Monday, February 8, 2010
Sunday, January 24, 2010
green leaves
Casey Mecija takes the stage. Her beautiful voice, heartfelt, fills the room. The sounds, very Obijou. Has she stepped outside of that wondrous zone of comfort? As we move through the waves of broken space and recycled air, we claim a better vantage point. Backing from a (former/current) member of the Acorn, and the we all get excited. Breakdowns towards the end of the set get incredible.
Together they create a nice balance like eggs on a Sunday. At this moment, and along with the bouts of awkward banter, it becomes obvious that Mecija almost needs someone else on stage, or at the very least, prefers it that way. She's more comfortable now - but the awkward stories, more enduring than anything else, continue.
The set, amazing though plagued, is at times lost to problems with the venue - the ambient noise is too loud, dampening her sound. Too many disinterested, still hanging out. And only really noticeable with lower volume acts, a problem with curtains separating bar and back room make for a very friendly divide when what at times may be needed is more of an iron wall. Regardless, Mecija's voice is beautiful as always.
At this point girlfriend orders a beer, dislikes and gets sick. Girlfriend leaves, assures me that shes okay.
Fun night.
Together they create a nice balance like eggs on a Sunday. At this moment, and along with the bouts of awkward banter, it becomes obvious that Mecija almost needs someone else on stage, or at the very least, prefers it that way. She's more comfortable now - but the awkward stories, more enduring than anything else, continue.
The set, amazing though plagued, is at times lost to problems with the venue - the ambient noise is too loud, dampening her sound. Too many disinterested, still hanging out. And only really noticeable with lower volume acts, a problem with curtains separating bar and back room make for a very friendly divide when what at times may be needed is more of an iron wall. Regardless, Mecija's voice is beautiful as always.
At this point girlfriend orders a beer, dislikes and gets sick. Girlfriend leaves, assures me that shes okay.
Fun night.
Thursday, January 21, 2010
A view from the stairs (balcony, no stairs really)
Of darkness at night, and waking before the sun. I write because I see, see because I feel - and right now I could probably really use a coffee.
Kate Stelmanis plays the Mod Club March 24th with the Big Pink. I am excited. She has this downtrodden Dreijer Andersson feel, singing about harsh relations and sexual tension over a super computer meltdown. Slo-motion 1991 like playing Super Spike Volleyball on acid.
Oh and I kind of dig the Big Pink too.
- Work awaits!
Stelmanis:
http://www.myspace.com/katiestelmanis
Kate Stelmanis plays the Mod Club March 24th with the Big Pink. I am excited. She has this downtrodden Dreijer Andersson feel, singing about harsh relations and sexual tension over a super computer meltdown. Slo-motion 1991 like playing Super Spike Volleyball on acid.
Oh and I kind of dig the Big Pink too.
- Work awaits!
Stelmanis:
http://www.myspace.com/katiestelmanis
Saturday, January 16, 2010
Study from outside the room
So Mark calls me up and says "there's a show tonight, lets go"
To which I reply "who's playing"
And he says "Who cares, I need to get out - plus I think I heard Little Girls will be there."
"Okay."
----------
Little Girls and Trust both played great sets. Though the former had some issues with feedback causing some of the audience to bleed from the ears. It got kind of messy. But before the disaster that was the blood-soaked and beer-spilled floors, I noticed a few things - here are my observations:
The interesting thing about this show is that we just miss the first act completely. It was a guy playing under the pseudonym Tezeta and the miss is unfortunate, because a friend who had caught the set lets me know how amazing it was (and I'm listening to his music right now - completely true, I'm sure). But that all brings me to my point - the dichotomy of the two acts that I actually sit through (we sit along the unused bar, leaning back with only a sheet of glass between us and an unfortunate fall to Bathurst St.). This is something that could have just as easily been planned as I assume it was not. One represents the old; the other the new. Both are (relatively) new, and in representation, very old. The order they play in contributes to this, with hints of decades passed sandwiching the middle with the now. [This probably is all coming across as something so very esoteric - or that I'm simply failing in 'getting to the point' - but you're wrong, it's needed.] It is a timewarp taking place in this sweaty bar, and as we all drink our demons, we we're transcending.
Trust delivers a vibe that Mark aptly describes as Joy Order. As the insane lasers penetrate the bodies in the room, flashing red, white and green, they transform us all into something else; the music beats at our souls. The female drummer punches and kicks out the sounds of a precisely programmed beat - while she adds something innately human to it. This, overlayed by the singer [he gave me his name; his name escapes me] plays the droning rhythm and catchy melody, a pop-electric-gothic brigade of awesome. We dig it. The notes stem and reach across the room; gently float from a machine box (was that an MPC?) while he sings about loss, use and abuse. Wholesome sentiments. The music is upbeat. The vocals carry a very Curtis bop and the monotonous hum of everyone favourite (dead) hero. Downtrodden. It was a good dose of expected irony.
Then break. Drinks. Stairs. Cigarette. Stairs. Drinks. GO.
The band starts to play. The bass player sings. Josh McIntyre materializes from behind a plywood door. Adorned in denim and with a beer in hand he grabs his $20 microphone to let out his tortured soul [or so it seems - McIntyre is a really nice guy, then again nice guys hurt too]. The energy here is amazing. The crowd is happy (and inebriated, they've timed this well). The NOW-proscribed "fuzz pop" fills our ears (I really thinks its got more of a 'buzz rock' vibe myself) and we all sway in unison (I wish). This now takes us back further in the ages, as for reference, and the invocation of Curtis' spirit fills my heart. Aesthetically they are far different, but the early punk compositions, sharp spikes in volume and the road between calm drone/loss of control scream is playfully crossed again and again. This is (maybe) what Joy Division would have sounded like if they had made it across the Atlantic all those years ago. If they hadn't degraded into that horrific trio in the wake of their loss of a much needed leader - the vision. McIntyre plays his new stuff, which I'm not so much a fan of; we leave and get Chinese food, which my stomach is not entirely too thrilled about.
------
So you see, the 80s and 70s were there with us that night in early 2010. It was exciting. But so much more than cheap references, these guys each have their own unique style. They both bring additional elements into their work (grindcore, chickenhouse, monsterfolk, electrofuck). And maybe I just made those all up. Maybe we should stop trying to classify music and just fucking enjoy it. Maybe you should get back on the dancefloor, critic.
Oh none of this has anything to do with the photo: I took it one night while Nat (@nataliesees) did dishes. She did not know she was being photographed, I just had the lighting perfect and the right positioning. I'm thinking I might just develop this series into something.
None of this has to do with the bands or the photo: If you're the bitch that stepped on my foot last night without so much as a concerned look or apology - fuck you. I had every right to be upset, and you are just a stuck up bitch who felt embarrassed. Well good. It's the next day and you are still a stuck up bitch. And while that whole situation doesn't exactly make me an asshole - I may very well be one for other reasons. ;)
The band we missed:
http://www.myspace.com/josephvaroth
The band we loved:
http://www.myspace.com/trst
The band we came to see:
http://www.myspace.com/littlelittlegirls
To which I reply "who's playing"
And he says "Who cares, I need to get out - plus I think I heard Little Girls will be there."
"Okay."
----------
Little Girls and Trust both played great sets. Though the former had some issues with feedback causing some of the audience to bleed from the ears. It got kind of messy. But before the disaster that was the blood-soaked and beer-spilled floors, I noticed a few things - here are my observations:
The interesting thing about this show is that we just miss the first act completely. It was a guy playing under the pseudonym Tezeta and the miss is unfortunate, because a friend who had caught the set lets me know how amazing it was (and I'm listening to his music right now - completely true, I'm sure). But that all brings me to my point - the dichotomy of the two acts that I actually sit through (we sit along the unused bar, leaning back with only a sheet of glass between us and an unfortunate fall to Bathurst St.). This is something that could have just as easily been planned as I assume it was not. One represents the old; the other the new. Both are (relatively) new, and in representation, very old. The order they play in contributes to this, with hints of decades passed sandwiching the middle with the now. [This probably is all coming across as something so very esoteric - or that I'm simply failing in 'getting to the point' - but you're wrong, it's needed.] It is a timewarp taking place in this sweaty bar, and as we all drink our demons, we we're transcending.
Trust delivers a vibe that Mark aptly describes as Joy Order. As the insane lasers penetrate the bodies in the room, flashing red, white and green, they transform us all into something else; the music beats at our souls. The female drummer punches and kicks out the sounds of a precisely programmed beat - while she adds something innately human to it. This, overlayed by the singer [he gave me his name; his name escapes me] plays the droning rhythm and catchy melody, a pop-electric-gothic brigade of awesome. We dig it. The notes stem and reach across the room; gently float from a machine box (was that an MPC?) while he sings about loss, use and abuse. Wholesome sentiments. The music is upbeat. The vocals carry a very Curtis bop and the monotonous hum of everyone favourite (dead) hero. Downtrodden. It was a good dose of expected irony.
Then break. Drinks. Stairs. Cigarette. Stairs. Drinks. GO.
The band starts to play. The bass player sings. Josh McIntyre materializes from behind a plywood door. Adorned in denim and with a beer in hand he grabs his $20 microphone to let out his tortured soul [or so it seems - McIntyre is a really nice guy, then again nice guys hurt too]. The energy here is amazing. The crowd is happy (and inebriated, they've timed this well). The NOW-proscribed "fuzz pop" fills our ears (I really thinks its got more of a 'buzz rock' vibe myself) and we all sway in unison (I wish). This now takes us back further in the ages, as for reference, and the invocation of Curtis' spirit fills my heart. Aesthetically they are far different, but the early punk compositions, sharp spikes in volume and the road between calm drone/loss of control scream is playfully crossed again and again. This is (maybe) what Joy Division would have sounded like if they had made it across the Atlantic all those years ago. If they hadn't degraded into that horrific trio in the wake of their loss of a much needed leader - the vision. McIntyre plays his new stuff, which I'm not so much a fan of; we leave and get Chinese food, which my stomach is not entirely too thrilled about.
------
So you see, the 80s and 70s were there with us that night in early 2010. It was exciting. But so much more than cheap references, these guys each have their own unique style. They both bring additional elements into their work (grindcore, chickenhouse, monsterfolk, electrofuck). And maybe I just made those all up. Maybe we should stop trying to classify music and just fucking enjoy it. Maybe you should get back on the dancefloor, critic.
Oh none of this has anything to do with the photo: I took it one night while Nat (@nataliesees) did dishes. She did not know she was being photographed, I just had the lighting perfect and the right positioning. I'm thinking I might just develop this series into something.
None of this has to do with the bands or the photo: If you're the bitch that stepped on my foot last night without so much as a concerned look or apology - fuck you. I had every right to be upset, and you are just a stuck up bitch who felt embarrassed. Well good. It's the next day and you are still a stuck up bitch. And while that whole situation doesn't exactly make me an asshole - I may very well be one for other reasons. ;)
The band we missed:
http://www.myspace.com/josephvaroth
The band we loved:
http://www.myspace.com/trst
The band we came to see:
http://www.myspace.com/littlelittlegirls
Friday, January 8, 2010
N.C.
Sorry friends, it has been a while.
Work is crazy. I am eating less, and shaving more. But it is a good kind of slavery. For the cause! Plus I do get paid, so more of a self-imposed lack of social activity...which is ironic that 1/3 of my job is 'social media.' Working for a non-profit is an amazing experience, and the people I work with are incredible. Going from a 100,000+ organization to one that employs less than 8 was a refreshing adjustment, and I am finally doing work that I believe in. Banks are horrible soul crushing places that make the world a terrible place. If you can, find a credit union and strip the quasi-unitary terror system, but really that is just a suggestion.
Christmas went well. Less stressful than I expected - and at worst a good excuse to hang out with the people I love.
NYE Resulted in a keg fueled bout of broken balconies and juvenile antics, still it was good to get back to our roots - so to speak. Music was the key here, as I had compiled a monster playlist - dragged my tower speakers down the hall to my buddy's place and let the highlighted tunes from the 00s play out. What a decade, indeed.
Nat is having a show - "I think this is for you..." @ Launch Projects Gallery Feb 3rd-14th. Her work is incredible and I am really excited for her. There is nothing greater in life than to see the one you love succeed - and I am finally beginning to understand this. Her work can be seen here: http://nataliecastellino.daportfolio.com/
Ladytron is doing well, though she hates the excessive salt this city drops on its roads. This truly is a problem, and not just for dog owners. Salt levels offset groundwater and poison the urban forest. The run off degrades the water in our lake - so it always makes me bare a frustrated smile when people complain about the 'state of Lake Ontario' when really they helped put it here. Wait for summer, fuckers. I understand the ice=bad equation, but overkill=plain stupid - so do that math people.
Music for the times: Bat For Lashes, Gail Berry, Wilderness of Manitoba, Basket of Figs, The Rural Alberta Advantage, The Antlers, Santogold, The Black Keys, Headlights and The XX
A good mix of old and new, upbeat and lowkey, beauty and decay and all that good human-soul exposed tugging at your heartstrings. Check them out, you won't be in the least bit upset, I promise.
Take care, dear people. Be well.
I will try to post as much as I can, but if you aren't already, follow me on twitter where I am more inclined to keep it up and keep it brief (by design) @mjwhigginson
Work is crazy. I am eating less, and shaving more. But it is a good kind of slavery. For the cause! Plus I do get paid, so more of a self-imposed lack of social activity...which is ironic that 1/3 of my job is 'social media.' Working for a non-profit is an amazing experience, and the people I work with are incredible. Going from a 100,000+ organization to one that employs less than 8 was a refreshing adjustment, and I am finally doing work that I believe in. Banks are horrible soul crushing places that make the world a terrible place. If you can, find a credit union and strip the quasi-unitary terror system, but really that is just a suggestion.
Christmas went well. Less stressful than I expected - and at worst a good excuse to hang out with the people I love.
NYE Resulted in a keg fueled bout of broken balconies and juvenile antics, still it was good to get back to our roots - so to speak. Music was the key here, as I had compiled a monster playlist - dragged my tower speakers down the hall to my buddy's place and let the highlighted tunes from the 00s play out. What a decade, indeed.
Nat is having a show - "I think this is for you..." @ Launch Projects Gallery Feb 3rd-14th. Her work is incredible and I am really excited for her. There is nothing greater in life than to see the one you love succeed - and I am finally beginning to understand this. Her work can be seen here: http://nataliecastellino.daportfolio.com/
Ladytron is doing well, though she hates the excessive salt this city drops on its roads. This truly is a problem, and not just for dog owners. Salt levels offset groundwater and poison the urban forest. The run off degrades the water in our lake - so it always makes me bare a frustrated smile when people complain about the 'state of Lake Ontario' when really they helped put it here. Wait for summer, fuckers. I understand the ice=bad equation, but overkill=plain stupid - so do that math people.
Music for the times: Bat For Lashes, Gail Berry, Wilderness of Manitoba, Basket of Figs, The Rural Alberta Advantage, The Antlers, Santogold, The Black Keys, Headlights and The XX
A good mix of old and new, upbeat and lowkey, beauty and decay and all that good human-soul exposed tugging at your heartstrings. Check them out, you won't be in the least bit upset, I promise.
Take care, dear people. Be well.
I will try to post as much as I can, but if you aren't already, follow me on twitter where I am more inclined to keep it up and keep it brief (by design) @mjwhigginson
Tuesday, December 8, 2009
Tuesday, November 24, 2009
Monday, November 23, 2009
Saturday, November 14, 2009
Transcription of Terrible Bell Canada Support
The following is a horribly useless conversation I had with a Bell employee. Definitely gunned.
________________________________
A chat representative will be with you in about 0 minute(s). Thank you for waiting.
Chat representative Erica has joined the session and is ready to help. To start, please provide your name and home phone number.
Erica: Hello, thank you for visiting bell.ca. How may I help you today?
You: Hello, I had my phone stolen.
You: I've put in the email - but I'm concerned that the battery is still charged
You: I was wondering if I can track it in anyway
Erica: I am sorry to know that.
You: also, now that SIM cards are an option, could I have a phone that runs the ANDROID operating system
You: and is there support for that?
Erica: However you can contact our support team in this regard.
Erica: They would best assist you in this issue.
You: I actually cannot
You: because I do not have access to a phone
You: hence this conversation
You: what is the alternative option?
You: can you give me an answer on the ANDROID topic?
Erica: I apologize as of now we do not have the Chat service for Bell mobility.
Erica: Let me check that for you.
You: what is this chat service regarding then?
Erica: And as of now Bell does not support the Android cell phones.
Erica: I am from online support team to guide customers to order online.
You: how long will it be until they do?
You: So you're role is to push sales online, but not offer support?
You: is there a support chat that you could direct me to, Erica?
Erica: As of now we do not have the exact information about that.
You: can I get a human response?
Erica: I can support the customer who are facing error while placing the order.
Erica: However for mobility service you can mail them or you can call them.
Erica: I apologize for that once again.
Erica: However you can visit the Local Bell store for further assistance.
Erica: I would be glad to assist you regarding this issue. However, I do not have access to existing customer records.
You: what records would you need?
You: I just want to know what the process is for dealing with customers that have lost their phone
You: in this case stolen, but the same principle.
Erica: Could you please give me a minute to check the details for you? I would try my best to get the information for you.
You: yes, thank you
Erica: You are welcome.
Erica: Thank you for being online.
Erica: As per the process details which is available with me you are needed to contact our mobility services once the phone is stolen or lost.
You: I have.
You: I want to know what I can do in the interim
You: there is an emergency telephone number
Erica: They would proceed and help you out with it.
You: I would like to know if there is any alternative
You: I cannot wait two days.
You: Should I just go into the store?
Erica: Sure you can visit the store they may have some alternate way to sort out your issue.
You: but you do not?
Erica: I apologized for that as I am form online support team to help the customer to guide the customer for placing the order.
Erica: I do not have the privilege to access other information on my end.
Erica: Is there anything else I can do for you today?
You: That is all, I suppose.
Erica: I apologize once again for the inconvenience caused to you.
Erica: It has been a pleasure helping you out today. Thank-you for choosing Bell and using Bell.ca for your self-serve solutions. I would invite you to fill out the survey at the end of this chat as your opinion is very important to us! Have yourself a great day!
You: Thank you.
Erica: You are welcome.
________________________________
A chat representative will be with you in about 0 minute(s). Thank you for waiting.
Chat representative Erica has joined the session and is ready to help. To start, please provide your name and home phone number.
Erica: Hello, thank you for visiting bell.ca. How may I help you today?
You: Hello, I had my phone stolen.
You: I've put in the email - but I'm concerned that the battery is still charged
You: I was wondering if I can track it in anyway
Erica: I am sorry to know that.
You: also, now that SIM cards are an option, could I have a phone that runs the ANDROID operating system
You: and is there support for that?
Erica: However you can contact our support team in this regard.
Erica: They would best assist you in this issue.
You: I actually cannot
You: because I do not have access to a phone
You: hence this conversation
You: what is the alternative option?
You: can you give me an answer on the ANDROID topic?
Erica: I apologize as of now we do not have the Chat service for Bell mobility.
Erica: Let me check that for you.
You: what is this chat service regarding then?
Erica: And as of now Bell does not support the Android cell phones.
Erica: I am from online support team to guide customers to order online.
You: how long will it be until they do?
You: So you're role is to push sales online, but not offer support?
You: is there a support chat that you could direct me to, Erica?
Erica: As of now we do not have the exact information about that.
You: can I get a human response?
Erica: I can support the customer who are facing error while placing the order.
Erica: However for mobility service you can mail them or you can call them.
Erica: I apologize for that once again.
Erica: However you can visit the Local Bell store for further assistance.
Erica: I would be glad to assist you regarding this issue. However, I do not have access to existing customer records.
You: what records would you need?
You: I just want to know what the process is for dealing with customers that have lost their phone
You: in this case stolen, but the same principle.
Erica: Could you please give me a minute to check the details for you? I would try my best to get the information for you.
You: yes, thank you
Erica: You are welcome.
Erica: Thank you for being online.
Erica: As per the process details which is available with me you are needed to contact our mobility services once the phone is stolen or lost.
You: I have.
You: I want to know what I can do in the interim
You: there is an emergency telephone number
Erica: They would proceed and help you out with it.
You: I would like to know if there is any alternative
You: I cannot wait two days.
You: Should I just go into the store?
Erica: Sure you can visit the store they may have some alternate way to sort out your issue.
You: but you do not?
Erica: I apologized for that as I am form online support team to help the customer to guide the customer for placing the order.
Erica: I do not have the privilege to access other information on my end.
Erica: Is there anything else I can do for you today?
You: That is all, I suppose.
Erica: I apologize once again for the inconvenience caused to you.
Erica: It has been a pleasure helping you out today. Thank-you for choosing Bell and using Bell.ca for your self-serve solutions. I would invite you to fill out the survey at the end of this chat as your opinion is very important to us! Have yourself a great day!
You: Thank you.
Erica: You are welcome.
Wednesday, November 11, 2009
novmbre16
I LIKE THE FALL. I used to hate you, but now you make me smile, with your leaves and brisk sweater weather. Don't let winter win!
Tuesday, November 10, 2009
My Street
Some days I walk down amongst the chlorophyll drained corpses and I wonder if you are by my side. I can only imagine the air, older than you and I leaving our lungs further and further for the last time. I look into your eyes, not asking what you've done, where the last drop landed. I take a second step backward, a glance to steal, to take every single one. You and I were put here to create. So lets burn this canvas and get another bottle. Fuck the progress, its just another channel. We all want substance but we're way to hollow. Going down dancing, legs breaking, limbs flailed in each direction. The air we breath is old, but this world is older. The plants change, as the seasons colder.
Friday, November 6, 2009
Thursday, October 29, 2009
Monday, October 26, 2009
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