Bolster Your Holster

It was early 2000. I had read an article about a band that Thom Yorke highly recommended. I was working at HMV at the time, and my new friend Kris and I both ordered this album. It took forever to arrive. It had this weird little alien on the cover of this blue cardboard sleeve. I had no idea what to expect. I was house sitting for some family friends at the time. so I went to the house. Put it on their high end stereo. Turned it up. I had a friend over. I really wanted to experience this album that I so looked forward to. We both laid on the floor, and I closed my eyes. From the very first reverse looped vocals that faded into the signature sonar blips of Svefn-G-Englar, I was entranced. I had never heard anything like this before. Had never felt so much from an album before. I laid there transfixed. Stuck. Immobile. For over an hour.

This would be the beginning of my relationship with Sigur Rós. Today was another milestone. Today was a global stream of their new album Valtari. My favourite record store, Listen, was hosting listening party. I felt inclined to attend. To experience the album for the first time with like minded fans. But as the time grew nearer, I found myself wanting to experience it for the first time alone. I grabbed the laptop, a blanket, and some headphones. I went into my father’s backyard. Laid down beneath the clouds, and then closed my eyes. Once again I found myself immersed into the music.

The music is very reminiscent of Ágætis Byrjun. It is also a more ambient record. A solitary sounding album that I am glad I experienced in this way.

In an era of digital everything, I find that sometimes I just don’t dedicate myself to the experience as much as I used to. We are now in a time where life is multitasked. We don’t have time to dedicate an entire hour to simply listening to a record. 10 minutes to truly appreciate a piece of art. 15 hours to enjoy a great book. We hardly have enough attention to watch a 2 hour movie without checking our phones.

Our media consumption has changed. We now consume at a much higher rate than ever before. We see hundreds of photos a day. We hear music everywhere we go, sometimes over 100 songs a day. We watch video clips, making sure that they aren’t over 5 minutes long before we even start. We read in blocks of 144 characters, or in small chunks.

We forget that sometimes it isn’t the media that matters. But the feeling. The memory. The experience. If I think back to all of my favourite songs or albums, they all have a story. An experience behind it. Every time I hear that song/album I am reminded of that story. That experience.

I am a professional photographer. I photograph weddings and portraits. I am good at what I do. Ultimately, it isn’t how great my composition and lighting are. It doesn’t matter how good my equipment is, or how I post process my work. In the end, it is about the feeling. The memory. The experience. These images are pieces of our lives. Pieces of our relationships. They chronicle our moments. Instances, that when looked back upon, remind us of the experience. That time in our lives.

Little did I know 12 years ago, what the year 2000 had in store for me. It turned out to be one of the key transitions in my life. And that year, will always remind me of Sigur Rós. Of Ágætis Byrjun. Of Flugufrelsarinn. It was a year of growth, discovery, heartache, and so much more.

I anticipate this year to be another year of transition. And I vow to experience it. To pay more attention to life. To music. To art. To my craft. To my family. To my friends.

I don’t want to skim through life. I want to dedicate myself and my time to living.

I want to create. And I want to feel what others create.

- Shaun

So, it has been a bit of time since my last post. And that is because we spent over 2 weeks travelling. We did a week in Maui, and then, last minute, decided to do a week in England. While Maui was a “work” trip, it was really a great time to relax with some friends and just enjoy one of the neatest places on earth.

As for England, we spent the week in Northern England, ie Sheffield, with my sister for her 30th birthday. This being my first time in England, I was enamoured by the history and the culture. We also, had a fantastic opportunity to see Ryan Adams at City Hall in Sheffield perform an intimate and solo acoustic set. In short, it was fantastic. The best I have seen Ryan Adams yet. The opener Jason Isbell brought his southern charm to the stage and won us over with his Americana songs. Following the show, we headed to my favourite pub in Sheffield, Bungalows and Bears, to watch an amazing set by Niki and The Dove. To say that this show was the antithesis of the Ryan Adams show would be an understatement. It was loud, sweaty, and dancey. A perfect cap to an already brilliant day.

There was a lot of other things going on throughout the month, but obviously, the vacations seemed to be of the most interest. I even ended up missing Record Store Day, but Kris and his roommate Dave got me my Sigur Ros and Tallest Man on Earth specials, and the following week Kris and I went out to grab some extras. So here are 5 things I have been listening to this past month.

5. The Shins – September

This catchy little number has been in my head all month. So simple and great.

“I’ve been selfish and full of pride, and she knows deep down there’s a little child.”

4. Polica – Lay Your Cards Out

Contrary to what Jay-Z said, autotune is not dead. There is something about this track that sucks me in every time. The autotuned vocals over the simple instrumentation build up to each chorus. But then those drums come in, and steal the song. A fantastic song off of a strong album.

3. First Aid Kit – Emmylou

I am not a country music fan. But I just can’t get enough of this song in spite of country-ish folkiness. It is a sweet little song equating past country legends with love.

I’ll be your Emmylou and I’ll be your June
If you’ll be my Gram and my Johnny too.
No, I’m not askin’ much of you
Just sing little darlin’, sing with me.

2. Bastille – Overjoyed

Bastille is a London based pop band that recently released a collection of heartache covers that is rather entertaining. But it is this original that seems to grab me the most.

“And I hear you calling in the dead of night”

1. Tinariwen – Tenere Taqhim Tossam (Four Tet Remix)

I ended up getting this record store day release the following week at Blackbyrd music. On top of the amazing album, there are 4 additional remix tracks, including this great one by Four Tet. Africa Desert rock and electronica blend way better than I expected.

I’ve not listened to The Band that much, but there is no denying their influence. From their early days as Bob Dylan’s backing band to The Last Waltz they were pioneers of roots rock and one of the early iconic Canadian rock bands. ‘The Weight’ may be one of the best known rock songs of all time, though not many known its actual title or who sings it. I was listening to the radio on my way home and Levon Helm was described as the backbone of the The Band. Robbie Robertson may be the best known member and main song writer, but Levon was the glue before and after their first break-up.

I was fortunate enough to see Helm live in 2010 at the Edmonton Folk Music Festival, which the video below is from. He wasn’t able to sing much then, but just having his presence there was magical. We’ll miss you Levon, but you’ll live on through the amazing music you’ve left us.

I’ve been listening to Coldplay all day, I haven’t done that in a few years. I was not fortunate enough to attend last night’s concert, but before it happened I wasn’t interested. I hear it was ‘the best concert ever!!!’ or ‘a spectactular show’, but I just haven’t felt the same about Coldplay as I used to. I think the last time I seriously listened to them was around 2006 or 2007. Viva la Vida or Death and All His Friends was a decent album, but I only listen to a couple track from it every so often. Mylo Xyloto is as good as forgotten. But then I think of everything before that.

Parachutes came out 12 years ago and at the time it was considered mellow Britpop. It was something that wasn’t as adventerous, but an album that could cross over to North America because it was safe enough, but also good enough. It was what Coldplay once was, before the strings, bombast,ever-changing costumes and set designs. It was the sound of 4 young, talented musicians who were just trying to make a break writing catchy melancholic (yet uplifting, songs.

A Rush of Blood to the Head should be considered the best album in their discography. It expanded their sound dramatically. The production on the album really polished their sound from Parachutes modernizing it and turning what were once songs into anthems. It also showed that they were going to turn into your standard rock band. They experimented and were willing to change their sound, something they continue to do to this day. Sure they’ll never be credited for unique innovation, but they have not become boring. This is my favourite Coldplay album. I think the first single ‘In My Place’ is the weakest track on the album, but every other song has been my favourite from the album at one time or another. I can still listen to it completely and enjoy it, truly the sign of a great album.

X&Y  was a bit of a change, though first single ‘Speed of Sound’ sounded almost the same as ‘Clocks’ from AROBTTH. They hired Brian Eno as a producer and added some more electronic elements, but also brought back the acoustic feel from Parachutes on a couple tracks. It was under-appreciated by the press and casual fans, but I think it could one day be my favourite Coldplay album.

As the previous paragraphs can probably suggest, my Top 5 Coldplay songs will be dominated by their earlier works. I have much more attachment to that time of their career, but that’s not to say that I don’t enjoy some later songs, even putting one on the following list.

5. Clocks (from A Rush of Blood to the Head)

‘Yellow’ was the first hit for Coldplay, but ‘Clocks’ really solidified them for me. Following a single as popular as ‘The Scientist’ was no small task and ‘Clocks’ kept the band’s momentum up with something different but still distinctly Coldplay, likely the first single to do so.

4. Everything’s Not Lost (from Parachutes)

As I listened to Parachutes and A Rush of Blood to the Head that many times, it takes awhile for some Coldplay songs to grow on me. This and the number 1 song are like this and only for the fault that they are at the end of the album and sometimes you just don’t make it to the end of an album. This is just a beautiful song that carries the familiar theme of remembering to always look on the bright side of life.

3. Strawberry Swing (from Viva La Vida or Death and All His Friends)

That opening guitar line that carries the melody just grabs you into and you’re stuck. This is one of the most relaxing Coldplay songs that is like a wave you can just keep riding. As with many Coldplay songs it really is just a love song: “Without you, it’s just a waste of time”, but really it is the music that keeps you coming back to this song.

2. A Message (from X&Y)

The sentimental one. It plays out as ‘a message’ from a lover/friend/etc. to the one who left/got away/missing. It hit at the right time to really resonate and while it may not feel like anything special, like so many Coldplay songs, they can really hit home at certain points. That’s really part of their ability to remain so popular, they write songs that you can just relate to, or at least they used to. My favourite moment in the song and possibly in all of Coldplay from 3:50 – 4:08: “…That I’m nothing on my own, I love you, please come home.”

1. Amsterdam (from A Rush of Blood to the Head)

Coldplay’s perfect example of a slow build. It starts off with Chris Martin singing and playing the piano, some harmonies come in later, but with about a minute and a half we get organ, and shortly after it all comes together with everyone joining in. It ties together it’s album perfectly really showing the songwriting ability of the band. ‘Amsterdam’ is one of those songs that just feels right when walking while snow gently falls, it’s an end, but a gentle one.

March was the quietest month I have had in a very long time. I liked it. It was a month of Spring cleaning and a month of music. We saw a few live and local bands, and a British Classical prodigy. And I ended up getting a “few” new records. But what did I listen to the most in March? Once again it seems to be new music. I like new sounds. new things. Old stuff is amazing, but I am always seeking new stuff. So we have one oldie, and 4 brand new tracks. The song I have listened to the most I posted on the weekend. So you should check out the video for DJ ease my mind by Niki & the Dove. I just can’t get enough of it.

5. Meg Myers – Monster

A simple sounding guitar riff, a percussive hit, and minimal beats begin this track. Simple and understated. Until the chorus, when that sad cello line comes in. “What it takes out of me to lay by your side”. An angry and remorseful tune that has been on repeat all month. And here is a link to download her EP for Free!

4. Teenage Fan Club – The Concept

I wasn’t much of a Teenage Fan Club fan back in Junior High when this track was first released. However, I see a large resurgence of this sound lately, and its prominence in the movie “Young Adult” nearly elevates it to the level of a character. “She wears denim wherever she goes, says she’s gonna get some records by the Status Quo”. A classic 90′s rocker.

3. Angus Stone – Broken Brights

Angus Stone is an Australian singer known foremost as being the guy in Angus and Julia Stone. Both Angus and Julia have solo albums being released this year, and this is the first single from his. A simple and pretty acoustic track that features his calmingly raspy voice. You can download the track over here at his website, and his album is to be released in July.

2. Sam Sparro – Happiness

This list needs a happy and bouncy track. Too much, angst and sadness. Sam Sparro to the rescue. This song is very much like his earlier work, which is great, and it calls to mind the Jim album by Jamie Lidell. Music that is very 70′s/80′s retro soul/funk, mixed with 90/00′s dance. Ultimately it’s dancey. And as the name implies, it’s happy. Here is the video featuring him and his new pervy mustache. And he is Australian as well, bringing the Aussie count to 2 out of 5 on this list. “Happiness you belong to me, happiness you’re mine”. Album due this Spring.

1. Glen Hansard – Take the heartland

And back to the angsty rock. This time care of Ireland. Glen Hansard, known as the frontman for The Frames, or as the guy in The Swell Season, or as the Actor in the amazing movie Once, released this track on the Hunger Games Soundtrack. Or should I say album of music inspired by the movie the Hunger Games, aptly entitled “The Hunger Games: Songs From District 12 And Beyond” as I don’t really think more than one of the tracks is actually in the movie, and that is during the credits. But I digress. This is a rocking track that features Glen and his amazing voice pushed to the edge, where it belongs, over guitars and pounding drums. A killer rock song about killing.

Bonus: And here again is the video for DJ Ease my Mind – by Niki & The Dove

In my February retrospective this was one of the 5 songs of the month. Now it has received an official video release. And it is a fantastic live take that shows off their frenetic soul energy. This is a band on the verge. Raw soul. Youthful energy. And talent. Their album is released next week, finally, and is available to stream at NPR. But here is this amazing version to tide you over until you get your official vinyl copy.

- Shaun

One of the albums I am anticipating the most this year is the debut LP from the Swedish band Niki & The Dove. Their electro-pop music is exciting and makes you wanna dance. This most recent pre-release single just received a video companion. This space inspired video suits the track quite nicely.

Check out the track/video below and getting your dancing shoes ready for the release of Instinct on May 14th.

And here is my favourite so far. DJ, Ease my mind

-Shaun

I have already seen this on 2 of my favourite blogs and therefore hesitant to post it. But it is just too amazing to not put up. This is a very powerful and empassioned performance of Faithful Man, by Lee Fields, a highlight from his new album of the same name. It is also a song that I have been listening to a lot recently and is on my upcoming April Playlist. It is a crushingly raw version, and the camerawork and video editing make it a mandatory watch. This amazing performance is care of Yourstru.ly. And the rest of the album is incredible as well, so make sure you check that out. It is Soul music at its finest.

- Shaun

Yesterday was a day of local Edmontonian talent. My wife and I started out the evening with Kris at Litfest, where we saw the book launch of Devil’s Cinema. A non-fiction account of the Mark Twitchell (Dexter Killer) case written by Kris’s good friend Steve. It was great to see hometown talent return and to see the success of a friend. It was also great, because we had never been to a book launch/Q&A before.

After that we grabbed a poutine at La Poutine and headed over to Wunderbar for some music. Yes Nice! is a band that has been mentioned on the blog before in the best of lists. They are a indie-pop act that runs the gamut on styles.

Their set was preceded by a band called The Mondrian Shift which was a bi-lingual band featuring female lead vocals, keyboards, and violin in addition to the guitar, bass and drums. They performed a combination of french and english originals and 3 covers, and although they alled looked to be in the age range of 16-20, their music was rather cohesive and put on a very good show.

The next act was a Winnipeg band called Les Jupes. Les Jupes seemed to have some more live experience than the youthful Mondrian Shift, and their energetic set had several highlights. A male guitarist/vocalist with a deeper than average voice paired with the female keyboardist/secondary vocalist were handily backed up by the bass/synth player and extremely impressive drummer. We were pleasantly surprised by Les Jupes and thought that they were a great complimentary act to Yes Nice!.

Yes Nice! put on a very danceable set featuring music from both of their releases and a few new tracks that hinted at their sound progression on their upcoming album to be released this year (hopefully). Their new material was very much inspired by the 80′s and classic funk. New track “Hot River” was a very dancey standout that I am definitely looking forward to. Yes Nice! seem to be improving their live performance with each show, and their onstage presence, crowd engagement, and obvious enjoyment help elevate the experience. They are playing tonight in Calgary if you are around.

Ultimately it was a great date evening with the wife, who is going with Kris tonight to see Ben Folds with the Edmonton Symphony Orchestra at the Winspear, which should prove to be a good show.

here is a video for their great track “Horses”

- Shaun

You know that feeling, when you know something is coming, and then it announces, and you were more excited then you anticipated for the anticipation. Well this is one of those moments. Sigur Rós has announced their new album, their first studio album in 4 years. It is entitled Valtari (which means Steamroller) and will be released May 28th. Which will be a fantastic week for me. I will be seeing Bon Iver 2x a few days before, and then it will be all Sigur Rós for the remainder of the year (sorta joking). But to make me even more excited, they released a new video of their new song “Ekki Múkk” which is very much a Sigur Rós track. The track is a gorgeous atmospheric build, but I will let you listen to it on your own. The album is more centralized around electronics and strings claims Jonsi, so expect a lot of pretty moments. Check out the new song below.

“i really can’t remember why we started this record, i no longer know what we were trying to do back then. i do know session after session went pear-shaped, we lost focus and almost gave up…did give up for a while. but then something happened and form started to emerge, and now i can honestly say that it’s the only sigur rós record i have listened to for pleasure in my own house after we’ve finished it.” – georg

- Shaun