music: radiohead

Radiohead is coming to Toronto on August 15, 2008.  Tickets go on sale this Friday @ 10am. I missed them when they came in 2001.  I missed them before that for their OK computer tour.  They probably came sometime between then and now.  Yes.  But here they are with In Rainbows, and I absolutely cannot miss them.

I love musical groups.  Concerts are inspiring, seeing these artists perform in a way that touches an entire room, hall or stadium of people is amazing.  The performances and the atmosphere just spells itself into a mind-bending touch of joy.  And, well, Radiohead has been in my collection for a longgg time.  Ha ha, don't I feel old now?  I especially love OK Computer: Karma Police, Paranoid Android... it's too good.

Radiohead is very progressive.  They are hosting an animation contest for a music video here.  I am deciding whether I will devote countless hours, to submit to this contest.  It would definitely be fun, frustrating and creative all rolled up like a California Roll.  In any case, this concert is way too exciting!

Feist

Feist is insanely popular these days.  She won 5 Juno awards last night (equivalent of Grammy's, but for Canada!).  Congratulations Feist!  I saw her onstage during the summer of 2005 at Toronto Olympic Island.  She was part of Broken Social Scene.  BSS was hosting a concert, and had the likes of Metric and others present; at the time, I really didn't know who Feist was.  

My friends and I were there for Modest Mouse. (pre-baby days)  Gosh, I loved that concert so much.  It was amazing... It was a whole day affair on the island, being goofy and basking in the summer sun.

Back to Feist.  She is an amazing artist, that's for sure.  Well deserved.  We love the "Let it Die" album the best.  As a sidenote: I am a big fan of CBC Radio 3 (I will do a blog about them exclusively sometime in the future, probably over and over, since I am completely smitten with them).  Anyway, I mention them, because I lifted this picture of Feist off their website.  This was taken of her in 2004, playing on the sidewalk in Toronto for the NXNE festival.  How much change takes place in  4 years, incredible. :)

p i n k m a r t i n i

We saw one of our favorite bands in Toronto downtown last night: Pink Martini. They were absolutely amazing. It was the first time we have ever seen them perform. They're a large band, but they sound like a mini orchestra: violin, harp, piano, voice, trumpet, etc.

It was inspirational to see these folks live. The trombonist moved me...

Rockstar Drummers: Red & Blue

I added two new prints to the shop.  They are little rockerstar drummers!

Stephan Moccio and Denzal Sinclaire

Tonight, Kittie and I spent a nice evening out to see Stephan Moccio and Denzal Sinclaire at the Markham Theatre. It was the first time I ever watched a show at the Markham Theatre. It was fantastic. The two are both soloists: Denzal performed first, he's a jazz musician from Toronto. He has a smooth voice, and a delicate soft jazz style. I'm no expert, but it was very moving, with a throwback to an old jazz sound; I really liked his performance. Kittie and I listened to his My One and Only Love CD a lot during the first few months after Mackenzie was born. With blues and reds, and the Steinway & Sons grand piano, it was fantastic.

Stephan is a songwriter, but he's also a great performer. He was an artist I had never heard of until tonight. His piano styling is inspiring, emotional and moving. I really enjoyed his pieces. He is doing very well on the charts right now in Canada. You should check out his stuff. One of his songs: porcelain was written for his wife and baby daughter. It was a delicate song, with a lot of tenderness and love. He has had a very interesting life, and his anectodes are really funny and engaging.

During the evening, I would slip off into the corners of my mind. There I would sit and play with words and images. Y'know what I mean? It was just inspiring to hear these fellows play with such raw emotion and feeling. I will get back there, but it will take time.