So Much Goodness

So, you may have noticed I have been less than awesome at blogging this past month or so and I am now finally able to share the resason why. Next week (unless technical difficulties ensue) I am starting a new freelance position with Microsoft Canada as their Fashion & Beauty blogger! So every spare minute (we were also putting together the biggest issue of the year at the magazine) has been spent contacting PR reps and sourcing material (see reading fashion mags...tough life) and not to mention the work necessary to land the gig. Ultimately, I'm not sure that there is going to be very much time left to keep this blog alive, but I'm definitely going to try. I have too many random thoughts that just shouldn't be ignored!

Speaking of which, there is nothing I like better than when a cool band covers another cool bands cool song. All that can amount too is a whole lot of cool right? So imagine my excitement when I stumbled across three of the members of Paramore doing their interpretation of one of my personal faves, Use Somebody by the Kings of Leon for the BBC. Granted it's not as strong (see heart stopping) as the original, but Hailey's voice is pretty amazing and there are some cool intonations. So check it out and let me know what you think. 

I'll keep y'all posted on the Microsoft project, so you can transfer your love and affection over there asap. hahah.

No Use Crying Over No No Doubt

It's a slightly sad day in the neighbourhood for me today as my favourite band (god it's been almost 15 years now!) No Doubt is playing for the first time in Calgary. I was even offered pre-sale tickets through my peeps at Live Nation (they know the depth of my love) but just as with Coldplay last month, I just couldn't cough up nearly $100 to see an act I have already seen live twice (I don't understand tickets that cost more than $45), plus no one else in Cow Town seems to share my adoration of the skarific quartet. So here I sit on my couch, blogging and watching So You Think You Can Dance instead of rocking out with Gwen and the boys. The only thing that stopped the depression from sinking in was remembering that this time around I actually got to speak to the band, including Gwen and baby Kingston, about touring after a ten year hiatus. Now, I'm not saying that it's better than the concert, but it does help ease the pain. It was easily the most surreal experience of my life to date (dreams really do come true it seems) so thank goodness I have the audio files to prove that it actually happened....just wish I could figure out how to post it!?

"The world's a roller coaster and I am not strapped in. Maybe I should hold with care, but my hands are busy in the air."

My personal philosophy courtesy of Mr. Brandon Boyd of Incubus. 

The Music Man

Been working like a crazy woman since returning from Van in order to get Swerve's Stampede issue out without a hitch so, unfortunately, I haven't had the time or energy to put together a post about the trip (too much to cover on so few brain cells!). But, I have some cranky followers on my case so I thought I'd better let you know a bit about the great interview I had with the amazing Xavier Rudd yesterday. For those of you who aren't familiar with this aussi's body of work I highly recommend you check him out at xavierrudd.com for a truly unique experience.

I had the pleasure of seeing Xav play at the 2007 Blues and Roots Festival in Byron Bay Australia (where he recorded his newest album) and he blew me away (he's like a one man band with a didgeridoo!) and now after chatting with him about his favourite songs to listen to on tour (the man is DEEP) I am even more excited to see him perform here in Calgary on July 5. It's not a usual opening Stampede weekend activity, but I'm sure it will be an outstanding show and a lifelong memory, just as the first one was. 

Can't wait to sit down and write the piece tomorrow and for those of you in C-Town pick up the July 3rd issue of Swerve and see what the man had to say (and listens too) and get yourself some tickets to the show.

Critical Critic

My pal (and colleague) Bruce says I am one tough cookie when it comes to musicians impressing me. Every day a few albums arrive at the office and every day I give each one three songs to impress me (that's why record labels line up all the singles at the start). More often than not I am the one who vetoes the album and sends it to the reject pile never to be heard from again (perhaps I do have a low crap tolerance after all?). After a couple particularly brutal rejects yesterday, I started to wonder when the last time I was really blown away by an album was? I miss that feeling. I'm looking for inspiration here people, so please share the last great album (or song) you loved with me. And I'm not just talking about a pretty good Kings of Leonesque  record, I'm talking about the shivers up your spine, tears in your eyes, awe inspiring kind of good. So enlighten me if you would be so kind.