A Chat with Heart - with Christina Martin
Canadian singer-songwriter Christina Martin started a podcast to hold sacred conversations with friends, family, and colleagues, gathering resources to help people navigate their own life, with expert tips and tricks on how to support a path with heart and personal growth. Authentic, playful and free from regulations, A Chat with Heart gives listeners an opportunity to call the Heartbeat Hotline, help shape future episodes and be featured on the podcast.
A Chat with Heart - with Christina Martin
Stephanie Purcell: Founder & Agent, VOX Agency
This is a super fun chat with Christina's friend Stephanie Purcell, founder and agent at VOX Agency in Halifax, about attention to detail when event planning, Newfoundland English, and an exciting event happening in Halifax, Nova Scotia in February. Find out what friends and clients of Stephanie have to say about the kind of person she is.
Stephanie Purcell has been devoted to the events industry for over 15 years. Her passion for live entertainment followed her from Newfoundland to Nova Scotia where she has become an award-winning agent and manager. She has helped bring events of all kinds to life. Working closely with clients to realize their vision, no matter how big or small, Stephanie prides herself on sweating the small stuff. Enthusiastic, ambitious, and trusted, Stephanie is with you every step of the way - from the idea to the stage. She is an expert in creating the perfect atmosphere with the right live performance.
Visit voxagency.ca to contact Steph and then you can make magic happen for your event!
Got a question for Christina? Call her Heartbeat Hotline in Canada: 1-902-669-4769
Explore Christina's music, videos and tour dates at christinamartin.net
S3E4 Stephanie Purcell
Christina: [00:00:03] Welcome to A Chat with Heart. I'm your host, Christina Martin. I'm a singer songwriter. I live on a dirt road with my best friend Dale in rural Nova Scotia, Canada. I chat with her is just me having chill conversations with people I want to celebrate, and topics that I'm curious about. If you have a question or a comment for this podcast, call my heartbeat hotline 19026694769. To send this podcast even more love, visit me online at Patreon.com backslash Christina Martin. I'm so happy you're listening. Our personal stories have great power to heal, influence and inspire. All we have to do is show up for the conversation.
Podcast Theme Song 'Talk About It': [00:00:49] If we just talk about it, we could shine a light, we could break a dark day. If we just talk about it, we can cut a way, we can make a brighter day.
Christina: [00:01:15] Hey folks, I'm going to try to make this short so we can get to my lovely guest. How you doing? I'm having one of those weeks where I feel tested, I feel triggered, last minute demands I didn't account for have thrown me off my game. A bit of a struggle, but in this moment, uh, actually feel better. I'm gonna, you know, keep doing all the little things I need to do to calm my nervous system down. My body learned at a young age to, uh, to go into fight or flight mode for a number of reasons. And, uh, yeah, it I guess, uh, in my probably in my 30s, definitely my 40s, I've kind of come around to understanding, you know, what my triggers are and, uh, how to try and respond to them in a more, I guess, mature fashion. Um, yeah. But it's, it's it's a hey, I still struggle. In any case. Um, yeah, I'm trying to I'm trying to fight the urge also to, uh, overwork or rush, let's say, oh, if I do this and then this and this, I'll feel better. And just, you know, it doesn't always work that way. So anyway, uh, I'll be fine. I'm just saying all this because I, I really trying not to be that person who only, only, you know, talks about the good things. I have a good life. I am happy, but, man, I still have my moments and struggle. And I just want you to know if you're feeling the same way. Uh, you are not alone. And, uh. Yeah, maybe that's why I have a heartbeat hotline you can call.
Christina: [00:02:57] Uh, I forget the number, but it's at the end of this podcast. And in every single episode, if you want to call it, if you feel like you want to express how you're feeling, um, I'd be happy to hear. So. Yeah. I live with my best friend who I can say anything to, and I always feel heard. And he's a great hugger and I feel supported no matter how frazzled I, I feel on the inside. And I, I really, genuinely hope that you have that too. And, um, if you don't, I'm sending you a it's going to sound gross. An oral hug. I'm sending you an a, an audio hug. It's going to be okay. You're okay. My guest today has been a friend, I want to say, since 2008 or 9. Around that time, I could be wrong, but that's that's, uh, when my memory started improving. Um, she's booked me for events. I've hired her to event plan and manage, um, one of my release shows. And and so much fun working with this woman. She's, um, she's got a heavy hitting roster of artists that she books. Every one of them. I think they all know this are super fucking lucky. Um, she's co-produced a show coming up in Halifax. We're going to talk about that. It's it's called. I'm going to talk about it now, too. It's called Big Shiny Tunes. It's happening over two nights. One night is sold out. Uh, there's still tickets for Friday night, February 2nd and third. And, uh, I'm stoked to be a guest performer this year.
Christina: [00:04:29] I, um, I have two songs I'm singing, uh, from the Big Shiny Tunes repertoire. So, uh, tickets, you can find them at the marquee website, uh, marquee in Halifax or on my website, Christina Martinet. I'm going to share the link. Um, Halifax and Dartmouth, Nova Scotia make up like 23% of this podcast, little heartbeat listeners. So that's why I wanted to mention it to you. February 2nd and third in Halifax at the marquee. I hope to see you there. It's gonna be a blast. Okay, my guest today is Stephanie Purcell. She's been devoted to the events industry for over 15 years. Her passion for live entertainment followed her from Newfoundland to Nova Scotia, where she has become an award winning agent and manager. She's helped bring events of all kinds to life, working closely with clients to realize their vision, no matter how big or small. Steph prides herself on sweating the small stuff. It's true. She loves in the details, with Steph enthusiastic, ambitious and trusted, and many more. Uh, things. As you'll hear in this episode, Stephanie is with you every step of the way, from the idea to the stage. She's an expert in creating the perfect atmosphere with the right live performance. Now, this isn't an ad, but, uh. And listen, if you are planning an event and you want it to be awesome, visit Vox Agency, aka Vox Agency, AKA to contact Steph and then you can make magic happen together. Yay!
Christina: [00:06:21] Are you ready to be on a chat with heart podcast?
Stephanie: [00:06:23] I'm ready to be on a chat with heart.
Christina: [00:06:25] You've been on my list for a long time.
Stephanie: [00:06:27] Oh, that's so nice. I'm a little bit nervous. I'm gonna have to pee in the middle, so if I do, I might have to do that.
Christina: [00:06:32] Oh, we're. You're allowed to take a pee breaks, like, we we, uh. Whatever you need, I'm here. Like, this is a this is a chill chat with heart. And sometimes chats with heart require bowel movements.
Stephanie: [00:06:46] Okay, okay. I don't think I'll have to do that, but I just hopefully not. I mean, not I mean a little bit.
Christina: [00:06:54] I meant a break to get to a spot where you can anyway.
Stephanie: [00:06:59] Yeah, yeah. All right. Hilarious.
Christina: [00:07:02] Hey, listen, um, I asked a bunch of people who know and love you. Uh, what for? Some words that describe you, and I'm. I'm going to read them to you. Okay? And, um, who knows, I might stop along the way and ask some questions here. Um, but I gotta say, I literally just put this out, like, in the last, like, 14, 16 hours. And I have an entire page here.
Stephanie: [00:07:35] Oh, wow.
Christina: [00:07:36] It was like it was, quite quick and it was interesting to see the overlap.
Stephanie: [00:07:41] Oh that's funny.
Christina: [00:07:42] So the consistency, uh, was good. Was positive.
Stephanie: [00:07:46] Okay, good.
Christina: [00:07:47] Uh, okay. Okay.And actually I'm curious, I'll be curious to know whether any of these things surprise you. Okay?
Stephanie: [00:07:55] Okay, okay.
Christina: [00:07:57] This one didn't surprise me because it was one of my words to describe you. Um, it came up a lot. Vivacious.
Stephanie: [00:08:04] Oh, I like that. Yeah. Yeah, totally.
Christina: [00:08:10] When I, when I, when I think of you, when I picture you, um. Yeah, that's I picture. You're not in the room. Your hair blowing in the wind. And you just like, got this great strut and, like, confidence and like, like you could be in a glorious shampoo commercial on the beach. Yeah.
Stephanie: [00:08:31] Vivacious, fun.
Christina: [00:08:32] Shepherd.
Stephanie: [00:08:34] Shepherd. Yeah.
Christina: [00:08:36] Like you're good at, I'm assuming, like shepherding.
Stephanie: [00:08:39] Herding the sheep. Shepherding the sheep. You're a herder. Yeah, yeah, yeah, I can see that for sure. I can see that as. Yeah, I can see people say, I would have never thought of that word to describe myself, but, um, I can see why people would say that. Yeah.
Christina: [00:08:58] You have you often heard people to your house for parties?
Stephanie: [00:09:00] Yes, I do, yes, I love that. It's one of my favorite things. I've done that many times leaving the bar and and shepherding the people. Mhm. And people even thinking I'm never going to see that woman ever again in my life. And then they show up at my house. That actually happened at one night we were out in the Arkells were playing in town, and I went over to see, um, Andrew Jackson and invite him to over and of course, horn players hanging out with horn players. That definitely happens. And he thought, and there was a couple other people at the table, and one of them happened to be one of the horn players in the Arkells. And, um, I just said, hey, Andrew. I was like, we're coming to a party. And then he had said, oh, you know, this is so and so from he played with the Arkells tonight. I was like, oh, awesome. You know, oh, if you guys want to come to a party like, love to have you, blah, blah, blah, and later they show up at the party and the guy who plays with the Arkells, he was just like, I got to tell you, you came up to the table at the bar. It was at the at the local. And he's like, I thought to myself, I'm never going to see that woman again in my life. And he goes, and here I am now at your house, at this, at this party. And it was so funny. And in the morning I remember on the floor there was a backstage pass that obviously was his backstage pass that was left on the floor of my kitchen.
Christina: [00:10:30] Oh my God.
Stephanie: [00:10:31] When, yeah, obviously he left it there. So anyway, it was just it was it was pretty funny.
Christina: [00:10:37] That is awesome. That is awesome.
Stephanie: [00:10:39] Never know who's going to show up. Yeah.
Christina: [00:10:40] Well that came came up a lot that uh, with Social Butterfly. Um. Oh wait. We're there's just. This is such a long list here.
Stephanie: [00:10:50] My God, how many people did you write?
Christina: [00:10:52] Well, I mean, not, I mean a good, solid handful of, like, people. I'm like, I know this person knows stuff, you know? Yeah. Oh, tenacious.
Stephanie: [00:11:02] Okay. Yeah.
Christina: [00:11:03] Opportunistic, hard working. You can probably guess. He said this one. Groovy.
Stephanie: [00:11:11] Yeah. Leith. Yeah.
Christina: [00:11:12] I said this was going to be anonymous. But I mean.
Stephanie: [00:11:16] That's a, that's a pretty easy give away one. Yeah for sure.
Christina: [00:11:20] Uh, funny funny and fun fun. Loving the fun that those that came up a lot.
Stephanie: [00:11:26] Yeah. Okay. Good I love that.
Christina: [00:11:27] Um. Unstoppable.
Stephanie: [00:11:30] Oh, I love that.
Christina: [00:11:31] Um, passionate came up a lot. Let's go over these boring ones. Loving, kind. Genuine. No, these are boring. These are really good qualities.
Stephanie: [00:11:41] I love genuine,
Christina: [00:11:42] Genuine. Yeah. You're one of a kind. Genuine, unique, uh, loyal, which I. Yes. I mean, I see that with you. With you and your friends and your, um, clients for. And. Yeah. Loyal, like. Yeah,
Stephanie: [00:11:57] I'm very loyal. It's a Scorpio trait.
Christina: [00:11:59] Have you ever, like, have you ever fucked anyone over, like, have you ever.
Stephanie: [00:12:03] No. No, I don't do that. That's why I actually have a good reputation in this industry. Because I don't do that sort of thing.
Christina: [00:12:11] Oh, this one, somebody gave me a actually. Okay, a couple people gave me, like, full sentences. Okay.
Stephanie: [00:12:18] Jesus. Okay.
Christina: [00:12:19] One of the very few people in Canada who loves and respects artists and will fight to get them what they deserve.
Stephanie: [00:12:27] I love that.
Christina: [00:12:30] Yeah. Now on the on the side. Maybe you want to get a quote from this person. Okay. It's a good contact. I mean, you already have the contact. You okay? Work with this person? Yeah. Okay. They're very funny. I won't give you anything more. Um. Uh, strong. Yeah. Mhm a force, you're a force. I love that that love that knows how to enjoy life. Bold, big laugh, a great laugh. Um, knows what she wants. Was that always the type of person you were?
Stephanie: [00:13:06] Yeah, I'd say for maybe not when I was, like, in my career wise. Probably not in the early, early days. I didn't really know. Like, you know, when you're in your early 20s, like, what do you know? You know. Yeah. But I think I always knew what I wanted in a general sense, you know, at a life, so to speak, might not always know exactly the path I was going to take. But, um, yeah, I would say I definitely know what I want and try to get it.
Christina: [00:13:32] Yeah. Break it down. How do I get this?
Stephanie: [00:13:35] How do I get this?
Christina: [00:13:36] So have you done have you spent a lot of time, like, have you done the whole like, what are my values and like the decisions I'm making aligning with those. And like, have you done that kind of work in your life or has it been sort of like, I'm going to sit around, I'm going to have a coffee, maybe smoke a joint and like, think about what it is I want and then just like, go for it. Is it like more simple?
Stephanie: [00:14:01] Um, I'd say I haven't done I mean, I've definitely done some work with that, um, with myself and probably with some, like, trusted people to talk about it and write it down. Um, I definitely, probably gone I went through that process, starting my business, like figuring out what you want out of life. I mean, you know, once you're like. You know, 35. It's time to start thinking about a lot of different things that you want out of life because, um, you need to make those decisions out of, you know, career wise and, um, family and just yourself and like, what you want to experience in life. I think I probably around that time probably thought about a lot of things and the time leading up to starting my business. I know I definitely spent a lot of time writing things down, um, not just thinking about it, but actually writing it down and figuring out how to get there. Yeah. Um, and I still do that. I write things down and, you know, from goals or like trying to figure out how to get from point A to point B kind of thing, you know? Yeah, definitely. Yeah.
Christina: [00:15:09] I'm going to come back to this list in a bit. Um, because there's more.
Stephanie: [00:15:12] I like it. That's a good.
Christina: [00:15:14] Um, so for my little heartbeat listeners, um, Steph, you're the founder and agent, award winning agent at VOX Management Agency, based in Halifax, Nova Scotia. And I know for a while, um, you know, during the pandemic and I don't know about now, but people were just kind of sick of this, this word, you know, pivot. Um, but I'm going to use it because, you know, you, your business, your livelihood relied on live entertainment, live events. And in my opinion, you were one of the best examples of pivoting during the pandemic. And, uh, I know you've got some examples of some wins in that department. In just the first year when everybody was saying like, okay, that's it, like live music, entertainment, it's dead, it's not happening. And you made it happen like.
Stephanie: [00:16:09] Ha! It's so funny that you say that. I'm just trying to think I'm like, what did I do?
Christina: [00:16:13] Because it it does seem like a long time ago now, doesn't it?
Stephanie: [00:16:17] Yeah it does. Yeah. But now you're right. I do remember working on things that we definitely did pivot.
Christina: [00:16:23] I could think of some.
Stephanie: [00:16:25] Okay. Let me know, remind me.
Christina: [00:16:26] Like wasn't there. Yeah. No, no. Wasn't there some events you did instead of finding like the live venues like you you you you found new venues like, um, hotels like with Dave Sampson.
Stephanie: [00:16:39] Yeah. Yeah, we did that just to get enough space and stuff. We did that. And the numbers to make the remember that when I think of words like member cohorts and things like that, remember you could only have certain amounts of people. Yeah. Um, yeah. No, we did that. We did malt. So we did multiple events and with like 200 people in the room, those giant rooms that fit, like 800 people or something, or 600 people. We put 200 in. Yeah. It's just funny when you think about that. Now, we worked on, um, we worked with clients on, um, an outdoor, like the outdoor, remember? We did the car, um, drive ins, like shows.
Christina: [00:17:19] So fun.
Stephanie: [00:17:20] Um, and then we did we definitely did with clients was, um, actually quite a bit, uh, of people doing pre-recorded performances, um, for events so that they could have their online zoom, you know, conference and that sort of thing. Yeah. And we definitely did do that with talent. Um, yeah. So definitely in some ways like that. But I know it's funny when you bring that up because it was like it was a while ago, you know?
Christina: [00:17:51] Yeah, it was a while ago. And um, when people talk, well, some people I've heard say, well, thank God that's behind us and whatever, but I there's still a part of me that's like, you know, we this could happen again. This could happen again. Like it is kind of predicted that and, um, I mean, but there's also a bit of like not I hate to say, like, thank God we went through that. Now we might be better prepared, but that is kind of on my mind always. It's like, well, at least we won't have to spend as much time. Well, yeah. Living like learning how to pivot and imagining what this could look like. We already have. Yes.
Stephanie: [00:18:33] Once you, once you've gone through it too, it's a completely different thing, and it makes it less scary. Um, I think especially from, um, the business perspective, the personal side was scary and a totally different way. But on the business side, like how to survive and how to figure it out. And, um, yeah, I think it would be, but I hope we have to go through and any time in the near future. But, um, I think people I don't think that it's behind us. Behind us. I think, um, we're still going to see a lot of fallout from it. I think, um, business, a lot of businesses are going to close. Still, I think this year we're going to see a lot of small businesses close. Unfortunately, just even seeing all the people talking about, you know, paying back the big the Ceba loan, the big loan, and a lot of people can't do it. I feel very grateful that we could do it. Same. Um, yeah. And I know, you know, you definitely have conversations with people about it. And, you know, it was there for a reason. And it's also it is a loan. I mean, I don't think it's terrible that people, you know, now, they still have an opportunity to pay it back.
Stephanie: [00:19:46] You know, it's not like it's like, okay, we don't get it. You're done. You know, you people are now, it's now it's like a loan with a lot longer extension on it obviously. Um, and you have to pay interest, which is not fun, but it's, you know, it it was a means to an end for a lot of people and help companies like ours survive, thank goodness. But I know we're going to start seeing that. And you even see we were just friends of mine. We're talking about recent like like we've seen a lot of, like, um, little shops close around Halifax lately, like clothing stores and like decor and just little independent nice little shopping shops. And, like, there's a lot gone, which is, you know, very sad. But. Yeah, um, you know, in the events world, I think a lot of people that we, we work with are still alive and working well. And, um, you know, their businesses are doing well. And I hope that continues to be the case and that we don't see any of them go under. But, um. You know, I, I think, uh, I still think there's a lot from the pandemic that we still have not yet seen that is still left over.
Christina: [00:20:51] I agree, you know, it's interesting because I, I mean, I've seen, uh, a handful of artists really actually thrive, um, from since the pandemic. And, uh, and then I've seen others really, you know, have to have to do other things to make a living. And some have also given up doing music, you know, for now. But, um, it's like it's all over the map. Um, but yeah, of course I have high hopes that that everyone will find their own way, whatever that is. Like, I used to think that if I had another source of income that I would had failed in my music, you know, career or whatever. Um, and I don't believe that anymore because I believe in doing whatever it takes so that I can continue. Um, if that means having to have a side gig to pay the bills so that I can still do what I love, then I'm going to do it. And, um. Yeah. So, I mean, I think we're I think we all a lot of people just have changed their perspective on how to approach this. Yeah. Agreed moving forward.
Christina: [00:22:07] But, um, I was curious to hear, um, as an agent and event planner, some of your you don't have to throw anybody under the bus, but you could, um, pet peeves about, you know, the people that you work with or. I'm just I bet you have, like, some. Awesome. Now, I know you have more success stories. I know that, like, I mean, let's just I mean, award winning, you know, company agent. We already know that about you, but we want the dirt here on a chat with heart staff. Like we want horror stories that perhaps helped you in the future. Or maybe you just you just were out of your hands and you couldn't have predicted. Do you have anything you can give us?
Stephanie: [00:22:54] Oh, wow. That's, uh. I'm very lucky to not have really. I would say many horror stories.
Christina: [00:23:01] But I do have pet peeves about working in this industry.
Stephanie: [00:23:04] Yeah. What's your what's your pet peeve? What's a pet peeve?
Christina: [00:23:07] Like people not responding to emails, even if it's a no because they feel like they're going to hurt your feelings or, um, you know, I would much prefer and I try to do this in my own practice of responding to emails is like, if you if it's not a no, but it's just not the right time. Just let me know. Just something can be short and sweet.
Stephanie: [00:23:26] Agreed Yeah.
Christina: [00:23:27] You know. Yeah.
Stephanie: [00:23:28] That would be my style too. I do try to like. I'm try to be as honest and realistic with people as possible and and but also a lot of times for me people are asking things of other people. So even though I have my opinion, I don't think that's going to happen. I don't necessarily say that because it's not my decision. I'm asking somebody else, do you want to do this? And then I go back and let them know yes or no? So it's not always like up to me. Yeah. Um, but I would say it's funny when you started on this, when you started the, the this question earlier before you went into horror stories. Um, but like pet peeves, like, I was going to say one of my things I find is people leaving things to last minute.
Christina: [00:24:13] Uh.
Stephanie: [00:24:13] And really not having a sense of what goes on in other people's businesses. And no, you can never truly understand that. But I do think when people are asking you for things like multiple times, um, you know, what time is the performance or you know, what time is the event going to be? And did you decide, are you doing this day or this day? Like, you know, those things are like really key critical like details that people need to know and, and, you know, just getting back to people in a little bit more timely manner, like, you're not the only event that we're working on, you know, it's just like there are several events happening and a lot of people like in the game, whether it's an on every single event. So I'm fascinated by how long people leave stuff like and especially when there's also if you're say you're coming to a city like Halifax, it's not that big. So while I don't deal with these certain things there, you know, that I hear from other colleagues. It's like there's only so many double decker buses. There's only so many venues that hold a thousand people. There's only, you know, there's only so many AV companies in town and etc., etc.. So I'm always surprised by how long people take to like, make a decision be like, oh, that'll happen. And also, I feel like if you can get it done a little earlier, can you not get a better rate or, you know, things like that and just checking it out? I love checking things off the list. So that's why I just I always surprise people, leave certain things just so long.
Christina: [00:25:50] Yeah. We're like like that I love I think there's a chemical reaction that's happening in the brain when we literally check something off on online document or in, you know, on a piece of paper. Yeah. Um, it always it always shocks me when, um, I mean, I get it, but it shocks me when actually artists will ask me like, it's it's this year, um, months away from the summer, and they're like, hey, how do you. So I think I really want to play some get into some festivals this summer. And I'm like, that thought should have happened like last year, last summer, like, uh, I mean, it's just the reality is and I, you know, maybe this is just something people don't know, but that a lot of venues, a lot of festivals, not all of them, some of them are last minute but are actually booking now a year in advance. And sometimes they have their list started even before that. So it's like, I guess the importance of like, and you know, this better than anyone is like or like building the relationships early and yeah, being open to like last minute cool connections. That could happen for sure. But being like Uber overprepared, which is not I don't know. I mean like, do you see that? Do you see that in the artists that you work with, like that ability to like plan ahead and project manage and all that, or is that not?
Stephanie: [00:27:18] It does not exist with most people. I would say, like there's some people I work with that are very organized and they do do a lot of planning, but I see a lot of people pushing it to last minute, very, very, very last minute, last minute, last minute, and um, which is it's not terrible. I do think, though, it leaves a lot of stress, doesn't mean things don't pan out. But I do think it can leave a lot of stress for other players in the game. You know, whether it's a band of seven people or something and, you know, it's the artists that needs to make the decisions, not the band. But, you know, the band maybe wanted a little extra time to learn things or contribute to the conversation. Or maybe they have certain people have like three big shows on all at the same, you know, in the same time frame. So it's like you want to have the preparation time to get things done. Yeah. And also sometimes I think if people leave things till two last minute, you run out of time like you or, or something. And outside factor could happen. That makes you have to pivot or something of that nature. And then you've got to like, you know, get it done. But I do find artists, a lot of them like definitely push things very late and understandably so I understand. A lot of people have do have a lot of things on their plate and they have a lot of things to think about. Mhm. Um, and organization and scheduling and all that is not everybody's strength either. So. But people got to figure all that stuff out also like on their own. And sometimes it just works out for them all the time. So who are they to say, you know, I'm.
Christina: [00:28:51] Going to be the I'm going to be an asshole. I'm on my podcast right now and just say that I'm I am getting so sick of people saying, oh, I'm just not good at this or that. Like, I wasn't I wasn't good at a lot of things either. And I had to do them. And and I know it's hard. I don't fucking like doing so much of what I do. I hate it, I fucking hate it.
Stephanie: [00:29:13] I know what you're saying about, you know, people like, oh, I'm not good at this. I'm not good at that. But also, I think some people are just, like too afraid to dive in on things. It's kind of like, I think one of the biggest thing is when you're talking about, like, money and in a business and you're dealing with accounting. Yeah, like that was probably one of the scariest things in the beginning. Like when we started my business and, and I'm trying to figure out. You know, there's obviously a lot of things to figure out. And I the number one thing and I was explaining to a friend of mine the other day who just had started her business, and I was explaining to her about how I track my money. And yes, we have a system like an online accounting system and, you know, you know, your bank account and all that and all of your internal like chart of accounts, etc., like all through your, um, your, your accounting system. But then I also have like spreadsheets where I track all my sales and I track everything I spend. And I'm in and out of these spreadsheets, like, every day. So even though we have proper software that tracks sales and tracks accounting and all that, I still do these manual, um, um, documents because it's just a different way. It's so black and white. It's like I have $5,000 this year to spend on this.
Stephanie: [00:30:27] And as the number keeps and you every time you look, it's like you have 4000 left, 3000 left. That's right. And so you're in your red, you're like, oh, you've overspent by $189 or whatever. Like, yeah, you know, it's good to have a good read on that. And that was the first one of the biggest things I did when I jumped into my business was tracking all of the money, the money in, the money out because and I do think that has helped to lead to success because and more and also not just that, but peace of mind, you know, of like absolutely understanding where all your money is. And I've kept up some people might think it's silly to like, be tracking everything, like manually when it's all in this, these software documents, but I don't I love it, I love seeing it in its most simplistic form. Not looking up a report. You know, I like just seeing it, adding up and subtracting and that's it. And it's it's just it's the documents that I've spend all of, you know, I'm in there every day pretty much. Or every other day. Yeah. And, um, I just think they just really help to give you a good snapshot of where your business is and where you need to go and what you need to do to get to the end of the month, to the year end, all that kind of stuff.
Christina: [00:31:38] Yeah, yeah, I completely agree. I do the same thing. In fact, if I didn't, I'd probably write more songs. Um, but yeah, but then I don't know, I've always I, you know, I've thought a lot about this because I as, as a creator, but also like somebody who manages all the other details and looks at my business and tracks things and does projections, um, which I know is not typical, but my dad, my dad had an office like he he ran a business, and my mom, um, was just always somebody who was just busy taking care and or keeping things organized. She was she was at first a great stay at home mom. And, um, always kept busy. And, um, and then she was, um, you know, had a full time job as a nurse and still managed the house and, and whatnot. But I, I think it I think I just kind of got the, uh, this combination of qualities from my parents, but, like, where do you think you got it from? Like where your either of your parents like that?
Stephanie: [00:32:40] Oh, yeah. Definitely. My parents were like, they were definitely the people who, I mean, you know, track, you know, the checkbook. Remember that little document that came with the checkbook and you write it all down and all that stuff? Yeah. But, um, my parents were always also very comfortable talking about money. And I think that that and, you know, we also they both worked and, um, you know, so there was always like definitely a lot of conversations about money. Um, and it always has been it's always been a comfort level for my whole family. Like there's always been an easy comfort level about talking about money. And it's just like, not a big deal. Whereas I know a lot of families do not have that, you know, like definitely don't. Oh no, it's they avoid it. They don't want to talk about it. Like it's kind of it's actually like really interesting as you get older and, you know, you see parents, people whose, you know, parents are passing away and things with like. Wills and inheritances and or no money left and having to cover, you know, certain things. Well, you know, obviously when someone passes or taking care of things and, um, it's just interesting, like my family was always just very open about it, talked about it. So you think it's a norm and then you come to find out it's like so abnormal that a lot of people just don't talk about it. Yeah. Getting comfortable with money is just I found, um, has really, really just helped me to. Yeah. I guess feel better about it and also help you get to a place where you need to be about it being more realistic and, you know, all of those kind of things. Business. And personally,
Christina: [00:34:24] I actually. Like going to my accounting year end meetings. Is that weird?
Stephanie: [00:34:29] Yeah, I mean, a lot of people don't enjoy that. And I, I understand why. I mean, it's it's also it's admin and it's numbers and it's paperwork and it's blah, blah, blah, you know. So I get that.
Christina: [00:34:40] But but it's, um, it's box checking Steph.
Stephanie: [00:34:43] Yeah. It is, it's good. Check it off the box. I mean yeah, I love I, I love my like working with my accountant and getting things done and, but I just also keep up on it all year long. So it's not as like this big daunting pressure. You know, like, I know some people literally do have the shoe box of receipts and drop it off at the accountant. It's like, oh my God, I just can't live like that. But I know people who do and it works for them. That's that's fine. But I think there's a way of undoing some of that stress. You know.
Christina: [00:35:11] If your shit fits in a shoe box, I'm fucking envious of you.
Stephanie: [00:35:15] Yeah, exactly.
Christina: [00:35:16] First of all, like, fine, keep your shoe box. Mine would be like a extremely large, like, luggage. The largest piece of luggage. Yeah, you can imagine. And anyway,
Christina: [00:35:27] I don't want to leave out the fact, Steph, that you are from Newfoundland and Labrador. Um, for our out of country listeners, that is a province in Atlantic Canada. And people from this part of Canada are known as being very warm and friendly, fun loving and funny to the core, I think. And all of that describes you as well. Um, and Newfoundland has, um, you know, this sets it apart from the rest of Canada. It has its own unique language. It's called Newfoundland English or Newfoundland's. And I just would love to know what some of your favorite Newfoundland's sayings are.
Stephanie: [00:36:06] First of all, I love hanging out with Newfoundlanders like that, people I don't see very often, and they come into town and I just love hearing all of it. Just obviously reminds me of so much of growing up. Um, but we definitely there's definitely sayings that I use or parts of the language like that I use a lot, like, um, you add S's to a lot of things, like I loves it or I dies at that, I dies at you.
Christina: [00:36:35] I dies at you, I knows it.
Stephanie: [00:36:37] I knows or. Yeah, or just like knows and sometimes I reply to that in like Instagram. People ask me a question, I'll be like knows. I mean like knows like it just means like, yeah, you know, for sure, like for sure or something like that.
Christina: [00:36:52] K-n-o-w s or nos.
Stephanie: [00:36:56] K-n-o-w s like.
Christina: [00:36:58] Knows knows.
Stephanie: [00:36:59] Okay. Um, cool. Got me drove that's got me drove got me drove. What is you're driving me crazy kind of thing like got me drove drove.
Christina: [00:37:09] I'm going to use that one.
Stephanie: [00:37:10] That got me drove is a is a good one for sure. Um and like just even simple things that like wicked deadly, like even just certain words that I still use, like, um, like somebody referred to like a hair clip and I call it a buckle, a buckle.
Christina: [00:37:31] And I would think that was a belt, something that would be in the belt.
Stephanie: [00:37:35] But it's a hair like a hair clip. So sometimes you say things and people are like, oh, what? It's like a buckle got me drove.
Christina: [00:37:44] This makes sense. Got me drove. This makes sense in that I have some British friends and they will say things. I have no idea what they're saying, but they're speaking English and like. And it's just interesting, like, even like, you know, jumper, which I believe I could be is a sweater or. Well, to us, but I think of a jumper as like a one piece. Yeah.
Stephanie: [00:38:08] Yeah, yeah.
Christina: [00:38:09] Exactly. So interesting thing. And uh, I read and I don't know if this is true or not, but Newfoundland English is actually, uh, origins originated from, like a lot of British English, specifically the area of Bristol and also Scottish and Irish. So, um, maybe that's, you know, that that has a lot to do with the fact that we just have different words for different things.
Stephanie: [00:38:35] Yeah. No, definitely. You hear a lot of different acts. There's some accents too that are along the Avalon Peninsula, like so like the, the East Coast that are very they sound very Scottish. Very much so. So it's like, yeah, the cross between the new flan and the Scottish accent. And then. Yeah, that's what you get. Yeah, it's very unique.
Christina: [00:38:57] I love it. Um, I've got some, uh, I've got some new funny sayings here I'm going to throw. Okay, okay, okay. Yeah. Um, just curious if you've ever heard them or used them yourself.
Stephanie: [00:39:11] Okay.
Christina: [00:39:12] Okay, okay. Let me see. Here. Here's one. Um, you can't tell the mind of a squid.
Stephanie: [00:39:20] No, no, I don't know.
Christina: [00:39:22] That I've never heard it before, but.
Stephanie: [00:39:24] I haven't heard that one.
Christina: [00:39:25] I found it on like you can't tell the mind of a squid. Apparently, it means you can't tell what an untrustworthy person might be thinking or doing. Uh, because squids can move both backwards and forwards. Isn't that that's clever, right?
Stephanie: [00:39:37] Oh, that is clever. I actually have never heard that one can't.
Christina: [00:39:40] Tell the mind of a squid. Um. You only get one shot at a shell bird.
Stephanie: [00:39:49] No, I don't know that one either.
Christina: [00:39:51] That's okay, neither do I. No. Well, I mean, I'm pulling the information from the internet. Apparently, it means you can only fool a smart person once. So I guess a shell bird is smart.
Stephanie: [00:40:05] I don't even know what a shell bird is.
Christina: [00:40:06] Compared to, like the dodo bird or something. Yeah, I don't know. Okay. Uh, this is a fine kettle of fish.
Stephanie: [00:40:13] Yeah. Kettle of fish. Yeah, it's. My mother uses that one all the time. Kettle of fish also is like describing as, like a whole bunch of things. Like. Oh, and a whole kettle of fish. Kettle of fish. Like, like if you were going to, like, a dinner or something like that and oh, say they were having like Chinese food or something. Oh my God, she had everything there, like a whole kettle of fish at like every different kind of, you know, dish or something like that. All different things. Whole kettle of fish. Yeah. My mother uses that one a lot.
Christina: [00:40:46] Love it. He's got eyes like a Caplan going offshore.
Stephanie: [00:40:51] No. And it's a caplin, it's a caplin. Caiplin. That's a type of little fish that it is.
Christina: [00:41:00] And apparently these caplin fish are also smart. So a lot of the Newfoundland Newfinese sayings refer to, uh, species that are, that are smart in their, you know, he's got eyes like a caplin going offshore. Uh, but I guess actually said of a person who has bloodshot eyes. Um, I guess going offshore means, is that bad going offshore?
Stephanie: [00:41:27] I don't know, there's something about caplin. I know caplin also. Just, like, come in with the tide. There's certain periods of time or something like that. And you can go down to the beach and it's just like caplin everywhere. Um, I don't know. That's what I remember that from my childhood.
Christina: [00:41:42] He's got eyes like a caplin going offshore. Like. All right. Sounds like something you, I guess, would say to somebody after a long night of drinking. Um, and finally and finally, uh, my favorite. Long may your big jib draw.
Stephanie: [00:41:59] Yes, I have heard that one. Definitely. I don't know, I'm sure I've used it at some point in my life, but. Long. May you be happy, healthy, happy, you know, that sort of thing.
Christina: [00:42:11] That's the one that I had to recite in order to be screeched-in. And can you explain to the listeners in Saint John's, Newfoundland. Uh, 2019 have my certificate. Can you explain to the listeners what the screech-in ceremony is.
Stephanie: [00:42:28] That a screech-in ceremony makes you an honorary newfoundlander and they make you recite. They usually when people are coming in from out of town, you know, weddings, parties, various different things. I know there's a place on George Street, a bar on George Street that does screech ins as well, and you have to recite certain Newfoundland sayings. Um, they make you do a shot of screech and they make you kiss the cod, and it's a real cod, like a big slimy. Mhm. Pod. My neighbors growing up, they had um it's like a. Yeah full cod that was just used for screech ins and it was wrapped in their deep freeze and it was like wrapped probably in like a hundred bags or something so that the smell like didn't get out or everything else. And the cod is like, do people be like, oh, call Walt and get his cod for the screech in? And so it's like this codfish that's been like thawed and frozen and thawed and frozen like several times, countless times. I'm sure the thing lasts for like years. And then they replace the the cod. But certain people in town would have a cod for screech-ins.
Christina: [00:43:43] Yeah. It's, uh, kissing the cod. The cod that I had to kiss was fucking gross. Like it had it had this. It was like it was at a bar on George Street, I think, and I can't remember the name of it, but, uh. Yeah. Um, it was frozen. They pulled it out of the freezer. It had this really, um, this this kind of arch to it because of after it had thawed every time it thawed. I think it kind of arched a little bit more. And, I mean, it looked terrifying and disgusting. And it was funny because before you kissed it, port and there were other people in the ceremony that had to kiss the same cod. This was pre-COVID, just before Covid might have been the cause, might have been the cause of Covid. Um, they would pour alcohol over it, like as if that would make it, you know, sanitize it. Yeah. Um, yeah. It was uh I hesitated, I hesitated. Yeah, I bet I did it, I did it.
Stephanie: [00:44:34] I've never had to kiss a cod because I am a Newfoundlander. But I do think it's a fun ceremony to watch people go through like, it's a it's a fun thing and people love it. Like, I think it's a fun little thing to do for sure. And I would highly recommend it if you're ever on George Street visiting to go in and just do it for the fun of it. It is.
Christina: [00:44:56] Fun. I have a video somewhere I don't know where, but it's uh. Yeah, it was a hoot. Yeah.
Christina: [00:45:01] Um, hey, let's talk about the big event that's happening this coming week in Halifax, Nova Scotia. Since 23% of my listenership is in Halifax and Dartmouth, I want them to know I want them to be there. So tell us about the Big Shiny Tunes event at the Marquee.
Stephanie: [00:45:17] So excited about it. This is our third installment of Big Shiny Tunes at the marquee. Um, the first one that we did a couple years ago was, um, we did, uh, it was kind of like the first show a lot of people went to coming out of Covid, like without a mask on. It was it was a big, um, I found it was kind of, like, very meaningful, like people, really. They were just, you know, so excited for multiple reasons. And it was a big moment in time. I feel like for so many people, because it was the first thing that a lot of people went to in a crowd. Um, and it everyone was just like, singing at the top of their lungs. They knew like, every word to every song. And it was absolutely incredible. Um, so last year we did it again and last February, and now we're doing it again this year. Um, Saturday is sold out. Vans tickets are sold out, but, um, Friday still has some tickets. We're really excited about the cast. Uh, that, uh, is performing in the show. Um, and a big part of this is, is the bands that perform. We have two bands. Um, that one plays, you know, first set and second set, and obviously it's a lot of material for them to learn, and they do an absolutely incredible, incredible job. Like, I'm so impressed with the band every year. I'm just like, oh my God, I can't believe you guys like learned all these songs and they learn them as close as possible to the original recordings.
Christina: [00:46:56] Yeah.
Stephanie: [00:46:57] Um, which is what people really want to hear, you know? And it's it's just like nostalgia to the max, you know? So. And this year we're excited. We're including. Adding some extra like bang or hits from that era that were not on the big Shiny Tunes records. Um, but they're songs that we all feel like should have been on or people think that they would be on. Um, and it's just expose, you know, some more of those really incredible songs that people love from that time. And it really, like brings you back for sure. Like for sure. That's incredible. I'm very excited about it. I produce the show with Mike Farrington Jr and, uh, he's our musical director and with Dave Sampson and, uh, yeah, we have a great time doing it, picking out the songs. It's pretty fun, actually, when the three of us get together in the original time period of picking a collection of songs, and we all agree to because, you know, everyone's kind of coming at their own feelings about songs. So you have a tendency to, like, defend a song or, you know, understand if like, no, okay, fine. You guys like, we won't do that song or like, you know, we have to do a particular song and most of it, we're all totally on the same page. But if if it's like two against one, two people are like, we're not doing that song, then we just don't do the song. It's just like, nope, it's not happening. It's got a pretty funny process, but it's it's fun, very, very fun.
Christina: [00:48:21] That is awesome. I, I think I would be shut down if I was on that committee, all my song choices. But, uh, I would stand by them, I would push hard. But, uh, I'm excited. I'm thrilled to be, uh, singing this year, and, uh, I'm pumped for rehearsals. So, uh, folks, get your tickets for Friday night because Saturday sold out, and, um, I'll be posting the links. Well, there. I mean, you can buy tickets on my website. Marquee website too.
Stephanie: [00:48:48] Yeah, yeah, they're 2037 Gottingen Street website. That kind of houses. All of their, uh, venues. They have three venues inside one building now. So, um, you can get them there. And any of the artists that are performing the link is posted all over the place, honestly, like on the Facebook event and all over the internet, all the talent are posting about the events. So it's a pretty easy thing to find. And it's just it's an incredible night, everybody. I find everyone has a great time. We always hear wonderful things about it, and everyone has a great time in the audience and everyone has a great time backstage. It's really fun to see all the camaraderie with everybody, and because everybody, a lot of these people don't get to play together ever. Or some people are meeting like for the first time. And it's really cool actually seeing the friendships that have come out from this event of people that just met each other like two and three years ago, like it's just a very cool experience and everyone's cheering each other on. And yeah, it's a it's a very positive event to be involved in and I love it. And yeah, it's just a nice, nice group of, you know, people making friends and friends coming together. It's awesome.
Christina: [00:49:58] I could use some more friends. Yeah, I could use a good time. You ditch my existing friends, I give me some old. No, I'm gonna get me some new friends. Yeah.
Stephanie: [00:50:06] New friends. Yeah. No, it's. It'll be great.
Christina: [00:50:09] Good. Yeah, of course it will be. Um, this is going to be awesome. And you're awesome. And, uh, because you're awesome. I've, uh, written a little goodbye statement, uh, that I'm going to read to you. Thank you so much for for being on the chat with her podcast. Steph.
Stephanie: [00:50:25] Thank you. I'm so happy to be here.
Christina: [00:50:26] Uh, okay, Steph, goodbye. You are a change agent, a connector, a beautiful and generous soul, a stellar role model. When you want something, you figure out a way to manifest it for yourself and you do the same thing supporting many artists and clients. You're a priceless asset to our music industry, not only in Atlantic Canada, but in Canada. You've always been there. When I reached out to you, working with you, watching what you do has made me better at what I do. Thank you for that and I wish you continued success. May your biggest dreams come true and long may your big jib draw. Oh, God. It's hard to say that with a straight face.
Stephanie: [00:51:12] I love that. Thank you so much. It was wicked.
Song 'I Don't Want to Say Goodbye to You': [00:51:23] I don't want to say goodbye to you. I don't want to say goodbye to you.
Heartbeat Hotline: [00:51:39] Welcome to the heartbeat hotline 1-902-669-4769. I'm the host of a Chat with Heart podcast, Christina Martin, and I'm so excited you called. Leave me your question, suggestion for the podcast, or a comment about this episode. Please be aware your message may be used on the podcast and social media. Tell me your name, where you're calling from and it's also fine if you want to remain anonymous. Thanks for listening. Have a great fucking day!
Christina: [00:52:11] Thanks for listening to a chat with her at podcast produced by me Christina Martin. Co-produced and engineered by my husband, Dale Murray. Dale is a stellar singer, songwriter and music producer, so check out his website dalemurray.ca. The podcast theme song 'Talk About It' and 'I Don't Want to Say Goodbye to You' were written by me and recorded by Dale. Visit my Bandcamp to find a CDs, vinyl, digital music, and fun merch like custom made puzzles and temporary tattoo packs. Become a monthly or yearly supporter of this podcast and my music endeavors on Patreon. If you're new to Patreon, it's a membership platform that helps creators get paid. I love it! Sign up is a free or paid member at Patreon.com/ChristinaMartin. I would love it if you had time to share rate, leave a review and subscribe to a chat with heart on all the places you listen to podcasts. Wishing you, my little heartbeat listeners, a great day.
