Fiona Apple

I bought Fiona Apple's new CD, Extraordinary Machine, the other day and I am pretty blown away by it. I never bought it the first week it came out because it came out the same week as Liz Phair and Franz Ferdinand, but I think I like it better than those two albums. I was never a huge Fiona fan before. I have her debut CD but while I thought it showed her potential, it never really did much for me outside a handful of songs. After reading all the 4 and 5 star reviews in Rolling Stone, Spin, Blender, etc I thought I would give this album a shot. And I'm really glad I did. The title track could pass for a Billie Holiday song, while the rest of the songs flow seamlessly into one another. I would definitely put this as a strong contender for Album of the Year.

This is kind of a shitty picture, but here's a pic of Chad Kichula and his band at The Redwater launch. Another great show by Chad. His band was bolstered by Doogie from The Nancy Ray-Guns (who closed the night) on keyboards. It was a fun night overall, and I have to thank Chad for letting me introduce all the bands. Chad is a pretty big deal around here and you definitely can't fuck with The Nancy Ray-Guns! 

Here's a pic of Justin Lacroix from Winnipeg at the Redwater Records Launch party at The Exchange on Friday. He was the first act on the four band bill and I was really impressed. This guy can sing like a mofo and his songs were pretty decent. On Thursday, I went for a run around Wascana Park and I saw some guy playing his guitar on one of the park benches. Turns out it was him.  

Yes, yes... you're all tigers! Here's Gianni, Mr. Real, Jenn... and...errr...ummm... Ok, I totally forgot that other guy's name. So sue me. 

Hey you two...get a frickin' room! 

Here's a pic of me and April from Friday. My hair is definitely back in full force! April says I look like a hedgehog. Decide for yourself. 

Tina was in this weekend to celebrate her and Gianni's 1 year anniversary, so on Friday Mark and Gianni had a big soiree. Here's a nice pic of April and Tina (and Gianni looking at Tina's ass). 

Why did I go into the MAsters program again????? plus a "hidden track"

As most of my friends know, I am currently trying to finish my MA in English at the U of R. I took a year and a half off after I completed my BA to mull over the decision to go back and get my 2 year after-degree in Education to be a middle-years teacher or to go the Masters route. I finished my 6 classes relatively unscathed except for my class from hell. Let's just say that I would rather listen to Nickelback for 10 straight hours than read another fucking "witty" John Donne poem. But I digress... For the last year I have been trying to get my thesis proposal handed in. It has been one of the most frustrating things I have ever done. I feel like I've been running around in circles and not getting anywhere. I've read dozens and dozens of books and articles and have taken a few stabs at proposals but I am still aways away from being done. My topic is a bit out there for English, but I thought I could make it work but I'm having a bitch of a time getting it all sorted out. My general topic is how Jack Kerouac's On the Road has influenced musical artists such as Bob Dylan, Tom Waits, Bruce Springsteen, R.E.M., The Doors, The Beatles, etc etc etc. However, every time I get an idea for a main thesis, my advisor tells me it's either too broad or too narrow for a 100 page thesis dissertation. Right now I should be working on another version of my proposal, but I have major writer's block that I can't seem to shake. In OTR, Sal Paradise and Dean Moriarty are on an endless search for IT. For me, I think I will truly experience IT when I get my damn proposal accepted. It's been such a weird process, this thesis thing. If I take a class with 20 or so other people, I can always discuss what book we all are taking or talk about the last exam. At this level, my topic is so narrow that the only person I can really discuss it with is my advisor. It's a really isolating feeling sometimes. It's no wonder why some professors are so eccentric because after being holed up in your topic for so many years you are bound to go nutty! Anyways, I guess I've vented enough here. Now it's time to take another stab at what I should really be doing right now.



If this was a CD, this would be the hidden track... For fans only (well, a certain fan anyways...)
... Tomorrow is me and April's 5 month anniversary so for those who don't want to gag while reading some mushy stuff I am just warning you in advance that now is a good time to quit reading...

April... The last 5 or so months have been such a blast. I love you so much and I can't wait for the rest of our lives together. I can't wait to be done this Masters thing so we can go overseas for a year or two and come back and buy a house and get on with the next phase of our lives. You've made me happier than I could ever have imagined and I'm so glad we are officially living together now. You are definitely my better half. You let me be my goofy self at all times and you don't try to change me into some idealized version of a boyfriend in your head. You are the kindest and sweetest person I have ever met and I feel so incredibly lucky to be with you. I even accept the fact that you like err...umm... Nickelback...Ahem! Anyways, I love you honey, so Happy 5 Months.

The Bad wins out again (a.k.a. people have no taste)

Last week proved once again that the record buying public by and large have no taste. Case in point... Nickelback's new album debuted at #1 on the Billboard charts... Franz Ferdinand's stellar sophomore CD debuts at #8... Liz Phair's... I don't even want to say because it is quite embarrassing. I was really hoping that Nickelback's time in the sun was over, but I guess I'll have to go another year of having their bland brand of "rock" force-fed to me by Muchmusic and Regina radio. Thank God for CJTR.

SuperJuice and Redwater Records

Regina is loaded with talented musicians. Over the last two or three years I've gotten to be friends with many really cool people in the local music scene. Recently, two albums were released by two very good friends of mine, so here's the dirt on each one.

SuperJuice
This past Friday, my good friends in SuperJuice (Christofur Real, Jai Mo, Ryan, and Todd) released a 5 song demo produced by Kyle from Parlor Trixx. I can't believe how great the sound quality is. Kyle did such an unbelievable job. But the sound quality would mean nothing if the songs were bad. Fortunately, this is definitely not the case. Chris and Jai are really talented songwriters and their songs are full of hooks, energy, and clever lyrics. Plus Chris' hidden acoustic track is a pleasant change of pace. I imagine a CD release party is going to occur sometime in the near future so stay tuned. superjuicerocks.com

Chad Kichula and Redwater Records
Chad and I go back about 10 years or so. When I first met him I honestly wasn't a big fan of his, but after bumping into him again a year or two ago he's besome a really good friend of mine. I think the thing that forged our friendship was our love of music. It's funny how things work out sometimes. And now he is a very talented singer-songwriter. He just relaesed his debut album which is available on a record label that he spearheaded, Redwater Records. Other artists on this label include the Nancy Ray-Guns, and New Star Killer. Chad's songs are very rootsy in nature, influenced by the likes of Bruce Springsteen and Steve Earle. However, he also has songs that are more rockabilly-tinged and songs that wouldn't be out of place on a U2 album. At the end of this month there is an official launch party and showcase for Redwater Records, featuring its roster of talent. And I believe yours truly may be hosting this event. Below is the details according to redwater-records.com.

"Redwater Records will be having its Label Release Party on October 28th. 2005 at the Exchange. The Nancy Ray-guns will be joined by Chad Kichula and New Star Killer for this event. CD's and Merchandise will be available, and prizes will be awarded during the evening. Doors open at 8pm ."

random thoughts

Wow, it's been awhile since I updated my blog. I've been ultra-busy the last week or so, but things are getting back to normal now. So here's what's been on my mind lately.

Moving in with April...
I just moved in with April into a townhouse so we are still in the process of getting all settled in, but we are making a lot of progress. Our townhouse is going to look really nice once we are all setteld in. I hate the whole moving process but it is nice to have a fresh start once all the tedious rearranging of furniture and belongings is done. I feel like a nomadic gypsy since it seems I move at least once a year. I'm really happy I decided to move in with April. It seems like the next logical step in our relationship. I absolutely love every second I'm with her so I can't wait until we have the whole place settled and feeling like home. I had the worst day EVER at work yesterday so I came home in an absolutely fowl mood. My nerves were so shot by the time I got home, but April totally made my day by doing the sweetest thing. Out of the clear blue she decided to get me a nice "thinking of you" card and she bought me some chocolates. I swear to God that she reads my mind sometimes. I was totally blown away by her gesture. April is definitely a keeper and I can't wait to spend the rest of my life with her.

Liz Phair and Franz Ferdinand...
Tomorrow Liz Phair and Franz Ferdinand are releasing their new albums. Liz Phair is one of my fave artists of all time and this album is supposed to be a return to form after her somewhat disappointing previous release. Franz Ferdinand's debut album was brilliant from start to finish so I hope they can keep their momentum going with their new one. Sadly, Nickelback's new album is also out tomorrow so I guess you can't have the good without the bad :).

Hockey! Hockey! Hockey!
NHL Hockey is FINALLY back and I am totally hyped for this year. As a hardcore Edmonton Oilers fan, I am ecstatic that the league has a salary cap so the Oilers can actually keep their star players instead of being a glorified farm team for the New Rangers and the rest of the league. It has been very hard over the years to see the Oilers lose such players as Gretzky, Messier, Coffey, Weight, Joseph, Gurein, etc etc etc because they did not have the money to shell out on players like the Red Wings or Avalanche or Rangers have always had. Every team is on the same level and anyone can theoretically win the Stanley Cup now so this will be a very intersting season. I can't wait to see Chris Pronger and Michael Peca in Oilers jerseys this year. Pronger is arguably the best defenceman in the NHL so it's nice to see the Oilers now being able to actually ACQUIRE these kinds of players instead of trading them away before their contracts run up.