One resolution I've made upon setting off on yet another stab at the masses is to keep good logs of the rich times and experiences had when touring. These logs, recalling the places, people and things with misty nostalgia, will then be sent down the conveyer belt and shaped into blogs. Although not as romantic and nutty in flavor as its predecessor, the blog is far superior and I feel bad and lazy for not having used it before now.

It may be unfair to compare the log to the blog for there is a crucial difference: The log, we keep for ourselves, the blog, we give to others. It's like comparing a diary to an autobiography, very different. We lie less in the log as we'd only be lying to ourselves, but in the blog, bent truth and fabrication is the name of the game, and so it should be. We all know that life in real life is much more boring than life put through the processor of story telling. Our ability to take history, especially our own, and transform it into a cute snowy ball is one that I don't take for granted. It feels good at the end of a bad year to tell yourself or someone else that it was a pretty good year. Remembering only the good times and reclaiming the bad as not so bad is good for one's image and doesn't hurt the old self esteem either.

We're living in a time when it's hard to feel good about yourself, so you got to do what you can to turn that around, however dishonest or skewed the methods. That being said, I don't feel I have to exaggerate or fluff up my accounts of the Mother Mother going ons in order to make them seem better than they were. Things have been good, and I got a feeling the good times are gonna keep on rolling, but not without the help of you, to whom we are grateful. If you're reading this now it must mean you're at least interested in this band, or more than that, you like this band and that you want to take a deeper peek into its personality by looking beyond the immediacy of just music listening alone. To get involved is a beautiful thing, and I'm going to get involved right back, starting with some recap.

The Virgin Music Festival was fun. We were the official icebreakers of day two, a much dryer occasion than day one. Playing first on a big stage in a big stadium before a bunch of big bands seemed daunting, but with the help of those who made it out early to root us on, we had a great experience trumping the enormity with good wholesome fun. Not long after our performance we embarked on a purgatorial drive from Vancouver to Toronto, saving time by crossing through the United States where the highways were hard and sure fire. Getting to Toronto was like hot soup and bread after wandering lost in the dark, cold woods. The good vibes Torontonians have to offer is always appreciated, and was especially felt at The Drake Hotel where we shared the stage with dear friends 'Fighter/Lover'. Check them out: www.myspace.com/fightorlovewww.myspace.com/fightorlove

Followed was a run of Ontario and Quebec shows before heading back into the US to make our NYC debut. With two shows, one in Brooklyn at The Union Hall, and one in Manhattan at The Mercury Lounge, we managed to take a little bite out of the big apple with all of our fingers and toes intact. New Yorkers are a fine bunch with real verve that's mirrored in the city. Thanks to those who came out and danced and sang along, especially the girl from Virginia who took the 8-hour bus ride with a broken leg.

Our time in the US was short lived as we ventured back to Toronto for the good time that is NXNE. The festivities began with an early showcase at The Boat with Les Breast Feeder, Pride Tiger and Champion. Our 9pm set was very well attended, the venue full to capacity and a line up out the door. Again, thanks to the Toronto fans for such warm and kindred support. We played The Feldman's BBQ just in time to watch the sky open up and unleash torrential rain that came down with great vengeance. In hot pursuit of somewhere dry, we found Criminal Records, a delightful little record shop on Queen St. West where we played an in store concert to a lovely crowd that embodied youthful energy. It was nice to finally play an all ages setting. It is something we are going to do more of.

With the West Coast a topic again, we began making our way back home playing many great shows along the way. Waterloo. What a wonderful scene. Thanks to Bernard and the patrons of The Janebond Café for making our stay and experience grand. Edmonton was a treat as usual. Thanks to everyone who came out to the Velvet Underground and/or Sir Winston Churchill Sq. for the shows in the park. The Sled Island Festival in Calgary was a definite highlight. Opening for Spoon was a pleasure and an honor, but the number of Mother Mother fans that came out and showed support meant everything to us.

Finishing off in Kelowna, a personal band favorite, we drove the last drive home to play David Lam Park on Canada Day as part of the Vancouver Jazz Festival. It was the perfect way to return, not stuck with the immediate and looming feeling of 'what the fuck do I do with myself?' but a wonderful show to play in the place where you live to the people who you owe the most to. The love and support we receive from old and new fans in Vancouver is why we've gotten anywhere at all, and for that we're incredibly grateful.

Now, With the olive and orange trees strong in the periphery, the band marches on through Northern California, Santa Barbara bound, where we'll play the first of a series of US dates with Cary Brothers followed by some more Canadian dates. We had eight days off before this fresh five-week stint, so the idea of being thrown back into something right away is very real. With that said, I feel best when I'm busy, not bored, and spreading the word in un-chartered territory with friends and family is anything but boring. It's amazing.

With bells on,

Ryan.