Originally published on July 21, 2019
While better known as an environmentalist and one of the co-founders of Greenpeace, some of Rex’s earliest memories involve singing. “Being with a group of people and making music together is one of the most intense forms of communication I’ve ever experienced.” In this morning’s interview we get to hear a little of the music in Rex Weyler’s life.
Continue reading The Music In Rex Weyler’s Life
Originally Published on July 13, 2023
Michael Keith was ‘blown away’ when he visited Hornby Island twenty years ago.
“I was like, ‘Wow, imagine living in a place like that.’ I remember going back to Toronto and telling my friends, ‘they don’t even lock their doors there. It’s incredible!’”
He was enamoured by the spectacular seascapes at Tofino, when he played there a few years later.
Keith went through a divorce, sold his house, and then hooked up with a professor at the University of Toronto.
“My new partner who I’ve been with for 10 years, introduced me to Cortes because she would come here for getaways from Toronto. I was gigging two or three times a week, and teaching in Toronto. She wanted to move here. I came, checked it out and just fell in love with the land. We were fortunate enough to get a tiny little place.”
Continue reading Michael Keith (Part 2): on Cortes IslandOriginally Published June 30 2023
It has been more than three years since I interviewed Willow about the release of their EP ‘The Southend.’
Maureen Fox explained, “it was right before COVID when we spoke. We’ve had a bit of an adventure and then about a year later, Noel had to move to Gold River to be with her family. So we asked the beautiful Kelly Beamish to join us. Kelly brings this fabulous voice into the mix that has been really fun because her voice blends so well with ours.”
Continue reading Willow: New Beginnings
Originally published on October 4, 2023. Part 2 of a 2 part interview, click here for part 1.
Her singing career appeared to be a thing of the past, when Kim Paulley came to Cortes Island in 1992. The release of ‘Straight From The Heart’ had been promising, but she turned to Classical music. While there had been ‘fantastic’ moments between 1985-90, there was also the toil of auditions (and sometimes not getting the part). Her career was on hold when a friend recommended the retreats at Hollyhock, where George Sirk was a naturalist guide.
Continue reading Kim Paulley (part 2): George Sirk, Cortes Island and the rebirth of her careerOriginally published August 29, 2019
Her first performance was as a little girl at Linnaea School on Cortes Island. She was 21, when she produced her first CD. Since then, she has become one of the area’s better known artists. She is living on Mayne Island now, but her mother, Naomi Hayter, still lives on Cortes Island. That is where Sachika Kosky talked about, “the things I cherish.”
Continue reading Sachika, The Things I Cherish
