12.5.10
The world is only black and white in photos...
I think everyone's got a special spot for black'n'white photos. Maybe it's nostalgia, maybe it's just the purity of the monochrome. Whatever. Here's a bunch.
9.5.10
Luke Doucet.
I am incredibly angry with myself. Luke Doucet & Co. and James Lamb are in Vancouver. SIX DAYS AGO. Furious. Seriously. I am crushed. I was listening to Luke again this evening and decided to have a look at his myspace to see how many page views he had (woefully few - this guy is seriously the most underappreciated musician I can think of) and I saw that he had a Vancouver date ON MAY 3RD. I felt like crying a little bit. It's one thing to go see a band you like, but when said band is one of the finest guitarists in the deal today, gah. As a musician, that sort of thing is a real treat - it's so amazing and, well, educational even, when you get to see musicians of Luke Doucet's calibre.
Like I said, this guy is honestly the most underappreciated musician around today that I can think of. He's a BRILLIANT guitarist (really; I'm blown away every time I listen to him, and I've listened to a lot of truly great guitarists), and he's nearly as good a songwriter as he is a player. And yet, despite this, his album sales are indeed decent but certainly nothing like "popular" music sales. He draws a blank every time I mention him to anyone I know. His label has seventeen very high-quality videos of a complete show he did in Toronto on youtube, and yet none of them have more than 600 views. NONE of the videos of him on all of youtube have more than around twenty-thousand views (for reference, Lady Gaga's "Bad Romance" has over two-hundred-MILLION, and as a licensed musician I can confidently say that it is really bad).
In all honesty, I don't think Luke himself really cares that much. He's been touring and playing for most of his life - seriously, the guy started gigging around Canada with his dad when he was 13 or 14. He gets to live a life that few of us get to live: his entire livelihood comes from performing and producing albums. His wife is also a fantastic musician (Melissa McClelland - she's not as good a guitarist but she's still pretty good, and certainly prettier, which is saying a lot). In short, he's living the best life that is, in my opinion, possible. I just think it's perplexing that he continues to be so completely under the radar considering how incredibly talented he is.
Here's a perfect example to close for y'all: closer from the Mod Club set - this is "First Day in the New Home Town".
As of this posting, it's been on youtube for a week short of a year. It doesn't even have three-hundred views.
Like I said, this guy is honestly the most underappreciated musician around today that I can think of. He's a BRILLIANT guitarist (really; I'm blown away every time I listen to him, and I've listened to a lot of truly great guitarists), and he's nearly as good a songwriter as he is a player. And yet, despite this, his album sales are indeed decent but certainly nothing like "popular" music sales. He draws a blank every time I mention him to anyone I know. His label has seventeen very high-quality videos of a complete show he did in Toronto on youtube, and yet none of them have more than 600 views. NONE of the videos of him on all of youtube have more than around twenty-thousand views (for reference, Lady Gaga's "Bad Romance" has over two-hundred-MILLION, and as a licensed musician I can confidently say that it is really bad).
In all honesty, I don't think Luke himself really cares that much. He's been touring and playing for most of his life - seriously, the guy started gigging around Canada with his dad when he was 13 or 14. He gets to live a life that few of us get to live: his entire livelihood comes from performing and producing albums. His wife is also a fantastic musician (Melissa McClelland - she's not as good a guitarist but she's still pretty good, and certainly prettier, which is saying a lot). In short, he's living the best life that is, in my opinion, possible. I just think it's perplexing that he continues to be so completely under the radar considering how incredibly talented he is.
Here's a perfect example to close for y'all: closer from the Mod Club set - this is "First Day in the New Home Town".
As of this posting, it's been on youtube for a week short of a year. It doesn't even have three-hundred views.
8.5.10
Sunday Post
Somehow I didn't post anything this week, which strikes me as odd because I've got several ideas and corresponding picture folders sitting around and a ton of free time. Ahwell. Clearly, I was too busy biking and enjoying the surprisingly good weather; the front steps of my house is amazing all day - the area right in front of the door is shady all afternoon with a lovely breeze and amazing views down the valley and the south mountains. I've spent hours just lounging there, playing guitar or mandolin and reading.
Anyway. First things first. Happy Mother's Day! I don't think I will be able to give this day and my mother the true appreciation I know she deserves until I have a kid of my own, but until then I'll do what I can to make it a particularly good day for the mama.
And now the pictures. Not many this week, but oh lordy is the music rich.
Thursday was one of the best music nights I've had in a long time. Not one, but THREE incredibly fantastic discoveries. Laura Marling, Mumford & Sons, and Noah And The Whale. New news, old news, I neither know nor care. What I DO know is that all of them incredible and I am so happy to have found 'em. I also know that there's no way that I can narrow all of them down to one video each, so you get a whole bunch. Woohoo! See y'all soon. (PS. They'll just be linked 'cause all of Laura's have disabled embedding)
All three groups are from London, and all of them also have extensive artistic and personal connections with each other. Noah And The Whale formed with Laura doing background vocals (and some producing, I believe); her and Charlie Fink from NATW were also in a relationship for some time. However, the two of them split, Laura left the group and is now in a relationship with Marcus Mumford, the frontman for Mumford & Sons; he also does backing work with her on albums and shows. Fun fact as well: NATW's fantastic album The First Days Of Spring is supposedly written pretty much all about his relationship with Laura - the lyrics seem pretty straightforward in that sense a lot (bloody spectacular album with an accompanying film they wrote and produced too). Anyway, backstories aside, they are all incredibly fantastic and I wish I could hurl all their songs at you. I can't though, so y'all have to do your own homework in regards to finding more of their stuff - I know I still will be.
It was actually Laura Marling that made me decide to give y'all more than one apiece. I actually not decide which song to give y'all because everything of hers' is so fantastic. Here are her songs "New Romantic", "Goodbye England" and "Night Terror". It's even more amazing when you remember that she isn't even 20 yet in these songs. Fantastic.
I'm incredibly crushed about Mumford & Sons. I found them Thursday night and discovered they're playing in Vancouver at the end of the month. I also then discovered that the show is sold out. Tears of sadness were imagined. I kind of love them more than a bit. Here's "The Cave" and "Little Lion Man".
Finally, Noah And The Whale. My friend Eden actually showed me them quite a while ago, but it was somewhat offhanded and I.... kinda forgot. Anyway, rediscovery was a delight, suffice to say. I particularly love their First Days Of Spring album, both because it's incredible and also because the movie they made to accompany the music is just as touching and beautiful. Here's "Shape of My Heart" and "Blue Skies" (I really, really love the beard on the guy with the goggles; I also kinda really want some goggles like that for MY bike). And, as promised, here is the full video for The First Days Of Spring. Make sure you've got a nice quilt and maybe some tea or something. It's a good close for a day.
Whew lawdy that was a lot of content. Have a good week and I'll see you before the weekend comes around again.
Anyway. First things first. Happy Mother's Day! I don't think I will be able to give this day and my mother the true appreciation I know she deserves until I have a kid of my own, but until then I'll do what I can to make it a particularly good day for the mama.
And now the pictures. Not many this week, but oh lordy is the music rich.
Thursday was one of the best music nights I've had in a long time. Not one, but THREE incredibly fantastic discoveries. Laura Marling, Mumford & Sons, and Noah And The Whale. New news, old news, I neither know nor care. What I DO know is that all of them incredible and I am so happy to have found 'em. I also know that there's no way that I can narrow all of them down to one video each, so you get a whole bunch. Woohoo! See y'all soon. (PS. They'll just be linked 'cause all of Laura's have disabled embedding)
All three groups are from London, and all of them also have extensive artistic and personal connections with each other. Noah And The Whale formed with Laura doing background vocals (and some producing, I believe); her and Charlie Fink from NATW were also in a relationship for some time. However, the two of them split, Laura left the group and is now in a relationship with Marcus Mumford, the frontman for Mumford & Sons; he also does backing work with her on albums and shows. Fun fact as well: NATW's fantastic album The First Days Of Spring is supposedly written pretty much all about his relationship with Laura - the lyrics seem pretty straightforward in that sense a lot (bloody spectacular album with an accompanying film they wrote and produced too). Anyway, backstories aside, they are all incredibly fantastic and I wish I could hurl all their songs at you. I can't though, so y'all have to do your own homework in regards to finding more of their stuff - I know I still will be.
It was actually Laura Marling that made me decide to give y'all more than one apiece. I actually not decide which song to give y'all because everything of hers' is so fantastic. Here are her songs "New Romantic", "Goodbye England" and "Night Terror". It's even more amazing when you remember that she isn't even 20 yet in these songs. Fantastic.
I'm incredibly crushed about Mumford & Sons. I found them Thursday night and discovered they're playing in Vancouver at the end of the month. I also then discovered that the show is sold out. Tears of sadness were imagined. I kind of love them more than a bit. Here's "The Cave" and "Little Lion Man".
Finally, Noah And The Whale. My friend Eden actually showed me them quite a while ago, but it was somewhat offhanded and I.... kinda forgot. Anyway, rediscovery was a delight, suffice to say. I particularly love their First Days Of Spring album, both because it's incredible and also because the movie they made to accompany the music is just as touching and beautiful. Here's "Shape of My Heart" and "Blue Skies" (I really, really love the beard on the guy with the goggles; I also kinda really want some goggles like that for MY bike). And, as promised, here is the full video for The First Days Of Spring. Make sure you've got a nice quilt and maybe some tea or something. It's a good close for a day.
Whew lawdy that was a lot of content. Have a good week and I'll see you before the weekend comes around again.
2.5.10
Sunday Post
Hey y'all! Happy Sunday. Weather's back to grey, but I am once again basking in the wonders of centralized sound systems and indoor heating.
It's occurred that most of my pictures nowadays are actually picked up from Google Earth, haha. I like roaming about and seeing what places are like from the pictures people post; travelling would obviously be infinitely better, but this at least gives a window into the life and is totally free of charge.
Gotcha Michael Franti at the bottom to liven up your souls. Have an easy day!
(Man oh man, I kinda really want that guitar - now if only I can scrounge up around six grand..)
It's occurred that most of my pictures nowadays are actually picked up from Google Earth, haha. I like roaming about and seeing what places are like from the pictures people post; travelling would obviously be infinitely better, but this at least gives a window into the life and is totally free of charge.
Gotcha Michael Franti at the bottom to liven up your souls. Have an easy day!
(Man oh man, I kinda really want that guitar - now if only I can scrounge up around six grand..)
1.5.10
The Last Hurrah!
I would like to dedicate this post to The Gruff. For those who don't know, The Gruff are a fantastic bluegrass/folk band from Victoria. Like, extremely fantastic. I love them, and prior to hearing them I pretty much hated country music. Anyway, after a lot of great years they've decided to start touring in space... or something. Point is, they're not playing on this planet anymore - their cover story is that they're splitting up. Tonight and last night are/were their last shows, their "Last Hurrah" as they're calling it - tonight's show is in Victoria and last night they were at Cafe Deux Soleil in Vancouver and I was fortunate enough to be able to haul my ass all the way from Chilliwack to see them one last time. Amazing show, wonderful music, lovely ladies... er, band. Anyway, hats off to an amazing band, and the best of luck to all of them in their future schemes. To The Gruff!
As far as the 'Wack goes, the weather finally made up its mind, and the results are gorgeous. It's actually been on-and-off sun, especially today; I took Norton (my trusty bike) out for a long ride with my camera and discovered that a) Chilliwack IS super flat and b) the ride to Cultus Lake is shorter both vertically and distance-wise than I thought it would be, which is also awesome. I have the house blessedly to myself for the next week, and so far I've just been taking pictures, eating spot'n'go and playing ludicrous amounts of guitar out in the sun (so glorious). Here are a couple pictures from the pile:
And this is where I get to practice. Puts UVic to shame more than just a tad.
See y'all tomorrow mornin'!
As far as the 'Wack goes, the weather finally made up its mind, and the results are gorgeous. It's actually been on-and-off sun, especially today; I took Norton (my trusty bike) out for a long ride with my camera and discovered that a) Chilliwack IS super flat and b) the ride to Cultus Lake is shorter both vertically and distance-wise than I thought it would be, which is also awesome. I have the house blessedly to myself for the next week, and so far I've just been taking pictures, eating spot'n'go and playing ludicrous amounts of guitar out in the sun (so glorious). Here are a couple pictures from the pile:
And this is where I get to practice. Puts UVic to shame more than just a tad.
See y'all tomorrow mornin'!
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