The Interlude: Four More Miles

Road Essentials: Chloë Edition

Whitehorse — Wed, 27 May 2026 15:14:44 GMT

It’s been 11 years since Chloë went out on tour with Whitehorse and her younger brother, Jimi. We were curious about what she had to say about the rituals and routines of the road, so we asked her. Here’s what she had to say:

What’s the one thing you never leave on tour without?

My favourite PJs! Having a few creature comforts helps me keep a sense of routine while on the road. With every day jam packed and unpredictable, I love to maintain a few rituals. Before bed I put on my pink Chelsea Peers PJs and do my routine no matter what time it is or where I am. Every body and therefore every voice is different, but many singers have to defend our rest in order to keep our instrument working. Sleep is my number one priority for keeping my voice healthy, and keeping a routine helps me have a good sleep. In music biz terms I’m a diva, in scientific terms I have good sleep hygiene.

Road Essentials: Melissa Edition

Wed, 20 May 2026 17:02:02 GMT

The Whitehorse Family Band is about to hit the road in support of All I Want Is All Of It. No strangers to touring life, we asked Melissa a few questions to get a glimpse into the rhythms and realities of life on the road.

1. What’s the one thing you never leave on tour without?

I never leave on tour without my passport and my in-ear monitors. Everything else is replaceable! We learned this when Jimi was a baby and we were constantly on the road. There are so many products pushed on parents and we’re told that they’re essential, but as soon as we started traveling with Jimi we found that most of that stuff got in the way. We would buy a few used toys from a thrift store in the first city and then drop them at another thrift store in the last city at the end of the tour. We got by on very little and we actually found that to be quite liberating.

Road Essentials: Luke Edition (+ bonus playlist)

Whitehorse — Wed, 13 May 2026 21:39:40 GMT

The Whitehorse Family Band is about to embark on a tour in support of their latest album, All I Want is All of It. No strangers to the road, we were curious about a few things and cooked up some questions to get a bit of insight into the life of a touring musician:

1. What’s the one thing you never leave on tour without?

Disposable earplugs! Essential for creating pseudo-solitude in planes, trains, automobiles. Also essential for napping under tables in dressing rooms.

Luke: Standing on The Shoulders of Giants

Whitehorse — Wed, 01 Apr 2026 21:01:13 GMT

Guadalajara Feb 28, 2026

“Hey, it’s Bryan. How soon can you be in Puerto Rico? Can you learn 25 songs in three days?” And with that my life folded into itself like cake batter.

Melissa: Ride Towards the Light

Whitehorse — Wed, 25 Mar 2026 16:59:51 GMT

March. 14th, 2026

After a 24 hour travel day, I exited Pearson Airport to giant snowflakes dusting the landscape. Oh Canada, despite your lacklustre March I am happy to be home. I had a sweet reunion with Jimi and a long FaceTime with Luke who has finally relaxed into his new role as Bryan Adams’ shredder across South America. I am jet lagged, but happily buzzing from my own overseas adventure.

This was the 7th Great Kitchen Party trip I’ve done in the last 12 years. These are opulent, over the top, peak travel experiences that lowly musicians like us have been invited on to play music, share one-of-a-kind experiences with the Canadian guests and help raise money for charities like Music Counts. The trips also have a cycling component and have attracted elite and beginner riders alike.

Melissa: Sending Love From South Africa

Whitehorse — Wed, 18 Mar 2026 18:08:25 GMT

March 1st, 2026

Seventeen years ago I marvelled at the Southern Cross Constellation as I gazed upwards on my first night in Cape Town. This formation of stars is not visible from Canada and it’s these unique perspectives that thrill me the most when traveling and touring. Yesterday I flew into Cape Town once again after almost two decades.

It was meant to be a Whitehorse tour with an epic trip hosted by Canada’s Great Kitchen Party, beginning with a few days of downtime in this magical city. But, life is always throwing curve balls and Luke got a call from Bryan Adams himself just days before our flight. Luke was invited to play guitar for Bryan’s upcoming South American tour and we both agreed that this was an opportunity that couldn’t be refused. As Luke proceeded to learn 28 Bryan Adams songs in 3 days, I wracked my brain to see if there was anyone who could take Luke’s place for our South African performances. Mr. Doucet’s are big shoes to fill, but no better tiny feet to fill them than his own daughter and magnificent musician, Chloë Doucet. My heart exploded when she agreed to join me, and my disappointment of not getting to share this journey with Luke started to dissipate.

Luke: A Panasonic Cassette Player & A Roll of Masking Tape

Whitehorse — Tue, 17 Mar 2026 16:06:12 GMT

My bedroom at 197 Walnut street was on the third floor and had a vaulted ceiling so that only a small part of the room would accommodate the bunk beds that my brother JD and I shared. In 1984, I was 11 and he was two.

For Christmas, I received a portable cassette player, like a Sony Walkman but Panasonic. I remember this detail because it came with two small plastic speakers instead of headphones and when I wanted to listen to music to go to bed, I needed to keep them very close to my head so I could hear the music without waking my toddler brother sleeping above me.

Why this mini stereo didn’t come with headphones, I have no idea. I was already working delivering the Winnipeg Free Press up and down Walnut street, so I had some cash but I probably assumed that a pair of headphones—a hi-fi accessory after all—would be above my means.

The closest approximation of the cassette player I could find.