Hello folks!
It’s a bleak January day outside today, but that is par for the course on the West Coast. However, things were brighter this past week on a trip to Vancouver.
Visiting the Wood Brothers in Vancouver
When I go to the big city, it is usually for two things…music and food. They go hand in hand, and make a perfect marriage when you get to share meals with some of your favourite musician friends. I had the honour of doing just that with my dear friends Chris and Oliver Wood of the Wood Brothers. Chris is well-known for his phenomenal bass playing with New York-based Medeski Martin Wood. If you haven’t heard of them, do check them out at www.mmw.net. The trio will blow your mind! Oliver hails from the south, with his raspy melodic voice that will make you melt like chocolate. He brings a southern edge to his music and pens lyrics that are timeless.
After catching their soundcheck and meeting their guest drummer for the tour, Christian Dugas (the amazingly talented percussionist from The Duhks … http://www.myspace.com/theduhks), several of us went out to enjoy some Vietnamese food in a small joint not far from the venue. I enjoyed a big bowl of vermicelli and vegetables with loads of fresh Thai basil, mint, and toasted peanuts…so simple and satisfying! Good food with good friends is such a lovely pastime.
After dinner, it was back to business for the music show that evening. Opening for the Wood Brothers was the darling and talented Carsie Blanton. Her simile-loaded lyrics and sassy banter on stage were so very refreshing, not to mention her sweet and sultry voice. This gal is on fire, so check her out while her shows are still affordable (http://www.myspace.com/carsieblanton)!
The Wood Brothers are on a West Coast tour at the moment, promoting their new album “Smoke Ring Halo”, having their opening show in Vancouver. It is such a delight to see such talented folks doing what they do so well. Their sweet harmonies and delectable synergy on stage left no one in the house disappointed. I am still reminiscing right now as I listen to their new album. Yum! Check out their music at http://www.thewoodbrothers.com/. Very satisfying.
After the show and catching up with the brothers, Christian Dugas and I spontaneously headed to the Naam, a 24 hour vegetarian restaurant in Vancouver. There is something so exciting about having the late night munchies and being able to satisfy them at a great 24 hour restaurant. This is one of the places I always like to go to (especially late in the evening, just because you can!) whenever I visit Vancouver. There’s something so mischievous and delightful about going out in the wee hours of the morning for a big bowl of Thai coconut curry vegetables and rice with home fries and miso gravy, topped off with their vegan Chocolate Carrot Cake with vanilla soy ice cream. Yes, please!
After getting on an Asian food kick from my trip, I decided to make myself some shiitake avocado sushi tonight for dinner. My friend Adam Gold grows the most incredible shiitake mushrooms here on Salt Spring Island, so I went and bought a few of his fresh mushrooms this afternoon down the road. With a little Wood Brothers playing in the background and a feast on my plate, it’s almost like I brought it all home with me! Looking forward to the next encounter…
