Rachelle Kostelyk is a Vancouver singer songwriter with folk and pop inflections. Soulful music written on piano, a voice that is strong yet fragile, and lyrics that inspire and provoke thought.
Choosing a seat that faces backward on a 5 ½ hour train ride is never a good idea.I have a weak stomach to begin with so I should have known better. And it drives me crazy to know that I’m missing out on the beauty that’s whizzing by because I have to close my eyes every 15 seconds to slow it all down.Flat, yellow fields, the odd farm house. Black. Thin stick trees lining the track. Black. Another old farm house, this time with a few cows in the front field. Black. I will tell you that I am definitely not feeling well. I am sitting perfectly still so as to calm my stomach down. A smart person would just keep their eyes shut, look down and avoid the window altogether. However, I am a stubborn one at times. I don’t want to miss out on a single thing – ever. I’m actually humouring myself right now. I feel like a kid who won’t stop eating candy despite the fact that they are green in the face. I say let’s make ourselves sick in pursuit of a full life and divine beauty! And that maybe it’s okay to shut our eyes and let it slip by every once in awhile too.
I’m riding in the passenger seat of the massive bus we’re driving around in. It’s a beautiful day in Southern Ontario and I am very excited to be playing tonight at Maxwell’s Music House in Waterloo. Last night was a lot of fun in Toronto where we played a show at Free Times Café in Kensington Square. What a great vibe. It actually felt just like a house show – very intimate and picturesque. We even had Canadian Idol winner, Theo Tams, come up to surprise us all with a song between sets.
And speaking of Theo Tams, he and I attended the Canadian Songwriter Awards Gala in Toronto this past weekend. It was beautifully decorated – much like a fancy wedding reception! Except take away the bride and groom and instead we honoured a few key Canadian musicians. And the FOOD was so bizarre and amazing that I couldn’t even pretend to pronounce it now. It was inspiring to be a part of an event that honoured some of the musicians I’ve looked up to for years. And seriously, that food…
I also wanted to follow up with the new merch I promised was coming soon! It’s here and it’s ready! I swore that it would be unique and something that I myself would want to have. And so, being the caffeine addict and coffee lover that I am I eagerly and excitedly announce that lovely “Rachelle Kostelyk” coffee mugs will be available for purchase at all of my upcoming shows! They look great. And your coffee will taste greater when drank in your “Rachelle Kostelyk” mug. I have already done extensive research and testing on this – I trick you not!
It’s an amazing thing to fall asleep on a plane and wake up in another part of the country. That usually only happens in my dreams! That is probably what I love most about flying. It’s all about having your dreams come true, baby! But then again, I’ve been given the divine gift of being able to sleep on a plane so I don’t take that ability for granted. Not everyone is as fortunate.
So, I’m in this lovely city we call Toronto. The weather has been sunny and clear and I’ve spent time catching up with a wonderful friend of mine – Theo Tams (if you haven’t heard his music already please check out www.theotams.com - he literally has the most amazing voice I’ve ever heard). We have taken a few days to do some songwriting in hopes of having it be a part of his next album. I’m really excited about what came of it yesterday! It’s always a very cool, challenging experience to write with other people if only just because you have more than one brain coming together with the same goal and intention. It’s a very unique experience and process.I would love the opportunity to do it with more people (so anyone reading this who has a publishing deal of any sort – I’m here! I’m here!).
And so here’s what I’m most excited about right now – get this! We will be attending the Canadian Songwriters Awards Hall of Fame Gala tonight! This is such an amazing opportunity for me to be in the same room as some of the songwriters I’ve looked up to and admired my whole life. I have no doubt that I will leave tonight feeling more inspired to write, write, write. After all, “it’s not about the singer, it’s the song….” :). There is real truth to that. We truly have some amazing songwriters in our country and we are considered by the rest of the world to be some of the most eclectic writers as well. That’s just cool.
I haven't mentioned this yet - but if you know anyone who lives in any of the cities that we are playing in, please do invite them to come out! And tell them to say hi as well - we'd love to see some 'familiar' faces out.
