ShawnaCaspi.com

July 25, 2010

Sun, 25 Jul 2010 10:43:20 -0400

I promised you I'd be writing - and I've been working hard.
If you haven't found a seat in my cozy facebook living room, you might be missing out on the latest tunes, coming at you live, in intimate, "house concert"-style videos. Check out the latest song here.

July 4, 2010

Sun, 04 Jul 2010 12:47:25 -0400

Just waking up from June with a coffee in hand...thank you to everyone who cheered me on in the rain, at 1:00am, after a three-hour detour to the venue, through all the mishaps and victories, with bursts of laughter and unforgettable stories. I'm busy writing again and looking forward to sharing it all with you back out there on stage real soon.

Gigs are in the works, but I'll give you huge advance notice about my next confirmed appearance at the great Moonshine Cafe in Oakville - I'll be opening for Nova Scotia's Dave Gunning on October 14th! I'm telling you now so you have plenty of time to go pick up all of Dave's dreamy records.

June 1, 2010

Tue, 01 Jun 2010 21:43:19 -0400

Just got word that I'm playing North by Northeast again this year! Find details for all upcoming gigs here.

May 25, 2010

Tue, 25 May 2010 23:56:38 -0400

I have a couple of just-outside-of-town appearances currently booked in June. There was some mention of bug spray. More details soon.

Until then, check out some new and old songs recorded LIVE at my brand new youtube channel!

Here's a clip for now - an old song that's perfect for unsettled weather in these humid days of heat warnings and impending thunderstorms:

May 1, 2010

Sat, 01 May 2010 19:49:27 -0400

I don't mean to leave you hanging until the 1st of the month, but I must have been saving up the news until I burst.

April was filled with gigs, including a big reunion show at the Free Times Cafe with my old pal Brian Crosby. It was just like old times. But with more skill. And more upper body strength. We have lots of hi-def video from the night, so check back soon for clips. While we wade through the footage, enjoy this tune for now - a new song of Brian's that he kindly let me sing on:

May brings a real sweet songwriter's circle at Ania Ziemirska's long-awaited EP-release. I'll get to hang out with the likes of Bunmi Adeoye, Dave Borins, and Jeff Giles - all on one stage! Tickets and more info at C'est What.

And finally, today marks the start of the Lilith Fair Toronto local talent search. A bunch of really talented girls, many of whom have CDs in my CD library, are all bunched into THIS ourstage channel, where you can listen and vote for your favourite. The winner gets to play the Village Stage at the Toronto stop of the tour. In 1998 and 1999, you would have found me jumping up and down in the audience at the Ottawa and Toronto stops of Lilith. Help me get up on stage this year!

April 1, 2010

Thu, 01 Apr 2010 00:03:55 -0400

It's a new month and (no foolin'!) there are new gigs to announce and a special new web feature.

Come spend April with me at any of these fine venues.

And listen to some new songs in the brand new live music corner. Keep checking back as more recordings are added!

March 6, 2010

Sat, 06 Mar 2010 19:21:56 -0500

Campfire at the Cameron number three on Wednesday night was beautiful! Big thanks to Elana and Amy for being the big contributors to that beauty. I heard some reassuring news about the future of The Cameron House so I'm hoping that another campfire will be coming soon. Stay tuned.

For now, check out the video Tony shot from the show:

Next up is a gig with
Kev Corbett on March 16th at C'est What!

February 7, 2010

Sun, 07 Feb 2010 12:44:29 -0500

Check out the new poster for Campfire at the Cameron III and RSVP on the facebook event page.

Songwriters Unite! has a very special website set up for donations to the Haiti relief effort. Donate here and get download credits for some real fine songs.

January 23, 2010

Sat, 23 Jan 2010 01:05:57 -0500

Happy new year, three weeks in! I played some fine gigs in the past week at Slack's and C'est What, with lots of cozy crowds and collaboration. Didn't get enough? I'm really excited to announce that the third Campfire at the Cameron show is coming on March 3rd and I'm bringing along two of the toughest, most talented gals in the treefort: Amy Campbell and Elana Harte! Get out your gear and gather round our fire pit. It's all in the back room at the Cameron House.

December 29, 2009

Tue, 29 Dec 2009 11:49:12 -0500

After a brief bout of "empty shelf" syndrome, my CD, Paint by Numbers, is back in stock at CD Baby. Happy holidays everyone and thanks for snapping up those CDs!

December 14, 2009

Mon, 14 Dec 2009 23:27:39 -0500

New gigs! New videos! News! Get it before time runs out on two thousand and nine!

November 22, 2009

Sun, 22 Nov 2009 21:12:14 -0500

Catching my breath after last weekend's packed show at the Cameron House. It was a cozy campfire with lots of laughs and singalongs on stage with Andrea Simms-Karp and Brian Simms. Cinnamon buns and sleepovers. Brunch and tiny cereal boxes.
Check out this live track from the show - Guelph gets a shoutout with Red Brick Cafe and rare guitar strumming action on my part. Lyrics can be found here.

I premiered a new song at the show called Let it Lie, which was captured on video in rehearsal a few days before. Watch it and other footage on facebook.

The Underground at York University was hospitable as always, with a warm welcome after a particularly frustrating TTC ride Northbound. Great to hear Christopher Charles with his smooth vocals and percussive guitar technique.

November 12, 2009

Thu, 12 Nov 2009 00:00:13 -0500

As promised, here's the fabulous poster for this Saturday's Campfire at the Cameron show, designed and drawn by Erin Smith. Post it! Share it!

In late-breaking news, I'll be playing at the Underground at York University next Wednesday as part of Indie Music Night, opening for Christopher Charles. It's free and anyone can attend, so check out the details on the gigs page.

And finally, if you're not on my mailing list and tuned in to my facebook page, you could be missing out on some exclusive content! New songs, videos, scribbles...join up to get in.

October 22, 2009

Thu, 22 Oct 2009 00:13:32 -0400

Stay close for a full news update, including a new poster for the upcoming Campfire at the Cameron show, but first - a blast from the past.

Back in 2004 or so, I arranged Danny Michel's great tune Two Hearts for the acappella group WIBI, who I was singing with at the time. One winter night, me and some friends drove to Waterloo to see Danny play at the Starlight and after the show, I handed him the score and admitted what I had done. Through a haze of strep throat-induced fever, Danny was understandably confused. Upon later hearing WIBI sing the song, he loved it enough to invite us to sing at his CD release at the Mod Club in Toronto. This footage later made it onto his live DVD and now, into the lush fields of youtube:

The soloist is Andrew Smith. Thanks to Danny and the Kelp crew for treating us like rockstars.

September 24, 2009

Thu, 22 Oct 2009 00:12:47 -0400

It's been a busy month. Great to see some of you enjoying in the sunshine at the Queen West Art Crawl last weekend. It was nice to play a warm, breezy outdoor gig. Hope to post some photos soon.

Now I'm buckling down with some grant writing and a little bit of Fall relaxation. Campfire at the Cameron is returning on November 14th with Andrea Simms-Karp and Brian Simms rolling into town - not to be missed!
And don't forget to keep up with the facebook page - a new video has been posted.

August 30, 2009

Sun, 30 Aug 2009 18:06:38 -0400

Campfire at the Cameron was a BLAST! Thanks to Jon and Ian for the beautiful music and to everyone who showed up and embraced the campfire theme. Hope to do it again.

If you weren't there and want a taste...here are a couple of live recordings:

==> Ian plays some harmonica on Dating Service Blues and I tell the story of how we met.

==> Big finale featuring Ian Reid on vox and Jon McLurg on vox and additional acoustic guitar - The Lemonheads' The Outdoor Type.

Thanks to Frank Nevada for the recording!

August 18, 2009

Tue, 18 Aug 2009 20:00:15 -0400

I've been stocking supplies for Campfire at the Cameron. It's going to be a full out indoor campfire experience, with all the treats you expect. We really do want you to bring a cozy blanket or sleeping bag to snuggle up in. If you have a favourite camping hat or vest or set of shoelaces, bring those too! We'll play tunes for you all night.

If you haven't tracked down my fan page on facebook yet, check it out! A few new live videos have been posted:

July 26, 2009

Sun, 26 Jul 2009 19:52:27 -0400

Wine, cheese, and summer breeze - it's all at Cafe Taste this Wednesday, along with me and Ania Ziemirska. Come on out!

And check out the new poster for Campfire at the Cameron in August. Pass it on!

July 5, 2009

Sun, 05 Jul 2009 19:27:40 -0400

I'm glad to hear that all the Toronto Farmers' Markets are back up and running, despite the city workers' strike. To celebrate, here's an extra-special live track from the Girls Girls Girls show at the Cameron House on June 6th:

Download I Will Bring You Home
Special thanks to Michael Borlace for recording the show!

July 1, 2009

Thu, 02 Jul 2009 07:15:34 -0400

In the spirit of Canada Day, I'd like to say a special thanks to the fine folks in little towns who took me in over the past year, placing me on stages in their communities and welcoming me warmly. Whether I'm travelling near or far, every farmhouse roof, footbridge, highway sign, cow field, and coffee brew makes me fall in love with this country even more. I hope I can continue to explore the corners and curves.

Next week, I'm close to home at Slack's with some amazingly talented ladies. Stop by if you can!

June 18, 2009

Thu, 18 Jun 2009 23:53:19 -0400

It's been a busy few weeks. The Cameron House was a swell night - typical of the venue. It was certainly the brightest I've ever seen the room - literally. A camera crew and audio engineer were on hand documenting the event for multiple senses, so stay tuned for footage.

I quite enjoyed the drive over to Inverary, Ontario (although next time I may take the scenic route in daylight). The Playhouse was sweet and full of character and the music was fabulous. Photos to come.

May 25, 2009

Mon, 25 May 2009 22:01:51 -0400

June will be here before you know it! Help us promote the Girls! Girls! Girls! gig at the Cameron House by circulating the sharp poster.

April 20, 2009

Mon, 20 Apr 2009 21:49:34 -0400

I've been writing up a storm, surrounded by tunings and sentence fragments and the occasional diminished fifth. New shows are blooming in the Spring and Summer, so keep watching the gigs grow.

March 24, 2009

Tue, 24 Mar 2009 21:49:11 -0400

I think I'm in love with The Moonshine Cafe. Thanks so much to all of you who came and packed the fine Oakville venue last week, listening with interest and respect. It was the perfect way to cap off my February gigs.

The next live show on the horizon is in Toronto on March 22nd as part of Songwriters Expo at the Cadillac Lounge.

March 3, 2009

Tue, 03 Mar 2009 21:48:47 -0500

February 22, 2009

Sun, 22 Feb 2009 20:48:17 -0500

Wow, it's been a crazy couple of weeks! Peterborough was a welcome retreat, from meeting a fellow David Francey fan on the Greyhound over, to trading gum surgery stories with the waitress at Black Honey. I loved it at The Spill - it had a homelike familiarity and Dave Tobey, the man who runs it all, felt like an old friend. Caylie and Kelly's sets were filled with solid songwriting and beautiful performances. Thanks to everyone who made it possible. I hope to be back soon.

The Ben Folds show was wild. Nothing like being on stage in front of a screaming rock crowd in a warehouse. And it's always an honour to sing with my old friends in WIBI. When I was a young concert-goer, we used to hide our disposable cameras in the bottoms of tampon boxes to get them past security. Now it's expected that anything anyone does anywhere will eventually make it to YouTube:

UNDERGROUND - soloist: Aaron Jensen

DON'T STOP BELIEVING - soloist: Suba Sankaran

Trivia: The sharp dresser singing the flygirl part with me in Underground is none other than Dylan Bell, the force behind my last record!

Oakville's next on February 25th - Women in Song at the Moonshine Cafe. Hope to see you there!

February 13, 2009

Fri, 13 Feb 2009 20:47:52 -0500

Exciting news! WIBI, the acappella group that took me in for three wonderful years, will be performing a set at the Toronto stop of Ben Folds' latest tour, this Tuesday, February 17th at Kool Haus. I'll be joining my old friends on stage for three songs, including this one that got us the gig:

January 26, 2009

Mon, 26 Jan 2009 20:47:19 -0500

Today is the one-year anniversary of my last record! What a year it's been...NXNE, Nathan Phillips Square, my first OCFF conference...thanks to everyone who made it possible.

As a special treat, have a look at how the CD cover graphics transformed from beginning to end.

January 5, 2009

Mon, 05 Jan 2009 20:46:53 -0500

New year news -> Indie Music Night at the Underground has been moved to February 10th due to the strike at York University. See you in February!

December 24, 2008

Wed, 24 Dec 2008 20:46:14 -0500

Happy holidays! At this very time last year, I was combing through my album liner notes, frantically trying to catch all the typos before sending the graphics off to the printer. Hope your holidays are much more relaxing, filled with brightness and merriment and joy.

Paint by Numbers was recently reviewed in the Dutch online roots magazine, rootstime. If your Dutch is a little rusty or you wish to read a whole collection of press clips, snowshoe your way over here for an English translation and more kind words from kind folks.

December 19, 2008

Fri, 19 Dec 2008 20:45:48 -0500

Due to the continuing labour strike at York University, it's looking like the January 13th gig at the Underground will be postponed until February. Keep checking back for more details once the date is confirmed.

December 16, 2008

Tue, 16 Dec 2008 20:45:04 -0500

Check out the new gigs - in and out of town.

December 14, 2008

Sun, 14 Dec 2008 20:44:16 -0500

Hey Toronto! Have you been to Musideum yet? It's a beautiful music store filled with delightful instruments from all over the world, scores by the likes of John Cage, and great CDs by independent artists. There's also a big studio in the basement and live music performances popping up in and around the store. It's all happening at 401 Richmond in Toronto.
Go on and visit. While you're there, you can pick up a copy of my CD, now available at Musideum!

November 27, 2008

Thu, 27 Nov 2008 20:37:58 -0500

New photos posted from the OCFF conference - thanks PJ Slack!

November 11, 2008

Tue, 11 Nov 2008 20:29:06 -0500

Nice to see some of the Toronto crowd warming up Graffiti's on Friday night! Always fun to meet a big pile of other songwriters and sing a round of tunes.

If you're not on the e-mail list yet, sign up now and you'll get access to an exclusive video clip just for list members!