MOG - kristiana's Posts

Hey

kristiana — Fri, 18 Apr 2008 13:58:53 GMT

just wanted to say - hey.

Don't you know I love the night?

kristiana — Thu, 03 Apr 2008 19:49:05 GMT

Continuing on with my werewolf theme, with a Canadian folkie reference! Couldn't find a clip though so will have to substitute with another Loup Garou song!

These lyrics by Tanglefoot are charming though, so I just had to include them!

Running through the shadows of the forest in the full moon In the middle of the night With his eyes full of fire and his teeth so blood-bright Loup Garou...Loup Garou..AAAoOOOO!

Marie Jolicouer de Rocher Fendu married by mistake to a Loup Garou By the light of day he's meek and mild Marie Jolicouer de Rocher Fendu, aren't you afraid what he might do?

In the moonlight he's fierce and wild Loup Garou with your eyes so bright, don't you know I love the night? I never was a fearful child If you're not afraid what I might do then the wolf in me and the wolf in you Together we'll be fierce and wild

Marie Jolicouer has a man who's good he works the field and he chops the wood By the light of day she bakes the bread All the neighbours think he's just plain Lou, married to Marie de Rocher Fendu Nobody knows they're fierce and wild

Marie Jolicouer de Rocher Fendu, fell in love with a Loup Garou By the light of day he's meek and mild Loup Garou de Rocher Fendu, aren't you afraid what she might do? In the moonlight she's fierce and wild.

Golden With Cohen!

kristiana — Fri, 21 Mar 2008 16:53:22 GMT

So last Fall I wrote a letter to Mr Cohen. I don't do such things. I carried it around for a few months, then recently discarded it.

So he announces a world tour, the first in 15 years, and where does it begin? In the Maritimes! More specifically, it starts in a small venue in MY hometown, the day after my birthday, which also happens to be Mothers Day.

I got my ticket yesterday, I'm in "the Golden Circle" 5 rows back.

So thank you Brother Cohen, my Rabbi and High Priest, for taking the time to answer an unsent letter. As usual, you work magic.

I know it's already been posted, but heck, here's the induction. Pure gold.

I said to Hank Williams: how lonely does it get? Hank Williams hasn't answered yet But I hear him coughing all night long A hundred floors above me In the tower of song.

Superposition

kristiana — Mon, 03 Mar 2008 16:12:35 GMT

Is a Monday too early in the week for this sorta thing? Maybe. A little something something for your ears, something for your mind...

For Ilay (Poe to you. For Shame.)

kristiana — Sat, 02 Feb 2008 04:26:49 GMT

I first saw this clip thanks to Neill. Neill is pretty dependable like that.

Poe, what are you thinking on this balmy Cambodian afternoon? Have clouds gathered? Will you see the stars tonight?

My sister my Priestess In this we share this - all there is.

I finally got In Rainbows on vinyl today. It made my day. Beforehand I was pining for a shiny red Jaguar Fender. I saw it yesterday, played it. Fell in love with it. Went back today. Played it again. Goddamn. It's pretty hot damn.

After considering a few different options...

kristiana — Tue, 29 Jan 2008 21:23:27 GMT

I think I'm gonna try to pull off Peggy Lee.

"Why? Because I'm Canadian?"

kristiana — Mon, 28 Jan 2008 20:29:33 GMT

"Ha Ha Ha Ha. Yeah probably." Don't ya just know it. ;)

I finally got around to getting an album by TV On The Radio. Wow. After listening to this song, I hit repeat, repeatedly. I enjoyed this video too...

I could go on about how I feel about them so far, but Emit pretty much summed up my feelings and reactions in a previous post. He's good like that.

http://mog.com/emit/blog_post/75565

Here's That Coming Of Age

kristiana — Wed, 23 Jan 2008 18:26:48 GMT

DBTs aren't the only ones with a Southern rock opera.

Working band. Heck of a wage, too old to preach.

(Do you love her like no other?)

I'm a ghost and I don't think I quite know where we're gonna go. My cold cold sailor heart says get on your way. I try so awful hard but I can't change. Can't stop running from the demon in my head. It's safe to say if I don't get this out of me I might quite easily end up dead or just mad.

It's my show. I must go with my soul. It's my role, it's my show.

(What are ya gonna do? Settle down, or get those songs out? Is there even a choice?)

We'd be so free.

(She must be plum crazy. I kind of think I like her. Kind of think I do.)

37204

Good Head

kristiana — Wed, 19 Dec 2007 17:46:19 GMT

Oh my. How is it that I missed out on these guys for so long? My trusted mogs, these guys are balls out freakin' awesome rock. Just what the doctor ordered.

When my band first started practicing one of the guitarists would put these guys on during the drive out to the Church of Rock, and couldn't believe I hadn't heard of them. Just as well, as usual, because this is just what I'm looking for these days. Where are all the rock stars? Right here, baby.

Getcha some good head.

Hot Dam?

kristiana — Wed, 05 Dec 2007 20:14:17 GMT

45' 56'' 39.33'N 66'51'53.69'W

Just who the hell are THE HOT DAMNS!? For now they are cold, rough and sloppy and make crappy recordings, but what the hell...

The Water...

kristiana — Tue, 04 Dec 2007 01:30:36 GMT

defines us.

Feist, and the sound of Nova Scotia.

First, a hymn to start us off...

...then into a cool rendition of When I Was A Young Girl (sound gets muffled when everything kicks in around 1:36, what can ya do?)...

...and here are a few short clips, including that Bee Gees cover. Great singalongs, sometimes even managing to drown out all the yammerers at the back of the room (really, wtf?). I can only assume those were the people who showed up to hear 1,2,3,4?

She is really so lovely. And I got my singalong to See Line Woman for the encore. She was sure to make many references to her deep connection to N.S., including that she was born in Amherst (closest hospital to Sackville, N.B. at the time), the fact that Mushaboom is a town in N.S., and that The Water was written about Peggy's Cove just outside Halifax.

She also tried to get her Nana, Aunts, etc. to come up to the front but I think they were safe and secure at the back.

Oh, and I love the fact that they were selling little music boxes that play the tune of Mushaboom for $10.

I'm From Further North Than You

kristiana — Thu, 29 Nov 2007 18:04:22 GMT

And thus it is time for me to start rummaging through my shoeboxes full of cassettes to dig out my countdown-to- winter-solstice favorites.

Today I woke up to a sky promising snow and now we have a light dusting. Winter is definitely not my favorite season, but those first few days of snow I feel such a sense of release. I guess sorta like an acceptance that it's finally here, and might as well make the most of it? Invest it with a romance that is a little harder to do when it's minus 40 bazillion in January and ya don't really feel like leaving your cave?

Let's begin. First up - The Wedding Present. My Hit Parade 1 cassette, but I always start with side 2, and the track Cattle and Cane. Didn't find a version of it on youtube, but hey, this is a good choice too and it made for a handy post title!

My Friday Night...

kristiana — Wed, 28 Nov 2007 15:28:30 GMT

is gonna look something like this.

This is a singalong I'm really looking forward to.

Happy Birthday, Henry.

kristiana — Mon, 19 Nov 2007 19:27:59 GMT

A day late, but I had to go help my Dad celebrate his...

Happy Birthday, Henry. Maybe we'll get lucky and we'll both grow old, well I don't know I don't know I don't know I hope so.

Here's to dreams coming true, and not wasting life.

You Don't Know Shit From Good Chocolate, Babies...

kristiana — Wed, 14 Nov 2007 16:37:30 GMT

When the question has come up in the past about "best movies about being in a band", "Hard Core Logo" has always been my response. I'm a fan of McDonald's films anyway, but this one really hit home. Having just recently watched it - it had been awhile - I decided to make a post about it. Dunno, maybe someone who hasn't already seen it will run out and grab it. Maybe one of you out there, who hadn't been in a band in awhile (like me), will start thinking about the appeal of the open road and that communion you have with a band. And that answer that sometimes comes up in response to "why bother?" - because I can.

Tagline - "4 guys - 5 nights - 3000 miles - 764 gallons of gas - 987 bottles of beer - 3457 cigarettes - 1 last shot." Hard Core Logo is a psuedo-rockumentary in which director Bruce McDonald plays himself following punk bank Hard Core Logo on a "last-gasp reunion tour throughout Western Canada". Kickass performances by all the actors, particularly Hugh Dillon of the Headstones as frontman Joe Dick.

As I was saying over on Pekka's post about The Diodes, well, let's just quote myself - I was trying to pinpoint what it is that makes that movie feel so distinctly Canadian – I mean, is it? Other than the setting, and McDonald’s usual charm and ways? Or is it just as representative of what it’s like to be in any punk band where the members care for each other? To me, this movie really hit home as far as what it’s like to be in a band. I guess maybe just ‘cause I’ve only ever been in shitty little punk bands which, for some of us, was all we had. Joe Dick is all too familiar. And that’s not a bad thing.

While thinking about these questions I came across a write-up about an interesting looking film I'd never heard of, "Weird Sex and Snowshoes: A Trek through the Canadian Cinematic Psyche" (great title anyway!). "If you had to boil Canadian film down, would you get the unlikely combo of awkward sex pitched against a barren northern landscape?" Why yes, I think you would!

Here's what else they came up with - "certain defining characteristics do emerge: a fascination with the outsider, exiled by Canada's enormous geography, cultural differences, internal demons; the everyday and ordinary made by turns poignant, bizarre and even mystical; a willingness to take artistic risks; a style that borrows heavily from both documentary and theatre; absurdist humour; and it goes without saying, the ever-present influence and reaction against the behemoth to the south, the USA."

Wow, yeah, that sums it up pretty nicely. I present - Hard Core Logo.

happy accidents

kristiana — Mon, 12 Nov 2007 01:36:47 GMT

Dug Neill's selected cover so much I had to go watch a bunch of both New Order and Radiohead.

Here's a nice version of There There, which according to wiki peaked at #4 in the UK but was a #1 hit in Canada, thus "returning the band to U.S. modern rock radio favour after several years without a song on playlists."

Just cos you feel it doesn't mean it's there... We are accidents waiting Waiting to happen We are accidents waiting Waiting to happen

For You,

kristiana — Fri, 09 Nov 2007 21:23:45 GMT

My Knights of the Round Table. (and everyone else too)

Hope everyone has a great weekend. Tonight's agenda - beer. Tomorrow - rock out (and beer).

"It's a singalong...

kristiana — Thu, 08 Nov 2007 22:49:13 GMT

for people who cry in the bathtub."

Where no one can see your tears.

Sounds Better In The Song

kristiana — Wed, 07 Nov 2007 00:52:08 GMT

Well I had an interesting weekend. And the first and maybe only thing I can say about it is that I discovered that I really really like Drive-By Truckers. Don't know what took me so long, just one of those things. Well, I had only heard a coupla songs, and if they're off one of those concept albums you really oughtta be hearing all of them in order it seems to me.

And sometimes we discover these things we've heard people we trust say good things about, and it's just the perfect time when we do.

it's like gravity's gone and I'm just floating.

The album I fell for is Decoration Day, and the song in particular that slapped me in the face is the title of this post. I don't have a copy of it on the old 'puter here, so if any of you do and want to add it to my post, please feel free, and thanks.

...No, But It Sure Has Lifted Spirits That Needed Lifting.

kristiana — Tue, 30 Oct 2007 15:57:29 GMT

Received your cd yesterday, and I gotta tell ya, it's all about timing. My friend dropped by to see me - to check on me, really, gods love her - and she grabbed my mail for me. She handed over the envelope knowing it was probably something that would bring a smile to my face. And for a moment I forgot about all the shit that was bothering me and felt so lucky. So lucky that I've made ties with such interesting, kind people I haven't even met face to face yet. People whose timing could make all the difference when it's most needed. And then, as usual, music will guide the way for the weary soul.

I've listened to it through once but not uninterrupted, unfortunately. So today I sit down and hunker down.

But so far the ones I did get to really listen to and which stood out were "Millionaire", Solomon Burke. It was perfect, really. And "Huggin' Thin Air", Doug Sahm. At the breakfast table this morning. Have I mentioned that I woke up this morning and there was some snow on the ground?

And of course, the full 10 minutes of solid groove that is Fela Kuti. What a great opening. Then the next track, "Blood Brothers",The Tyde, makes me laugh as I compare the opening of "Wake Up" to it, and then when everything kicks in I think of Coldplay's "Till Kingdom Come", though I don't realize that's the song I'm thinking of for about a minute. They are not exactly the same, it just put me in mind of them is all. Which is always fun. And the lyrics are real cute. I appreciated that.

So thank you, my dear friend. And see, I said I was finally sending yours last week and then, ya know, stuff comes up. But maybe I needed to get one from you first. I reckon.

So I'm finishing the last part of yours today.

And since I missed "Stormy Monday" yesterday I'm just gonna go ahead and add some blues by one of my favorite ladies to the end of this post.

When We Two Parted

kristiana — Fri, 26 Oct 2007 13:13:29 GMT

My condolences to everyone who lost a dear friend this week. Very sad news. The beautiful thing to hold on to, as so many have pointed out, is that Chris seemed to be doing exactly what he wanted with his life, and lived with real passion. Amen.

Speaking of passion.

Having watched a great video over on Kristofer's page last week, I was put in mind of this sort of post. The one where I admit that there are certain albums that are only "allowed" to come out of their sleeves maybe once a year, if that.

Gentlemen is by far my biggest albatross. I don't know if that's even really the best metaphor to use, but it's the first one that jumped to mind.

Every track evokes such strong emotions in me, from a summer long ago with a first love. I guess that's a big blatant example of the seeds of the end revealed in the beginning, no? From such sources comes a certain brand of passion though. From such passion comes kickass albums, like Gentlemen.

Paging Dr. Green(thumb)!

kristiana — Thu, 18 Oct 2007 17:16:56 GMT

I'd like to tell ya just where I'm from...

Anyone feeling as goofy as me today? Probably not (well, maybe some of you). I'll be on the road for the weekend, for the annual Autumn bash.

There will be guitars and a pig roast. What could be better, really?

Not much, buddy. hehehe, just toss that ham in the frying pan.

Let's Pretend...

kristiana — Tue, 16 Oct 2007 17:13:11 GMT

that you are here, and we are hanging out in my kitchen where the voice of a woman called Malouma is floating around us. It's a cold sunny Autumn day, and we've just had a little to smoke and we dance in this small sacred space.

And I talk about feeling the need to live in a place where people break into song and dance spontaneously. That I've long daydreamed of living in Africa and shaking my booty around a fire with other women.

Then in one of those funny little musical moments, we walk into another room and the next song to come up on random, as it happens, is Skokiaan. And it makes us laugh, and puts a smile on our faces.

Well, that's what just happened.

What could be better...

kristiana — Mon, 01 Oct 2007 17:35:41 GMT

than hearing some Sabbath and Highway to Hell at church? Now that's a church I'd dress in my friday's finest for.

One of those "WTF?" moments.

kristiana — Fri, 28 Sep 2007 16:28:28 GMT

I've been more inspired lately to pick up my old acoustic. There's a going-away party tonight for a friend, at another friend's house - make that circa 1880s church that he lives in and has been working on - and there will be people playing from the pulpit. Hell, they even left the choir robes when they sold that little old church. Things could get a little weird and surreal (gawd, I hope things get a little weird and surreal).

So I decided to learn a couple of covers as a going away present, something to play towards the end of the night (or beginning of the morning). I've never really bothered to learn many songs on the acoustic, and really outta practice, but hey.

So I learned Here Comes the Regular the other day, pretty simple, a favorite and one I pretty much know the words of by heart. A real tearjerker, that one, in my books.

Then today I'm making a mix and throw on Helpless too, another one of my favorites, and decide I should learn that one. I remember great singalongs to it when I lived in Thailand and us Canucks were maybe feeling a little homesick.

And they're pretty darn similar. How did I never notice that before? Two of my all-time favorite tearjerker songs. Well cool.

This clip from Massey Hall doesn't look or sound great, but that's what I like about it. Gives it a spooky lonesome feel.

And this clip is short, but I'm pretty fond of it.

That's it, really. Oh! Except I got my tickets to see Feist in November the other day! Drool, Henry/Mike, drool.

We'll All Float On O.K., All Right!

kristiana — Fri, 21 Sep 2007 14:16:52 GMT

Well, I'm outta here, till tomorrow anyway. Here's a happy song to brighten your day. It always brightens mine.

Love...

Real Good Time Together

kristiana — Wed, 19 Sep 2007 14:17:54 GMT

Hey moggers, I was lookin' for yas, are you gone?

Patti doing Lou, and Redondo to boot.

I woke up with the bass line to Redondo in my head. Man, I wish I was at the beach right now, minus the sweet suicide. Or on a farm in the Alpujarra Mountains. But I guess reading about it in the sun on my back porch is pretty good too, when it comes down to it. To quote my good friend Buddha, "there is no way to happiness. Happiness is the way." :)

Getting Funky Early

kristiana — Thu, 13 Sep 2007 16:44:27 GMT

Ok, I'm outta my slump! The annual Harvest Jazz and Blues festival hosted in my town is going down, and so many great acts to choose from. It's been a tough call, a lot of the acts are pretty pricey. For instance, I would have liked to have seen Arturo Sandoval, but it was 50 buckaroos, and NOT in a beer tent, forget that!

So I'm hoping instead to partake of the Detroit Women, and Dr. John (The Night Tripper?)of New Orleans. If anyone has seen them and wants to share some impressions that would be nice.

And tonight I'm off to see Toronto's God Made Me Funky, with whom my resident reggae band is playing! They sound like a lotta fun, so here's to hoping. I'll let ya know when the hangover has worn off. ;)

For now, here's a video. "God Made Me Funky is the Funky live ensemble, out of Toronto, Ontario, comprised of a diverse array of musicians ranging from classically trained Jazz artists to street schooled Hip-Hop & R&B vocalists, all of which share the common bond of moving crowds and bringing the Nu Funk in to the next millennium."

http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.viewprofile&friendID=10909277

Get Out Relatively Unscathed

kristiana — Sat, 08 Sep 2007 05:13:55 GMT

When you've been listening to Shot all day, you've been...?

Such Great Heights...

kristiana — Tue, 28 Aug 2007 15:44:24 GMT

I'm back, temporarily!

For my friends who actually might want to hear about it, let me tell yas, the wedding I attended in Cape Breton was THE most wonderful wedding I've ever been to, and probably ever will. A couple so truly in love, the perfect setting in Baddeck, perfect weather for the whole four days which is a little miracle in itself - by the Monday morning brunch the rainy weather had rolled in as usual, but nobody minded.

Such a great group of people, most of them from Philly - go figure ;) A big theme of the weekend ended up being community and friendship - Baddeck is such a tiny little town, and every day packs of us would hit Main Street and meet up with other packs of new friends at the cafes and bars. Everyone had a smile on their face and hugs were plentiful by the end of the weekend.

This was a celebration of love, not just the love of the couple getting married but the love they obviously inspire in, and draw inspiration from, their friends and family. The fact that so many young people traveled so far to be a part of this celebration says so much - from California, Kansas City, Philly, etc. And that we all came together like we had known each other for years.

My friend Gabriel always wanted to get married in Cape Breton - he has been asking friends to come visit for years, and aside from us locals nobody had ever found the time or money to make the long trip. So the wedding was the perfect excuse to get them all there. Gabe's parents first visited Cape Breton on their honeymoon over 30 years ago, decided then to buy property and have been coming up every summer since. Many of Gabe's friends swore they would be back again, after experiencing the romance that is Cape Breton.

Am I gushing too much? I don't care! I haven't even gotten to the really really romantic part yet!

Thursday afternoon - arrived and went straight to the bride and groom's cottage overlooking Baddeck Bay. Proceeded to drink beers and enjoy the other local produce(?). Over the course of the day and night the friends trickled in and found their way to the cottage. Many more beers and bbq. Swimming in the warm ocean under the stars (ok, that was just me).

Friday - Sea-kayaking and relaxing. That night all the young people hit one bar, then the next which was a typical celtic pub. Two guys with acoustic guitars, and a fiddle player. Then another fiddle player who just happened to have her fiddle with her in case the party really got going (as is often the case in CB). Somehow lots of people had never heard this type of music, and were lovin' it. I showed off some Highland-type dancing and got a thumbs up from the white-haired locals enjoying the music. Sweet.

Saturday - hangovers. All the guys played basketball in sweltering heat for a couple of hours (Gabe's request). That night, a crab dinner in a tent beside the ocean. Bonfire on the beach after. Many more beers, and tequila shots.

Sunday - the actual wedding, on the 18th tee of a very beautiful golf course, perched on a hill overlooking Baddeck Bay. Party was held there, with a live band. This was a Jewish wedding, so we also got to enjoy the Hora. Meteor showers like nothing all the city folk had ever seen. To look out from the tent where tons of people were dancing and see scores of people sitting around on the grass, talking and laughing and looking up at the stars...christ, how beautiful and touching. But wait, that's not it.

Approaching 2am, a bunch of us make our way back to that same beach for another bonfire, and coolers full of more beer we had stocked up on that day. The bride and groom arrive and the party gets going again. I run back to my room to grab a bottle of tequila.

When I get back there is a motorboat pulled up just offshore. There are four guys in it just sitting there quietly. I ask my new friend PJ (who writes for the Nashville Scene, I think it is? and invited us to Nashville anytime, yehaw!)what's going on and he says they pulled up and 2 guys with guitars played Purple Rain. I laugh my ass off and can't believe I missed this. They offered them beer but they said they had some. They had seen the fire from the water and decided to check out the party. A couple of people had tried inviting them ashore but obviously didn't go about it the right way. I wade out to the boat and explain to them that our friends just got married, and could they play a Springsteen song, one of Gabe's favorites. They don't know any Springsteen, they say, but the 2 brothers come up and sit on the front of the boat after some quiet discussion and dedicate this song to the happy couple, and do a beautiful job of it.

It was the perfect cap to a perfect wedding. That's Cape Breton.

Fare Thee Well!

kristiana — Mon, 06 Aug 2007 15:04:27 GMT

I hope all my friends are enjoying this last month of summer. I'm off in a few days for a 5 day wedding in Cape Breton, and then continuing my vacation in Nova Scotia, my second home.

I haven't been able to check in on mog much lately anyway, but just wanted to let you know it doesn't mean I'm not thinking of you!

A special shout-out to my Southeast sweethearts, Ilay (Poebegone) and Gerekriss, who are both adjusting to a new life and new work in Cambodia, both very special women I hope I may get the chance to meet in real life.

Ilay, glad to see you got some recognition with mogger of the week, although when I tried clicking on the link I got Jameson's page. Unless you got one of those top-notch sex changes Thailand is so renowned for, I'm pretty sure that was a mix-up! Anyways, I'll be thinking of both of you and looking forward to catching up when I return.

I tried to think of some music that was quintessentially Nova Scotian - lots to choose from, but ya can't go wrong with Stan Rogers, and in particular Barrett's Privateers which you cannot NOT hear any given night in a "Celtic" pub around these parts. And I even found a quaint little montage of old footage from around NS.

Fare thee well, friends, and may the wind always be at your back. ;)

Got Rhythm?

kristiana — Sat, 04 Aug 2007 14:43:34 GMT

...or any ideas on rhythm?

"In How Music Works, Howard Goodall presents theories that rhythm recalls how we walk and the heartbeat we heard in the womb...or is it more likely that a simple pulse or di-dah beat recalls the footsteps of another person? Is our sympathetic urge to dance designed to boost our energy levels in order to cope with someone (or some animal) chasing us - a fight or flight response? Is it possibly also rooted in courtship ritual?

Worldwide there are many different approaches to passing on rhythmic phrases and patterns, as they exist in traditional music, from generation to generation.

In the Griot tradition of Africa everything related to music has been passed on orally. Babatunde Olatunji, A Nigerian Drummer living and working in the USA developed a simple series of spoken sounds for teaching the rhythms of the hand drum. He used six vocal sounds: Goon Doon Go Do Ga Da. There are three basic sounds on the drum but each can be played with left or right hand. This simple system is now used worldwide particularly by Djembe players.

Indian music, again an oral tradition. Tabla players would learn to speak complex rhythm patterns and phrases before attempting to play them.

Identifying "common characteristics" of Celtic music is problematic. Most of the popular musical forms now thought of as characteristically "Celtic" were once common in many places in Western Europe. Jigs were adapted from Italian music, for example, and polkas have their origin in Czech and Polish tradition.

On the other hand, there are musical genres and styles specific to each Celtic country, due in part to the influence of individual song traditions and the characteristics of specific languages.

Strathspeys are specific to Highland Scotland, for example, and mimic the rhythms of the Scottish Gaelic language."

(pulled from Wiki)

Can we be "hardwired" for music? For specific rhythms? Do we have a genetic memory for such things?

Why not.

Would this explain why I get goosebumps and can't not dance when I hear the pipes and drums and fiddles?

Funny how some people are absolutely repulsed by the sound of bagpipes, and others of us absolutely love it.

Here in the Maritimes we have a lot of Scottish ancestry, and in Fredericton in particular a world-class Pipe Band.

Have a look, ya know, if you're into this sorta thing.

Fredericton Society of St. Andrews Pipe Band, perform the strathspey "Captain Horne". As you can probably guess, there is always lots of beer consumed, by both audience and performers. And they still got mad rhythm.

And a drum salute (yes, it IS over 5min. long), 'cause I think it's wicked, and the Drum Corps leader (in the goofy lookin' hat)is my buddy.

Please share any ideas you may have about rhythm...

...and sure, even to Canadians.

kristiana — Wed, 01 Aug 2007 01:50:49 GMT

don't let the bass player's pouffy locks and leather pants distract ya. One of Canada's early punk bands - their first album reached gold-record status in Canada.

but the goddess at whose feet I really worship...

kristiana — Wed, 01 Aug 2007 00:40:57 GMT

hasn't even been mentioned yet?! Punk wars? There are a great deal of great punk rockin' women out there, but no woman has balls-out rocked so hard as Patti, IMHO (except PJ, of course. but she owes a great deal to Patti.)

...and the rockin' ladies

kristiana — Wed, 01 Aug 2007 00:17:04 GMT

Punk belongs to the ____ Generation

kristiana — Tue, 31 Jul 2007 23:52:26 GMT

Yeah, it's outta synch - use your imagination, kiddies.

He's Looking For A Home

kristiana — Wed, 18 Jul 2007 05:57:04 GMT

http://mog.com/kristiana/blog_post/68577#comments

The show I've been talking about since the end of April. The show I was going to make my way to, and when I got there my sign was going to say "Welcome Home".

It's been a long week since I found out my Grandfather died - there's been much sadness but much laughter, too.

To sit down on my first night alone since Thursday, and to turn to the concert I missed and find that it's all the sweeter for not having been there, and so so much more heartbreakingly NICE.

Nothing could have been more appropriate for me.

This will have to do for my review.

Ashley & Buddy opening the show...

First song...

Last song...

and the prickly thorn in between. (Ashley is playing the pipes)

One sound can hold back a thousand hands When the pipe plays a tune forlorn And the thistle is a prickly flower Aye, But how it is sweetly worn

Singing Li De Li De Li Oh Oh Well A Li De Li De Li Oh Oh Li De Li De Li Oh Oh Well A Li De Li De Li Oh Oh

For My Grampie...

kristiana — Thu, 12 Jul 2007 18:39:52 GMT

Adian Keith Green, R.I.P.

Because I have nothing better to do...

kristiana — Thu, 05 Jul 2007 16:01:04 GMT

Well, it's another rainy day here today, and I got tired of reading my book, so why not make a post about my bike ride the other day? Sure, ok!

After reading Sam's post about rain (http://mog.com/fistula_spume/blog_post/90098), and then another mogger commenting on my post that the concept of just "returning from the woods" was a foreign one, I decided to take a bike ride and take some pics to show just how pretty, and close, the woods are.

I like sharing pics of my home, I wish more moggers did. I like to see the environment that shapes people. Remember when Lester and Francois (poor Francois, where did he go?)used to post pics all the time? I really enjoyed that.

Anyways... so I started out listening to Good News For People Who Love Bad News. I wasn't really givin' 'er too hard, just a nice pace. By the time Bukowski came on, I was here:

Still some houses here and there, but basically in the country. And there was not a single other soul out on the trail, I had it all to myself.

I liked this image above.

Then by the time I got to the end of the album I came to a bridge crossing the river and saw a thunderstorm brewing on the horizon, very cool timing. I decided to bike into it until it became too difficult. What was the perfect song for biking into a thunderstorm? I picked Sometimes. It was pretty perfect. Then I turned the ipod off to listen to the many birds going apeshit and of course the thunder. The wind was actually slowing me down quite a bit, but I had it at my back on the way back.

Wha?!

kristiana — Mon, 02 Jul 2007 15:07:03 GMT

There have been no Canada Day posts?! Oh right - all the Canuck moggers are probably still in the woods or at the lake nursing hangovers or getting a start on a new one.

Well, I returned from the woods yesterday, a fun weekend spent with my Ma, my cousin and another great lady my Ma bartends with. I made margaritas, and we basically sat around the fire on our asses the whole weekend. Good food, good talks, good drinks, good women and good setting. What could be better?

There is so much good tunage I could choose from, old or new, but what the heck. Uncle Neil always does the trick.

Oh! Canada! Our home and...native land? Ha, yeah...I know, these patriotic holidays are always a little...uncomfortable, if one thinks about.

Oh well. I'm glad to be here, despite how it came about. To future healing!

Before we were told to call it "emo"...

kristiana — Wed, 27 Jun 2007 23:29:18 GMT

This is going way back. Something triggered this memory tonight, and lo and behold, no posts about Shotmaker, and maybe 2 people listening to them. This was one of the first bands I saw live that picked me up by the throat and made me think "what the fuck am I doing playing this pansyass poppy rock shit?".

Hailing from Ontario (Belleville I think?), with a whole lotta energy, here's Shotmaker. Probably Canada's best "emo" hardcore band. But I wouldn't really know. Just a guess.

The sound is muffled, looks like someone recorded form VHS. But still worth a look. If the first song doesn't grab ya, try the 2nd at 4:00, or even the 3rd at 6:00.

Holy Fuck, guys

kristiana — Mon, 25 Jun 2007 00:46:40 GMT

Careful, it's loud.

My Get-By Music

kristiana — Sun, 24 Jun 2007 23:06:19 GMT

Funny enough, it's Them. One particularly awful break-up long ago - many night drives in the rain by myself. Them on the shitty care stereo, light a smoke, "he's no good for you".

Recently I was driving back from Halifax alone, and it turned out to be a bloody awful rainstorm that night. Them came on, and I was reminded of the other times I thought I was a goner on such a night and how Them helped pull me through it.

May seem like a strange choice, but hey, works for me.

Now, of course, a classic cover.

Deals Under The Covers

kristiana — Sun, 24 Jun 2007 22:15:12 GMT

Sunday still covers day or wha? Did I miss the boat? Oh well.

Here are The Breeders doing a Guided By Voices song.

Feelin' freakin' funktastic this friday!

kristiana — Fri, 22 Jun 2007 15:35:50 GMT

With excitement brewing for a get-together with some of my fav moggers, and some wickedly good funk tracks laid down already today, and my man arriving home in a few hours, well, it's shaping up to be a funktastic friday!

I was just showing this clip to Cassie, who after watching intently (she is a real music lover, of all types so far!)proclaimed "that's where we are!"

Gods know what exactly she means by that, but I love it! Haha!

It Takes A Worried Man

kristiana — Fri, 22 Jun 2007 02:06:54 GMT

Ahhhh. As true today as in 1979. ...do you feel it, comrades?!

I just can't understand how anyone could not like Devo. I mean, I can. But I can't!

For a mogger pal - hope this lightens the mood. For Hermes, who is not sure yet what he thinks of De-volution. Should it be taught in the schools, or not? For me - 'cause it rocks.

Beware Evil Clowns.

Necessary Truths

kristiana — Thu, 21 Jun 2007 05:22:53 GMT

What am I still doing up at almost 2am? Why, listening to poetry and being nostalgic. What else. It was this or listen to the blues.

These 2 people changed my life at the tender age of 19. I was lucky enough to sit in classes every day with Jan, from literature to philosophy to environmental studies.

And then there was the creative writing class. I wasn't sure of myself, but I applied to the class anyway. About 8 of us were admitted. Jan and her partner, Don McKay, met with us once a week for an afternoon in "The Icehouse". Don liked my haiku. He lent me his copy of a collection of Ippekiro. I felt honored.

They complimented each other so well, in the classroom and in their relationship. I was a little bit in love with both of them. Or rather, as Conor put it, I loved their love, and I was thankful.

If you are interested in poetry, or mathematics, or necessary truths than the clip might interest you. And listen to Don's poems. All of them. He's one of Canada's best poets. And yet have you heard of him? And she, one of our great philosophers. I recommend Lyric Philosophy.

To the teachers who inspire us to live and grasp at beauty.

http://www.atwaterlibrary.ca/en/taxonomy/term/16?page=1

This ain't no holiday.

kristiana — Wed, 20 Jun 2007 23:11:17 GMT

Hey mog, how's it goin'? I haven't been around much lately - May was the month of weekend getaways. Then a couple of weeks ago my man got offered a job in a city 4hrs away for the summer. No biggie, but we were busy getting busy, and I've been down to Halifax the past 2 weekends, so, ya know.

So I thought I'd check in with yas - come in from my porch where I await a thunderstorm to hit, with a bottle of red wine. A very young Charles can partially express how I'm feeling right now (ah, minus the brother/sister thingymajiggy).

Rock on!

The Perfect Gift

kristiana — Mon, 18 Jun 2007 05:34:04 GMT

As children, my younger brother and I always dreaded "the Sunday drive". Through all the seasons, packed into the car, 8 tracks in the glove compartment, we would set off to explore every little corner of our province in particular, and sometimes further afield. New Brunswick is mostly forest, and one of my father's careers over the years was forest ranger. He knew of all kinds of unexplored gems, through his studies and also his fondness of exploring the road less traveled - "hey, let's see where this road goes...".

I'm sure we listened to many 8 tracks on those drives, but what always comes to mind is Fleetwood Mac, Jackson Browne, Pink Floyd, Kris Kristofferson, Neil Diamond, Kenny Rogers (in particular, The Gambler, Lucille...). Dad for the most part likes rocknroll, but Mama's a country fan (although I do recall a story about Dad throwing a Jefferson Airplane album out the window as Mom had listened to it WAY too much - to be fair, she may have just launched a brick-hard loaf of bread at his head - my, newly weds can be so touchy).

As I got older, I came to enjoy these drives with my Dad. My brother still didn't care for it, but every time Dad asked if I wanted to go for a drive or a walk in the woods I was there. We would find a good rock station, sometimes picking up American ones, and then the "name that song" game would ensue. The first couple of notes and Dad - "quick, what's that song?". I was always pretty good at it, and the quicker I got the more his eyebrows rose. He still does it, and still seems pleasantly surprised.

When I graduated from high school, Dad asked what I would think of a road trip, just the 2 of us, as his gift to me. I thought it was perfect. Time and money were a factor, so I said let's just go down to Maine, to this pleasant little town we had visited just the year before.

We had a great weekend, but the moment I remember in particular was the drive into town the first evening. We had had a few beers, laughing and telling stories, and then set off down the foggy highway (don't be concerned! American beer is like water to us Canadians:), in search of a nice meal. A Beatles song came on the radio - "quick, what song...". "Too easy, Dad." We then sang along at the top of our lungs.

He still asks me sometimes, "you remember that time...". Like I would forget.

So thanks again, Dad. For instilling in me a love and respect for music, for Nature, for the open road. And for Home.

...and some quotes from Dad's favorite writer & philosopher. Anyone able to guess who (without cheating? :)

"Any fool can make a rule, and any fool will mind it."

"Do not be too moral. You may cheat yourself out of much life. Aim above morality. Be not simply good; be good for something."

"Go confidently in the direction of your dreams! Live the life you've imagined. As you simplify your life, the laws of the universe will be simpler."

"How vain it is to sit down to write when you have not stood up to live."

"If you would convince a man that he does wrong, do right. But do not care to convince him. Men will believe what they see. Let them see."

"In wildness is the preservation of the world."

Hope all the swell fathers here on Mog had a good day.

Music - Pink and Blue

kristiana — Fri, 08 Jun 2007 03:26:16 GMT

"I never took one of Bement's classes at Columbia University, but one day walking down the hall I heard music from his classroom. Being curious I opened the door and went in. A low-toned record was being played and the students were asked to make a drawing from what they heard. So I sat down and made a drawing, too. Then he played a very different kind of record - a sort of high soprano piece - for another quick drawing. This gave me an idea that I was very interested to follow later - the idea that music could be translated into something for the eye."

This Is The Dream Of Win & Regine

kristiana — Wed, 06 Jun 2007 20:34:26 GMT

Wow, what an oversight! I tried searching for Final Fantasy in the artists lounge, didn't come up with anything. Neither for Owen Pallett. I was sure I had seen posts before...well anyways, let me now share this with you!

Probably better known for his work with The Arcade Fire, but damn good on his own!

(from Wiki) Owen Pallett is a violinist and singer from Toronto, and the principal member of the band Final Fantasy which is essentially a solo project, although Leon Taheny is also credited as drummer and engineer.

Pallett has been noted for his live performances, wherein he plays the violin into a sampler controlled by foot pedals, which then loops back one or more of the previously played musical phrases as he plays additional parts simultaneously, a technique also used by violinist Andrew Bird.

His previous projects included a 3-piece Toronto-based band, Les Mouches, now defunct. He was once the violinist of another Toronto band called Picastro. Pallett has also recorded and toured with Jim Guthrie, The Hidden Cameras, The Vinyl Cafe, and Arcade Fire (he co-wrote the strings arrangement for their albums Funeral and Neon Bible). One of his songs, "This Is the Dream of Win & Regine", was inspired by the principal members of the latter group, Win Butler and Régine Chassagne and is a play on a Dntel song called, "(This is) The Dream of Evan and Chan."

Get Loose With The Roots

kristiana — Fri, 01 Jun 2007 13:10:44 GMT

Here's some funk,Philly style.

The Bass Player

kristiana — Thu, 31 May 2007 02:07:09 GMT

ALWAYS bring cab fare.

We're all bass players here, right?

"That's how I know my day has begun"

kristiana — Wed, 30 May 2007 02:32:05 GMT

At night, I go crazy! Hey band,nice hair, see ya in England.

I'll eat pancakes on her grave.

Who wants a moustache ride with greg norton?

kristiana — Mon, 28 May 2007 05:23:35 GMT

We're Gonna Rise Above

kristiana — Mon, 28 May 2007 04:53:56 GMT

Greg Ginn rocks.

That is all.

For Want Of...

kristiana — Mon, 28 May 2007 04:23:32 GMT

a memory of what the heck monday's theme is anyways(grace?), and mondays being mondays, anybody wanna just go ahead and skip straight to punk rock tuesday...?

One of my favorites by these guys.

God loves the sensitive ones...

kristiana — Sat, 19 May 2007 15:47:15 GMT

My copy of Neon Bible was originally supposed to arrive in March, an anniversary gift. I've been waiting a long time for it, patiently, trying not to listen to any of the songs. Because this is how I wanted to experience it.

The delivery lady arrives with an album sized package, I run down the stairs as excited as a kid on christmas morning (the 2 month delay greatly increased this!). I rip it open and find all kinds of goodies from the swell folks at Insound - a 17 song cd with lots of stuff I've been meaning to listen to, bonus!; a nicely done booklet with interviews with great bands, talking about their relationship with vinyl; band collector cards causing me to laugh, swell; a poster; and last but not least a code so that I can now go download the whole album for free. All for being a vinyl fan!

And the vinyl is good quality, let me tell ya - not Albiniesque but pretty darn good. Ya know, ya pick it up and it has some heft to it.

I don't need to write yet another review, others have done so very well already. I concur with JammyJeff - it's an album which must be listened to as a whole. I suspected it would be, hence I needed it on vinyl.

Another point - I think the Springsteen comparisons are dead on, on a couple of songs, particularly Antichrist Television Blues. There are moments during that song when to me it IS Springsteen's voice. I threw on Johnny 99 immediately after and well, yep. But as Jeff pointed out there is also an urgent feel comparable to Born To Run.

I've listened to it sitting quietly beside my turntable, the glow of twinkly christmas lights sparkling in the black mirror of the spinning record.

I've listened to it while playing ping pong (and some records improve my game, seriously, haha, and this one did!)and simply had to put the game on pause while I danced around to 2 particular songs - Keep The Car Running and Antichrist Television Blues. I can't not dance to them.

I've listened to it through the open window as I sat on my porch, the sun setting and the rain coming down.

And the lyrics. Well. Many of them are achingly true. And Win's "dreams" eerily resemble some of mine. I would give you a "proper" review if I knew how, all I can say is "it's beautiful".

I have ears to hear.

MY "mogger of the week"

kristiana — Thu, 17 May 2007 14:40:37 GMT

Well, hard to say how well my recommendation of one mogger to the others will go. When I first came across "Great Dane" Henry I tried pointing people in his direction and got no response, save from Disco. But very quickly thereafter people embraced him, so...?

Anyways, mogger Magdalenus, based out of Phillie, does some interesting work with a video camera, has just started a live music blog with footage, and overall does some good writing - I particularly enjoy "The Poverty Jet Set" which you can find linked on his page.

Say hi! Ya know, if you're so inclined...

(this is an unofficial "mog recommendation, haha!)

And since he posted some Grizzly Bear today, let's keep the trend going!

#10.4 - Grizzly bear - The Knife
Uploaded by lablogotheque

It's you my love, you who are the stranger.

kristiana — Thu, 17 May 2007 03:29:44 GMT

I have so many favorites, it's hard to narrow down. But this may very well be it. And what a version.

Tourism New Brunswick

kristiana — Fri, 11 May 2007 13:10:09 GMT

and not the one in New Jersey.

Hello my mog friends. Planning a getaway this summer? Looking for something "crazy rustic"(thanks Mike), a place where time slows down to the point of standing still? Well, if you should ever care to visit this little corner of the world I'd be more than happy to point you towards some wonderful places to visit and stay, and more. I am, after all, an ambassador of good will for my country! :)

The Maritimes in summer are truly beautiful. Many places people would describe as "quaint". Here in New Brunswick we are blessed to border on the Bay of Fundy to the south - highest tides in the world and a mecca for birders and whale watchers, and Nature lovers in general. And of course your American dollar goes further here...

I thought about sharing this with you because I am lucky enough to be having my girlfriends take me away today to a spot we fell in love with last Fall. Ever since we turned 30 we have made a big deal about our birthdays, deciding that at least 4 times a year we could make an effort to get together somewhere a little closer to Nature and celebrate our friendship and Life.

If you would like a look at my dream home, take a look at the link and read the great article linked on the "home" page, as they said just about everything I would have said about the place. It's owned by an artist and her 11 year old son who have the 10 acres and private beach all to themselves. But are generous enough to share it with visitors like us.

http://www.anartistsgarden.com/contact.htm

I'm sorry, Macy, I do love you

kristiana — Tue, 08 May 2007 04:59:35 GMT

If it's 2am and you've had a few drinks and notice that there are really no posts about Macy Gray, what do you do?

While I've admitted to singing PJ in the shower, I have not let you in on my love of Macy. I think Macy is fabulous. She has a voice I fall in love with. I wanna at least be her neighbor. Don't you?

Well what the hell is wrong with you anyway?

Perfect Day

kristiana — Sun, 06 May 2007 18:00:45 GMT

Thinking of Dale's post the other day about the role of music in our relationships.

While my partner is not as into musical discoveries as I - he likes what he likes, and if he happens to hear something new that he likes, then great - music has certainly played a big role in our story. One time I did sit down and try to write down all the bands from the different phases of our relationship.

It was Spring. He introduced me to Ben Harper - I can't listen to Fight For Your Mind without going all soft. There was the impulsive drive to Montreal in the middle of the night which sealed the deal, listening to the Beastie Boys as we drove into the city triumphantly.

That first summer we had access to wheels, and we always seemed to be listening to the Chili Peppers' greatest hits; Midnight Marauders; Organix. I didn't have enough appreciation for Tribe and The Roots until that summer. Oh those summer nights. And mornings. And afternoons.

Thailand - we brought a limited amount of cds with us. When I think of our year in Thailand, the soundtrack consists of lots of Morcheeba, Moby's 18, The Strokes, the Stones, the Trainspotting soundtrack. Listening to T.B. Sheets as we drove in the luxury of a friend's car (usual transport was a jam-packed mini-van)into Phuket for the first time, my girlfriend and I smoking and drinking wine coolers in the backseat ready for a crazy night out on the town.

Sitting in the sunshine at the front of a ferry headed for Ko Samui one (late)morning, listening to the Stones on a walkman I purchased which had a built in speaker, again, drinking wine out of a thermos I had brought (Dave laughed at me, but had acquired a thirst by this point). Some crazy drunk German guy named Axel who had caught the same mini-van in our town to the ferry. We hadn't spoken until now when he stopped and said "the Stones!", and I offered him some wine. That's a whole other story. Turns out we were going to the same spot, and had been there at the same time before. We met TWO crazy Axels that weekend!

Even though I'm not a big fan of Coldplay, I do have a soft spot for them because the bar that was to become our local hang-out always ended up playing Yellow at the end of the night. And the crazy Israeli my girlfriend hooked up with and is now married to always asked them to put on Oasis, so I have a soft spot for certain of their songs too. Good times with good friends.

(boy, ends up sounding like we drank an awful lot - let's just say it was healthy to blow off steam. Plus we were living in a tropical paradise, I mean, c'mon.)

When I asked Dave which band I had introduced him to that he appreciated the most it was The Velvet Underground/Lou Reed. Perfect Day has become the song that when played we intuitively reach for one another's hand during that long car ride.

Landlocked Blues is another that has us singing together with feeling side by side in the kitchen while making dinner. While he may not be the most romantic guy in the world, we do have many perfect days.

Now here's a nice little video of shots around New York set to Perfect Day. Hope you have one!

Too Far From Home

kristiana — Sat, 05 May 2007 16:51:42 GMT

Ok, mog, again with the jumping the gun on the age update. I've still got 5 days left! ;)

Random thoughts for your perusal: Listening to CBC this morning while making breakfast, Chris Jones was being interviewed about the book he wrote about the 3 men who were to be abandoned on the space station for 6 months after the Columbia disaster. I had never thought nor read about what they went through. It was interesting, and poetic as hell.

For instance, when one of them describes realizing that their friends and colleagues really were dead as he folded up the chess board (the last words spoken between himself and one of the crew on board the Columbia were the next chess move), he began to cry, and the tears of course pooled up in front of his eyes and he had to brush them away and they floated in the space around him like snowflakes.

Picture that.

I guess maybe I should have picked a space-themed song for this post. But I just stumbled across this video and really liked it, that's all.

He does mention a supernova though.

#2.1-J Lekman-Happy Birthday,Sweet Lisa
Uploaded by lablogotheque

Do Not Go Without A Sense Of Humour Into That Good Night

kristiana — Thu, 03 May 2007 23:04:05 GMT

So I attended a funeral yesterday. It's been a long time, and I haven't been to many, thankfully. I knew one would be coming up in the near future as my mother is the youngest of 8 siblings, who are all getting up there. I have a huge extended family and there were many cousins there I hadn't seen in years so amidst the sadness it was nice to catch up with everyone.

Now my aunt who passed away was, above everything else, a funny funny woman. She never skipped a beat and was always taking the piss outta everyone she met. She also was very opinionated and had a temper which was also a grace as you always knew where you stood with the woman. No bullshit. But lord she made us laugh.

At one point I found myself in the kitchen with my mother and a bunch of my other womenfolk, and it was so beautiful to realize to what extent we all share the same crass silly humour and ability to laugh during the bad times. A whole clan of hopeless romantics, heart-broken romantics and yeah of course a drunk or two thrown in.

Now, when Amazing Grace was played at the beginning of the funeral, ok, expected. Then a third of the way through, oh yes, that goddamn Bette Midler. Cringe. And then to finish it off...Rose Colored Glasses?

While not a surprise as I've heard this song a million times at family get-togethers, or Mom listening to it alone upstairs, I still paused when it started to play and thought "is this really appropriate? a song about how fucked-up relationships can be?" Pretty simplistic of me.

Why the hell not? Who am I to judge what parting song my aunt chose - the woman who sat across from my uncle and kept him laughing all these years, despite the hard times.

This coming Sunday would have been their 50th wedding anniversary.

Yeah, what the hell do I know.

here's some guys sitting around doing a bluegrass version of it, if you care to...

I don't know why I keep on believin' you need me,

When you've proved so many times that it ain't true,

And I can't find one good reason for stayin',

Maybe my leaving would be the best for you,

But these rose colored glasses, that I'm looking through

Show ooo.......nly the beauty, cause they hide all the truth,

And they let me hold on to the good times, the good lines,

The ones I used to hear when I held you,

And they keep me from feeling so cheated, defeated,

When reflections in your eyes show me a fool

But these rose colored glasses, that I'm looking through

Show ooo.......nly the beauty, cause they hide all the truth,

So I just keep on hopin', believin that maybe,

By countin the many times that I've tried,

You'll believe me when I say I love you and

I'll lay these rose colored glasses aside,

But these rose colored glasses, that I'm looking through

Show ooo.......nly the beauty, cause they hide all the truth,

Oh baby!

kristiana — Sat, 28 Apr 2007 17:41:29 GMT

So we've all heard by now about the cross-Canada tour. I was pretty excited to hear about this, to say the least. But it just doubled as I sipped my first coffee of the day and looked into the venues. I had wondered if there was any chance they would choose a spot in Cape Breton for the Nova Scotia stop.

See, Jack has a connection with this, one of my favorite places in the world. It is an understatement to say that Capers are some of the nicest, funniest and funnest people you'll come across (ok, Newfies too). And every other Caper is a musician, no shit. There is nothing like being at a party in Cape Breton, when the guitars and fiddles inevitably come out and everyone can jump in. Formally, these get-togethers are called Céilidhs.

But back to Jack - his family tree has some roots in Cape Breton, through a grandma I think it is. Anyways, he's related to some other well-known musicians from CB - Natalie & Buddy McMaster, and Ashely MacIssac. Cousins, I believe.

So not only have they indeed chosen a small town in Cape Breton for their Nova Scotia show, but the date is also their 10th anniversary! And the venue is a funky lookin' kitschy theatre (inhabited by a ghost, no less!) To see some photos of the venue, and if you like ghost stories (the best photos of the venue are under the ghost link), here's the link: http://www.savoytheatre.com/

"To enter the Savoy Theatre is to step back In time. It was built by MacSween Contractors for its owner, John Connors, in the nineteen-twenties, to the specifications of the famed Victorian show houses." Perfection!

I am so there. And maybe if we get lucky there will be a typical Céilidh which goes on all night after, maybe with some special guests. I can dream.

For the once and future little girls...

kristiana — Thu, 26 Apr 2007 22:34:29 GMT

Part of my day is spent taking care of children. As some of you know by now, a very cool little boy named Colm used to grace me with his presence. His parents finished school last week, so he no longer would be coming on a regular basis. So here I was, bummed out wondering what shit job I would search for out there in the real world with my useless psychology degree, having decided that maybe I wouldn't look for another child to care for.

Then I get a call the day after Colm's last day from a mother frantically looking for someone to take care of her daughter. Of course daycares have long waiting lists, as I'm sure they do everywhere. She had seen an old ad I put up in a grocery store back in the Fall. I wasn't expecting any calls at this point.

So this week I met Cassandra. She is three and a half.

As soon as we came in the door she spied my guitar and I asked if she'd like to hear me play. She was transfixed. Then I brought her upstairs and showed her my bass, and turned on the amp. She wanted to play too, so we started "making music", and she kept wanting to switch back and forth. She dug it. And she has an attention span, imagine! Then I sang for her.

Now she is always asking to "make music", and asking for me to sing. Well, this is awfully heart-warming, to say the least. There are so many cool little things she says and does, all very poetic and touching.

We also like to put my ipod on shuffle and dance in the kitchen, on the porch, where ever. She is a big fan of spinning around, laughing all the while. Today she demanded that I play my bass ("LOUD!")and sing while she spun and ran around the room. My kind of girl, unbelievably so.

What kind of luck do I have?

This afternoon we were dancing in the kitchen, but she wanted me to lift her up and hold her while we danced. We spun for awhile, looking at each other and laughing. Then Doll Parts came on. I slowed down and swayed, and sang along softly. She put her head down on my shoulder, and when we get to the "someday you will ache like I ache" part, I'm overcome with such a tender sadness beyond my puny words, thinking of the little girl I was, that we all were, ladies.

I held her tight. We can never hold each other tight enough.

I Love You Lou

kristiana — Mon, 23 Apr 2007 05:56:44 GMT

I wish we were farmers...

kristiana — Mon, 23 Apr 2007 05:33:23 GMT

That one song...

kristiana — Sat, 21 Apr 2007 20:38:32 GMT

I always come back to this song when I pick up my guitar. It's simple, I love Springsteen's delivery. Shit, Nebraska is a fine fine album.

And I always think of the story which Andy, the drummer for my former band Nebraska Girl, told about sleeping with this album under his pillow when he was a kid.

In Nebraska.

That's a whole lotta Nebraska.

one more siren before I go...

kristiana — Fri, 20 Apr 2007 20:57:39 GMT

I've been wondering what the quiet Christian girl who lives in the other half of the house thinks when she hears me through the wall belting out PJ Harvey songs in the shower...

I feel I do PJ the best - voice-wise, and attitude-wise. Now here's a favorite I've posted before but it's that good.