Storyteller and Bard
A couple of years ago, I was hired by the English Community Organization of Lanaudiere to research this historical story, write the script, and tell the story of a true crime incident that took place in 1925 in a small town near Montreal. Part 1 of this true crime story project just got released today and it LOOKS SO GOOD!
Part 1: The Murder
Part 2: The Chase
Part 3: The Trial
I just told my first story on Tiktok (@hobbeshickey), which is quite the challenge because TikTok videos are only 60 seconds long max. I managed to get Love and Madness down to 60 seconds and it still works, but the real deal is much better.
So for you brave TikTokers who decided to visit me here, here’s the full version. If you like what you hear, consider supporting this artist by buying my latest album on Bandcamp. Check out the Store for more information.
Love and Madness (04:18)
I researched, wrote, and performed this True Crime story, which was directed and recorded by Mathieu Desbiens. We shot the telling of this story at the courthouse in Joliette (Qc) where Nulty was tried and hanged, and in a cemetery in Rawdon where some of the Nulty family are buried.
One year ago today, I lost a friend, a brother, a fellow Stag King. When I mourned my friend, I struggled to find a story that described this process, and then I found this one.
I recorded it this morning. I’m still a bit congested, so I apologize for the odd sound of my voice.
As I remember my friend today, remember that you are not alone.
Café Mariposa‘s Open Mic night ends with a story about the Devil. Jeff Deeprose on fiddle.
Cafe Mariposa’s Open Mic night is every Thursday evening at 6pm.
5434 Côte Saint Luc Rd,
Montreal, QC H3X 2C5
Villa Maria metro
Back in 2009, I was telling stories at an elementary school in Montreal and I told a story that I originally heard from Priscilla Howe called The Ghost with One Black Eye. It has remained one of my more beloved stories to tell to 3 to 6 year old children.
I was visiting a friend recently and over breakfast, her son Jack and his friend Sophie asked me to tell them a story. I told them this ghost story, and to my great surprise, Jack’s mum Deirdre later showed me a video of these two kids retelling the story.
With their parent’s permission (thank you Agnes, Deirdre, and Jean), I can now share their telling of this story. Enjoy!
To make a bard one needs to find, the recipe to create its kind. Never easy, always changing, from culture to culture, recipes ranging. Below we find a simple mix, to make a bard, and learn his tricks.
So listen now, as i do tell, a simple bard creation spell:
Add to a sturdy pot and boil over the intense flames of the bardic fire. Stir frequently, listening for the tell tale signs of bubbling and free-style rapping that tell you it is almost complete.
Once cooked, allow to cool and take on its natural shape, that of the master storyteller and keeper of sacred tales.
I went to a Lakes of Canada show recently in Montreal and they had a new album for download from their Bandcamp page. It prompted me to rediscover Bandcamp, so I decided to experiment and put up a new story there for download. Have a listen!
A Hindu saint who was visiting the river Ganges to take a bath and found a group of family members on the banks, shouting in anger at each other. He turned to his disciples smiled, and asked.
‘Why do people in anger, shout at each other?’
The Disciples thought for a while, and one of them said, ‘Because we lose our calm, we shout.’
‘But, why should you shout when the other person is just next to you? You can as well tell him what you have to say in a soft manner.’ asked the saint
Disciples gave some other answers but none satisfied the other disciples.
Finally the saint explained, .
‘When two people are angry at each other, their hearts distance a lot. To cover that distance they must shout to be able to hear each other. The angrier they are, the stronger they will have to shout to hear each other to cover that great distance.
What happens when two people fall in love? They don’t shout at each other but talk softly, because their hearts are very close. The distance between them is either nonexistent or very small…’
The saint continued, ‘When they love each other even more, what happens? They do not speak, only whisper as they get even closer to each other in their love. Finally they even need not whisper, they only look at each other and that’s all. That is how close two people are when they love each other.’
He looked at his disciples and said.
‘So when you argue do not let your hearts get distant, Do not say words that distance each other more, Or else there will come a day when the distance is so great that you will not find the path to return.