The Bluegrass Equation

It's no secret that I've steadily been developing an increasingly strong love for bluegrass music, and damned if I can figure out how the hell this happened. In any case, I'm really growing to like this shit, and folks, I think I've figured out at least part of it.


Alex - Pre-19 years old: Does not like country music in any form.

Alex - Post-19 years old: Lives on Vancouver Island and begins drinking ever-increasing amounts of beer. Starts to love country and continues to love it more and more.

Sonuvabitch.



PS. Chris Thile does not normally sing like this. He is making a funny. He is also a terrifyingly good mandolinist. Seriously. It's scary. So is the rest of his band. They are obviously robots. Scary, hilarious robots.

Merry Christmas

or, as Gen puts it, "Happy Baby Jesus' Birthday!"

I'm going back to Chilliwack tomorrow morning for a few days and I'm leaving my internet box here; thus, no Post on Sunday. To make up for it, you get a video of a bunch Brits riding bikes dressed as Santa Claus, set to Wagner's Valkyrie theme, no less.

Merry Christmas, everyone :)

Why We Play

What do the following people have in common?







They (in order of appearance: Pat M'Gonigle, Ollie Swain, Jenny Ritter, Elise Boeur and Meg Iredale, and Ryan, Taylor, and Adam from Fish & Bird) are all musicians from Victoria whom I've seen at a variety of places and for whom I have nothing but awe and the utmost respect.

I was making music with all of them until almost 4 AM last night at Adam's house in Fairfield.

Adam invited us (the band) to a big family party/gathering at his house after the show on Saturday, and when I stepped into their house, I have never felt so much character, love, and music in one place before. Ages ranged from me to folks easily in their sixties. Musicians ranged from casual to a quick who's who of young Victoria folk giants. A jam session of traditionals and originals opened in the middle of the house, and it kept going until a friend and I were the last to leave at 4 AM after helping Adam and his dad clean up.

Before a couple days ago, I never would've imagined that I would be up 'til the wee hours of the morning playing and laughing with musicians like that. I can keep pinching myself. I can keep feeling my finger calluses and blisters. I can say the words "fucking," "amazing," and "magical" until the cows come home. It is for times like that I play music, and it is simply not possible for me to convey how I felt while being with them all.

I don't know how to close this because I'm STILL smiling from last night, so I will suggest you do what I'm doing right now and just listen to all their music (names are linked after the photos). :)

Sunday Post

Holy posted on time, Batman!

So I'm gettin'er in nice and early today. Last night we (West My Friend) had the sheer honour and delight to share the stage with Fish & Bird, and suffice to say, it was AMAZING. Our good friend Shelder opened the night with a four-song set, and then we had the stage for ten. Biggest crowd we've played for yet, and the vast majority were new faces. Feedback was good and yeah, we're excited :)

And then Fish & Bird played, and for those of you who are familiar with Fish & Bird, there really doesn't need to be any more explanation than "they played a show." True to form, they were amazing. Two encores, and then everyone went off on their merry way into the night. I love Life.

Now I'm settlin' in for five days of madness from work and church and going NOCTURNAL FOR THREE DAYS. That's right, folks - nocturnal. Managers've got Kevin and I baking dinner buns on graveyard shifts for the clusterfuck that is Christmastime in a grocery store. Ahwell. Last night is Thursday night, then church Pageant on Friday night, and then I'm back visiting the family on the mainland for a few days. Long week indeed.

Have a good one, everyone. Be Happy :)













Treat. Enjoy. :)

Grandpa Chic

Grandpa Rocks Pedestrian Zone brought to you by VideoBash.com

I have seen the future, and it's busking in Paris with a big beard.
And when the people start dancing during "Blue Suede Shoes," well, hell. That's Music, folks. Capital M.

Sunday Post

One of these days, I'll have this up in the morning. I promise.
If you'll excuse my lateness today, I have a fairly decent reason. I had an early shift at work (up at 6, out the door after breakfast at 6:30) and then I went straight to school after my shift finished. Ye olde bande West My Friend was playing on CFUV this evening!

'Twas great fun, we got a bunch of plugs for our show with Fish & Bird next Saturday, and I just got home about ten minutes ago, so yeah, that's why the Post is up just now. Sorry, anyway.

Now pardon me, I have to go find large amounts of food, and then attempt to think of stuff to do until Friday (*cough* the next time I actually HAVE to do something). I like finishing exams early. :)

Happy Sunday, everyone.

Vultures

What a theft-tastic week.

First instance: stupid me. I decided that it'd be fine to leave my gloves in the rattrap on my bike while I grabbed a couple things from Fairway. When I got back, no gloves. Of course. Couldn't find any decent gloves at FOUR thrift stores, so I had to shell out twenty bucks for a pair at MEC (thankfully they were clearance, so they're pretty great for twenty bucks).

Then tonight: forgetful me. We played at Ocean Island's open mic this week (and it went great, thank you very much. crowd loved it - called for another song after our alotted three, and we even drew in the folks from the bar), and in my rush to get out of the rain and into the cozy, I.... forgot to take my lights off my bike. Came back out at midnight, no front light. Crap. Hilariously enough, I'm actually more annoyed about the losing the batteries that were in it. Three AAA rechargeables, so there's ANOTHER fifteen bucks or so. On the up side, I was already toying with the idea of getting a new light anyway, and Bronnie's (unused) bike lights are the same kind as mine, so I can just use her's until I get paid.

And in any case, it's just money. I'm not starving. I can pay my rent, although that inexplicably massive $500 hydro bill is a right kick in the pants. I'm also getting a grand from church in a couple weeks too, I believe, so whoo. And of course there's all dem studies what show that once a person is able to support their basic needs (food, shelter, and lovin' - all of which I've got heartily covered), more money basically either has no effect or just makes you unhappy. So, if anything, I'm just a little miffed right now. And besides - Optimist Opportunity! Fucker only stole my front light, I've got my back (*cough* important) light. AND cozy gloves.

Suck it, ya theivin' vultures.

And also.



Eee.

Golden February

I still get goosebumps whenever I watch this. I'm becoming increasingly more aware and sympathetic to the fact that this entire country is basically built on land that was killed for and stolen from people who are still here, but fuck, I still love my home.

I don't really know what else to say about this. I'm not a fantastic writer - I can't describe it how I'd like to. Suffice to say, I think this was and still is magical to everyone who saw it.

Not to mention I didn't actually see the minute or so following the goal, as I was too busy jumping and screaming and yelling along with EVERYONE at Smuggler's Cove to watch the screen. Everyone was just hunched and wound completely to their wit's end (hell, I was actually half-hiding under my flag), and when that goal went in, the place exploded. Everyone, and I mean everyone, leaped. Fists pumped. Flags waved. The table beside us flipped.

Oh Canada.

This was the best CTV clip I could find, but embedding's disabled, so how d'ya do.

Global perspective:

Sunday Post

Yeah, it's late. Again. I know. It's still Sunday, anyway. Blah blah blah...

Anyway. I've been grudginly cultivating a cold for the last couple days, and this morning it reached adolesence. I woke up deaf in one ear and so congested it felt like Snuffleupagus took a crap inside my skull. And yes, you're welcome for the mental image. Spent the morning working through a term assignment; hello 40% of my mark being handed in tomorrow. As soon as I'm done typing this up for you vultures I'm finishing the last part. I've got a final tomorrow, too, and then



Done for the term. Fuck yeah.

Ta ta.

Joy. Sheer Joy.

I don't think there's anything that really needs to be said about this.

I recommend muting the video and putting on your favourite song. If it doesn't make your heart flutter, you probably have no soul. (and as usual, watch on youtube for full, big-screen HD buttery goodness)

The Garden State

This old house is dying
Like the grandmother I never had:
Content that I’ve turned out okay,
Her work is over
And she doesn’t mind the idea of finally drifting away,
Though not before I visit a few times
To show her how I’ve been since flying.
She’s a little different each time I come back:
Still there, but her eyes have dimmed a little.
Now, her hands that once rolled cookies with such confidence
Can barely support the plastic ward-issued knife;
Her voice that once carried the choir with her faith
Comes now with just sparse monosyllables;
Her ears that could pick me out of a screaming schoolyard
Can now hardly note my stuttering, tumbling words
From beside the starched, bleached pillow.
She’s slowly stopping,
Like an old steam engine that’s fought its way
Through the mountains to the sandy finish line of the Pacific,
Coming to rest and shutting down because there’s nowhere further to go
And because she’s earned the damn vacation.
She’s chugging her last,
And as much as it breaks my heart,
Seeing her fade,
It’s comforting to know that she’s done all she had to:
She taught my hands to give comfort;
She taught my voice to carry my heart;
She taught my ears to know love;
And just before her tongue stopped and her right lung gave out,
She taught my heart that
“The only way to know what to look for
Is to learn what’s missing.”
Now, she just lies there with a smile
On her old, worn face,
Right up until the white linens covering her breasts
Stop following the rise and fall of the ocean swells.

And as we pull the blinds down,
Gently flip the switch, close the car doors,
It’s comforting to know that the pain in my chest
And the sting in my eyes
Is just my home
Letting me know what I can now go out and look for.