Dear Orchid Highway,

Here's the deal: You will tell the world how to procure more of your music in a way that benefits us all. And I will promise to pen pretty words about you in my trashy novel/travel diary, which will be a chronicle of our crusades careening across continents, scattering seeds of efflorescent ecstasy and humming harmonies wild, wayward and Wilson-esque.

I might even be persuaded to document the journey photographically, in a series of snapshots recording rock and roll roadside attractions and mythic misadventures-musical, magical and mundane.

But only if YOU promise to wear the smashing Canary-coloured blazers!

Fatine, Marrekesh, Morocco

January 06:  
The Orchid Highway finds itself in need of a lead guitarist. Todd Fancey (New Pornographers, Fancey) recommends Scott Perry.

1 February 06:  
Derek moves house. Needs help hauling twenty something vintage pianos and organs to the 22nd floor.

9 February 06:
Rory woos Scott with a humourous email filled with boasts of, “bloody heaps of vintage recording gear,” and promises of fun to be had by all.

28 February 06:
Rory moves house. Joins eclectic collective of artists living in the ARC. Scott moves bloody heaps of vintage recording gear to Rory’s new space. Also moves a few more organs and pianos Derek had stashed in safe houses around Vancouver. (He’s good with the heavy lifting, Scott is!)

25 March 06:
Scott joins The Orchids for a few covers at Radio Bandcouver’s British Invasion Night. Some highlights HERE.

April 06:
Scott learns loads of Orchid Highway songs. Adrian moves house. Avoids heavy lifting. Many other activities – unfit for posting – surely occur!

2 May 06:
Jamie says that the much beloved Orchid tour bus, “Shandra” is to be fully operational today. Except that she’s in need of a drive shaft (those are important, no?). And she’s parked in a swamp (those are murky, yes?). Minor details, to be sure. (Hey Scott, ever push-start a bus?)

5 May 06:
A planned Orchid Highway rehearsal turns into an impromptu concert during an art show/event in the basement of the ARC, as an appreciative audience gathers. Three runs through the set are completed. “Good Times, Bad Times” gets slower. Sounds better. Or not. Depends who is asked.

6 May 06:
The Orchid Highway take the stage at The Lamplighter in Vancouver for Scott’s first full show as lead guitarist. READ REVIEW Sounds phenomenal. Crowd is ecstatic. Post-set cloves are smoked in celebration. Derek has difficulty hailing a cab. Jamie performs a Jedi mind trick on the cops. Non band members are recruited to carry equipment. (More heavy lifting avoidance.)

2 June 06:
The Orchid Highway perform at Minoru Pavillion, Richmond, with The Feminists and PAINT. All ages show. MORE DETAILS Be there to find out what happens next. And to tote the gear.

7 June 06:
A last minute addition - The Orchid Highway performs with Lions in the Street, and Edmonton Block heater at the Lamplighter. MORE DETAILS.

9 June 06:
The Orchid Highway play Malones in Vancouver with The Feminists. Short skirts and strong backs encouraged to attend!

10 June 06:
Another show! The Cambie, Nanaimo with The Feminists. We think they like us.

27 June 06:
You guessed it! Another show. This time The Orchid Highway pulls a train heist at the Railway Club.

Christel Loar, Orchids Press Baroness.

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