Hello. :) I hope that you all are well. I'm fine if a bit restless - I'm off to Poland this week for work and have much on my mind work-wise but also can't help but think about other things like....
At the age of 32 you would think I wouldn't giggle so much each time I see references to colostomy bags on a prescriptions database. I'm not laughing at the person who needs them, but I get a kick out of the snazzy names they give these sorts of products. Juvenile, I know..
How long after the "best before" date would you eat a chocolate bar? I found 2 posh chocolate bars in my cabinet of magic treats this morning. I bought them when they were on sale and thought I would have a nibble of one today. The best before dates were April/May. I knew they were on sale for a reason...
I've developed a keen interest in ... Hollyoaks. I watch it when I'm on the treadmill at the gym and catch up on missed episodes on Sunday. :) The characters are pretty loathsome on the whole, but I find myself really liking Michaela. Sure, she's irritating and needs a good slap ... but she's decent enough and has more in her nut than pretty much everyone else.
Wasn't Homicide: Life on the Street one of the most amazing tv shows in recent memory? I stumbled across a very cheap copy of the DVD boxset at a charity shop and I've fallen in love with the show all over again. Friends have loaned me The Wire which is great as well, but it lacks some of the charm of Homicide if you can say that about a cop show filled with drugs, death and despair..
That's it for now, folks. Take care of yourselves.
Stephanie xo
Sunday, 1 June 2008
Dear X, Greg, Chloe, Chris and Stephanie,
Hi. I hope you all had a lovely weekend. Mine was alright - a bit of work (yuck!), a bit of running and a bit of relaxing. Not too bad all in all. :)
I've realised that the thing that holds me back from writing more often is that I don't have the energy for regular long letters. As you've no doubt noted, I ramble. So this letter will be short and sweet. :) The inspiration for this letter was my recent purchase of Jeffrey Brown's latest book Little Things.
As with all of Jeffrey's books, I enjoy Little Things for it's humour and sensitivity. It also features Jeffrey's musical discoveries too which I am really enjoying. I loved reading how he discovered Andrew Bird's music and how it formed the soundtrack of a particular part of his life. I tend to look back on music in a similar way - songs become important parts of the way I remember periods in my life. For example, Iron and Wine's Our Endless Numbered Days will always remind me of starting a new life post-Big Ex and filling it with good people like Chris. I think he was even the person who told me about Iron and Wine.. :)
I hope that you are all well on this bank holiday Monday. Me? I've got a bit of a cold so I'm sitting here in my PJs with a box of tissues to my left and a tall glass of orange juice to my right. Blech!
Ah! Enough about me and my snot! Let me tell you about the week I've just had .... It was a bit of a non-stop ride of musical fun and discovery that went a little like this ...
The Most Serene Republic - Great Escape Festival, Brighton (18 May 2008) For those of you unfamiliar with Great Escape, it is an annual festival in Brighton where bands play across the city at a variety of venues over the course of a few days in May. Line-ups are varied and it can be an excellent opportunity to catch bands who are on the cusp of great and wonderful things. In all of the years I've lived in Brighton, however, I've never managed to take in the festival. Bad timings, conflicting arrangements and general laziness have always been my excuses. So when I got the invite from J&O I thought there was no better way to cap off a lovely weekend than to take in a cool (Canadian) band in the company of two friends who I will miss dearly when they move to Australia.
So on to the show... Imagine a younger, less jaded Arcade Fire and you have an exceptionally simplistic description of The Most Serene Republic. Like Arcade Fire they play a wide range of instruments rarely heard in traditional indie rock. But whereas Arcade Fire have a confidence that comes from the knowledge that they are changing/have changed indie music, I get the feeling that The Most Serene Republic are still exploring how to make all of these instruments and their varied influences come together. It's like they are still finding their feet (hey! let's try a bit of this with a bit of that and see what happens!) and, on seeing them live, you get the feeling you are witnessing something that could at any moment become bigger than you (or they) dreamed. I know that sounds really wanky, but you get swept up in the band's youthful optimism and the grand scale of their music. :) So while I enjoyed the music I was hearing on that Sunday afternoon I was also smiling because I knew this was a pretty special band. Plus the singer was kind of cute and did a mean air guitar with his trombone when he wasn't playing it .. ;)
For such a great show, it was a bit disappointing that so few people turned up. I suppose the band was competing with Brighton beach and the glorious sunshine. Of course, I'm no better. The show was later than scheduled so J, O and myself had to leave early to tend to pot-roasts and work commitments. :S I suspect we all missed out a bit.
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Bon Iver and Jens Lekman - Scala, London (20 May 2008) I came to know Bon Iver and Jens Lekman through my ever reliable music friends O and IB. O was raving about Bon Iver earlier this year when I had dinner at his. IB introduced me to Jens Lekman in a flurry of cd swapping in March. He got a shedload of Ryan Adams cds and I got Jens Lekman (among others) in return. Fair swap methinks. ;) All of this to say that I'd been enjoying both of these artists for a few months now so I was wonderfully excited when IB offered me spare tickets to see both of these artists at the Scala. My emailed excitement must have read a bit like Meg Ryan's fake orgasm scene in When Harry Met Sally, but I swear I wasn't faking. I'd been kicking myself for weeks after not scoring tickets to the sold-out show so I was thrilled to be given second chance. Ok, now on to the show....
Bon Iver is the stage name of singer-songwriter Justin Vernon who recorded For Emma, Forever Ago while hibernating in a secluded cabin in Wisconsin for 4 months. He performed that night with a small group of musicians each seated low on the stage. As a result, I couldn't see anything, but perhaps this added to the mystery and beauty of the music. I was, after all, stood alone in a crowd of strangers (plus IB and his gal L) hearing the hushed songs written in those 4 months of isolation and loneliness. So I closed my eyes at times and let the music wash over me. Wonderful musicianship aside, I have to say that what I enjoyed most about his set was that I felt as though I'd been transported away from my world to that small cabin in Wisconsin. Like Sam Beam, Justin sings as though it is just you and he in the room and he is confiding a great story to you. The immediacy was powerful.
When the set finished I think we were all surprised and a bit stunned. We were back in London .. among a large group of strangers .. Surely we couldn't expect more from the evening after that? Ah, but there was more!
Jens Lekman arrived with his gang of multi-instrumentalists to remind us that music can convey both sadness and happiness. The thing I love about Jens is his playfulness in music. What could be sad and/or twee gets elevated to something beautiful and sensual through grandiose Scott Walker-style production and clever lyrics. This translated perfectly live - the musicians created a fantastic mini-symphony of pop and Jens's voice carried off the songs both with and without the band. This was no ordinary indie gig .. This was damn near perfect pop delivered by talented and dedicated musicians who performed with tremendous skill, precision and love. Add to this some fun and witty banter with the audience and I thoroughly enjoyed the show. :)
So that was my evening. Blown away not once, but twice! How often can you say that on a Tuesday night? :)
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Fireworks Night and Sunset Rubdown - Luminaire, London (22 May 2008) How do you finish a week that starts with a Canadian favourite then segues into Americana and Swedish Pop? Another Canadian band in the form of Sunset Rubdown! I've got to say, I've loved this band for a while and have been very excited about the gig since booking the tickets months ago. :) My love of this band started when I got an Absolutely Kosher sampler CD in the post a few years ago... The band's name read like a filthy sexy rock combo à laEagles of Death Metal so I was intrigued. They sounded nothing like my beloved Eagles (just leave him alone cos the boy's bad news), but their song Stadiums and Shrines II quickly became a firm favourite.
In the intimate Luminaire (best venue in town, my friends!), the band delivered the goods after following the impressive Fireworks Night. They played a great set and, as with Jens Lekman's show, I was impressed by how the non-traditional instruments ("non-indie" instruments) and the female backing vocals added warmth and feeling to the music. [By the way, I can't take credit for this observation but I agreed with IB when he said it so there you have it..] On any other Thursday night I would have gone home a happy woman after a show like that, but that Thursday the band had the misfortune of arriving after Most Serene Replubic, Bon Iver and Jens Lekman. Hard acts to follow, for sure! I had a really fun night hanging out with IB, listening to Fireworks Night and Sunset Rubdown didn't disappoint, but they didn't "wow" me either.
Furthermore, there was some drama over requests from the audience which left bit of a bad taste in my mouth. I didn't follow the whole discussion (after three gigs that week my hearing was a bit gone), but from what I could hear the audience wanted a song that the band were refusing to play. I don't expect bands to be performing monkeys and I sided whole-heartedly with Ryan Adams when he shot down whingers at his show in Birmingham. But ... for the reasons I mentioned above I often think of Eagles of Death Metal when I listen to Sunset Rubdown and I couldn't help but think of what they were like live. Back in 2007 when I saw them at the Astoria, Jesse Hughes delivered the goods and he was a total showman.. A skinny, more excitable Greg Dulli. :) He gave the people what they wanted and then a bit more because he knew deep down that was what they wanted (uh huh) .. It's old-fashioned and not very "indie", but that's what was so refreshing about it! Much as I love Sunset Rubdown's music, their moodiness and lack of humour left me a bit cold and wanting a bit more of the showmanship you get from the Jesse Hughes of the world. :)
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So these were the shows I attended last week. I hope you take the time to check out their music to see what all of my fuss is about. :) Also, if you have any musical suggestions then please pass them on. :)
Sunday, 18 May 2008
Dear X, Chris, Chloe, Greg and Stephanie
Hello again. I hope that this finds you well and that you've been enjoying the delights of spring. The last week or so have been glorious here in London/Brighton. I've never been one to enjoy getting baked on the beach, but there is something so refreshingly lovely about walking around Brighton with the warm sun on your back. Ahh... :) Of course, it didn't last ... but there is plenty of time for full summer weather. I'm excited. :)
Other things that are exciting me are: - Jens Lekman on Tuesday (I wrote about this last time, but I must say again "yay!!") - Sunset Rubdown on Thursday (I've loved this band for a while so I am very excited .. even more so because the gig is at the Luminaire) - the upcoming Indiana Jones movie (I'm a grown woman, but I'll always love Indiana Jones) - the new Jeffrey Brown comic (yes, he needs a shave, but he's funny) - long weekend (need I say any more?) - girly day out with my friend H (we aim to shop until we drop)
Since my last letter I've been listening to some new stuff that I feel that I should share with you:
Jason Collett - Out of Time I'll be honest, upon first listening to this song on the CBC R3-30 podcast I wasn't impressed. I found his Dylan-Petty impersonation quite distracting/irritating (invitation = invitaayshiyon). I mean, dude! You're a young man from Canada - you don't sound like that! But then he got to the goods: "Ooh ooh ooh ooh ooh! We're all out of time...". It must be a Law of Music that any song with repeated "Ooh"s/"Woo"s or handclapping must be enjoyable (See Blur's Song 2). So I'm converted. You may not be so easily converted, but I guarantee there will be a part of you shimmying (voluntarily or involuntarily) to the "Oooh"s . Just enjoy it and ignore the rest.
Feist - One Evening I was slow to jump on the Feist Is the Greatest Thing Since Sliced Bread bandwagon. I could always appreciate her, but was hesitant to become a full fledged devotee as many people I know and respect have become. I think I just feel like a bit of a dweeb when I get into something far later than your granny has. Then I stumbled upon this video on YouTube..
I've got to say that there isn't anything not to love about this song and video. Pretty much perfect pop. Plus, I wished people danced like that a bit more. :) Plus, it features the Great Buck 65. Two Nova Scotians in one video - it's got to be good.
Buck 65 - Dang I saw Buck for the 4th time earlier this year when he played in Brighton. I went to the gig thinking "Hmmff. I'm tired and want to go home.. Seen this guy 3 times already .. I could do with a good night's sleep". Despite being a grumpy old fool, I dragged myself out and I'm so glad I did. :) He was promoting his latest album The Situation which is inspired by 1957 and the socio-cultural changes going on at the time. It's easy for someone to think that this period in North American history was all about tupperware parties, pastels and bouffant hairdos but things were changing irrecoverably under the surface.
Ok, Dang isn't about the changes in social norms and sexual politics, but it is the only song from The Situation with an official video. Plus, it will forever remind me of being in the Komedia being torn between watching Buck on stage or a group of Superbad-lookalikes pulling shapes next to me so enjoy...
I'll be honest, the critics haven't always been taken with Buck and his previous work. Maybe you won't like this either. While I accept that he doesn't always pull off his grand ideas, I've got tremendous respect for his ambition in what he does because when he pulls it off it's tremendous. In a world of Pop Idol manufactured bullshit, long live the likes of Buck 65.
I'd better sign off here and meet my mates on the beach. :) When I write next I'll hopefully have wonderful stories to tell you about Jens, Sunset Rubdown and some of the cds I've recently been loaned (Mercury Rev, Ride and Dungen). In the meantime, let me take this opportunity to promote these Polish cookies you can now buy in UK supermarkets. They are lush. :)
Take care of yourselves.
Stephanie
Tune for the day: Watching You by Hardship Post This is a song I loved as a university student. After rediscovering it recently it has had me jumping around my bedroom like the silly sod I am.
Sunday, 4 May 2008
Dear X and Chloe and Stephanie and Greg,
I hope that you are well and enjoying the start of spring (for those of you in the Northern Hemisphere). It's been funny here with rain, chilly spells then glorious sunshine. It's like the weather is in the throws of a bad case of PMT (or PMS to North Americans).
Thank you for the musical suggestions and advice on Greek Easter. I am currently in the process of (legally) downloading a bit of Album Leaf so I will let you know how I get on. In other music news I am supremely excited to report that I am going to see Jens Lekman in a few weeks. Yay! The show was sold out, but due to the availability of cheap holidays to Paris I managed to get offered 2 tickets. Yipee! It took me a while to get into Jens as I originally thought he was another Jose Gonzalez. Why was I so deluded? Fuck, I dunno. Two sensitive Swedes - must sing song about how painful life is. Obviously... So imagine my surprise to hear Jens and discover ... Love Boat in all its lusciousness! Wowee! I hear his music and imagine myself in a powder blue ballgown sashaying across the dance floor with a handsome man in a tux with floppy bow tie. It could be horribly twee, but there is something really heartbreaking and sensual in his music at the same time ( ... and oh those lips i've loved/that i was dreaming of/they're so red and soft ...). So yes, I'm excited about this show. :)
And regarding Greek Easter (yes, I know it isn't just the Greeks who celebrated Easter last week but I'm being lazy)... On Sunday went to a party in North London hosted by lovely Greek friends. As requested by the hostess, I brought some food and, as suggested by Chloe, I brought something English. Actually, it was something Nigella - damp lemon and almond cake with raspberries. I don't mean to toot my own horn, but it was tasty. :) That's not to say the other food at the party wasn't tasty. Holy! There was food for an army! Lamb, pork, salads, tzatziki, bread, beans etc .. Not to mention the drink! I tried a bit of everything and discovered that I actually like lamb (my tastebuds must only kick in when it's been slow roasted for hours) and ouzo (it smelled like medicine, but it was pretty good). Apart from the culinary delights, there was also good music (it all started traditional, segued into Grease soundtrack with a short interlude of Ryan Adams' Cold Roses), good conversation, dancing and general loveliness. The only bummer was that I had to leave at 8pm so I had a chance of getting into bed before midnight (flippin' train alterations).
In other news I had a great time at the We Are Scientists gig last week. Fun music, good company, cool purchase and the surreal experience of having a strange woman tap me on the shoulder to tell me she has my tshirt. :) Biggest bummer of the night? Mild stomach pains kicking in at around 11 growing to really painful by 11.30 and super painful by midnight. I'm not sure what set me off - although I had a terrible week before that I had been feeling much better. Anyhow, I spent the 1hr long train journey twisting and shifting in my seat trying to get comfortable. I considered getting off at Gatwick Airport, but knew that it would be 1am before another train showed up. Hideous. Sleep, water, peppermint tea and minimal food the following day helped. My body hates me from time to time - I just have to learn not to piss it off. ;)
I'd better sign off here, but I leave you with a picture I took in Brighton a few weekends ago. I couldn't not. :) Take care of yourselves.
Apologies for the gap between letters. It's been manically busy at work. It still is, but I thought I'd blog/write/whatever instead of update my PowerPoint slides. Naughty? Not quite. Hibernating has been the extent of my naughtiness of late. :)
What I have been naughty about is catching up with all of the great music that friends have been recommending to me. Bands include:
If you have other bands I need to add to my list then let me know. :)
On the non-musical front I've been trying to build up my running after knackering my legs with the half-marathon. My muscles were all tight and knotted up, but vigorous deep tissue massage (not an enjoyable experience, but highly effective) and yoga has helped. Yes, I've taken up yoga. I'm surprised at my ability to do some of the poses, but then befuddled when I can't do the others. I'm inclined to think that the human body was never intended to contort itself into those positions, but I must accept that I'm a rather tight little ball that needs a bit of stretching.
On the social front I've been a bit naughty and cancelled some planned outings due to work commitments. On the plus-side I've got some nice things to look forward to this week: - a day off with a friend to go clothes shopping on Tuesday - a night out with colleagues on Wednesday - a gig with my rock buddy on Friday - an Easter party with some new friends (they're Greek and Easter falls a bit later for them)
I'm a bit weary of (almost) each of them. I can't spend too much money on Tuesday ... I love going to gigs with my rock buddy so that will be good and, who knows, he might get singled out by the band like the last time ... I'm looking forward to the Easter bash but I'm shy and weary of arriving at the party and not knowing many of the people there. I know I shouldn't work myself up into knots about these nice things in advance - it's just my nature.
I'd better sign off here, but I wish you well. Take care.
Stephanie
Tune for today: For Emma by Bon Iver
Monday, 7 April 2008
Dearest X,
I hope that this finds you well. I'm still beaming from a day of awesome snowfall in Brighton. I woke up at 9am thinking 'All of these snow rumours are clearly baloney'. Then raindrops appeared on the skylights in my room. Then the skylights turned grey. WTF? I opened a window to see a blanket of snow on my roof and on the grass outside. Yahoo! I spent as much time outside as possible and even wore a hat for the first time in ages. I was so taken with the hat I borrowed from my housemate that I've decided to make one for myself.
My interest in knitting has increased quite a bit lately and I've got a billion ideas in mind based on pattern books (this and that), websites (here and here) and personalities (her and her). It's an expensive habit to get into so I'm thinking of asking friends to provide the yarn when they ask for large pieces (will knit for yarn!) or use them for gifts.
I've also discovered a strange joy in making jam (ok, I made one jar, but the jar I used was gorgeous and the jam is so darn good!) so maybe it will figure in my cache of Christmas/birthday presents to give. I mean, who can turn down a jar of homemade jam made lovingly by a friend?
On the subject of food, I need some advice. I've been invited to a Greek Easter party and need to bring some food. Do I: a) bring along a 'Stephanie special'; or b) knock together a British Easter classic; or c) experiment with traditional Greek food
I'm tempted to try something traditionally Greek, but my Greek hosts are likely experts in that field and will either: a) appreciate the effort; or b) be disappointed in my bastardised version of their national dishes
Any advice would be much appreciated.
I must sign off here, but it's good to be back in touch and I promise to be back again soon.
Stephanie
Tune for today: Swing the heartache by Young Galaxy
