Free Tunes

So apparently, the new thing for independent musicians is to give away their albums for free digital download. This is interesting to me because when Cory last visited Toronto we were talking at length about the end of the album sale. To be honest, now that I've given it some more thought, I think this is pretty much where the industry is going.

This is bad news for big time musicians and labels but kind of good news for independent musicians. The only real way to make money as an artist now is by touring or selling your music for corporate purposes (yucky). But the relative cheapness of digital download (once the music is recorded, it doesn't cost the artist any more money to give the tunes away online) means that many artists now are offering their albums for free download and in return asking simply that you share it on Facebook/Twitter etc. This way they get their music to a bigger audience and hopefully sell more tickets to their next show. HMMM, very interesting. I took grade 11 economics (which apparently nobody at any record company ever did) so I recognize the power of cost and demand, and lets be realistic, nobody is going to demand MP3s they have to pay for when you can download them for free (granted, illegally, but we all know there is no real retribution for illegal downloads, and I am just as guilty as the next person for taking advantage of this fact).

So, I thought I'd share with you some independent Canadian albums I've downloaded this week (legally!)

Old Man Luedecke -His latest EP "Sing all About it." I loooovveee him so much. In my eyes, he can do no wrong. He is easily one of the best banjo players in Canada and based on his immense talent for writing, I will even go so far as to say he is one of the best song writers in Canada too. I've listened to "Sing all about it" a couple times and so far I'd say its a little more country than his other stuff which is maybe more folky. Go download this album and then buy all his other albums. There is a reason why this guy won a Juno. He also puts on a thoroughly entertaining live show.

The Darcys These  guys are obviously awesome based on their name. I saw them play in Halifax (unfortunately at Gus' Pub, which has the worst sound in probably the whole of the Maritimes, plus it is like Mecca for Halifax Hipsters, ugghhhh) but they are pretty kick ass live. I went upto them after the show and I was all "I AM IN A BAND CALLED THE MISS BENNETS ISN'T THAT FANTASTIC?" They agreed.

Dan Griffin "Leave your Love" Definitely, definitely download this. If you don't know, Dan is the keys in the Arkells. If you don't know who the Arkells are... then I guess I should ask you how you are enjoying the hole you inhabit? We saw Dan play solo a million years ago, I think in like second year, so 2008? Emily was visiting Kingston and we went to a kegger at Sonia's brothers apartment down on Princess and there was this band there and it was Dan Griffin. Back then we didn't know who the Arkells were so we definitely didn't know that Dan was in the band. Anyways, his solo stuff is absolutely beautiful, well written solid tunes. One of my favourites is "East Coast" which unfortunately isn't on this album. "Stars and Satellites" is included though, and that is another favourite. I am also quickly falling for one of the new songs "Lorne Park".

So go on and download these free tunes and then pass it along to other music lovers with great taste :)

Sparkle and Shine

Alright so everyone has been all, "blah blah Angela write in your blog more blah blah blah" Um OK finish my final projects for me??!! But since you asked for it and since I need a break from designing the website for The Church of Transfiguration's stained glass (it is pretty though) >>
Here is a post about nails. As you probably know, Claire and I have entered the hell period of the school year. Consequently, we've taken the necessary precautions against losing our f-ing minds by stocking up on a) snacks b) assorted caffeinated beverages and c) pretty new nail polish !!

During busy periods of school, I particularly like sparkly/glittery polishes because when I lose track of what I'm trying to write I just kind of zone out and stare at my hands and wave my fingers around for 5...10 minutes or so.

So I went to the Trade Secrets on Bloor near the No Frills and I got the two pink polishes from Zoya's Gems and Jewels collection. OMG!! They are absolutely amazing. Izzy is really pretty on its own, but with Kissy on top, it is crazy fun. Kissy is described as "A glitter that combines red, pink, purple and hologram particles with unique bar glitter. A glitzy shade that can be worn alone or layered to add sparkle to your manicure." Yeah, you heard right, UNIQUE GLITTER BAR. Does your polish have glitter bars? No? Yeah I didn't think so.

Photo doesn't even do it justice

I also tried Teenage Dream from the Katy Perry OPI collection over two of my nails, which looks really neat too. And FYI on each nail I have one coat of Izzy and two coats of sparkle.

Find the rest of the collection on their web page  

I'm Back!

Hey all! I'm returning to the blogosphere after an unintentional hiatus due to the unfortunate accidental death of my macbook, who abruptly left this earth for the open arms of angel-Steve Jobs. That, and school has been kicking my ass. I'm finishing off my federal funding application and right now I just need to write something else that isn't self promoting, "please give me 17 000 dollars because I am a genius and sooo awesome, kay?"

Yesterday, turned into an unexpectedly awesome day. I had intended to spend way more time hitting the books but, for better or worse, my first love of music was calling to me and I just couldn't ignore it.

Since Cory was visiting from Halifax this week, him and Claire and I have been jamming a little bit and working on some covers for fun and we decided to go play the Saturday afternoon open mic at a pub called McKenzie's by High Park station. Cute little pub, nice owners and quite busy. The guy running the open mic ( I didn't catch his name) was really friendly, and quite a good performer as well. They run the open mic from 2-6 and they're pretty excited to see new performers. We only played three songs but you could definitely get away with 6 or more. As far as sound goes, they only had one mic set up, but since it was only Claire and I singing, that was fine and Claire's fiddle is loud enough that we didn't need to mic it.

We played three covers, The Ransom- Madison Violet, Landslide- Stevie Nicks and Wagon Wheel- Old Crow Medicine Show

It was the first time we've ever played Wagon Wheel live and it totally kicked ass! I can't get enough of that song, I've listened to it a hundred times and I'm still not sick of it. Its a total boot-stomping sing-a-long. My favourite version of it is by Matt Andersen, who is easily one of the best guitarists in Canada and has the most delicious deep bluesy voice.

I've watched a ton of his videos online and every time he blows my mind. He also inspired me to learn to play Bruce Springsteen's "I'm on fire" so thats the next thing we'll be performing I hope.

Anyways, its always a pleasure to play music with Cory, especially since he's such a great guitar player that nobody notices me fudging my way along on the acoustic. I'm so excited for Courtney's visit and we'll definitely organize some sort of TMB performance for our friends in Toronto. I'm incredibly happy that we've started making music again. I didn't have the heart to work on anything all summer cause I missed my bandmates too much and this fall has been so hectic we've barely been able to find the time.

After our performance we were all so riled up, that we decided to head to the Dakota Tavern.  The Dakota is a country bar, down at Ossington and Dundas. I've been wanting to check it out for the last four years and now that I finally live near to it, I can.

Dakota stage- Not my photo

We didn't even know who was playing, we just hoped we'd see/hear a good performance. Well we totally lucked out! The opener called Harlan Pepper, was a baby-faced band (they just turned 19) but they play country/rock/bluegrass like they are seasoned veterans of the road. Their live performance was the kind rip-roaring old time music that makes you start to dance whether you want to or not.

I seriously just want to pinch their cheeks pat them on the head and tell them to give me a call when they're old enough to grow beards.

Alright, back to my academic endeavours,
Cheers!
Ange

Service Industry Ninjas

 Last night we had an indulgent and delectable Indian meal at Kama Sutra to celebrate Dad's 65th birthday. We often go to this establishment for special occasions, and in 6 years, it has never disappointed. Our server last night was Tobias. He is truly extraordinary and I am convinced that he is, in fact, a ninja.

 from Wikipedia: A ninja (忍者^?) or shinobi (忍び^?) was a covert agent or mercenary of feudal Japan specializing in unorthodox arts of war. The functions of the ninja included espionage, sabotage, infiltration, and assassination, as well as open combat in certain situations.

A service industry ninja, like their military cousin, operates with stealth, quickness and deadly precision. Imagine, if you will, you are sitting, relaxed, at a restaurant, in flickering candlelight. You turn slightly in your seat to adjust your jacket on the back of your chair. When you look back up, your waiter-ninja has suddenly appeared in front of you. You swallow a surprised gasp. Before you are even aware it has happened he has already taken your drink order and vanished (fyi: you ordered the Sauvignon Blanc recommended to you by your waiter-ninja. You don't know it yet, but this crisp, dry white wine will pair perfectly with the dish you order in approximately 10 minutes. Waiter-ninja has already used his psychic powers to anticipate your dinner order.)

And so it goes...This is the magic of ninja-waiters. You check a text message. You look back up, your wine glass is miraculously full again. Is this a Harry Potter charm?? No! You've just been waiter-ninjaed! Your waiter-ninja will anticipate your every need and want. The exact moment you are ready to eat, your meal will arrive, all together, at the appropriate temperatures and beautifully arranged. Condiments will appear on the table the second you think, "oh this would taste great with a little..." Your plate will disappear from under your nose as soon as you slide your knife and fork into a parallel position. And then, after the offer of dessert and coffee, your bill for the evening will apparate onto the table just as you begin to think it is time to head out. AMAZING!

Ninja-waiters are a rare and fascinating breed that have received next to no real attention from the academic world. Where do these ninjas come from, where do they train? And what would we ever do if the ninja-waiters of the world decided to use their impressive skills for evil? How did a 30-something white male come to be employed as a ninja-waiter at an Indian restaurant? These are pressing questions which I believe need to be asked.

What's wrong with global warming?

This weekend has been insanely beautiful. I awoke from my food coma this morning and proceeded to re-fill my champion stomach with poached eggs and toast and coffee on the back deck whilst absorbing all the glorious vitamin D streaming down from the solar orb hanging in the true blue sky. Ahhh see? doesn't this nice weather make everything all poetic?

Unfortunately, the pursuit of higher education required me to spend most of the day indoors surrounded by books and paper. By late afternoon however, I could no longer ignore the beckoning of the beautiful day and I hopped on my bike and headed over to Sunnybrook.

Apparently, every other resident of Toronto had the same idea in mind and everywhere I rode through was packed. Busier than I saw it all summer, actually. But despite all the cars and picknickers and walkers/bikers who don't know how to share the public paths (stay right for Christ's sake,) it was lovely to get out and start burning off Sunday nights full-blown Turkey dinner, plus all the Ninjabread I've been snacking on. I rode quite far down the lower Don River and the trees are starting to change colour, so now I want to go back again in a week or two. After an hour and a half of cyling, I honestly don't think there is anything on earth more poorly designed than a bicycle seat. I guess I'll be sticking with my other preferred physical activities, the first is jogging the second is spontaneous dance parties with Claire and Caroline.

to find out more about the Don River trails >>> http://www.ontariotrails.on.ca/trails-a-z/don-river-trail/

The Silent Killer

You've all had gingerbread before, but have you ever had NINJABREAD?!

For my birthday my friend Emily gave me these amazing cookie cutters from Fred. I love everything from Fred. Their stuff is hilarious, cute but most importantly still really practical. They have lots of fantastic ice cube molds too, Emily also bought me the Space Ship ice cube maker. I also have the chopstick thingies and I really really want to get the mustache cookie cutters. Emily works at Miss. Tiggywinkle's in Ottawa, which is where she got them, but there are lots of places you can buy Fred products in Toronto. Urban Outfitters has their stuff but Bergo in the distillery district has the largest selection of their products that I've seen.

Emily's store in Ottawa: http://www.mrstiggywinkles.ca/

Fred Online: http://www.worldwidefred.com/fredkitchen.htm

Bergo: Bergo

And here are all the amazing things ninja cookies can do!!

masters of camouflage

Ninja vs. Robin Hood

A victim of the ninja

Ninja is not a fan of easy listening music

Breaking a stack of bricks!

Making these was crazy fun. Eating them was even more fun. Posting them in ridiculous positions was the most fun.

To find out how we made these, check out Caroline's blog http://scrambledeggsetc.blogspot.com/2011/10/gingerbread-cookies.html they really were delicious and Caroline's recipe made enough dough for us to create a veritable ninja army! Caroline also shares a very interesting story of the Molasses tragedy of 1919 where like 21 ppl died. Molasses and ninjas are serious stuff people, so be careful if you attempt these!

The Black Hoof

Thursday night was Alex's bday, so we went out for fancy pants cocktails at the fancy pants Black Hoof cocktail bar on Dundas West. http://theblackhoof.com/

I was a little leery because of the mixed reviews Claire and I read online, but the place was actually really cool.


location: bit of a hike for us from the bus stop and you have to walk past Christie Pitts Park, so maybe don't walk alone?

decor: the only outside signage was a small fluorescent "cocktail bar" sign in the bottom of a window so look out for that if you're trying to find it. Inside there was a hammered tin ceiling, romantic low lighting and painted white wood cupboards above the bar, housing the extensive glassware collection.

ambience: the lighting and the 1920s era playlist definitely created a chic and romantic mood, great place to bring a date if you are trying to impress (ie. go for the kill!)

service: I expected more snobbishness, but our bartender was fabulous. He was the only staff at the bar and he made each of our beverages exquisitely, didn't seem at all bothered that we were nursing our drinks for an exorbitantly long time and he constantly came by to refill our water glasses from a vintagey-looking glass water bottle. 10 out of 10!

drinks: the drinks were wonderful, delicious, unique etc. They are all served in the specific glass suited for the beverage, with the specific garnish to finish off (Ally had a drink that came with a rose petal on top) and they are really meant to sip and enjoy. I know very little about cocktails in general, my personal expertise extends as far as making a gin and tonic or a rum and coke. I found this blog review that has a great explanation of the drinks and how they are made etc. so check it out if you are interested. http://porkosity.blogspot.com/2011/07/black-hoof-cocktail-bar.html

price: so this the huge downside of the Black Hoof. Cocktails start at $9 for a 1oz drink. I had the "Martinez" a 2 1/2 oz Cocktail and that cost $12 and I delicately sipped at it for 2 hours. Also, many of the 2oz cocktails are about $16. I only ordered the Martinez because my thrifty mind calculated it to be the best deal on the menu.

Overall, it was a neat place, but don't plan on going there to get loaded unless you are loaded. The crowd there is definitely more of a 30+ demographic. Perhaps a place to hunt out sugar daddies/mommies??