I'm watching Raptors vs. Heat on my home television and consuming some nuggets doused in my secret wing sauce.  Seems like a perfect opportunity to skim over the events of the last week.  Actually, I'm desperate for a diversion from what is likely to be a disgraceful effort from the Raps. 

Thursday night we opened for The Big City Hicks at the Local.  We have a bit of history now with Mike and Andrew Hickey, and it was fun to play a show with them for the first time.  Andrew is a really good songwriter who's finally getting out and displaying it to everyone with this great band.  They have monthly gigs at four different bars (which actually works out to weekly gigs when you sit down and do the math).  They're playing at the Troubadour on Saturday, Dec. 19 with our pal Ryan Fairhead.  I'll be there to watch.

First thing I'll note is that C'est What is an awesome place to play.  This was the first time I've ever played there (Marshall has before--but he's played everywhere).  This brew pub, framed by stone foundation walls, has a warm, dark ambiance that makes it a great place to play and listen to music.  Adam did a really great job with the sound, which is a treat for us.  

But the best part was playing with Tanya Philipovich, who is one of my favorite songwriters in Toronto (including big names).  So, of course, it's always flattering when she asks us to join her on a bill.  

Some people at the C'est What show will recall me mentioning that I didn't think it was one of our best recent gigs.  I want to explain myself.  For starters, I'll state the obvious and say that these things are always subjective.  I never really know what it sounds like from the other side of the mic.  It was a feeling on my own behalf that I didn't play as well as the last couple of shows.  Marshall was brilliant as he usually is.  Looking back, maybe it was really just one or two songs that I didn't feel totally in control of, and it threw me off my game for a bit.  But I think we closed out strong.  Some people criticize me for being negative about performances, but I want to point out that my main feeling was that it wasn't as good as the last couple of shows.  Which isn't to say it's bad, it's just I feel it could always be better.  And it should be acknowledged that I said the last couple were okay, so gimme a break.

Good stuff overall.  Tanya's new cd is really good.  I got a copy on Saturday.  Looking forward to seeing Big City Hicks again too.  They're on the rise.

Still hoping to record in January.  Which, as it comes closer, I'm becoming strangely terrified of.

I'm also terrified by prospect of cheering for this basketball team for much longer.