Royal Speaks

Dear friends,

Some ask where I find the inspiration to create. So, I decided to post a synopsis of each song on The Waiting for you all.

YOU CAN’T GO BACK
Is a message to explain how one can be so transformed by another, that it would be impossible to ever return to a time before their existence in your world.

DO YOU RECALL
Is an amalgamation of breakups – when you’re looking back and you don’t really know what it was that lead to their demise.

WAITING
Is about letting go of the ghosts of lovers past.

ON TOP OF YOUR LOVE
Is a song I wrote in the name of lust – about being separated from someone you just can’t have to satisfy your desire.

BIRDS ON SUNDAY
Is a call to nature and to faith. How your beliefs can come in and out of your life.

THE ISLAND
We are all at sea, drifting without a charted course until we find an island that gives us hope that we may indeed have had a destination after all.

A DISCOVERY (WE’RE LOVELY)
Is a song simply about the elation of new love, and how the two lovers feel as if they are the only ones alive on the face of the earth – and how they fear its passing.

TONIGHT I WILL BE YOUR GUIDE
Is a lifeline to a loved one in a moment of unclarity and sadness.

PARADISE
Is a song about the loss of untainted love. When Eden falls.

LADY IN WHITE
Was a song I wrote after a dear friend lost her grandmother to illness, and then witnessed her seemingly healthy grandfather slip away weeks later in search of his bride.

WHEN NOTHING’S LEFT
Is a lovers message to their chosen one to never give up on their existence. To battle against everything life throws at them together – united as friends and as lovers.

Well dear friends, the David Gray tour is over, but the memories will remain. Luckily my guitar play Dean Drouillard brought along his camera and snapped a few keep sakes to aid in the memory jog.

One shot I truly enjoyed was this image showcasing the possible guitar pedal envy Dean may have experienced setting up in front of David’s guitar player Neill Maccoll every night.

I must tell you that the energy that exists in an empty theatre is one that can only be experienced to truly understand. The room carries ghosts that register as ancient. Crowds long since gone, but not forgotten.

While in Vancouver, CBC Radio 3 was kind enough to have me in the studio for a chat about The Waiting. You can still hear the broadcast here.

The term for the opening act is sometimes referred to as the “support act” – so I thought I would demonstrate how I was “supporting” David and holding him up during his performance on a nightly basis.

For those of you who made it out to one of the shows, you will undoubtedly remember the light show on David’s set. Part of the gear was a spinning mirrored ball set up at the back of the stage, that would throw dancing reflections around the room during “Nemesis”. As you can see, David and his band were enjoying their time in Canada though. Here is a shot of a little Canadian bear attached to the top of it, that spun along with the ball at each concert.

Although the rest of the 12 shows were in theatres, the final show was in Halifax, NS at the Metro Centre. It is a huge arena and was my first experience performing in such a venue of this magnitude. Our backstage was set up in one of the teams dressing rooms, and although I didn’t have any skates with me, I did feel the glow of being a proud Canadian in a place of hockey worship.

I have most likely shared enough, so I will close by saying “thank you” to everyone who took the time to listen, purchase “The Waiting” at intermission, and send along emails of new found fan-ism. I certainly hope to see you out at one of my own headline dates across Canada in the fall.

All the best to you and yours,

Royal

Five days, Four hotels, three shows, two flights, one ferry ride and already endless memories into the musical journey, the David Gray tour is off to an incredible start.

David is a whimsical character, full of sarcasm and wit in person and witnessing him and his band each night has left me inspired. Such professionalism. They are all veteran players well into their 40’s or more and each night I watch them reach for new heights in their own craft.

So far David, his band and the entire crew have treated Dean and I like equals and we have all exchanged words of praise, respect and plain old gear-head speak.

I feel like the Universe guides each of us on our path, if we choose to see the signs. Here is a dustpan and a meter with my name on it that Dean captured on his iPhone side stage.

As with all tours there is a fair deal of waiting for load in, sound check, set time, load out etc. Back stage though, I guess they thought Dean and I were drinkers and ate our own body weight in food each night, because they set out a 24 beer on ice, a bottle of wine, a bottle of whiskey, and more food than my entire band would need on a headline show to snack on.

Recently I felt like I needed to give back some of the gifts I have been given in this life, so I decided to sponsor a child with World Vision. However, fate decided that was not enough. So before leaving on tour World Vision asked to come along with me, and set their tables up beside my merch table – so that we can all be the change the world needs. Here is a snapshot of the craziness.

I guess that is enough for now. I will check back again soon from the road with more tales!

Royal

I am feeling connected to all things today. Inspired and alive. Excited to be releasing new music. To tour again. To be in motion.

I dug a hole and planted a seed so long ago. Now the sun is out and I am drinking it all in.

It is time to perform The Waiting for your ears and for your hearts.

Each day, let us all make magic.

Royal

March 11th, 2010

I’ve slipped into a new world – one with many hands and ears.

I’m still at the helm. My course charted by the stars in my Universe ever-expanding in a desired direction.

Onwards…

Royal

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