I’ve been encouraged for many years by family and friends locally and abroad to record my music. So here it is, WASTING DAYS, my debut EP consisting of five songs dedicated to all of the wonderful people who have entered my life over the years and who have inspired, encouraged and supported me in continuing with this passion. It wouldn’t have been possible without you.
Three men in particular have gone above and beyond. They are Max Zipursky, John Sheard and Chris Magnus. Max, my producer, thank for your enthusiasm, patience, ability to understand what I wanted to create and continued kindness during a very trying time in my life. John, thank you for more hours over the years of professional guidance, support and insight than I can ever do justice thanking you for here. Chris, thank you for being the man behind the scenes who has enabled this project, both my fear and my dream, to become a reality.
To my family: Mom and Dad, thank you for getting me a guitar, being my biggest fans, and continually encouraging me to have my voice heard. Thank you as well to my sister Zoe for putting up with me as you were continually relegated to background vocals so I could take the leads. I love you sis. And to Trevor, my brother, thank you for helping to steer and shape my musical influences. The patience and support of you four means the world to me.
Special thanks needs to go out to the following people for their extra efforts which have made this EP come to fruition.
To the many musicians, singers and the engineers on this album, thank you for letting me describe, often without proper words, what it was that I was looking for and then letting me change my mind over and over again afterwards. This album wouldn’t be what it is without you. Thank you Harley Small, the engineer, for never getting frustrated with my pickiness and for unyielding patience as I made countless edits; Dan Klenner for some excellent suggestions and edits; The team at The Space Studios for allowing me the opportunity to record at your awesome studio; Shawn Cole for countless hours of mixing, your honesty, your expertise and your kind nature; Brock McFarlane, for sprinkling the ferry dust, as they say, during mastering; Narai for lending your outstanding voice on various tracks and spending extra time with me; Dawn Pemberton for bringing great warmth to the background vocals and knowing just what to do; Gavin Youngash for some sweet licks on the guitar, ukulele and bass; Kai Basanta and Ben Appenheimer on drums and upright bass respectively for the deep pocket. You’re all amazing and I’m incredibly grateful I had the opportunity to work with you.
Additionally, I would like to thank two friends: Karley Bracey and Mitch Lenton. Karley is the photographer and also an old and dear friend who went out of her way to support me on this project by taking all of the photographs it incorporates. Mitch put together this fabulous website and assisted me with all things design related. These two were two pieces of the puzzle I couldn’t have done without. Thank you immensely!
There are some other people who have also been greatly important for this process to come to fruition and are due thanks: Ben Brown for recording my very first song as a teenager, working with me over the years on my music, and belief in me; TJ Hermiston, for teaching me some of my first guitar songs and always being available when I need to ask music related questions; James Devon, my first guitar teacher, for taking on a beginner and giving me the freedom to choose what music I could learn even if it was beyond my skill; Colleen Bruce for joining me at open mics for 15 years every time you possibly could; Vanessa Norris for your love for me and dream for me to complete this; My doctor, Dr. Sun, who asked me nearly every visit if I was singing again and through her gentle nature and informed expertise guided me out of despair and pain towards the joy and well-being I experience today; and Stuart McLean, for sharing The Doors story on The Vinyl Cafe in 2012 which in turn contributed to this roller coaster I ride advancing forward. Thank you all.
There are many other friends who've let me play my music to them over the phone for years, who've assisted with editing, and who've provided sound advice throughout this process: you know who you are and please know that I am very aware how fortunate I am to have you in my life.
To all of you listed, to the many I couldn’t include here due to limited space, and to those with whom I have crossed paths with at some point in my life, you have made me who I am and thus contributed to the music I was able to make for this EP, so thank you…to everyone. xo