live music challenge - my photos

So facebook has a challenge going on where live musicians post photos of them on stage, without an explaination.
Thought I'd do it here on my blog: 

this one isn't me, it's Tracy, I took the photo from the stage to capture the awesome crowd

 

The ever changing landscape of music in my life~

 A few years ago I had the incredible good fortune to be asked to be a part of  Dreams and Arrival, two of the busiest, most hardworking bands I've ever had the pleasure of working with. (BTW Dreams and Arrival are the same band so we were as efficient as we were diverse). 

                                
                                                  ( from my first gig with Arrival)

This group is a well oiled machine and I had the time of my life performing on those big stages be it a festival, theatre or casino show. It was always a good gig and we were always treated, well, like rockstars. 

   

I was on and off planes and in and out of busses several times a month all year long for about 4 years. I loved playing the music and I especially loved the audience reaction when we played it for them. I fed off of the love vibes and gave it right back. The energy loop of music  is like no other. 

                                       

 

                                                     

Even during the normally quieter  months when many bands closed down entirely we maintained our schedule. I was also blessed, because my solo gigs allowed me to be flexible to my travel gigs, and so I was somehow, able to do it all.

Until Covid. 

About a month pre-covid, we as a band were lighting ourselves on fire,  the Arrival band had just played Roger's arena during the Canucks game, and we launched a third band, Dixie Darlins, a tribute to the Dixie Chicks. We were driving home from a theatre  near Osoyoos BC when we got the news that the country was shutting down.

We figured it would last a couple weeks, maybe a month. 

You all know what happened next, gigs dropped left and right as the country shut down.....and it kept happening. 

One by one our bookings (which we had well into 2021 at that point) were cancelled, the ones that could be, were rescheduled for next year but immediately our calendar dried up and everyone's world changed.  As far as bands go we did as much as we could, we were involved in the first Canada wide TributeWebFest 2020, Tracy Masson and I dusted off our Abba characters and joined the Rogers arena musicians in a tribute video for the Canucks. But online work is a different animal, you don't get the energy loop. I missed it. 

The solo venues that pivoted and kept music also kept me so I've been able to do solo work all year. And that's been soul filling. As a background performer the gig is inherently different, I have to blend in, I don't need the energy loop in the same way, I can do that show for myself, I just invite people in.

PS please find Gracie's Next Door live music line up to see when I am playing next~  

                                      

Anyhow, in November, Hallelujah,  the band bookings started coming in. 

But I didn't want to do it. I was still afraid of travelling.

And something in me had changed during the months away, I had slowed down and reconnected with my family and home life, and I liked it. I liked not having a trip looming and packing and travel to worry about. 

This is where all the musicians I know who are aching to work again, think I've lost the plot .... Most of them, including everyone my own band,  want to gig. Especially my band, they are a machine, they are made for music and ready to play, and I wanted them to. So I asked them to find a sub for me. 

They did and they had a fantastic show and the rock n roll machine that is Arrival and Dreams roared on without me and I was so happy for them and so glad they could work without me getting on a plane......

and then it hit me.......
I don't miss the travelling,
I mean I miss the audience but I don't miss the grind. 
I realized I was happier at home with my family......and I think I'm done. 

                                 

Knowing there was a bigger than normal gap in our schedule (we already had bookings for 2021)  I knew it was a good time for the band to pivot and so I gave my notice, told them I was retiring from the road and they set their focus to dial in  killer new powerhouse vocals, and finally, officially, they are there!! 

Arrival and Dreams have an incredible new singer stepping  into their mix and she is a sensation all by herself in the music world, so she's going to bring a dynamic new energy to the show! You can meet Karina Morin on the facebook pages! ARRIVAL and DREAMS!

If you don't already know these bands or the players, I do hope you go find them online and keep the love flowing, for I wish them all the very best as they go out and keep kicking ass out there in the music world! Keep them on your radar and buy tickets to their shows. I can assure you they will take epic good care of you and give you that live concert experience you have been missing so much~


With bunches of love to the Arrival/Dream Team........, thank you for the years of music, I look foward to watching you blaze more trails through the industry, you all are all top shelf! 

Always a fan...
Rach 

Oooooh yes I almost forgot,  I'll be opening up an Etsy store, to pass on my old stage clothes and guitarious gear~ 
Stay tuned to this page HERE

                         Covid got me home learning tunes and playing with this Acapella App

Original artwork (guitar on blue) on useful, wearable items. 

Wear your love of music and support original art! 

Thank you and happy holidays! 
Rachael~

Stuck at home During COVID Mom gets into Tik Tok and no one cares.

Like so many people, covid-19 killed my job, it decimated my industry. 

I've had a lot of free, unsupervised time on my hands lately, which led me to Tik Tok. 

only, I have no idea what I'm doing 

and the fact that my husband is my only follower proves my case. 

Still it's a lot of fun to put my goof on 

and someday when I die, someone might find my account and golf clap at my efforts. 

see my new account here: 
https://www.tiktok.com/@rachaelchatoor

Guitar stuff, so guitarious, show your love for music! (and cars)

It's pretty easy to support artists nowadays. I have a lot of my artwork licensed to places which will turn my art into your functioning item, anything from original art face masks (organic cotton with filter insert) to sublimation print t-shirts, to sheer wraps. Or perhaps you want to give someone a unique umbrella, coffee mug or bamboo serving tray? How about a cashmere scarf with retro microphone design on it? 

Want to know more? Go here and browse my collection; 
Rachaelchatoor's Portfolio with Unique Designs | Society6