New camera....

Here it is.
And my New York view....regular, and 10X zoom.

Cooool.

Going dark...

I'm do a whirlwind tour of the east over the next week - New York for three days, Montreal for one, and Toronto for 5. 80% of it is work. I am looking forward to the other 20%.
So - my blogging my go dark for a bit. I do have plans to scope out digital cameras while in the big apple, so there may be better pictures than this in the future....we can hope.

Happy 18th.

To my nephew/sometime gardener/possessor of a most excellent, dry sense of humour...

18?
*sigh*
That makes me how old?
(and yes, it ultimately all about me - and at this moment, that includes the pleasure I get teasing you however pathetically with this post... )

How tired is tired?

It's tired. That's all I'm saying. Except maybe that it is too tired to write good concert reviews, but here goes anyway.

The week started with The Fiery Furnaces, which I stumbled into really more on a whim than anything - I only have one album (the quirky Bitter Tea) but had heard good things about their live act. And I've got to say I'm glad I took the chance. Lead singer Eleanor Friedberger has the cool vibe and looks of Patty Smith/Jenny Lewis if you morphed them together. It's been a long time since I've seen a band fronted by a strong female singer, and the rest of the band was great. And tight. All good, once again. There is another (better, likely less tired) review & a good photo here .

And last night was Akron/Family. Brace yourself for a review of another show that was POORLY ATTENDED. Vancouver, I don't get you - pearls before swine, or gortex, or something. I don't get you at all. The last two Akron shows were well attended. And I know, I know. I've gone on about them before. But they deserve my adoration. They deserve everyone's adoration. And granted, the 150 or so that showed up were loving it. But enough of that...

The band has morphed into something quite different than what I've seen the last couple of years - they are up from 4 member to 7, and one of the original members (Ryan Vanderhoof, singing in the link on my earlier post) was missing. It's unclear if he couldn't make the show or he's gone for good, but I hope it is the former. Anyhoo, to be honest there wasn't much room to miss him, between the two drummers, four guitars and keyboards. I am not sure what configuration I prefer. Both have advantages - certainly having 7 moves it into one of my favorite categories - an overabundance of bodies on the stage - but I like the focus of the 4 man shows as well. I'll stop now or I'll just keep going round and round.

It is hard to really explain an Akron show. Except to say it is all consuming, incredibly energetic and leaves you no space to breathe. At all. One song morphs into another, pretty much nonstop. Sounds move from head slamming discord to delicate soft harmony. It is the sort of thing that warrants interpretive dancing. And incense. And probably a mind altering substance or two. I can confirm that at all three things were there, though I won't confirm that I had anything to do with any of them. And I don't know how the band keeps going full bore for so long. The club shut them down at 1am, after at least 2 hours, and it was obvious they would have kept going. And once again Vancouver, for shame for not showing a great band the love they deserve.

I should also mention the opening act - The Dodos. For the second time, Akron/Family has had a really strong opening act - last year it was the Born Ruffians. Both bands have a similar energy and are worth watching out for. I've posted a Dodos clip above - give it a look and listen.

Bunkle Fall

The 'hood is changing it's spots ... catch it while you can, before monsoon season hits.

There was also a pool of pink vomit on the road that I was tempted to shoot, but I decided it would break the mood.

(Is it just me, or does that sign look like it is telling you to give your hound a good ol' slapping?)

Is that a banana on your feet, or...

Yes, that's right. Bananas. Anyone have a problem with that?

The banana boots were the only purchase verging on the slightly absurd (at least I hope they are the only thing...) during A. and my rape & pillage of the outlet mall in Tulalip on Wednesday. The boots rock. They even have a little buckle at the top. I bought them under the premise of gardening boots, but ooooh they are gonna be so much more.

This whole shopping in the states thing will come bite everyone in the rear eventually, but this is the first time in my life (to my knowledge) that the dollar is in our favour and dammit I'm going to enjoy it, at least once. And those Americans do know how to do the sales. They also know how to post creepy anti-abortion signs & religious instruction radio station call numbers beside the roadways, but that's another story.

All in all, we were bringing a four-figure amount back across the border. And we declared it all (I don't lie well. At least not to people wearing any sort of uniform.) And they waved us through. Huh? Oh well, don't look a gift horse in the mouth. And make sure you smile at the customs guy.

Mind the fall...

Finally, a sunny crisp fall day.

I spent the morning planting bulbs - lots of bulbs. Tulips. Dwarf tulips. Crocuses (croci?). Daffodils.

This is my first bulbing at the Bunkle. Last fall, there was too much going on to worry about things like planting.

As I was planting, I thought about a film I saw at VIFF last weekend - How to Cook Your Life - about a zen master who happens to be a great baker and cook. The film was actually pretty funny, but there was one thing the chef brought up that really stuck with me. Mindfulness. "When you chop the carrot, chop the carrot." The point really is to pay attention to and respect everything you do. As my pal A. said, the bonus of mindfulness when cooking is you don't end up with "Chop the carrot, chop your hand". It is so hard to keep your mind from flying to 15 different things when you do something like chop a carrot. Or plant a bulb. And *blink* the task is done, and you can't actually remember doing it.

I can't believe how fast time flies now. Every year, that little bit faster. Kids don't have that problem. Summers last forever. Why? Because when they are drawing a picture or playing tag or punching their friend in the nose, THAT is what they are doing, and THAT is what they are thinking about.

So, that's what I'm trying. To focus and give my mind a rest. And with the bickering Greek chorus that exists in my brain, boy is it hard.

Frankly my dear...

October's concert/VIFF lineup are well underway, but I've been too lazy (busy?) to post anything so here goes...
Black Francis - Frank Black (touring as Black Francis) played Richards for two nights last week. We went Wednesday. We lined up early, just in case the old people seats were going to fill up fast (the Pixies ex lead singer should in theory pull an old people crowd...). And yes, there were actually two people already in line ahead of us, so we weren't the only ones thinking that way. So, we sat on our cherished balcony stools. And waited for the club to fill. And waited. And waited....
It was a bit like my Rock Plaza Central experience. There were maybe 150 people in the end - which for a club that holds about 500 just isn't that impressive. I actually counted the people on the floor - there were 75. I shouldn't be able to count the people on the floor. It should be so crowded that it is like trying to count grains of salt. Once again Vancouver, where were you? I'm hoping you all showed up for the Thursday show.
As for Frank/Francis - it was a really nice show. Good mix of solo acoustic stuff and full on band, a few Pixies tunes mixed in here and there - really, you couldn't fault him. Except perhaps for miscalculating and booking two nights in a row. And maybe announcing the show too close to the date of the gig. And maybe touring as Black Francis instead of Frank Black. I don't know. Anyway, I was there, and I'm glad.

A couple of weeks from now I will be off to the Fiery Furnaces - really more of a whim than anything, I don't know there stuff all that well based on what I have heard of them & read about them I thought it would be worth checking out... & (yay) Akron/Family, which I am really pumped about just because their live shows are such a crazed delight. The show I really wish I was going to is Final Fantasy/Great Lakes Swimmers - which seems to be sold out now. If anyone has an extra ticket, let me know and I'll be your friend forever. Or at least until the show is over.

On the VIFF front - a couple of things worth mentioning - Scott Walker:30 Century Man, a very nicely put together documentary about the 60s pop icon turned avant garde composer/musical influence on many of today's more interesting artists. The director was at the screening & was a funny, articulate open guy. And I have since downloaded The Drift, Walker's most recent album, and it is wonderfully horrifying. I listen and am stuck in the dark in a bombed out building. Is that a good thing? Not sure, but it's an amazing thing.

Sidney Lumet's excellent Before the Devil Knows You're Dead was also a lot of fun. Familiar heist-gone-wrong territory, and another reason to bow and scrape at the feet of Philip Seymour Hoffman (or shudder at the increasingly creepy rat like face of Ethan Hawk). I Just Didn't Do It takes a good look at the horrifying state of the Japanese justice system through the eyes of a young man wrongly accused of groping a girl on the subway (and for the love of god how could you not grope someone on a Japanese subway train? I don't think you could fit a sheet of paper between bodies...and I thought Toronto was bad). According to the director, who was in attendance, 99.9% of those that go to trial in Japan are found guilty....doesn't Lotto 6/49 have better odds than that? And finally (for this post), 4 Months, 3 Weeks & 2 Days
was gripping, gripping, gripping, well acted, and really nicely filmed in a quiet, focussed way. Another time, you'd get much more detailed reviews but not tonight. Be thankful...

Imagine you are a cat...

...and you feel like throwing up. A fur ball maybe. Or just a plain ol' barf. What would you choose to throw up on? Here are your options: 1)nicely refinished fir flooring; 2) kind of nasty but very wipeable vinyl flooring; 3) very nasty grey stained basement carpet; 4) cheap multicolour striped door mats; or 5) cream coloured virgin wool area rug.

If you chose options 1 - 4, your chances of becoming a good method-actor are slim to nil.

Sigh.

Ughhh...

Cats had their rabies shots yesterday. Cat tummies not too good this morning.

Unfeeling cat-slave me is going to spend the day at VIFF instead of ministering to the needs of my cat overlords.

I am sure I will pay for that somehow.

If I get a new roof, will Sufjan stand on it? AKA Did Someone Say Banjo Episode #4

Just wondering. I am currently killing time waiting for the sales guy from the roofing company (who is now officially late) and found this. And I've gotta say, if the 5-figure cost of replacing the roof included a cute, incredibly talented banjo playing American perched on top as in the video here, I would consider it money well spent.

I should also mention that la Blogotheque (creators/posters of the video) have a really great collection of stuff, "take away concerts" of artists performing all over the place (bathrooms, streets, bars, houses...a roof....). But if you're anything like me, be prepared to lose at least an hour of your life sifting through the videos they post...but then again, they tend to profile bands I am already smitten with.

But enough of that. I'm still waiting. The roofer is now half an hour late. The more I think about it, the more the Bunkle would suit a roof-standing banjo player (maybe he could double as a weather vane? Oh the possibilities....)

Crowd Joy Madness

Was just looking at some of the youtube videos of the Flaming Lips at Malkin Bowl. This 15 second number isn't great quality, but it really best captures what it was all like.

There is another video of Wayne Coyne rolling over the camera holder in his space bubble. I prefer to keep that for private viewing (if I watch it enough times, maybe I will believe it was me holding the camera...)

Enjoy.

Is it real or is it Memorex?

I wasn't going to write anything tonight. But here I am, writing way too much.

It was the final concert of the September concert season last night - Smashing Pumpkins, with The Bravery as an opener. It was good - well, I enjoyed nostalgia moment of seeing the Pumpkins, very much, which is what I went for. I left happy. And tired. And with more questions in my head than answers.

Question #1: Exactly how tall IS Billy Corgan? Either his bandmates are all under 5'5" or Billy is a giant. I was pretty convinced of the latter. I spent a lot of the concert trying to figure out how much his body falls outside of the classical 7-head rule you learn in art school (or alternately, how much larger his head would have to be to make him look less...gigantic). I finally decided he is one-half head out. Height wise. I don't mean his head is one-half head too small...thank god. And I did have to look up his height - and it's only 6'3". Which makes me think his body is longer (or his head is tinier) than I have calculated, or he wouldn't seem so...gigantic. Whether or not these questions were plaguing me because I was sitting next to a truly delightfully Beavis & Butthead pair of young-un's who were smoking a never ending string of weed I am not sure...

Question #2: Uncle Fester or Zippy the Pinhead? Don't get me wrong, I loved the white knickers, striped hose, and short sleeved white shirt over striped long sleeved T. I loved the white boots. But something about the proportions made him seem like the love child of Fester and Zippy. Sorry. And honestly, I think Billy is extremely cool, despite these comments, and despite his tendency to hang out with Courtney Love. Once again, wondering if these thoughts are more a result of inhaling beside Beavis & Butthead than anything.

Question #3: Is it real, or is it fake? As mentioned, the Bravery opened the evening. I had heard one song they played before. As soon as I clapped eyes on the lead singer and his posed, stiff-armed guitar moves, it was over. It was like a big sign flashing "DON'T THANK ME, THANK MY IMAGE CONSULTANT, BABY" was flashing over his head. Every move of his admirably lanky and nattily attired frame screamed of a self conscious attempt to be a rockstar (cue crowd noise). And I am completely perplexed as to what the specific signals are that make that so painfully apparent. I've seen plenty of bands with singers that strike all sorts of weird poses and move around in any number of twitchy ways but for some reason it comes across as being real. It comes from the heart, and when it does it is a beautiful thing and makes me love them even more. Good lord, even the king of camp Freddie Mercury never left you questioning how genuine and true to himself his very stagey moves were, whether or not you liked him or his music. And it amazes me that it is so easy to tell the difference between what is honest and what is not. It doesn't help that the band follows a particular type of formulaic "I-want-to-be-Alt-'cause the shoes are cool" pop (did anyone say The Killers? Anyone?) that I really don't have patience for. But maybe it's just me. Ok, I know it's not just me, because when I leaned over to my brother and said "I want to slap the lead singer" he said "YESSS!" ...

Question #4: What band is this again? Can a band be the same band when half the band members are different? If you hire people that kinda sorta look like the old band members, does it make it more 'real' than if you hired something completely new and different? Tough questions. And a tough situation for any band interested in reforming. Trying to satisfy a nostalgic audience isn't always easy. Hang on - yes, it is. Case in point: Dave Wakeling, touring as the English Beat. Trust me, the band looked nothing like the original band. NOTHING. And in a way, that helped preserve the memory of what the original band was...but I have to admit, when I first saw them I had a hard time wrapping my head around it. So maybe it isn't that easy. I certainly didn't have a hard time believing I was watching The Smashing Pumpkins.

Question #5: Doesn't that make your neck hurt? Ahh, Beavis & Butthead, my stair-sitting friends. God bless your enthusiasm, and the amazing timing/choreography that seemed to go along with your flailing, twitching, headbanging moves. It was actually quite sweet to watch. And it was genuine. And that, really, is all I ask.

Snappity Snap Snap

I've been thinking about digital cameras a lot recently. I guess there isn't enough to spend my money on right now (roof? gutters? Thomas' tooth extractions? Sounds like a pretty light month financially...ha hahaha ... sigh). I am using a little Sony 3.2 megapixel Cybershot that was a gift from work for 5 years at the company - so that means I've had it 5 years. And it has been a nice little camera really. But now I'm using it more I'm noticing the not-so-great resolution, and the shutter speed is horrifyingly slow. Though sometimes the slow shutter leads to pleasant surprises - like Mr. Mouth here - and who can complain about Mr. Mouth? Certainly not Mr. Fuzzyhead, in photo #2. Or Mr. Fish. (excuse my rambling - I actually snorted a whack of mustard powder a minute ago. Not intentional, I was just trying to figure out what it was - it is one of a few unlabeled bags of spice. Now that my nose has exploded and my right eye is watering, I can confidently label it "mustard").

The world of digitals is overwhelming. I fantasize about having a DSLR, but I don't really know that it is what I really need - and it certainly isn't what I can afford. What I want is something that has a great optical zoom and great shutter speed. I like what I've read about this Panasonic
but if anyone has any suggestions or opinions on digitals, I'd love to hear them!

Until then, I'll happily keep taking snaps of Mr. Fuzzyhead.

She uses tangerines....

Flaming Lips last night at Malkin Bowl. Thankfully the rain stopped by the time opener Black Moth Super Rainbow played (and cudos to them - particularly for the disturbing use of Richard Simmons "Sweating to the Oldies" videos), and in the end, I am glad that it was moved from the Orpheum. We staked out our usual spot near the side of the stage, squished into a crazy happy squirmy crowd. And what a lot to be happy about.

Before I go further, let me admit that I have a long standing, monumental crush on Wayne Coyne. If I had to run off with a rock star, he'd be at the top of the list. I promise that hasn't skewed my review. Really...

So - the night started out with Wayne climbing inside his inflatable space bubble and rolling across the audience, assisted during the inflation by 8 people in santa suits, 8 girls in alien outfits/masks, and a slew of roadies in padded super hero outfits. The only disappointment of the night is that he didn't roll over me - for a split second, it looked like that just might happen, and I could die a happy woman. Ahhh, so close....

It wasn't a show, it was an all consuming event. Streamers and confetti, giant balloons, smoke megaphones, mechanical doves, a "head camera" attached to Wayne's mic that projected his face onto the big screen behind - it was never ending creativity. And never ending fun. I loved it. And so did the rest of the audience. You couldn't not get wrapped up in it.

So, if you didn't go, I feel for you. It isn't often that a spectacle like this comes to our fair city. Judging by how packed the venue was, there were lots that knew this was something not to be missed.

And when I got home, I discovered my rain coat hood also works well to catch yellow confetti...maybe I'll toss it in the air later and relive the evening for the cats. The only question is where to find an inflatable space bubble...



Concert photos by g.mcmullin

Anthem for the Already Defeated?

So went to the much anticipated (by me at least...) Rock Plaza Central show at Pat's Pub. They were supposed to be playing with O'Death, but apparently they got caught at the border. Drag, from the few tracks I've heard I was really interested in seeing them play. So...what was I in for?

the venue: Hadn't been to Pat's before; it is steps away from The Chapel at the bottom of the Patricia Hotel. Actually kind of like the layout - good seating, biggish space. One lesson though - if you are there to watch the band, don't sit at the tables against the pony wall that leads on to the rest of the pub - that is, unless you want to get involved in conversation with the loud, drunk regulars on the other side of the wall. Otherwise, the staff were really great and the food was about as good as you could expect a pub burger/pulled pork extravaganza to be.

the sound: Hmmm. PA upgrade maybe a good idea, but overall it wasn't bad. The reason I comment is more on the twilight-zone weirdness of the sound techs - the scrawny long haired guy (actually the same guy I mentioned being berated at this gig) and a younger woman with dark, thick hair pulled back into a ponytail. If you happen to go to clubs in Toronto & pay attention to the sound techs, chances are you will see a (drum roll please...) scrawny long haired guy and a younger woman with dark, thick hair pulled back into a ponytail (who is my good pal A. ). Cue Twilight Zone music.

the audience: Was there an audience? Oops, blink and you'll miss them. I'm only slightly joking - attendance was really really poor. A big chunk of the small audience left after the first set (I suspect they may have been there to see O'Death), but those that stuck poured out as much love as their 20-odd hearts could. Not really sure why the low numbers - the band has great press, lots of attention internationally, television airplay - poor promotion maybe? I shake my head Vancouver, I really do. For shame.

the band: were great. The second set in particular really came together well, and god love the enthusiasm with which they played for such a tiny group of people. They deserve all the attention they are getting - the mandolin/brass/guitar combo they present is great (the band was slightly scaled down for the tour), and I love love love the songwriting. Clever, touching stuff. What more could you want. Vancouver, are you listening??

So - big hugs to you Rock Plaza Central. Sorry Vancouver wasn't giving you the attention you deserve, but come back again ... we'll do better next time, I promise.

Another reason to turn on the lights....

Because this would be pretty scary to run into in the dark. Who's kidding who - it's actually a little scary even after the lights are on.

More on Rock Plaza Central's show later....

We've got a lot to be glad for

Plans are to see Rock Plaza Central Friday night at Pat's Pub. Never been there (has anyone? horrorshow? delight? inquiring minds want to know...) but I have high hopes for the show. Both RPC albums are in high rotation at the Bunkle - the perfection of imperfection draws me in every single time, as do the crazy array of string instruments, and reports from pals in TO are that they are a great live act.

I posted this video despite it's not super brilliant quality both because I love the song and because it appears to have been filmed in Toronto - and my thoughts have been on TO more than usually recently because the Toronto International Film Fest is on - and I'm missing it. Again. Which is a huge drag. Such a drag that I almost can't stand hearing/reading/seeing anything about it. BUT - I will console myself with Rock Plaza Central, and perusing through the VIFF catalogue this weekend to try and choose some films out here, over a coffee. And I will buy tickets calmly, from the comfort of my own home. I will not scramble to choose my first choices, and my second, in time for a raffle. I will not line up at an ungodly hour on the day tickets are released to see which choices I have lucked out on. Nope, not me. I will do it all calmly, on line, and god knows I will get everything I want to because that's just the way things work out here.

Damn.

A nice place to visit, but i wouldn't want to live there

Saw the Brian Jonestown Massacre at the Commodore last night. This will be the second time - last year the show was at Richards. Last year, I was nervous about how it would go - but it was as good as I think BJM show could ever be. It was LOOOONG - not only because of Anton Newcombe's smoke breaks, requests for a pizza, and 15 minute fixation on the final note of the final song.

But that was last year.

The ten second summary of last night is this: band "intro" music running / lights down for about 15 minutes until the band actually walked on stage at midnight; short one hour show, punctuated by Anton's abusive comments at band and audience (more on that later); show abruptly ends when an audience idiot lobs a beer bottle at Anton (here's a link to that unfortunate incident - it is too depressing for me to post here, but take a look if you want), who spits out a confrontational response and concludes that this is the last time he will play Canada. Audience bewildered, hanging on just incase the show wasn't really over. It was.

This is going to be a long one, so I'll break it down:

Audience: By now, I'm sure that everyone that attends a BJM show has seen DIG!, the documentary that came out three or so years ago. I've included a clip from the doc here, because this, fortunately or unfortunately, is the "source material" for audiences. The short version is that you can get Anton to go off like a bomb without too much effort. Unfortunately, for a particular type of audience member, this becomes the purpose of going to the show. It's like watching bear bating, and it makes me ... sad ... actually. And frustrated. I'm there to see the band play, and when they DO play, they're great. As for last night, we were up on the balcony and there was a guy at the table beside us that would yell - "SUCK MY [MALE CHICKEN], YOU [FORNICATING BUNDLE OF STICKS]" - ok, not quite that wording - at any opportunity. And of course he would wave his arms around in joy when the band actually played. One of the guys I was with overheard the same guy in the bathroom - he was punching the wall and frothing over how he wanted to take Anton on. Why, why, why do people like this leave there homes and insist on interacting with the rest of society? Why?

Anton: Where to start. The man is not looking like the best version of himself at this moment in time. Shirtless on stage, he is skinny and kind of ... grey looking. I'm not sure if he is clean right now or not, but if I were the betting kind, I'd say not. And he can be one incredibly cutting, cruel SOB, snapping at an incredibly long suffering band and the audience that paid to get in with fair regularity. But - I have sympathy for the guy. I do believe he is incredibly musically talented, and I also believe that he cannot be anything BUT what he is - an exceedingly difficult, self-destructive musical obsessive (obsessiveness demonstrated by the fact he was behind the sound board for most of the opening act, and between acts, doing who the hell knows what but I'm sure it wasn't fun for the sound guy). I don't think his reactivity is something he can control - and I also think his particular brain can't really understand the consequences of his actions - or at least see clearly enough to learn to manipulate the world around him to his advantage. That brain cannot be a comfortable place to live. Or maybe I'm totally off base, I just can't logic out any other explanation.

The band: Hats of to the long suffering band and crew. Being at the receiving end of that sharp tongue cannot be easy. Not sure why you stay, but I'm glad you do.

So, there it is. And here I am, still slightly bewildered.

Watch where you sit...

One reason it is always important to turn on the bathroom light.

Raining...dogs at least

Crowded House on the weekend. In the rain, thanks to the persistence of the city strike. As it was slated to rain on concert night, I decided to fully give myself over to permanent residency in Vancouver and buy a really waterproof coat. After dragging my pals around the city trying to find something that didn't make me look like a peanut m&m, I decided on this, which makes me feel vaguely like a member of the SS, which I'm not sure is a good thing but I'm going with it. After a night in dry comfort despite the persistent drizzle, I have learned to love it.

As for the concert - it was really more of a nostalgia trip for me than anything, but the band proved they've still got it going on. God knows that there are few that can put together a pop song with the finesse that Neil Finn can. I seem to have grown up watching him play - in Split Enz in the early 80's in the decidedly non-acoustically brilliant ex-skating rink, the Kerrisdale Arena (where I also saw the Jam, the Clash, the Psychedelic Furs, Love & Rockets and god knows what else - this concert going habit has been long lived...), to an unbelievably great Neil Finn solo tour that hit the Phoenix in Toronto about 6 years ago, and a decidedly mediocre Finn Brothers tour a year or two after that. Anyway, it was good to go back in time and see a band that I didn't have a chance to see in their heyday, and they didn't disappoint. The one thing they knocked off the bill was Liam Finn, because of the change in venue. Now I've listened to some of his stuff online I'm disappointed.

As for the audience - the rain kept the giddiness and arm sways to a minimum thankfully (I'm such a curmudgeon), but I did feel like knocking the heads of the couple standing in front of me together when the woman started singing directly to her boyfriend. For the love of all that is sacred, go to a karaoke bar and put the rest of us out of our misery. PLEASE.

Anyway, I've included a clip of Neil Finn solo - really hoping he doesn't have a 'man-servant', but I guess if I had that much money I would - heck, I'd have MANY - so who am I to judge?

Smells Like Paul Anka...

OK, I actually found myself looking this up today - I saw it months ago, and actually WANTED to listen to it again. How's that for a confession.

Part of me hates to admit it, but Canada's first teen idol owns it in his own, weird, fake-baked way.

If I don't go to hell for the Tiny Tim photo, surely I'll go for giving this more air time.

Andrew Bird

So, the September concert chaos has started, with Andrew Bird at Richards. Good show. And with VERY devoted fans. As per usual, we showed up half an hour before the doors opened in order to secure our good-view-seating-for-old-people on the balcony. Usually, we end up being first in line. Maybe 3rd or 4th at most. Not so much this time - let's try 25th maybe? Anyway, luckily we managed to snag the last three good-view-seating-for-old-people stools. Phew.

Interesting stuff - I didn't realize that he played so much with looping ( Martin Dosh, Bird's drummer/keyboard guy is a looping king). Twitchy, stripey socked stage presence. Strong, lovely vocals and fantastic violin. All good, all good. (I'm really too tired to write something more detailed. Sorry - or maybe that's a blessing?)

Vocally I can't help but compare his tone and soaring vocals to Jeff Buckley. Bird obviously is playing around with things to a much greater extent, but there is something about his vocals that kept bringing Buckley to mind.

Visually - ok, I may go to hell for this, but I can't help it.

Did someone say Banjo? Episode 3

Akron/Family - Love is Simple

Going to see A/F again in October - this video doesn't touch on the crazy energy of an Akron/Family show, or the weird meanderings from subtle harmony to total crazed thrash that their music can travel. They are too hard for me to explain, but they are unbelievable live. If you are interested in venturing further into their weird world, this video is closer to the craziness - but there's no banjo ... if you do watch it, you have to commit to watch the whole six minutes to get any sort of handle on it. Trust me.

Bracing for September....

A very, very busy concert calendar next month - and I've got to say a pretty wacky variety too. I'm excited, and a bit nervous about how tired I'll get, but I know it will be worth it. Really.

Sept 1 - Andrew Bird - super talented multi-instrumentalist who is apparently an absolute treat live. Should be good - it's in my favorite venue, which makes it that much better.

Sept 3 - Crowded House - yes, going back to the 80s. Never saw Crowded House in the 80s, though have seen and been amazed by Neil Finn solo, which is what is prompting me to go back in time.

Sept 9 - Brian Jonestown Massacre - Anton Newcombe is probably my favorite dysfunctional control freak musical genius. With emphasis on the genius.

Sept 14 - Rock Plaza Central - my current favorite Toronto band, and not just because their last album was a theme album about robot horses who think they are real horses.

Sept 18 - The Flaming Lips (and god help me the city strike better be over by this time as it is at the city-run Orpheum - mess with this concert date Sam and you'll have the Wrath of Jan to deal with). We don't have floor seats, so we likely won't get to roll Wayne Coyne around in a big ball, but that's OK. (As an aside, I have a big crush on Wayne Coyne. Can't help it.)

Sept 24 - Smashing Pumpkins - or rather, Billy Corgan re-branding something fairly close to Zwan as Smashing Pumpkins, but I find Corgan interesting enough that I really don't care who else is in the band.

Let the games begin!

No rain, no rain...

Had the fortune of seeing Wilco last night at Malkin Bowl in Stanley Park. It had been raining off and on all day, so I was prepared (complete with my mum's raincoat - you'd think I'd have my own by now....), but the rain gods must be music fans because the weather was great. It was a sea of vancouver alt-hip casual in front of the stage - colours muted, gortex out, trendy (but subdued) poor boy hats, sneakers and wellies. Ahh, the west coast.

My brother and I had originally staked out a space on the slight hill at one side of the field but it quickly became apparent that for some reason the muddy path directly in front of us was calling to the few in the audience that wanted to stand and talk. So, we made our way down into the crowd in front of the stage, an amazingly had a great view, fantastic, clear sound, and were surrounded by (generally) equally entranced audience members who actually seemed to be there to watch the band and not talk/sing to each other/interpretive dance/off-beat clap or the many other unfortunate things people find to do at these events. Bliss.

And the band was fantastic. The set was a great, all encompassing mix of old stuff and new played with was seemed to be genuine enthusiasm. I've been a bit entranced by drummer Glen Kotche since seeing him perform solo last year (he opened up for Jeff Tweedy's solo tour), and it was great to see him perform with the rest of the band. The stuff I love about Wilco - the sweet melodies that suddenly morph into startling discord, Jeff Tweedy's genuine, engaging but imperfect voice - was there in spades. It was great. Really great.



(And this picture of Ed the Sock is for my brother. For comparative purposes... ;-)

Did someone say Banjo? Episode 2

(Carolina Chocolate Drops)

Did someone say Banjo? Episode 1

I've become banjo obsessed over the last year or so. Not really sure why. It's like the twang has the weight of so much history behind it - there is an inherent beauty and a sadness to the sound. Or there can be. And it seems to be having a heyday, being used in so many interesting ways and by so many interesting musicians.

And just put Deliverance right out of your mind.

Enjoy.

Yes, the gauntlet is down....

..to (competitive) family members only, so if you're not directly related, don't worry, you're not being challenged.

It's not about quantity, it's all about colour.

Yes, purple. Enough said (except I had to stand on a ladder to get a photo).

Inspiration, where art thou?

Just haven't really felt motivated to write much recently...in part I know it is to do with my very very annoying, very very bad back, which is putting me in a black mood in general right now. So far, physio is making it feel worse, not better. Sigh.

One thing I have been enjoying though is Season 3 of Deadwood, kindly loaned to me by my pal A. What a masterwork that is. The language is near Shakespearean in its intricacy, and there is a fantastic tendency towards soliloquy that would be awkward if it wasn't done so brilliantly.

A great moment from the final episode, spoken by the solitary figure of toady E.B. Farnum, who has just been spat upon by the terrifying figure of Hearst:

Why I have not wiped his expectoration from my cheek is understandable. I am threatened with death if I do. That I stand immobile these hours later speaks of a flaw in my will. Surely this is not the culminating indignity that remains, for example, receiving his regurgitations. Swallowing his feces. Would I stand stoic still?

Over & out for now. Hope to be more inspired next time.

A post apocalyptic world....

Out in the garden early this morning to do a bit of mowing and weeding before the sun got too hot....and before my back, which right now is very bad, completely seizes up (typically, worse after I saw a physiotherapist Friday, but I'm hoping it is just a part of the ... healing ...process...ouch/sigh. I have discovered interesting ways of putting on socks and underwear without bending, which I like to think will be a helpful skill at some future point).

What I ended walking into was a word that reminded me in no uncertain terms of who or what is actually in charge out there ... what will be around long after I'm gone, what would likely survive any sort of nastiness we may unleash upon the world:

1)raccoons - making their presence known by delicately scattering my garbage in front of my basement door. Don't think there was much edible in there, but lots of cool stuff to strew around apparently

2) horsetail - reading about this stuff, I gather it was the first plant to grow around Mt. Saint Helen after the eruption. In fact, the crappier the soil, the happier it is. Which is telling me something about the soil quality in one of the gardens in the back of the house...hmmm...

3) dandelions - enough said. Tiny, cute little dandelion - leaves perhaps 1 1/2" long. Tap root at least a foot long. I throw my hands up in surrender.

I will sigh and plod on like the deluded garden-insurgent I am, knowing that the battle will never be won by my side. I will bring out some more subtle weaponry perhaps - some fertilizer for the back gardens, and some vinegar for my horsetail friends (I gather vinegar on the soil around them will do them in, provided it doesn't rain). Fight on, fight on.

An Ode to (Others) Husbands

Fear not, no lyric poem lies ahead...but the sentiment is there. Once again, the superhandy, patient, and always helpful owner of an astonishing number of uber-cool tools J. came to help out at the Bunkle. This time, the project at hand was installing the door frame and door to the bedroom (aka The Cat Barrier - oh bliss! oh joy!). If you look closely, you will also see the 6 inch gap above the door - yes, the door/frame was shorter than the opening. Which, thinking back to a year and a half ago when we pulled down the walls outside this door, I do kind of remember was going to be the case. So - this means drywall above the door. And a bunch of weird trimmy bits that need to be installed inside the door frame because we reversed the frame, and the door... Which also means no finishing door trim - yet. No door trim means no baseboard - yet. But, as he's done before, J. measured all that needs to be done, and offered to drop by again.

Which really brings up how much more difficult this all would be without such amazing, talented, and endlessly helpful friends (and that doesn't just go for the husbands, trust me!) The decision to buy the Bunkle was made in the company of some of these friends, and it was their "don't worry, it can be done" attitude was what tipped the balance. And despite the seemingly endless process of Bunkle renos, I am so happy I did. And I'm so lucky to have my pals around me along the way. I know it wouldn't be impossible without them, but it would seem insurmountable. They've helped out countless times, be it with skilled labour or talk-Jan-off-the-ledge understanding. Thank you, thank you, thank you.

Bunkle need a new hat...

Yes, that time has come...

I knew when I bought the Bunkle that the roof needed replacing. Much to my amazement, it withstood an extremely windy, rainy winter very well (maybe because I was lying awake in bed praying to the roof gods during each storm), but I don't feel like more worries this winter, so I've started getting quotes. Ouch. Really. Part of the issue is that there are three layers of shingles (original cedar then two layers of composite) that have to be removed, board has to be installed, etc etc. I need new gutters, too. Whee.
So - looks like we will be in the $10,000 - $13,000 range. So - I'd like to make this into a fundraising blog - donations to the Give the Bunkle a New Hat campaign gratefully received.... ;-) Seriously, it's funny how money somehow becomes slightly ...meaningless... when you deal with house repairs. You just learn to suck it up and move on somehow.

One of the outstanding issues is what to do with the 'awning' over the back door, pictured above. It was obviously an afterthought when it was built - but fits in with the generally poorly thought out additions on the back of the place (which have given the place it's name, if you hadn't guessed). It is rotting, and pretty much could be removed it I gave it a good yank. My gut call is to just get rid of it, but I have no idea what else I'm going to put up in its place. I thought about redoing the roof line a bit at that edge to hang over the door, but I'm not so sure. One day I suspect I will extend the house out slightly at the back, so i don't want to invest a bunch into something that will likely be changed in the not impossibly distant future. Ideas? Anyone? Please??!

And here is a picture of my fully-berried mountain ash ....which is what you see when you're on the back deck.

Navigating the zombies...

My weirdly thwarted-at-every-corner day yesterday ended on a high note thankfully. My brother and I ventured to Vancouver's netherworld to see Dan Mangan at a new place called The Chapel. On the corner of Dunlevy & Cordova, The Chapel sits pretty much smack in the middle of Vancouver's drug addled/homeless/crack-whore riddled heart. I had tried to get tickets earlier in the day to no avail, so we decided to get there a bit before doors opened to line up ... and quickly made the decision that standing around really wasn't an option...so we hid in the jeep a couple of blocks away. It really is a pretty sad sight down there now - people really do look like zombies, moving along their uneven, jerky, stiff, sightless paths to who knows where. The city's addicted/homeless/disenfranchised problem grows and grows - but that is an entirely different, far more depressing blog than I want this to be...so I will temporarily put that thought/issue on the back burner (and I know, in doing so, aren't I just acting like everyone else? Sigh...) Anyway, scooting fast from our parked car (and in front of the car that one particularly drug addled woman had just been invited to slide into) we quickly made our way to the doors.

The Chapel is an old funeral home that has been renovated into a really nice gallery/music space. I really hope it makes it - Vancouver doesn't really have "listening rooms" for live music, and that is what this place is. It holds about 150, and last night it was completely packed, and much to my delight for most of the evening the group was QUIET. Really quiet. Pin drop quiet. So quiet that I would invite them to my club when I open it.

There were a couple of opening acts - James Lamb & the Liabilities, and Said the Whale. Both were good, but James Lamb was the attention grabber - some nice songwriting, great harmonies, and the no-fail combo of cello and accordion. Dan Mangan played solo, and was great. It was a label release party for the rerelease of his album Postcards & Daydreaming (which by the way has been on high rotation on my mp3 player for months), and I really hope it gets some attention. I know he has been touring internationally, and as per usual is getting more attention abroad than here. He's got all the components - strong songwriting, a unique voice, good stage presence and a unique but accessible sound. And he's only 24. Keep your eyes and ears out for him, he's worth a listen (or for something non-acoustic and less likely to make your eyes tear up, try this).

An embarassment of riches

It was all music, all the time this weekend. Think I have recovered - unfortunately.

Friday night was The Polyphonic Spree. Just the kind of think I like - more people than should be packed on the stage at any one time (24 I believe...) and all playing full tilt, a rich assault of vocals mixed with more instruments than you can count, and an intense, near evangelical energy. And great outfits to boot.

Saturday and Sunday were spend at Jericho Beach Park for the 30th Vancouver Folk Fest. It's one of my favorite things. I've been to a lot of folk fests in Ontario, and loved all of them - but Vancouver's is remarkable both for it's size and for it's accessibility. 40 minutes and I'm there. How great is that. And the beauty of the setting is second to none. The first shot here is of the evening stage (about 10,000 people are on site at that point), just as the sun is going down. Doesn't really capture it but oh well.

The evening concerts are great, but it is the daytime workshop stages I love. The crowds are small, the artists are interesting - it's all good. I went with my FF companion of the last two years, A. (shown relaxing below), and we spend a couple of lazy, hot days taking our chairs from stage to stage depending on what's going on where. We know it well enough now that you know what the flavour of each stage is going to be (stage 2 for instance is "the Folk Fest Nazi stage" because it is sheltered under trees, and comfortable site that attracts those intolerant both to sun and to many other things. Lord knows I'm intolerant of audience behaviour, but these guys make me look amateur). Navigating the fest is a bit of a skill, but we've got it down now.

Anyway, it's a great place to get exposed to new music, and a great place to see musicians really playing - in the true sense of the word. It is also the perfect place to meet that really hairy, bearded, impossibly thin man of indeterminate age wearing a pair of overalls - and nothing else. Or to make friends with one of the many, many lesbian couples. And their children. Or the transgendered. Or young men that wear sarongs. Or bells on their feet. Or both. Or to see interpretive dancing. I know, I know, I sound judgemental. And I shouldn't be - with our matching lawn chairs and cowboy hats, A. and I are pretty good targets ourselves I'm sure. But my 'observations' come with an incredible amount of affection, trust me - it's what makes the fest the fest and I wouldn't change a thing. OK, might make the overall wearing guy put on underwear. Or a shirt.

Couple of artists I quite liked - Rae Spoon, a self described transgendered banjo player raised by evangelists in the prairies (now THAT's gotta be an easy life). He also plays with a guy called Rodney Decroo in a band calls The Trucker's Memorial
Great sense of humour (highlighted by Rae's comment that they thought of calling their album Amber Alert ...take a look at the picture of the two of them and you'll figure out why), and a great 'old country' voice.

Totally different kind of artist also caught my attention this time, though I've seen her before - Ndidi Onukwulu - young bluesy singer from Toronto with a pretty elfin face that kind of reminds me of my youngest niece, which may be part of her appeal for me, who knows....anyway, take a listen, or a look, and enjoy.

The new arrival...

She may be small now, but we're hoping for 8 feet tall by the time she grows up.

Feelin' hot...

HOT this week - one day saw a high of 37C (no humidity thankfully) which needless to say is a little more than most Vancouverites are comfortable with. I just kept remembering my trip back to TO recently, where the temperature was about 38C and very humid, and tried to accept that really the heat we are seeing just isn't that bad. I should add that I didn't see the cats at all during the day yesterday - they spent their time in the cool basement room (aka my closet), which conveniently has a 'cat walkway' down one side and under the window. They were both flopped out when I came down to take this, but sir Thom woke up. Judging by this picture he only has two legs.

Lots of work has been done on the Bunkle this week and I hope to have some snaps soon - my super handy pal J and his super sexy new mitre saw came to visit one evening (on the hottest day I might add) and we got baseboards and door trim installed in the red den - woohoo! Have also spent the better part of three days getting the garden into some semblance of order. A lawn's worth of sod was removed from the front flowerbeds by my nephew, and I am hoping to go get some plants today. Feels good to start working on the exterior after so many months of concentrating on getting the interior semi-livable. Progress!

This is the face..

...of a cat that has just suffered the indignity of a (brace yourself...) rectal exam. And I might add he went through it without a peep, kick, howl...his eyes may have gotten a bit wider, but with Thomas it is hard to tell.

I should add that the vet's attendant was giving him a kiss on the forehead at the same time. God knows what the poor cat thought was happening - are they skewering me then planning to eat me head first?...

And please, no crude comments about how some people would pay for that kind of treatment.

So - next time you or someone you know is whining about the possibility of having a doctor's digit ... inserted....just remember, think about your size/size of a finger, and a cats size/size of a finger...if a cat can take it without complaining....

(and for those curious why Thomas had to go through that - let's just say he is having a few "issues down there" - hopefully nothing much, keep your fingers crossed)

If you ever need to find music for my....

...wedding, funeral, coronation, make sure it is something by Michael Nyman.

My favorite is Fish Beach, which I have linked below - one of many great moments from the Drowning by Numbers soundtrack. I always thought it was called "sheep 'n tides" because it is the music I associate with the game - which is explained below...

"Sheep and Tides - Nine sheep are tethered to stakes, (next to chairs on which teacups are placed) beside the sea, and bets are laid on the combined sensitivity of any line of three sheep - read vertically, horizontally or diagonally - being the first to react to the exact moment of the tide turn. The sheep sudden movement jolts the chairs, pulls on the stakes and rattles the teacups.... Since there are usually three tide turns every 24 hours, it is normal practice to take the best of three results. Reliable clocks, calendars and timetables are used to determine the accuracy of the sheep forecast."

Makes sense to me...



Fish Beach

"It was Peter Greenaway who first drew my attention to the brief but stunning melody with which Mozart closes the exposition of the slow movement of the Sinfonia Conertante for violin, viola and orchestra...Peter's first and major instruction to me concerning the score for Drowning by Numbers (was) that it should be based on Mozart's movement...." Michael Nyman.

Drowning by Numbers is one of my favorite films, and the marriage of the incredible visuals to this stunning soundtrack is one of the many reasons why.

Listen & enjoy.

Flashback...

Watch out world, I've just found an easy (and seemingly safe) way to provide music links...uh oh!

I downloaded a bunch of stuff from my pal & fellow horse-year gemini, musical sounding-board and e-music addict, R. in Toronto while I was there - one thing in his list was Soul Mining by The The - something I haven't heard in years, and an album which couches some pretty dark sentiments and political vitriol under poppy 80s beats. I can't bring myself to listen to a lot of the stuff I loved in the 80s, but this album manages to stand up.

The Twilight Hour

I may download another track (Giant) at a later date, but have to run and get some cat food right now....priorities and all that ;-)

A second home/another life

Back from the big smoke. Had a great last few days - no work, all friends. I didn't see everyone I would have liked to, but that is the nature of these short business jaunts. I'm just lucky that at least three times a year I have a chance to go back to reconnect with pals and a city that is pretty much my second home (special thanks to R & MM for making THEIR home feel like my second city-home yet again...they are incredibly tolerant ;-)

I spent some time at A.'s place outside Cobourg, and had a chance to see how the youngest members of her herd are doing: Francesca the foal, who is huge for two months and has an attitude to match her size; Foster, the yearling (and full brother to Francesca) who as you can see is as sweet as they come; Fenella (another full sister) being ridden by A., and the stunning hell-on-wheels Petra, who I took a snap of being ridden by her trainer as well & am including just to prove parts of Ontario are incredibly beautiful to any west-coast doubters. I should note that any of these gorgeous horses *can be yours!* (well, with the exception of Fenella who A. would really prefer to keep as her own riding horse). If I was ridiculously wealthy, they would all be mine (well, almost all of them...)

It amazes me how instantly I get back into Toronto life. Things are so familiar that I just flip back into being my Toronto self, with my Toronto pals and Toronto activities. It made me wonder what life would be like if I had stayed. If different choices had been made, by me and by those around me. I don't regret moving back to Vancouver, don't get me wrong - I love being back. Love it. But sometimes you have to think about the what ifs for awhile.