Having spent the summer getting to know parts of Asia again, I am now back home in Toronto, Canada, putting things in order in preparation for going on a long tour to US and Europe again.

In September, with La La La Human Steps, a Montreal based contemporary dance company that has worked with the likes of David Bowie and Frank Zappa in their early days, I will be playing in New York, Philadelphia, Israel and Libson in the company months, plus a host of smaller cities in Europe.

The show we are touring is called "Amjad", a tribute and a deconstruction of the classical ballet "Swan Lake" and "Sleeping Beauty", with original music (based on Tchaikovsky's original) composed specifically for this dance piece by Gavin Bryars (of "Jesus' blood never failed me yet) and David Lang, the most recent Pulitzer Prize winner.

Before going on tour, I am trying to finish writing a short opera with a touch of noir. Also putting together music for a choreographer.

At the meantime, working on putting together a summer/fall tour for my band Day OFF (www.myspace.com/dayoffca). You will find us on iTunes and a host of web portals. Our CD is called Picnic in the cemetery. Check us out.

Having just returned to Canada from a two month trip to Asia (Singapore, Indonesia, Japan, Hong Kong and Macau).

This is truely a trip of re-discovery for me. Having "rejected'  my roots for so many years, I am finding that my "roots" are pulling me back. Or at least, getting me to take a closer look at what it is I am missing in North America.

It is all very well to say that we live in a global village and that as artists, you can live anywhere and work anywhere. But living the day to day in one particular culture does influence our creativitiy. Something I am thinking about a lot lately.