Tobias Jesso Jr's debut album Goon was released this week on March 17. For the life of me I can't recall what first piqued my interest, Did I hear a clip of it on the radio, or read about it, or maybe I just heard his name somewhere? And I can't recall what made me type his name into Rdio to see if I could hear the album on Tuesday. But I do recall feeling incredibly disappointed when nothing came up and I wasn't going to hear more of Arts & Crafts newest artist. Turns out, I was typing Jesse and not Jesso because on Wednesday morning when I pulled up Rdio's new releases, there it was! As you may already know, it's not very often that something grabs me the first time I hear it. This album did, in a perfect combination of talent and speaking right to my soul, I can't stop listening.
Their first single since their debut album from 2011. I think it's safe to say that I have been waiting some time for this... I'm trying not to be too critical as a result of the built up anticipation. My Head is an Animal is one of those albums that I can listen to any time, happy, sad, grumpy, tired etc. I saw them in 2013 at the CBC Music Fest at Echo Beach. It was a great venue and they sounded just as good in person. I'm not IN LOVE with this song but I don't hate it. Let's see what the album has to offer when it comes out June 9. It's Sunday morning and I've been up since 6:28 am thanks to a cat who felt the need to sing the song of his people. Despite him being sent outside, I haven't been able to fall back asleep. I've read most of the internet by now, and listened to a bunch of music but I don't have anything to share. I don't even think I have any profound thoughts to share, not that I usually do. But anyway. Here I am. I watched the sunrise, except it was covered in a layer of cloud so really I just watched it get lighter out. I can't get quite comfortable in my bed but it's so cozy I don't think I'll get out until I have to. I'm thinking about packing and moving, about all the things I need to do before then. All the clutter I want to remove from my life. About missing the large windows and high ceilings of this apartment...and the possessed cat who attacked the wall this morning. I'm thinking about the arts, about music, photography, writing and drawing...I'm wondering how many people there are like me out there (a zillion). With lots to say but no one* to say it to. It's easy to get distracted when it seems like there is no point. But it's inside of me and the wheels keep on turning and no matter how many Netflix marathons I get sucked into it doesn't go away. I don't know what else...other than I have a bunch of shit to do today and I don't want to get out of bed. And for an unknown reason, painting my nails pink has moved the top of the list. It feels as though once I they are painted, everything ever will suddenly make sense.
*i don't mean no one, because if you're reading this, you're obviously some one (unless you're a robot or something) but I think what I mean is that between running around to and from a job that is completely unrelated, and an otherwise busy life, it feels like I don't have time. Sometimes I wish it was the majority of my time and not when all the chores are done and I have the energy. But that would involve risks and that's not my style. Mad respect to all you risk takers. in·vo·ca·tion I liked this video. If you take 3 minutes to watch and listen, you might recognize Ze Frank's voice - I did. But from where? A little research and I realized he was responsible for one of my favourite videos - Sad Cat Diary and a billion other cool videos about animals and life stuff. I think after a long, dark winter we might all feel a bit stuck in a terrible place between 0 and 1. Unless you're super human or something. I feel like this is something I should listen to on a semi-regular basis. I am so relieved to know I'm not the only person who is sometimes ruled by a cheese monster. The last line, though, was my favourite, and so very important to me: And god let me enjoy this. Life isn’t just a sequence of waiting for things to be done. I learned a new word today:
e·phem·er·a əˈfem(ə)rə/ noun
I'm listening to Emile Haynie's debut album, We Fall, at the moment and it's blowing me away. I posted a song from it below (Come Find Me) which I instantly loved. The album, released yesterday, does not disappoint. In addition to collaborating with Lykke Li who I love, the album also features Brian Wilson, Rufus Wainwright, Lana Del Rey, Randy Newman, Father John Misty AND MORE. Is your head exploding? Mine is. Quite honestly, I hadn't heard of Emile Haynie until yesterday. After reading more about him, I'm surprised that his name wasn't familiar because he has produced quite a few artists. He's from Buffalo, New York, which instantly makes me admire him (I love Buffalo), and I think you all know what I'm trying to say here: I have a massive crush on him, creatively. A creative crush. And check out this album cover, which looks like my own personal heaven. Sigh.
I went to see Red Army last night in an almost empty theatre at Yonge and Dundas, my first time there. That theatre is massive! I think I went up ten escalators. The documentary tells the story of the Soviet Union's Red Army hockey team in a series of interviews with the captain Slava Fetisov, and some of the other Russian Five. Insightful commentary on both hockey and socialism, it really made an impact on me. We only see a fraction of what the players went through, and what it was like living in Russia at that time. It's enough to make you think about how fortunate we are to live in Canada. You also see the benefits of dedication, hard work and structure alongside creativity and the camaraderie and trust that exists between teammates. The best examples of that seemed to be under the coach Anatoli Tarasov. I tried to find a clip of him on youtube but they aren't as good - so just watch the movie and see for yourself. It's like trying to find a dark cat in a dark room, it's not funny I always feel like somebody's watching me. Are you singing it now too? I can't read or think those words without singing it and I'm going to be singing it for the rest of the day. Ever since I woke up to this stink glare from the fluffiest cat on the planet. It's a two way street though, I spend a lot of time staring at him. My stare is just less menacing and more loving. He clearly wants something from me, and my guess is tuna. This cat is insatiable. More so than any cat I have ever met. Although when I think about it, I haven't known too many cats. I don't want to give him too much credit. Living with him has definitely increased the amount of time I spend singing that Rockwell song (in my head of course). And I will admit, whether or not he is plotting my death or just wanting something, I feel pretty special when those eyes are directed at me.
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VictoriaSpeculations in and around Toronto. Music. Pictures. Kittens. Whatever. Archives
July 2016
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