. And we are the music makers.

I have heard the initial mixes of my new release, and they bring an exhale. A release of the holding of breath I always have until the songs are born for you. They take such a long time to gestate. The zygote splitting seems like such a long time ago.

Royal

Jan 25th, 2010

Friends,

I find myself in a little cafe in the 10th district of Paris, France. Drinking a cafe creme and wondering if F. Scott Fitzgerald or Ernest Hemingway sat on this corner, watching the Parisians make their way down this cobbled street.

The architecture is a marvel, and it rivals any sight I have seen on my travels throughout Europe in the past. Their buildings, and gardens, and doorways are the stuff of artisans and masterings of form.

I am content to simply be it’s witness - for I am enriched by doing so.

In a few days I am off to Dublin, where familiar faces await.

Royal

Jan 17th, 2010

Dear friends,

I am alive and well in Paris. I have had too much cheese and bread, and ingested far too much wine this evening, but it has all made memories I shall never forget.

Life is what you make it.

Tomorrow I shall explore the Musee Rodin…

I am enchanted…

Royal

Dec 29th, 2009

The holidays were spent with family. I read by firelight and air sweetened with wood smoke. I warmed my belly with wine and my soul with heartfelt embraces – and I wouldn’t alter a single memory for all the silver and gold in this world.

I hope all of your memories were sweet and lasting this year as well.

Here are a few of the records that found their way into my ipod playlist this holiday.

M Ward – Hold Time
Bon Iver – For Emma, Forever Ago
Timber Timbre - Timber Timbre
Elvis Perkins – In Dearland
Howie Beck – How to Fall Down In Public
Fleet Foxes – Fleet Foxes

Xo
Royal

Nov 24th, 2009

Winter has touched my face, but only briefly. I am hoping to finish this tour in Manitouwadge Ontario at the end of the month and get back home before the old man really kicks in. I am a Canadian in the marrow, but sometimes I need a summer sun more than frosty cold toes. I did however purchase a new toque that was worth the $29.95 in Saskatoon with earflaps. It is not the most fashionable, but it bottles in the heat like I imagine an igloo would.

This trip has been one of many firsts. Starting with it being my debut western headline tour in Canada. The fact that it has been to capacity and sold out crowds is astonishing to me.

This tour was also the first time I have enlisted street teams and fans to aid in the promotion. The response was overwhelming and I can’t express enough my heartfelt gratitude to everyone who leant a hand.
I have witnessed the mountains of Canmore Alberta from their heights. The image stopped time in its tracks and slowed my breath to a gentle hush. I was at peace viewing the universes splendor.

There are but three more shows left on this journey of mine, and though tired and in need of a proper rest in my own bed, the people I have met have left their mark, and Canada continues to be the most beautiful country in the world to me.

Your friend in music,
Royal

Nov 2nd, 2009

I find myself in the cold fall air, but warmed by the heart of the East Coast. How I adore this part of the Canadian tour.

I could live here a spell. It is magic indeed.

Royal

Why does big business always choose monetary over humanity? Don’t they have family and friends that will be affected? They must have at least one loved one near by? Don’t they understand the damage to our ecosystem and our health that this proposed 450 diesel train schedule will have?

For the sake of our beloved neighborhood, if you live in Toronto please take a second to sign this petition, and then pass it along.

http://www.cleantrain.ca/petition.php

They are so close to passing this through legislation, despite public protest and a warning from the Toronto Board of Health.

Royal

July 28th, 2009

Dearest friends and foes alike,

I have a bag full of ideas, a head full of songs and a heart blood-full and beating. If you add all of that up, the positives and the positives, you, as you may remember from school, will get a positive = the new record.

So far, there are a few eraser marks on the chalkboard, but that is the beauty of chalk - the clouds of dust and white finger prints lead to epiphanies

Royal

June 7th, 2009

There is no easy out in life. In fact, the opposite result exists if that is the choice. It is only through die hard perseverance and head down, heart out, lungs stretched daily attack that life is worth living and the true potential can be reached.

I welcome the challenge - with the ache and all.

Your musical friend,
Royal

May 9th, 2009

I leave for Montreal tomorrow on the train. Oh that city. My old holy ground. The place where I cut my teeth as a songwriter, desperately wanting to be Leonard Cohen. This time the songs have a home already in my heart. Pure emotion on paper - baited and waiting to hit the tape.

The first refrain of “were rolling” is exhilarating and achingly beautiful. Each song holds such promise. I hear the songs in my head, as I plan them to come about, but as in life, so much changes with circumstance and inspiration. A gust of wind. A delayed train. Who knows what the tea holds this time? I think I do, but not truly knowing is the wonderful part of creation.

Royal