Gossip Folk

I'd like to say that I will never understand people that need to gossip, and pass around negativity.
But I do.
Insecurity is a powerful thing. I can completely understand how someone in a position that they are not happy in, has to work so hard at cutting other people down, and doing awful things to them.
It's sad, and a little messed up.
Instead of bettering yourself, which takes actual work, and a lot of character, I do completely understand how someone with not a lot going for them, would pass on doing that work, and concentrate on bringing someone they're intimidated by, down to their level.
It's easier. and Lord knows The Worthless hate work, or taking responsibility for themselves.
Except it doesn't really work out.
When people continue to pass you by, while you stay in the same dead end space, trolling and hating, it's hard to see all the flaws in them, and not pick up on the flaws in the person with nothing going for them, continuously running their mouth, or looking for things to gossip about.
It's truly depressing that our generation has such little self worth. Maybe if they'd had a better life, or better parents, or more discipline, or even more importance put on education or character, they would chose the (obviously) more enlightened path.
Maybe they wouldn't act like worthless wastes of space, until that's all anyone thought of, at the mention of their name.
If your unhappy in your life, change it. It isn't anyone's problem but yours
If you've had a rough childhood, or someone was mean to you, get the fuck over yourself. your not special.
I would say that 95% of people have not had a perfect life. Your just like everyone else, except everyone else is smart enough, and strong enough to deal with their shit, and not let it dictate their lives. I occasionally go out to see a band I like, and it kills me, that you can walk into at least four different bars downtown, and all the same bar rats from 5 years ago are still there. I may go to a bar once or twice a month, and I see the same faces, except now they look much sadder, and weathered. Still telling me all about their new band, as if it's not exactly the same as their last shitty band that isn't going anywhere. Every. Single, Time, While most of us moved on, grew up, and got on with the progress of our lives, and I'm not talking about staff. or bar owners. clearly they would sustain a business.
I mean the people with nothing else to do, nowhere else to be, than sitting at a bar, or home on their computer, shooting shit and generally being a worthless hater.
People who watch their friends grow up, move on, find relationships, healthy routines and mature with their life, and just move on to the next slightly younger/dumber group of friends. Then they evolve past you, and you stay where you are, waiting for new people who don't know your tired, pathetic game yet.
I feel bad for these people. Clearly they are not living up to any kind of potential whatsoever, so their defensive. The thing they need to realize is, they don't have to defend themselves. Because nobody is even talking about them, People who only breed negativity, label themselves so the rest of society soon realizes they are counter productive, and forgets all about them. The only time these people get mentioned, is in the piteous tone, of understanding, and sadness that people like this exist.

I could very well, become an adult, soon.

So yesterday I learned what it was to be in a situation where you "Can't Even".
This was always an odd thing to me. I never understood why an inability to articulate the language you should know, "off by heart", as they say, became a thing to encourage.
But yesterday, I had such a day, that I am sure that I could not find the words to articular my frustration properly, and so I couldn't even...
Now, as unnerving as THAT was
This evening, I experienced what I understand to be "fangirling" when I tweeted something positive to Sarah Blackwood, in support of her current upset with United Airlines. Not particularly known for their caliber of customer satisfaction. way less stoked for my trip to New York this summer. But I digress.
I send a positive message with a silly video. I am such a fan of this girl. I used to love The Creepshow, a Toronto band, when she was their vocalist. I fell away from their music but I became such a giant fan of her projects and her as a person, and a women role model for people to look up to. Walk Off The Earth have some of my favorite videos on the whole internet. Their music is creative, and honest and so full of innovation that I'm considering leaving Newfoundland just to see them perform live somewhere in Canada soon.
Granted the picture of three baby goats, wearing sweaters and making precious sounds, did the majority of the work, She favorited my tweets. She retweeted my tweets. I shreked like a 4 year old, with a set of car keys dangling above my heads. Attention! from someone I admire!! Just bliss.
Is it possible that I'm slowly starting to understand how to relax and behave like a normal human being...? I'm not sure how I feel about this to be honest...

#indiebandproblems

I'm pretty sure that I've talked about this before (at least once) but it bears repeating. In my city there is an amazing music scene. it's diverse, and creative and there is literally something for just about everyone. I'm sure this is also the case with many more cities around the world. I find it very impressive. The thing that frustrates me about creativity is a lot of people think that it means they are entitled to praise, and special treatment and above all else, an audience.
So many Facebook posts, and tweets and passive aggressive comments circulate, all blaming the audience for not paying the money or giving the band their time and attention.

"You'll pay $20 at Starbucks, But you won't spend $5 on your local music scene. pretty cool..."

1. Yes. I will absolutely spend $20 at Starbucks because that is what I want. Delicious fancy coffee and baked goods interests me, and I like to treat my coworkers sometimes.
2. I will spend the $5 to see a band I like. Actually I will likely spend at least $50 every time I go out and support my local music scene. I go out, have some drinks, buy people drinks and tip the bartenders well, because I know our awesome time is their bullshit shift cause some bitch called in sick.

If something is happening and I want to see it, I will go out if i can afford to. Like most people I would think. I guarantee you, if people wanted to come to your shows, or see your band, or hear your music, they will. What would stop them? I don't know many people who have a problem spending money when/how they want to.

It's not fair to expect everyone in your life to be your biggest fan just because of what you choose to do. I enjoy the diversity that our music scene has to offer, but nobody ever plays music for themselves. You play for an audience. and if you don't interest anyone, you don't get an audience. that is nobodies fault but your own. You can force anyone on the planet to have a different set of interests. Your girlfriend/boyfriend/best friend/family doesn't have to love your music. It's your choice, not theres. Would you pay $5-$50 to go out and not enjoy yourself? Why do you expect other people should for you?
It's called popular music for a reason. If your music isn't getting anyones attention or any audience after so long. The problem isn't with The Scene. It's probably with whatever your doing. At the end of the day, the reality is you can love your music all you want. Make music for yourself and make it all about yourself. it's totally your call. But unless you're willing to pay cover to see yourself hundreds of times, consider it a hobby. You have no idea about any professional music career.

Ask.fm: Who are some of your favorite bands and singers?

I'm completely in love with Fun. I want to marry them. All of them.
I really enjoy Walk Off The Earth, Fall Out Boy (so happy they're back!) Mariana's Trench, Billy Talent, The Lumineers, and of course check out RocketRocketship All amazing bands you can find for free on Youtube, or buy whole albums on iTunes, So try them out

<3

april

Everything In It's Place

In a lot of ways it helps economy to have a local scene. Bars pay Bands. Bargoers like to see Cover Bands or a certain genre of music. Therefore there is a place for every person, and every genre and as long as there is an audience for your art, then you will be successful. If you do not have an audience. you need a new plan. It's just that simple. Performing music is not about yourself. You want an audience to come and enjoy your music. Doesn't that immediately make it about what THEY want to see. You can't make people like you. You can make music that they want to listen to. I don't get why this is so hard for people to understand. The perfect most ideal situation in music is making music that you love that is accepted and celebrated by other people. The more the better. But this is not the most common situation. Bands get upset when nobody comes to their shows. You're choosing to make noise that they don't want to listen to. That's what it comes down to. They don't make you listen to shit that you don't want to. You know how that whiny friend who is always negative and complaining and having a pity party. nobody likes being around that friend. So don't be that friend.

Hot Live Death

I'm currently completely in love with an amazing band called Walk Off The Earth. They really are essentially our generations Fleetwood Mac. When inter-band relationships present and it gives the songs and the sound such a genuine, raw, edge of realism. Much in the way that Rumors was received and  is still one of the most popular albums of all time. Fleetwood Mac essentially wrote Rumors about each other. Their whole lives fell apart. Relationships ended, Friendships were tested, and they chose to stay together and create through all of that pain. It's such a rare thing to find in music these days. Genuine Honesty. I've always enjoyed bands like Mariana's Trench, and Fall Out Boy. Most recently this music love affair has found its way to indie sensation Fun. I think for awhile I forgot how important music is to me. I had a lot going on, and was having a really hard time for a while recently, Hearing music written by the people performing it, instead of 40 year old pop music makers, has the raw integrity of putting yourself out there, and being exposed and vulnerable to everyone in the world.
When writing is inspired by real life, it has real feelings. When a song speaks to its audience, it should be without a marketing team and half a dozen writers constructing it to say all the things to touch the right buttons.
Just be real. honest. if your upset, write about it. If you're happy, write about that. I could never sit down and just write a song. I needed something to inspire me. an opinion about something that I wanted to share.

So when Walk Off The Earth came along, with their folk lifestyle and constant collaborations, I was in awe of this massive group of gifted people. Most recently joined by Sarah Blackwood, formerly of The Creepshow (another HUGE inspiration of mine). My massive girl crush on Sarah aside, I've never seen an incident of someone seeming to be exactly where she belongs. All multi-instrument playing members (5 regular and dozens of guest artists who join them regularly) are so dynamic and interesting to watch. If you have not seen or heard of Walk Off The Earth, do yourself a favor and head to Youtube and check them out

Walk Off The Earth performing Gyote's Somebody That I Used To Know on one guitar.
The Youtube video that gave them a publicity boost recently.

The Motivation Proclamation

I'm on the cusp of completely improving my life, and I lack any and all motivation. What's wrong with me? Why doesn't how important it is, and how much I worry about it, force me to prepare for risk better. Ironic really. What are some ways that you find helpful for retaining information?

It's been a long time since I studied. Embarrassingly long. Writing this blog right now is more procrastination, and now I'm watching that Good Charlottle Video. My goodness I had a crush on Benji back then...when he was a skinny little nerd. I do love my Abed's.

Remember the pink hair? Oh! The Swooning...

the F word

I don't know why I even have a Facebook (F word. see what I did there?). For the most part it just makes me angry because a lot of people are really thoughtless, and for the most part, they couldn't find any Class or Tact, if they had a map.
A friend of mine made a statement (on a post, made by a band I follow) showing his support. He posted that he had his tickets to their upcoming show. I did the same, seemed like a nice, positive thing to do. Less than five minutes later his girlfriend charms her way into the conversation, to correct him stating that she had purchased his ticket for him.

Little gestures of disregard like this make me so angry. Emasculating, or belittling someone who means a lot to you. It's f**king stupid. I want to shout at them, "Do you have any idea what you mean to that person? You're so lucky and you're ruining it all on your own."
I hate that I have a button like that, that causes me to over react but realistically we all do.
I furiously typed out a post to share after I read her emasculating, rude comment. being reminded of all the things that could annoy one about this specific broad specimen person.
"wow. that's cool. How nice of you, Chang. He would probably lose his balls anyway, it's better that you hold onto them i suppose."

Ugg...What a dame.The small, corner of my brain that controls reason, caused me to debate for 5 minutes, but inevitably, delete my harsh words, and take to the almighty blog instead.

When did the unspoken loyalty between friends disappear? Or the maturity to treat your loved one with respect, and help build them up, rather than make jokes at their expense and embarrass them. These are small gestures, you may think don't matter, or things you dismiss, saying,"well he never mentioned it after", or "if she was mad I would know for sure"

Not everyone is the same. I, for one do not want to live in a world where "If I wasn't happy I wouldn't be here" is acceptable. or "I love you, until further notice" is the attitude taken toward someone you care about
I worry that the world is becoming too cold. Romance and Love are all but dead in a world that revolves around money and self preservation.

What do you want? Jingle Jam on it?

RocketRocketShip put off one of the best live shows I've ever attended last night. As a last minute opener for Pop Heavyweights, Faber Drive, RocketRocketship played with a huge group of amazing people including bands Fighting for Ithaca, Courage My Love, and the very talented Victoria Duffield. If you're not sure who she is, check here out here! She's this generation's Brittany Spears, and she's got a bright future ahead of her! I'm personally a fan.
Courage My Love have videos on youtube, so check them out! So do Fighting For Ithaca! Both really awesome bands full of amazing, fun people, so give them some of your time. You may really enjoy them!

RocketRocketShip Frontman, Jon Pike, took command of the crowd from the moment he stepped onto the stage. Guitarists Paul Brake and Matthew Dines rocked out and brought an unbelievable energy to the stage, providing vocal work, along with Bassist David Shear., (also Drummer, Jeremy Kelly, as well as Keyboardist, Kenney Purchase),The bys kept the crowd amped,  having them participate in their well rounded and enthusiastic performance. This performance shows amazing growth within this band. In every capacity from showmanship to musical sound. A feeling of fun has been recaptured from the spirits that wrote House of Cards and Back Where I Belong. If you weren't in attendance at CLB Armories last night for Jingle Jam, you truly missed out on a performance that i will never forget. Check out the boy's website, follow them on twitter and like them on facebook! My god that sounds so creepy out loud. We're a society of stalkers...anyway do it

Made me what I am today.

The little gestures in life are so important. 
Compliments, appreciation, good manners and etiquette mean so much to so many people. 
I don't know anyone who can't help smiling when the lady checking you in, at the mall compliments a piece of clothing or jewelry that you're wearing. Suddenly this t-shirt that you only wear on laundry day, becomes you're new favorite. You pair it with cute jewelry and you enjoy the little boost of confidence that we get.
As issue that I struggle with a lot is people being in my space. I don't like when people get too close to me. it's nothing personal. Affection makes me feel uncomfortable. In private, with a loved one, I'm a very different person but I don't share that side of myself with anyone else.
Once after working a shift at The Levee I was at the bar restocking the coolers when I got a text from a friend. He wanted to know if there was some money at the bar for his band, as they had played for Halloween. I told him that a band member had already text me and that I was going to bring it over to his show, at another bar, and he never text me back. I got to the show and stopped to talk to a friend at the merch table where I gave my friend his money and bought a t-shirt. A t-shirt that I left on the bar, at the venue.

The next night I was at headquarters...working, pissed off, I had worked really hard to promote a show and a ton of people I knew were at another bar drinking, and didn't want to come to the event I had planned because they didn't want to pay cover. And in walks Troy. with the t-shirt that I hadn't even noticed I'd forgotten yet.

He saw that there wasn't many people there and he stayed for a drink or two. To support someone who was trying to create a good thing. The smallest gestures, either positive or negative say the most about us. Suffice to say those friends at the other bar aren't my friends anymore. Troy is, to this day, someone very dear to me. also...

Guys, I'm Throwing You A Huge

Right Now!

Not only is it one of the easiest things to do, but (and women will back me up on this) it is also the sexiest goddamn thing a man can possibly aspire to be. A Gentlemen. It is actually probably* the closest thing to a sure thing when trying to get a lady you have a crush on to notice you. Shit, if you're just trying to get laid, even. It's got to be at least 85%* effective...

In closing, be nice to each other. pay attention, give compliments, and behave with some class and dignity. My how to on being a person. Also who doesn't love a good ol' Nintendo reference!

*I estimate, clearly. I doubt there is a way to poll all women..that seems like it would take a lot of my time.

rockmusic

Here are the Be Good Tanyas, super folk-y but very cute. I want to have this song played live at my wedding

Click on the photo for The Littlest Birds Official Video!