As I sit in front of my laptop, fingers aching because my hands are that cold, eating watermelon, and trying to pretend it’s summer, I reflect on the hot summer days I had a few weeks ago at the Stan Rogers Folk Festival.  It was the best musical experience I’ve ever had.  I had the honour of playing with people I’ve looked up to for a long time such as David Francey, Ron Hynes, James Keelaghan, Garnet Rogers, and many more.  I was so nervous to play with these guys it wasn’t even funny! But I pulled it off with the help of a positive affirmation from a tea bag.

I kept drinking my tea with my shaking hands on stage, trying to read the affirmation over and over to stop shaking.  All I could think is “Oh my god, Ron Hynes is playing.  That means I play after the next song”!

I calmed down after the first song was out of the way. I had so many great comments given to me over the weekend and people really connected to my songs.  It was beyond humbling, moving, and emotional.  Oh and speaking of emotional, Garnet Rogers invited me up to sing his brother’s song “Northwest Passage” with a few other people and played the most haunting and beautiful version of the song I’ve ever heard.  There were a few of us on stage trying not to cry including Dave Gunning, myself, and Chris Greencorn.

Overall, amazing weekend, amazing people, and amazing festival! Thank you beyond to everyone who puts that festival together and to everyone who goes every year and supports it and keeps it going… Can SO!

For those of you who missed it, or missed this particular workshop, here is a clip of the first workshop I did with Ron Hynes, Garnet Rogers, James Keelaghan, and the inspiring tea bag.  This song is a new one called “Hard Times.”

This picture was taken on Canada Day in Canso, just off the festival grounds.

It’s too beautiful not to share with you folks! You may have seen these photos already on Facebook but in case you didn’t I wanted to share them! This photo just hits you on a day like Canada Day.  This is one beautiful country and I feel privileged to be able to tour across it.

I guess that may as well lead into touring which I will be doing a lot of in the next months.  I get to stick around the East Coast all summer playing festivals, house concerts, and other events.  Then in September I head out on a cross Canada tour with a special guest! From September to November, I’ll be on the road, so please keep in touch! I’ll be announcing the dates in the next month so keep an eye on Facebook, Twitter, or the ‘Shows’ page here on my website.

Thanks folks.  I greatly appreciate your support and hope to see you at a show soon!

Kim

I may have told some of you this was happening at 1pm EST. It’s actually an hour earlier, at NOON EST (1pm in the Maritimes, 1:30pm in Newfoundland). If you show up at 1pm EST you’ll be too late

If you follow my Facebook page, you’ll know my head hasn’t been screwed on quite straight lately. Apologies if I’ve confused you too…

Make sure you register for the webinar before noon so you can connect to the conversation right away!

—–

Hello folks!!

I’ve been asked to do a webinar on the ten things I’ve learned as a woman in the music industry.  As I wrote them down, I realized that they can really relate to any career or goal you’re aspiring to.  Webinars are a great way for us to get together and share ideas between women and young girls across the country!  I hope you check this out and feel free to ask me anything!

Click here to register.

I’m very excited and honoured to be involved with the Light a Spark Campaign with the Girls Action Foundation.  There was nothing more important to me than positive role models and people to look up to when I was young and starting out.  Those people made me who I am today.  I feel very privleged to be a positive role model for a younger generation of women. There is nothing more important than support and community. We need to constantly remind ourselves that we are all in this together and the sooner we support each other rather than compete with one another, the sooner we will be a community that inspires change.

Here are some quotes from fellow Sparks that I absolutely LOVE!

Bonnie Couchie

About Girls Action Foundation and the “Light a Spark” Campaign:

An incredible ripple effect is created when girls are equipped with confidence, knowledge, and mentors. They grow up courageous. They improve their own socio-economic situation and that of their communities. They help build a stronger economy, environment, and society for all.

To make this vision a reality, GIRLS ACTION FOUNDATION is undertaking LIGHT A SPARK, a national campaign that mobilizes women of success to support girls’ empowerment. Our goal is to ignite a movement for change across the country activated through intergenerational events, mentorship, traditional and social media.”

Spread the word…

Upcoming Webinar…

Keeping it real in the music industry: Q&A with singer/songwriter Kim Wempe

Click here to register for this FREE webinar NOW!

When: June 30th

Time: 12:00 – 1:00 p.m. EST

Presented by: Kim Wempe, singer/songwriter

Language of presentation: English

About the presentation: Have you always dreamed of becoming a musician but haven’t dared take the leap? Are you an aspiring musician who would like to hear about what it’s like to be a woman in the music industry – the joys, challenges and resources available? Are you an established musician who would like to share your experience with others? Kim Wempe is a prairie born, Nova Scotia based singer/songwriter with a powerful voice whose songs often deal with themes of hope, strength and personal growth. She is the 2010 East Coast Music Award Winner for Rising Star of the Year. Kim’s webinar will give you insight into songwriting and working in the music industry in Canada. Participate in the webinar and hear Kim’s story, share your own and join the conversation.

About the presenter: With the release of her new full-length album Painting With Tides (GroundSwell/Warner), Wempe channels her passion into a powerful collection of contemporary Canadian roots music. Born in a small Saskatchewan farming town, Kim lived for a period in Alberta before heading to Canada’s East Coast in 2007. After only three months in Nova Scotia, Kim realized that what once seemed a daunting and unplanned move was actually put in her path for a reason. The change of scenery and people provided the theme of Painting WithTides and nurtured a fresh view on life, home, self, and music. It’s been an unforgettable couple of years for the young singer-songwriter. After battling in the studio for a sound she couldn’t seem to find and struggling for the finances for a full-length album, Kim released the EP Where I Need To Be in May 2009. The EP was awarded Folk Recording of the Year at the Nova Scotia Music Awards in November 2009.

How to register
Click here to register for this webinar NOW!
For more information, contact Elvira at sparks@girlsactionfoundation.ca

SPARKS TALKS webinar series

The SPARK TALKS webinar series features groundbreaking women who are SPARKS in the LIGHT A SPARK campaign.

These one-hour webinars will lead with presentations from experienced, dedicated and inspiring SPARKS. Presentations will be followed by a Q&A session where you get to ask SPARKS your questions and engage in a lively discussion.

Check out the full programme schedule and mark your calendar for your favourites.

Click here for more information about our SPARKS and the LIGHT A SPARK campaign.

Tomorrow I play a Summer Soulstice Oncology Fundraiser just outside Medicine Hat, AB. at the most beautiful ranch I’ve ever seen!

My friends Tami Ellis and Jenn Birchall have organized this amazing event! All are welcome! Feel free to download and read Jenn’s write up on why they put this all together and raised 18,000 from private donations! Tomorrow we will raise even more than that and I’m so excited to get back to Medicine Hat and be a part of this great event! Supper, music, an auction, and camping! That is a great time right there!

Next weekend I play two House Concerts in Red Deer, AB.  I’m looking forward to seeing everyone and meeting new folks! If you’re interested in attending these House Concerts, feel free to message me at kim@kimwempe.com and I will give you details! The more the merrier!

It’s good to be back on the prairies…

Kim

How have you been?! It’s been awhile I know, but things have been great.  I’ve been planning away, trying to figure out ways to tour through your area.  I’m in the beginning stages now, but I’ll be making my way across Canada in the fall and I’m looking forward to seeing you all again and playing some new tunes for you!

These past months I’ve been doing some writing, some business planning, but most of all taking some time off to do some travelling and spend time with family and friends.  More and more I’m reminded at how balance is the key to it all.  My place in the woods is definitely a place to be clear headed and really figure things out.

Although it seems to have been raining for at least a straight month here in Nova Scotia, I’m looking forward to a hot summer.  I’m excited to play some amazing festivals here on the East Coast  and some house concerts in Nova Scotia and out West! There is no better way to play than acoustic in a living room.  It’s also pretty amazing to play in a backyard though.  Warm summer air, the sun setting, and the hum of crickets and peepers go hand in hand with a singer songwriter.  My fellow musician Coco Love Alcorn has an amazing description of house concerts and how to make them happen on her website! Check it out here. If you’re interested in hosting a house concert or just have some questions, feel free to email me at kim@kimwempe.com.

Check out the summer tour dates below and hopefully I’ll see ya at one of them… if not, I’ll see you all in the fall!  Keep in touch with me on Facebook and Twitter or sign up for my newsletter for immediate news and announcements.

I love quotes, all different kinds, and so I’ll leave you with this one which found me at Jane’s on the Commons in Halifax while I was having breakfast with some friends.  One friend in particular suggested this was my kind of quote and I believe she is absolutely right.  This quote is just what I needed to hear.

“Never complain, never explain, get the thing done and let them howl.”
— Nellie McClung

Hope to see you soon…

- Kim

June 18th
Outdoor Concert
Medicine Hat, Alberta
Oncology Fundraiser with Kim Wempe and guests

June 24th
House Concert
Red Deer, Alberta
with Kim Wempe

June 25th
House Concert
Red Deer, Alberta
with Kim Wempe

July 1st-3rd
Stan Rogers Folk Festival
Canso, NS
www.stanfest.com

July 27th
Marigold Cultural Centre
Truro, NS
Songcircle with Charlie A’Court

July 29th
House Concert
Fall River, Nova Scotia
with Kim Wempe and Ian Sherwood

August 4th
Lunenburg Folk Harbour
Lunenburg, NS
Main Stage

August 5th
Lunenburg Folk Harbour
Lunenburg, NS
1:30PM @ Wharf Stage / 3PM @ Alt-Country Session

August 6th
Lunenburg Folk Harbour
Lunenburg, NS
4:30PM @ Bandstand (Family Stage)

August 7th

Lunenburg Folk Harbour

Lunenburg, NS

10AM @ Gospel Concert Stage / 2:30PM @ Songwriters’ Session w/Thom Swift

August 13th
House Concert
Antigonish, Nova Scotia
with Kim Wempe

August 20th
Larlee Creek Hullabaloo Festival
Perth-Andover, NB
www.larleecreekmusic.ca

I’ll be in Toronto this week for two showcases during Canadian Music Fest. On Thursday night (March 10th) I’ll be at The Piston (937 Bloor St. West) for a 9:30pm set. This show is open to the public. Information on tickets and wristbands for my show at the festival is available here on my Canadian Music Fest Artist Profile. I’ll also be playing an industry showcase Saturday night on the Delta Hotels Music Nova Scotia Tiki Stage at the Rivoli. This annual stage has become known as one of the best industry events at Canadian Music Week – if you’re a conference delegate I hope we’ll see you down there for some of the best music (and seafood) Nova Scotia has to offer the world.

Finally, I just posted a new live video on Youtube. It’s a clip from my show at The Savoy in Glace Bay, Cape Breton during the Rawlins Cross “Heart Head Hands” tour this winter. Their whole band backs me up on this tune from Painting With Tides and the result gives me goosebumps! Many thanks to the boys for the great memories made on that tour.

Of course, I couldn’t have made this record without the help of some more incredible Atlantic Canadians, some of whom are also up for ECMA Awards this year. Working with incredible artists like Joel Plaskett, Old Man Luedecke, Thom Swift, Carmel Mikol, David Bradshaw, Rosie MacKenzie, Geoff Arsenault, Brian Bourne, Kev Corbett, Phil Sedore and more while Charles Austin, Graeme Campbell, Dale Murray and J. Lapointe oversaw the technical aspects of recording, mixing and mastering, I was able to capture exactly what I was looking for. I owe everyone involved in creating and releasing this record a great deal of thanks.

Here’s a bit more about “The Making of Painting”, mostly in my own words. Use the links below to check out a series of video clips we shot during the recording of Painting With Tides:

The Recording Process
Painting With Tides
Chameleon
Roots
Rhythm of the Road

Special thanks to Warren Robertson and Scope Digital Media for shooting and editing these clips!

It’s been awhile I know, but things are good and things are busy. After I got back from the “Painting With Tides” tour in December, I knew I needed a good ol’ break. Being on the road constantly for two months is a lot. As a musician you love the road, but it’s also a major adjustment period to be on the road and to come home from the road.

It was also a major adjustment to come home to a new house! My partner Warren and I bought our first house and I’m still waiting for the landlord to show up and tell us we can’t paint the walls or something! But it is ours. So, no rest after the road as we were moving and renovating galore before Christmas.

Our little abode 20 minutes outside Antigonish. The community out here is unbelievable! It’s super cool to be able to get your meat, eggs, vegetables, syrup, whatever down the road. We also have the worlds best neighbours ever – the kind of neighbours that’ll feed you for a full week and a half when you’re doing renovations, the kind that will come plough you out when you’re stuck because you get stuck a lot up here, and the kind that will come help you throw wood in in -20 weather when it’s all frozen together and snow covered. Best kind. I really do love it out here…

Anyway, so I got back in December, moved, and then it was Christmas and New Years and that was very full on as well. Warren’s family has about a 7 day event at Christmas and then we flew out West to see my family in Saskatchewan. We also drove 13 hours from Candle Lake, SK to Banff, AB to snowboard one day, but it was well worth it! Man I miss the mountains.

When we got back from out West, I had about a week till I hopped on tour with Rawlins Cross across the East Coast. It was an unreal time! Those guys are solid people and it was such a privilege to open up for them across the Atlantic provinces. We played theatres that made me want to cry when I stepped on stage! So old, antique, and amazing! My favorite, although it’s hard to choose, was the Imperial Theatre in Saint John New Brunswick. I couldn’t breath when I walked on stage for soundcheck! The fact that I had a dressing room at each of these shows was another luxury thing I wasn’t used to. James asked me if I needed a shower in my dressing room at one point and I responded with…”A shower?! I’m used to getting ready in car mirrors and campgrounds! The fact that I have a dressing room is blowing my mind!”

We had such a great time though. In the encore every night, the boys from Rawlins Cross were nice enough to let me come up and do a song of mine and they backed me up! We did “The Grave” and, yes, it was amazing! If you saw it, thanks for coming out to the shows! We did get it on video so hopefully we’ll have a link to post here soon. Thank you again and again to Rawlins Cross and to the folks who came out to the shows and to the new friends and fans I made along the way. I hope to see you again soon!

On January 20th, I also found out I am nominated for Female Solo Recording of the Year at this years East Coast Music Awards in P.E.I! I’m beyond excited and feel very privileged to be nominated with so many other amazing women in this music scene including Carmel Mikol, Christina Martin, Ruth Minnikin, Rose Cousins, and Meaghan Smith! For those of you who are eligible to vote, you can preview my album for free, as well as get 3 free downloads from “Painting With Tides” here.

I’m back here in the woods for most of February, and in fact, literally stuck today. 30 cm of snow and you can’t see the tires on any of the vehicles so I believe we will get ploughed out tonight. I haven’t gone into town in 4 days and I’m starting to feel weird about that. But I cooked moussaka, falafel, tabouli, moose chili, chicken noodle soup, homemade bread, and today I’m organizing receipts, so I don’t exactly take a break! I’m not the kind to sit down too often. Seriously when you have time off though there is no better time than to do things you’ve never done before, and for me that’s cooking!

I’m trying to eat healthy and local, so I’m trying to make it easy on myself by having as many healthy local things available at my fingertips! Making everything from scratch is quite a challenge as well. I know why my mom fed us hamburger helper now! With 3 girls on the go with 4 different sports after working a 12 hour night shift at the hospital, I’d feed them hamburger helper too! What a woman.

Well, I’ve got an amazing house concert coming up February 20th at my good friends Paula and Michael Fredericks’ house. I’m playing with Carmel Mikol who I haven’t seen or played with in a dog’s age…it’s going to be a great time! Paula is out on the South Shore so if any of you are close and would like to attend, just shoot me a message. You are more than welcome as well as your guests! If you’re interested in hosting a house concert, please feel free to drop me a line. I love them and would love to play one for you. I will also be partaking in the Canada Games 2011 in Halifax this month. What a killer line up of music folks, so I hope you get out to see some of it!

The label I’m on, Groundswell Music, has also just signed another artist, J.P Cormier! I’m very excited to be on this label. They work extremely hard and we are like one big family. Rawlins Cross, Joey Kitson, The Stanfields, Thom Swift, Carleton Stone, me, and now J.P Cormier are in the family. Groundswell, Ian McKinnon who runs the label, The Stanfields and Thom Swift, are all up for a couple of East Coast Music Awards as well, so wish us luck in April! The new Groundswell website is up, so if you would like a free sampler download of all the artists on the label, check out the website and join the mailing list at groundswellmusic.ca.

The rest of this month, I’m planning some tours for the Spring, Summer, and Fall so stay in touch folks. We will also be releasing some other videos this month so check back. I hope to see you all soon. Until then, I hope you all enjoy what’s left of the month of February and don’t get stuck as often as I do out here!

Happy February Snow Days!

Much love,

Kim

Tour dates include:

January 13
Halifax, NS – Rebecca Cohn

January 14
Saint John, NB - The Imperial Theatre

January 15
Moncton, NB - The Capitol Theatre

January 16
Fredericton, NB – The Playhouse

January 18
Charlottetown, PEI – Confederation Centre

January 20
Glace Bay, CB – Savoy Theatre

January 22
St. John’s, NL – The Rock House

For full ticket details visit rawlinscross.com

Painting With Tides (GroundSwell/Warner) released in September 2010 by Wempe is a powerful collection of contemporary Canadian roots music.  Wempe has a voice that “…lets loose a powerful force pouring out her emotions…,” said The Cape Breton Post. “She is the real deal,” said ArtsEast and the Moncton Times & Transcript said “She has a roots-rock, folky sound that blends the traditional with contemporary and a voice that brings to mind Bonnie Raitt or a mellow Janis Joplin. Wempe is an artist to keep an eye on as talent like this can’t go unnoticed.”

Hey Folks!

After being out on the road through Canada and the US this fall I am UNBELIEVABLY excited to be back home to play some tunes with the band and celebrate “Painting With Tides” with all of you at The Company House in Halifax tomorrow night!

I’ll be joined by some incredible Nova Scotian musicians David Bradshaw, Carmel Mikol and Anna Ludlow on stage and can’t wait for you to hear special guest Ria Mae (http://www.myspace.com/riamaemusic).

Advance tickets for the show are $9.99 at http://kimwempe.com/coho where you can also grab a deal on a digital download of “Painting With Tides”. The show starts at 8:30, but feel free to stop by early, grab a seat and relax at the House… I know Mary Ann and the crew there will take good care of you!

See you soon,

Kim

P.S. On Saturday afternoon, CBC will air the first half of the songwriters circle I did with another three wonderful artists Old Man Luedecke, Thom Swift and Carmen Townsend at Nova Scotia Music Week in Yarmouth last month. Tune in to Atlantic Airwaves at 5:05pm anywhere in the Maritimes (or via the CBC App on your iPhone!)

Head on over to http://www.cbc.ca/atlanticairwaves/ and you can hear the third round of performances (too long for the radio show!).

She will be a day for the books indeed.  We drove 9 hours from New Hampshire today and just arrived at Vintage Bistro in New Brunswick. I’m on my 3rd day of playing 6 shows in a row. We are driving back to Halifax right after this to sleep for 4 hours and then wake up and drive to Yarmouth for Molson Canadian Nova Scotia Music Week where I play an industry-only show at noon and a Songwriter’s Association of Canada “Bluebird North” Songwriters Circle with Old Man Luedecke, Stephen Fearing, Christina Martin, Carmen Townsend, Thom Swift and Charlie A’Court at 7:30.  Wow!

I have had the most absolutely amazing time with Carmel Mikol and Rosie MacKenzie in the U.S.  This was my first trip and I met the loveliest people and saw the most beautiful places! We played sold out shows and not once did we walk off stage without an encore which was the most amazing feeling! I hope to be back soon.  Thank you beyond to all of the house concert hosts, Phill McIntyre at New England Celtic Arts, all the beautiful venues, all of the people who put us up and fed us, and all of the people who came out to the shows!

Now…I have to go play a show and then sleep! Thankfully I have Carmel to help switch off on the driving.  Make sure you check out the gig listings to see if I’m coming near you.  I head West to tour the rest of Canada after this weekend! Hope to see ya somewhere along the road…

Much Love,

Kim