ESB Final throw down

Erin’s band (the Erin Smith Band - yeah it’s feckin’ awesome) played their first show tgether in August 1998. Due to some crazy life changes for all of the members of the group, they’ll be playing their last show on Friday, July 9th before a hiatus of unknown length. Mikey (the band’s drummer) is taking his dread-headed self westward in search of personal growth and cute, dirt lovin’ girlies. Liam (the band’s bass player and Erin’s lil’/honkin' bro) will be starting up a contract to play bass for Fred Eaglesmith’s band. It’s a great opportunity for Liam as he’ll be traveling all over the map and making a living at it. Johnny (the band’s sax player) is busy afro-funking with Mr. Something Something. Erin herself has so much on the go with the 'birds, Mr. Something Something, Neen and Skeet Tagteam, a solo record plan, making soups, paintings and knitting that she hardly has time to chase monkeys down the street. And that’s one busy ‘bird. But it’s essential that you make it out to C’est What on Friday, July 9th to give ESB the most incredible sendoff imaginable. Let them know what an amazing fixture they’ve been in the Canadian music scene and how happy their funk makes you. It will be a sad and ecstatic day for everyone. The Ladybird Sideshow will most certainly be in attendance and promise to bring the Kleenex.

New Websites for Neen and Skeeter

For those of you who pay attention to detail, you may have noticed that Janine has been a major 5 star nerd over the past month. She has designed and launched Erin's new solo site (www.erinsmith.ca) as well as redesigned her own site (www.janinestoll.com). If you dig nerdy stuff, go give the sites a peek. They're fun! And yes... Janine does have a lot of time on her hands.

Summer Stuff

Finally summer pays us a visit... Mel’s video for Jaded is on the Much More Music charts. Last we checked it was #17 or something alongside the Ushers and Alanis’ of the world. Mel’s been touring with her new record and Lisa’s been backing her up all over the place. It’s a great time for music in Toronto. Skee and Neen are going to the cottage for a bit to cough the smog outta their pipes and hang out. Both plan to record solo records this summer and are also touring and playing shows with Mr. Something Something. It’s been so much fun it’s just stupid. If Mr. Something Something blows through your town, go see them. It’s an experience of some outstanding original music designed to make you dance your pants off to the tune of sweet afro-funk-fusion. In terms of shows in July, the lucky folks in Donut Rock City (Hamilton) can catch the Ladybird Sideshow performing at Pepper Jack’s on Friday, July 30th.

Feel Our Thunder

The Ladybird's had the pleasure of making their way to Thunder Bay at the end of June to participate in the first annual Thundering Women's Festival. Melissa and Lisa were just coming off of Melissa and Lindy's cross-Canada tour. Janine and Erin were taking a break from the humdrum of the day jobs. It's a surreal life. The festival was packed full of amazing female performers and artisans and plenty of room to enjoy beers, thunder storms, rainbows, hugs, creepy stilt-walkers, massive late-night jams, cheese soccer and the rugged beauty of Ontario's north. It was an honour to share the stage with such talented folks as Jane Siberry, Susanne Aglukark, Serena Ryder, Betty and the Bobs, Ember Swift and crew, Barley Wik, Outside the Lines, Emma Wall, Annabelle Chvostek, Madrigaia (Neen's personal highlight), Sweetwater (Lease's highlight) and many others! Wished we were there longer! Big thanks to Jenn Metcalfe and team for all of your hard work. Click here for photos.

Rivoli Weekend…

The first weekend of July was spent hangin’ ‘round the Rivoli for a couple of fun events. On Saturday July 3rd Fractal Collective (a profit/non-profit organization) put on an event called Peaceful Fusion with proceeds donated to the UN Refugee Agency. It was a great success. Lisa Harun of Fractal put in lots of hours and stress into pulling this one off and she did a great job. The ‘birds shared the stage with Brazillian drum troupe Maracatu Toronto, the punk opera Twenty Three and everyone’s favourite afro-funk party machine Mr. Something Something (Janine and Erin also officially sing back-ups and shake their booties in this group).

The following night the ‘birds went back to the Rivoli for a totally sold out show. Actually, that’s a huge lie. Where the heck were all you guys? Too much partying on the long weekend, we suspect. Still, the evening was fun! Chris Pureka from Northampton came in to town to play a really engaging set of her finely crafted original tunes. Excellent music! The ‘birds teased and offended in their usual fashion of potty-mouthed, non-committal banter. Thanks to Mo for all of your efforts on this one.

We’ve got more on the go for August and the fall, but please check back with us as things are constantly changing. If you don’t like our music then just check back because we’re cute. If you don’t think we’re cute then just check back to see if we’re failing in our quest for super stardom! Cool?

Love in a shoebox,
Janine, Melissa, Erin and Lisa