"I didn't want it to end. The Daydreamers are an experience. The show feels like a comfortable conversation between voice & instrument, captivating - it keeps you wanting more." - Karen Minnes
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This dream all started when I brought my new and old unrecorded songs to the fabulous Joe Lapinski to start recording my latest album. We started making our bed tracks, then realized I just didn’t know how I wanted the songs to go. Although I heard the instruments in my mind, without playing them, I couldn’t explore how many spaces and places the songs called for. Joe offers such beautiful guidance and trusts in the organic process this album deserves….
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Meet the Band.
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First up, I called upon my long-time friend and angel-in-the-wings, violin player and human extraordinaire, Danielle Marconi. She’s been playing with me since I started sharing my songs. While my fingers were trembling, she followed my capo up the frets with calm patience and belief in these new tunes. Her smile always pushes me through those moments when I wonder what I’m doing in this role of a music maker. Her belief in my songs are a big reason why this album came together
so organically.
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Havin' a great time at Wow Recording Studio, Danielle & Dave up next...
Next up, one of my absolute favourite musicians and humans to play with over the years, Niagara’s own Dave Mathews, my mysterious banjo wizard. Oh, how I’ve admired his playing for years and years. I remember feeling so proud that he would come to my solo shows, and rather bashful that he appreciated them. When I glance over at him on stage, his wink is all I need. Recently, we put together a duo called "Banjazzo." Dave, you're the tops and you're belief pushes me too new heights.
The wonderfully talented Hollie Jean Stock joins the Daydreamers next. I had no idea at the campfire that I was sitting beside the grooviest upright bass player. Danielle and I played a song and Hollie’s first words were, “You guys are pros." Made me feel like a million bucks. After that fire, I told Danielle I really wanted to find a female upright bass player to add to our team. Oh Hollie, having you on board is pure magic. Your smile is infectious, a kismet connect from the start. Um and, you're the pro!
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Nathanial Goold is one of the first musicians I met around these parts when I moved to Niagara. He became a brother instantly. I admire his versatility and guidance. He’s a saught after and key player in the Niagara scene, but when he heard Rita & the Daydreamers was forming, he came up to me and excitedly wanted to hop on the train! Nathanial Goold in The Dreamers? Now this is getting to be quite the dream! Super honoured to have one of my best buddies on this stage with me.
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Last but not least, Joe. Yes, Joe Lapinski, THE PRODUCER! What? Joe suggested that he could play steel for our first show as he knows I just loooove the pedal steel. What an epic time at Camp Cataract that night. After the show, I so hoped he wanted to join the band but I wasn’t sure. The next day I nervously sent him a text to ask him if he would join the band. His response was, “I thought I was already in?" Oh Joe, what a trip this is with you in tow.
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I just love these dreamers! Just wait until you see and feel this live! So proud of Rita & the Daydreamers, Northern Daydream. Click here to have your own copy!
Why the Daydreamers?
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It was our second dreamy rehearsal and we were deciding on a name. When rehearsal began I was telling the group about a fascinating CBC feature I heard that day: If humans took more time to Daydream, they would make more conscious, precise decisions in life because they took more time to connect the dots.
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Later in the rehearsal, some names got tossed around but Danielle mentioned, what about the Rita & the Daydreamers? Right there I knew it was the perfect name for us dreamers. We are the dreamers.
