Yesterday we headed back in to Toronto and got stalled by an unexpected Portugese Day parade blocking the path. Finally made it back to NXNE in time to catch part of a panel and attend the mentor sessions, where you get fifteen minutes to talk to an industry person about what you're doing and where you're going. Max headed over to a barbecue to network for S/N Ratio, too; we all got something out of the conference. At a panel on Friday, Moe Berg had a good quote about how there's no "white knight" who's going to come along and make your band famous, no manager or agent or label who can make it all happen at once. Meeting people at NXNE isn't about finding someone who'll come in and do the work; it's more about raising awareness, getting ideas, and continuing to find ways to do it better yourself.

The show last night in Cambridge, Ontario was a bit of a surprise. Cambridge itself is actually surprisingly lovely - like its namesake, it's filled with beautiful old stone buildings and cathedrals. Our first impression of Stephanie's was confusion - by day it's a Caribbean restaurant, with a slightly rough feel. Apart from the PA system, it didn't look like a band venue at all. Plus, we were absolutely exhausted already, weren't supposed to go on for another five hours, and had a potentially long drive ahead of us - we were on the shortlist for a festival show if there was a cancellation. We also discovered that the small wedge monitor, which Max needs to hear the loops properly, was missing and probably still in London.

But Matt (from Persona), who organized the bill, said we could go on first instead if we liked. And as we loaded the gear, the restaurant began to transform. The restaurant tables moved off to the side, the gritty older clientele were replaced with a young, hip crowd, and by the time we were set up and ready to go, it was a very different picture.

And it may have been the best show of the week. The room filled up and people crowded closer to us and sat on the floor and watched us with bright eyes, and the vibe was warm and friendly. It was relaxed, fun, and felt great. We sold out of the CDs we had in the merch box and had to go back to the car to find whatever we had left. The mailing list signup sheet filled up.

People were so nice and so enthusiastic, I was a bit sad to leave. I wish we could've stayed around to hear the other bands - I hate to play and run. We caught some of You, Me and the Machine, an intense five-piece - they sounded great, really dynamic players. Plado Plant and The Ancestors were set to follow.

As it turns out, that was indeed the last show of the trip; there's nothing tonight. Which meant that we got to get a LOT of sleep last night. And now we get to relax today, and the next day. We've got some plans in the Ontario area before the long drive back - people to see, and a jam session with some friends in a few days - but nothing formal. Time to decompress...