Something I have noticed about myself in the last few years is this: I read mostly books written by women, and I listen mostly to music written and performed by men.

I don't have an explanation for this, it's just the way it's worked out. And it's certainly borne out in this journal, when you look at the list of bands and musicians I stalk take an unhealthy interest in. However, over the past couple of years I have actually been trying to take in more shows by a Cape Breton vocalist by the name of Carmen Townsend. I caught a short set by her at Rock the Dock in 2005, and another at Alderney Landing this past summer. I was impressed as hell the first time: she's a good guitar player, her band the Shakey Deals is tiny but perfect, and her voice does this weird Grace Slick thing sometimes that makes the hair stand up on my arms.

Anyway, I have been trying really hard to stalk support her. She's just very elusive--I have a tendency to find out about her shows in Halifax when I see a poster from the bus, and it's always after the show, or she plays the same night I have tickets to Kris Kristofferson (which I am sure she'd understand!) or she joins the fun at frigging Tribeca on a Tuesday when I am in Calgary... Which is why it was nearly a year between sightings.

Honest to God, I think she's avoiding me.

However, as the calendar on her MySpace page indicates, she's back at Tribeca on February 13th. Which happens to be a Tuesday, so I don't yet know whether she's replacing Gloryhound, or opening for them, or joining them, or headlining, or... what. Whatever--she can't escape this time.

Anyway, folks in Halifax who like that sort of modern-throwback sound should think hard about checking her out. Or at least check out the songs on the MySpace page linked above and decide from there.