So sorry it has been a long time since I posted. I am really trying to relaunch my blog and portfolio…and hence have been slacking on keeping this one current.
If anyone knows anybody who is good with web stuff let me know! I could use a helping hand getting my page relaunched. Yikes. I am totally struggling.
Anyway, just wanted to post an update about what I have been up to lately. It has been really hard to keep inspired and curious when I am so bogged down with my new full-time job and trying to have any semblance of a ’social’ life on the side! haha
On that note- I’ve decided to compile a list of songs, movies, and TV shows that help me get through the week. In my humble opinion, there is nothing like the rush you get from a great live show, a new song, movie, or TV show that keeps me buzzin. So here it goes- my top favorite songs, movies, tv shows that really help to keep things fresh!
Florence and the Machine at Mod Club.
1) Florence and the Machine: I just saw them perform last week at the Mod Club. If you haven’t heard of them- they are a British indie band. Toronto was the last stop of the band’s world tour in promotion of their debut album “Lungs”. Check out one of my favorite songs of theirs- Dog Days are Over, below. And wow, does she know how to put on a good show. She rocked out in a wicked black dress contrasted with her fiery ginger locks belting her hits- Rabbit Heart, Drumming Song, Kiss with a First. Her voice is soooo brilliant!!! Just listen to it for yourself-
2) The Phoenix: I know they are pretty much old news in the ‘indie’ circuit (if there even is one). But I always have to give them a shout out. ‘Wolfgang Amadeus Phoenix’ is not only the most awesome CD title (shout out to the classical genius Mozart!), but their hit Listzomania (another shout out to classical musician) is SO wonderfully catchy and sunny that it curbs my road rage for a few minutes every day on my commute to the office. The WHOLE album has the same effect. Some highlights- 1901, Love Like a Sunset, Fences and Girlfriend.
3) Friday Night Lights: I know this isn’t even a band or a song for that matter-but I LOVE LOVE LOVE this show. Two episodes into season 4 and I am already counting down the days till the next episode. Friday Night Lights is based on a book- as well as the 2004 film based on it. It’s about a high school football team, “The Dillan Panthers”, and is set in Texas. This season is a classic underdog story, with new drama and a new team in Odessa Texas- The East Dillan Lions. I don’t want to ruin it for you. Just watch it. And if you aren’t convinced- there is Taylor Kitsch. I rest my case.
4) Shortwave: My sister dragged me to a show last night at The Elmo and I must say that I was pleasantly surpirsed! I always love a good live show and this band had just the right mix of all the music I already love! UK indie pop + Canadian folk feeling rifts a la, Bloc Part+Franz Ferdinand+We are the Take = awesomeness. Their set was high energy and just the right mix of uptempo rockin’ (Revival, Camera Tongue) and sentimental swaying music (Stereo) ! My favorite song of the night was Sid- check it out on their Myspace. Their sound is comfortably familiar to the indie genre, but their live sound was so refined (no out of tune, voice cracking screamo) and the band just seemed to have the right musical chemistry.
5) One Republic: All the right moves- in all the right places. Is probably my favorite pop track of the moment. I can’t help but sing along and bop my head at my desk every time I shuffle my ipod. R.Tedder is the man, what a hit maker. Love it. Always the creates the best mix of falsetto and beat. Plus the music video is really great.
6) Vampire Diaries: I don’t really want to have to justify why this is on the list. I am glad that there is finally an answer to my Buffy craving (pardon the pun). I still miss the dorky quips from Buffy and the ass-kicking, vamp slaying. Basically- if Buffy the Vampire Slayer (TV show) and Twilight (the movie) had babies- Vampire Diaries would be it. Entertaining and great escaping content.
7) The September Issue: I haven’t had the time to watch as many movies as I would like. But this one is the last one I saw in theatres. I watched it a few weeks ago at the Hot Docs Film festival in Toronto and really enjoyed it. I love fashion inspired movies and tv shows. Afterall, I did already watch the two coco chanel movies. It just seemed natural to watch the documentary on Vogue as well. It wasn’t as telling as I had hoped, but it was an entertaining glimpse into the often misunderstood fashion industry. I do wish it was a bit more analytical…I mean it is curious how certain ‘looks’ and designers get selected. Fun to watch nonetheless.
Fran at the Travis show...oh and me....
Travis: I ALWAYS love them. I had the chance to check out Fran Healey and Andy Dunlop tour at the Mod Club two weeks ago. And they were WONDERFUL (as always). I must have seen them live almost 5 times now… insane I know. But, I think that if there was only one CD that I was allowed to take onto a deserted island with me…it would be one of the early albums from Travis (The Invisible Band or The Man Who). Their music is simple in the best kind of way possible. It makes you feel and think without being pretentious, and they don’t use computerized and digitalized music production. There songs are sooooo wonderfully singable and upbeat that it’s hard not to love it. Fran said it best at the show- “Music is like a bookmark in your life” and I feel like for me, their songs always seem to bring me to all my happiest memories.
9) GLEE: SOOO AMAZING. I must have been playing the Bon Jovi+Usher mash up: It’s my Life + These are My Confessions on repeat since it aired. It is so wonderfully playful, yet dark, and well-written. Quite easily one of the highlights of my week. Every Wednesday I rush to the TV to watched my taped episode. Those kids have some serious pipes. Plus it really does help that it isn’t just High School Musical feel good “Disney” morale lesson kinda show- it is hilariously pointless, yet profoundly deep in the issues that they deal with. Only Glee can make it cool to laugh about a kid in a wheel chair and have a gay Beyonce dancing football player. It is escapist TV at the best. Gimmicky, but honest.
Two Hours Traffic at Lee's Palace
10) Two Hours Traffic: I have blogged about them time and time again, but I can never seem to write about them enough. Their new album Territories was as I mentioned before in an earlier post, a tad disappointing (in comparison to their Flawless album Little Jabs). I think that their album sounded a bit more Joel Plaskett-y than THT…but damn do they put on a great live show. I saw them perform a little while back and it was blood pumping, memory-making good. They sang songs from the Territories and it really helped me appreciate the CD… since I gave the album a fifth, sixth, twentieth listen, it is really growing on me. Just Listen, Weightless One, and Wicked One are my favorites. THT is the best…cute lyrics, great beats, singable hooks, wicked guitar, and my uptempo folky feeling.
That’s all for now folks. Until next time! keep posted I’m aiming to get the new portfolio launched within the month.
