"I still owe money to the money to the money I owe"

I know it is only November, but my favourite album of 2010 is High Violet by The National.

You really need to go buy it.

That is all.

Song Du Jour Bloodbuzz Ohio by The National

"I need the darkness, someone please cut the lights..."

When I found out Arcade Fire was finally coming back to Alberta I quickly got my posse together and bought tickets through the fan club and got GA! I was going to be on the floor to see this...I could not believe my luck! The Coral in Calgary seats about 7,000 so this was like a dream come true!

We drove down to Calgary on the day of the concert and like a keener I went down to the Stampede grounds to check out the GA line up. Sadly, the kindly, older gentleman at the gate had never heard of "The Arcade Fires Band" so he checked his list and told me..."The Fires Band doesn't start until tonight, you have to come back later..."

I did my best to explain the intricacies of General Admission process to this fellow, "but there will be fans in line already so if I could just...." and while I spoke the look on his face told me, 'shush now, he's never going to let you in....'

And he didn't (There was a line up of hard core fans that I met later, but they walked in and did not have to deal with the gatekeeper). So, plan B, I went over to get my friend JT and he was reluctant to go back when I wanted to so by the time we got there they were just about to open the gates. I met some of my fellow U2 fans in line, which came as no shock to me.

We piled to the front of the GA (Edgeside) and with only 2 other people in front of us and I was pretty impressed with our spot given we had just arrived. Then the wait began and for me it was business as usual but there was a moment where I turned to JT and said, "seriously are you just going to complain the whole night?" GA is really all about patience. I have learned to wait it out because it is worth it, but JT was not so sure, and I knew I could not convince him, we'd have to wait for the show to start for him to appreciate it. And he did. Oh...he did.

The opening band, Calexico--and I forgot my sombrero--played an accordion and all manner of odd instruments! Bizarre.

Listen, I knew I was in for a great show, I had seen Arcade Fire on Austin City Limits and even through my TV I could tell it was something special, but HOLY FUCKING SHIT.

The energy level they exude is unbelievable and the way their live show builds in intensity is really incredible. They fired up a phenomenal set list and we were off!

Ready to Start
Month of May
Keep the Car Running
Neighborhood #2 (Laika)
No Cars Go
Haïti
Sprawl II (Mountains Beyond Mountains)
Modern Man
Rococo
The Suburbs
The Suburbs (Continued)
Neighborhood #1 (Tunnels)
Ocean of Noise (with Calexico)
We Used to Wait
Neighborhood #3 (Power Out)
Rebellion (Lies)
Encore:
Intervention
Suburban War

Wake Up

Actually, I found myself really enjoying the new songs the most! The ethereal Sprawl II still sticks in my mind, it was so beautiful, almost haunting.

Wim is on the piano in this one...loved that, they are all over the place!

The last song of the night was Wake Up when I look at this I can't believe how awesome it was to sing that with everybody, I was fist pumping and singing..."ooooooooh, oooooh, ooooooooh, oh, oh, oh, oooooooohhhh... At the 3:24 mark I thought I was going to bounce right out...the whole floor pulsated with people there!

When Regine steps forward at 5:15 she touches my hand in there, I told her I loved her. LOL! I was all high off the concert....seriously concerts are like my biggest addiction....that song, it just explodes! The passion they play with, it is phenomenal. (I need better adjectives, there is nothing I can find to describe how it hits you in the chest!) I loved the whole show, it went really fast and was over before I knew it. The most intense song was Rococco...really intense. More than I ever could have imagined. Wim (lead singer) got really focused before he started and it was very powerful. A night I will never forget.....

Song Du Jour ~ No Cars Go by Arcade Fire

"Once I had a love and it was a gas...it soon turned out to be a pain in the ass.." Blondie

Over the weekend I steeped myself in music culture and took in Blondie on Saturday night and got up close and personal on Sunday night with Fran Healy from Travis. A very satisfying weekend, indeed.

First, Saturday night, I made my way out to the tent at River Cree Resort and Casino which was packed to the rafters and AMEN they've stopped allowing smoking inside so there was no thick haze to wade through. Now I came to this Blondie show with ridiculous notions and all of them were completely obliterated by the time they performed Rapture.

You see, the first memory I have of Blondie is from my 5 year old mind, my Mother loved Blondie and listened to them all the time and we would dance in the living room to Call Me.
They are cool defined I thought, and as I grew up Blondie always managed to avoid that awkward, 'everybody hates Blondie stage' and we still used to party to Blondie and dance and sing if they played Blondie in the bar...But, I never did see them live, never thought I would have the chance. From history I thought Debbie Harry would be brooding and sullen and 'angsty'.

Wrong. I was amazed when out pops this wee firecracker in a see through white tutu and punk rock jean jacket and belts and busts into D-Day. Debbie Harry, looking great, sounding phenomenal and strutting up there like Dolly Parton sans the giant knockers, she was AWESOME! Funny and entertaining and they sang some new songs and then...then came Rapture. The first rap song. Ever. I am not kidding, look it up. She rapped. I can now say that I have witnessed that, it is awesome. And so was Blondie.
From the 1970's fast forward 20 years or so to '98 when my co-worker Bryony Stone from Scotland says one day, "hey you would love Travis, ever heard of them?" And...They became one of my favourite bands. And Bryony and I are still pen pals to this day.

Then this summer rumours were flying that Fran Healy, lead singer of Travis, is working on a solo album and might tour so imagine my delight when I actually got tickets.

Sunday night Fran Healy came to the Starlite Room-- just him and his guitar and he sang, sang, sang and talked, talked, talked and we never wanted it to end. The place was crawling with U2 fans. You couldn't have swung a dead cat without plowing down some U2 fans. And not just part-timers, hard core, uber U2 fans who have seen way more gigs than I have. One guy I spoke to had never heard of Travis at all, but had come with his buddy. His buddy was the dude crying 'man tear' after 'man tear' and closing his eyes and singing every word of every song with Fran.

Fran sang some new songs, I thought of Alan Cross and how much he would love this, cause he's a music geek too and he would have loved knowing all the tidbits about each song. He spoke of love when he sang his new one, "Buttercups" and wowed us with tales about Meko Case and Paul McCartney who are both featured on his new one, Wreckorder (out October 5th). Oh and it is pronounced, "recorder"...he wanted me to pass that on.

Fran spoke of becoming a father when he wrote "My Eyes". Then he sang 20:

I was 5 feet away! He talked to the audience and we got to ask a few questions, "how many push ups did you have to do for the video shoot of Turn?" LOL! His answer was hilarious because it involved many takes and he was vibrating through most of it! LOL! He explained the genesis of all the songs he sang, then he sang them--that voice...I love his voice.

I think every music fan daydreams about the opportunity to sit and talk about music with a talented songwriter...so throughout the night at Starlite Room I kept catching my mouth agape with awe, trying not to be so struck by the incredible songs and stories pouring out of Fran on that stage. I just could not believe I was lucky enough to be a part of that.

Then he sang Driftwood: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zzUdJ-5fscA . Then he sang The Humpty Dumpty Love Song and I cried, it was so beautiful.

It was over too fast. It came to the point where he was to "do the encore thing" which we all agree is so over. He admitted what they, the band, do in that in between (whilst the audience is supposed to kill itself clapping and begging for more) for a moment or two backstage, "mostly tripping over wires in the dark". LOL! So he proposed a postmodern encore. He said Goodnight...then he walked to the curtain and back and then turned and came right back and picked up his guitar for more. (For the record, apparently the same night in San Fransisco, Kings of Leon also rebuked the traditional bullshit of the encore and played through, saying they didn't want to waste any time that could be filled with song-- these steps towards abolishing the whole archaic encore shite warms my heart...but I digress)

The encore was great, he did 3 more songs for us, filled us up with a bit more joy and sent us on our way. It was a really special night. A night I will not forget and my friend Bryony will be super jealous of when I tell her in my next letter. Muwahaha!

Currently my favourite song off Suburbs is:

Song Du Jour: City With No Children by Arcade Fire

And guess who just got GA for the Calgary gig in September? SO EXCITED to finally get to see Arcade Fire live.

"What you got, they can't steal it, No they can't even feel it..."

Yesterday My Cousin was admitted to the Bar. We, her family, friends, teammates, and colleagues, packed into the Law Courts (first we removed our shoes and belts and got searched -holy security!). It was a really nice ceremony, in a courtroom with a judge, and her Principle who was recommending her roasted her a bit which made it really funny (and embarrassing for her) and took the edge off the very formal nature of the proceedings.

To be there to see that moment with her was really something special, and it really showed me how many people it takes to support us through our lives. All those people that gathered there yesterday have touched her life, each in a special way, which made her who she is today. Just like she has made me who I am today with her support of me. It was all very joyful and I needed my tissues. a lot.

Then we went back to her firm and got loaded on free beers. She also has a really cool office and it makes her look so damned official.

Kinda weird to see her all grown up and to hear other people, (older, professional people!) talk about her with such admiration. It was a total love-in. LOL! I am so proud of her.

But you know the best part? She is still just MCD.

Song Du Jour: Walk On by U2 (of course....)

Let your soul and spirit fly into the mystic - Van Morrison

Finally got to see the man himself last night, the one and only, Mr. Van Morrison.


My first experience at the Folk Music Festival was rather magical. The backdrop of the city combined with the most beautiful sunset and a mass of humanity on a hill soaking up the musical offering...man, it was awesome. I really enjoyed all the violin, it was amazing, he has such an awesome band.
They gave us candles on the way in and as twilight fell to darkness each concert goer lit there wee candle to create a milky way. Seeing all those lights on that hill from the top to the bottom made Van jump right into Gloria to get us up off our butts, which were asleep by this time, and watch all those candles sway with the dancers! It was a perfect ending.

The Edmonton Folk Music Festival really has an incredible infrastructure running it, from the volunteers to the security, it was so well organized. Although I did not eat anything I could see plates (yes, actual plates they will wash and use again!) of heaping salads, fruits, healthy Curry dishes and Bison Burgers with Saskatoon Berries. They also have the crap you want like those wee crack 'donuts' but, I was impressed with how much fresh food was available. It would have been awesome if I could have filled up my water bottle on site, instead of having to buy those 2 blue bottles.
I love that they really keep their eco footprint small and all the "Folkies" clean up after themselves and don't leave anything behind.

Song Du Jour - Suburbs by Arcade Fire....I mean seriously the album is out, you should get it.
Here is a link to the Video

"As hard as it can get, there are still moments where the four of us can shut out the world." - Adam Clayton

"The editors of SPIN have ranked the most influential releases since the magazine's 1985 beginnings - and Achtung Baby (AB) comes in at No.1. 'U2's most immediately dynamic music since 1982's War, and its most emotionally frank songs to date, capturing that particular early-'90s rub of boundless possibility and worn-down despair... 'One' became an indelible anthem because it admitted 'we're not the same' but urged that we've gotta 'carry each other' nonetheless. The squalling swagger of 'The Fly' resonated due to the rock star at its center confessing he's a liar and a thief. And for 'Mysterious Ways,' the Edge somehow concocted a jubilantly snarling riff that transformed Bono's gospel come-on...' "

I love that article in Spin.

I think I love what AB means to me, over and above it being one of the best albums musically and lyrically. It reminds me of my 1992 adventure through the Rockies to see U2 in concert for the first time. I can't listen to that album without feeling the way I felt then. When I think of Vancouver it is this album that is the soundtrack behind my memories. On the bus ride down, listening on my NEW "discman"! One-- the epic breakup song...Is there anyone that doesn't struggle to find the words to express how much that song means to them? It is so personal. So intimate.

It is bound by our humanity and AB puts to music the feelings I find so hard to express; Pure Joy and happiness to complete heart searing loss.
I love the way AB can make me smile and dance and think and cry. It also rocks!

Track List
Zoo Station Lyrics
Even Better Than The Real Thing Lyrics
One Lyrics
Until The End Of The World Lyrics
Who's Gonna Ride Your Wild Horses Lyrics
So Cruel Lyrics
The Fly Lyrics
Mysterious Ways Lyrics
->Song Du Jour: Tryin' to Throw Your Arms Around the World Lyrics
Ultraviolet (Light My Way) Lyrics
Acrobat Lyrics
Love Is Blindness Lyrics

Youtube Playlist

A man will rise, a man will fall from the sheer face of love like a fly from a wall..."

After purchasing tickets today I punched in my hometown into the Ticketmaster search engine and whilst browsing the list I played that game--that if I could enter into any event on that list, free of charge here, which events would I attend (it made me laugh) :

Band of Skulls
Simon & Garfunkel
Stars
Civil Twilight with Elias & Wool On Wolves
David Gray
The Buzzcocks
Public Enemy
New Pornographers
An Horse
Tom Petty and The Heartbreakers and Joe Cocker
U2 360º Tour
Lilith
Deadmau5 (Live)
Blue Oyster Cult
Juliette Lewis
Vans Warped Tour
Blondie

Things I never thought I would say after 1984: "I am going to see Buzzcocks and Blondie this year!"
SonicBoom is not listed yet (Sonic 102.9 will announce the line up on Monday, April 26th at 8 a.m.) but I am totally going to that too. I am really jonesing for some Foo Fighters live and to see KoL again.

Of this list I have tickets to 7 of the events, some of them I would not go to if I had to pay I just want to go to watch the spectacle--you know, "fly on the wall events". That is some eclectic list if I do say so myself. AND we haven't even hit May yet, soon there will be even more to see!

Song Du Jour: Letters From The Sky by Civil Twilight

“Coincidence is the word we use when we can't see the levers and pulleys.” Emma Bull

This week I got to see my beloved Oilers twice, the last 2 home games of the season. It was pretty freaking exciting! I know the season sucked sure, but the fans are still so very amazing. As we won both nights my streak of the Oilers winning when I am in the building is now 2 for 2. I am going to start keeping track...I wish I had started back in 2006 because my stats would be impressive; I just know it. At the end of the thrilling game on Wednesday the crowd stood and gave our boys a standing 'O' after such a challenging year. They raised their sticks and for a moment it was a classic meeting of Thoreau's Mutual Admiration Society.

I am so proud to live in Edmonton and be in the company of such big hearted fans. Even if they boo Horcoff relentlessly. I will forgive you if your passion for the game blinds you this one time...Hockey here is so much more than just a game.

It is also noteworthy that Patrick Hendricks won a car at the Oilers Game, the winner of the 50/50 draw was a Mrs. Hendricks and, "Matt Hendricks tapped a goalmouth rebound under Jeff Deslauriers with seven minutes left in the third to tie the Game 4-4." Recap: http://www.nationalpost.com/sports/story.html?id=2775566#ixzz0kcOE1O3T

What does it all mean Universe? What does it all mean?

Wish my last name was Hendricks.....

In remembrance of Malcolm McLaren who passed away this week I dedicate the Song Du Jour: SEX PISTOLS - Anarchy in the UK - rare live at sweden 1977

Who is Malcolm McLaren?

"this journey...has filled me with the power and courage to discover life’s lessons" ~ Agnes Nyamayarwo

Today, in the mail, a package arrived with some lovely crafts I ordered from Uganda. The goal is to help an organization I have followed for a long time but whenever a package arrives from the Mulago Positive Woman's Network I wish that I could do more.

It is simply space and time that separate me from these women in Uganda but as I live my life parallel to them I consider what invisible chains hold me back from changing my life. Comparing tales of adversity is not really what I want to do, in those terms my struggle is dwarfed, but it certainly gives me another healthy dose of perspective.

Here I am in the first world feeling held back by my circumstances. Seems ridiculous, no? I don't make 'enough' money, I don't own a home, I don't have a 'nice' car. There is a lot of pressure to get these things. I look at my friends who have these things and I sometimes I wish I had them too. Unfortunately, I have never been motivated by money. I am surrounded by a consumerist society that encourages me to keep up with the newest things to what end? Where is the merit in that? I don't fit in.

Surely, I would last about 10 seconds in the third world but sometimes, today especially, I wish I could go there to shake up my world and my sense of privilege. Nobody here in Canada would ever call me privileged as I live just over the poverty line here but I feel rich beyond all imagination when it comes to life experiences and love. I just wish that seemed to matter. But my wish will remain just that. Today I feel inspired yet trapped...and philosophical, apparently.

Song Du Jour: When I Look at The World by U2

wtf Blogger why won't you post this with the spaces between the paragraphs? They are there, honest.

"Everything about you resonates happiness now I won't settle for less..."

Music is pretty important to me yet, it is hard to pinpoint the exact reason why I love music the way I do and, I struggle to find words to explain the emotions it brings out in me. Muse played Rexall Place Monday night and peeps, if you get a chance to see a Muse gig, take it, you will be rewarded!

Hearing music live gives a song a chance to fly and I love being at a concert when songs soar and that's what Muse did --they let their songs soar and (lucky, lucky us) brought us along for the flight.

First, I must mention Silversun Pickups! They opened the show and really performed well in a larger setting like Rexall! Their light show was also really well done and they seem to really like Edmonton. They explained they were out on the Ave on Sunday night and at Sherlock Holmes Pub their song, Substitution came on while they were there and they really got a kick out of hearing it. They are going to be headlining their own shows at Rexall soon enough. "Locked and Loaded!"


The waiting between SSPU's and Muse was pretty hard for this lady. I actually had butterflies in my tummy in anticipation! Then the lights went down and cue Uprising!

Nevermind the laser show and amazing set on stage which were visually stunning...or the great audience who sang and sang along...

The star of this show? The MUSIC! Shit, these dudes are talented!
The sound was amazing. The band performed so well I was literally taken aback. How Matt Bellamy brings his incredible voice to peaks and valley's and manages to be pitch perfect AND not miss a note....all while dancing about the stage playing his guitar like a man possessed? I have no idea! It was really amazing to watch just him! And his bright blue leather pants!

When Matt sat down to the piano for Ruled By Secrecy I just let it wash over me, that was really special, here is my video...not the best but...

With creepy eyeballs falling from the rafters and laser beams galore there was plenty for your eyes to feast on, but the music really did sound like someone is playing the disc for you. Yes, that good!

My favourite parts were "Bliss" (yay!) and the haunting and lovely Undisclosed Desires (I was waiting for it and just loved that performance, so beautiful!).

But "Knights of Cydonia" (clip at the bottom) at the very end had the whole place bouncing and I have to admit it was not my favourite Muse song, but I never saw it live!

They let loose on the crowd with such power...the buildup and explosion of that song live is incredible! I loved watching the GA come apart during that song. The energy was amazing and I will do what ever I can to see them again! and again, and again I hope.
See the rest of my videos from Muse here .

Thanks to @melwitsa for the photos!

Setlist: Uprising , Resistance, New Born, Supermassive Black Hole, Interlude, Hysteria, Bliss, Nishe, United States Of Eurasia, Ruled by Secrecy, Helsinki Jam, Undisclosed Desires,Starlight, Unnatural Selection, Time Is Running Out, Plug In Baby. Encore: Exogenesis: Symphony, Part 1: Overture, Stockholm Syndrome, Knights of Cydonia

Song Du Jour: "Knights of Cydonia" live in Edmonton (watch the lid come off rexall at the .55 second mark...I get goosebumps just watching it again--honestly..it was freaking amazing!)