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News :: All 2000 News Postings
December 11, 2000 SOTW in Sweden! The band has informed the webbish lackeys here at SotW News that despite border problems that could make John Cleese laugh, far too much awesome Swedish beer, and a newfound wariness of manic Volvo drivers, that they are surviving their last-minute excursion quite well to HŠrnšsand or Hudiksvall -- we couldn't hear them all that well for the static. It's bitter cold, and the Herring Fermentation Museum Opening Celebration Festival Concert went marvellously. We will have more information soon after their return to Canada. They are now thinking about a similar concert at a Herring Museum in Iceland, the director of which approached them at the concert after seeing how it was so well received, and how appropriate SotW's particular style of performance fit in so well in the setting. Stay tuned... John thanks all who contacted him regarding his lovely axe and plaque sale, and reports that they have all been snapped up and are residing or are in transit to very 'appy 'ome's indeed. We are trying to get a photograph of each new owner with their proud acquisitions to display for all to ogle. Thanks for reading and Happy Upcoming Yule! October 12, 2000 Flash news break! John Mann has announced his intent to part with his custom built "open heart symphony" guitar, and in a further manic artistic vein, is also wishing to sell his gold and platinum record plaques presented to him by Warner Music Canada to commemorate SOTW album sales! October 9, 2000 Fall is upon us, which on the West Coast of course means more rain. As we go into the cold months, Vince Ditrich's album is nearing completion - having had the priviledge of hearing at least three rough mixes to date, we in the www office can attest to the depth and quality of this nascent offering. SOTW fans and many more besides will be most pleased, we predict. These last couple of years have seen the band doing much soul-searching in an attempt to gain a solid direction after the termination of its commitment to Warner Music Canada. The process continues into the 21st century, with a new album rumoured to be in the works conceptually. Of course, the hard and fast realities of recording and manufacturing and distributing such a beast have yet to be grappled with and successfully provided for... In the meanwhile, Geoffrey and the perennial special guest Tobin are having way too much fun on the road with the Latino-Celtic Paperboys, John is occupying himself with the occasional film/stage role, exploring his thespian roots, and has been involved with the Sierra Legal Defense Fund in liaising with artists for an upcoming awareness-promoting album. Hugh has been working at an audio post-production house, operating a Sonic Solutions suite (editing/premastering), and writing, recording and producing albums/demos (The Town Pants, The Ecclestons)... Best Wishes from the band to all! March 23, 2000 Backstage in Schsppingen, DE, listening to Jennifer Roland finish her set, with North Cregg about to take the stage. The tour is moving towards its conclusion rapidly now with only three shows to go, including tonight's. Vince's recording project is underway, he's been playing various tracks for each of us from his pre-mix CDR, and it's taking shape very nicely. As for other news, it's all still much as the last post (see below), with very limited live-performances planned sporadically through the year. We are still in the midst of planning and designing our new website. It's a massive job, and perhaps we could entice those of you who are so inclined to put forth your suggestions once again? Thanks for visiting, and drop by again! Jan. 20, 2000 Greetings and Salutations in this new year of new years. Anybody's bank accounts suddenly worth millions more? (Or library overdues in the 10's of thousands?) Didn't think so. Ah well. It'll be a buyer's market for hardly-used emergency electric plants soon. We are really looking forward to our March tour of N. Germany... we're in great company with North Cregg from Ireland and Jennifer Roland and Friends from Cape Breton. Hope to see some of you there! Plans for the New Year include - more planning! Everyone is busy getting their own projects under way, including a John Mann/Geoffrey Kelly album ("...we have lots of songs that just aren't Spirit of the West, and this is a great time to put them together..."), the long-heralded Vince Ditrich Project (watch for www.vinceditrich.com coming soon) for which he has been writing furiously for months. Hugh is involving himself with other people's productions as sideman/arranger and producer/engineer, and Tobin is working hard playing with 42.5 bands and writing his millenial symphony... More on all this as news develops. Summer will see SOTW performing at some festivals, and the spring may well see us putting together an album of songs in a live-recording style of format. We are interested in the opportunity to capture some of the potency of the energy experienced with SOTW live, and offering fans something different to sink their teeth into during the wait for another studio album (not expected to get into that for about a year yet...). If you are intrigued by the possibility of SOTW playing SOTW on record, please send us your thoughts! So, best wishes to all and bye for now. See you around, maybe at your 'station' someday!
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