What if I told you what I really thought about the music industry?
What if I told you that there are people in this city who are struggling not for fame, glory, or riches, but just to make a small living doing what they love while they work paycheque to paycheque in an unaffordable city?
What if I told you that there are some people who are so talented so so talented and you may never hear them and if you do, the music that you hear doesn't even represent how brilliant they are?
What if I told you the only way a band can get heard in this city is if you win a radio contest?
What if I told you that if you were a part of one radio contest, you'd burn bridges to another entire side of the local music industry and never be apart of other local radio contests?
What if I told you that most local artists who are currently having some success on their own through word-of-mouth could never win a radio contest or even be selected and wouldn't even want to apply?
What if I told you that because of local bylaws in this city there are only a small handful of venues that bands can perform in?
What if I told you that the city's culture doesn't support local, independant, live music?
What if I told you that the costs of touring Canada and get out of this city are so high that it's almost impossible to get anywhere unless you leave your family, friends, and life behind and move to the other side of the country or another country altogether and start at square one?
What if I told you that recording costs are bloated?
What if I told you that costs of pressing CDs are bloated and no one even buys CDs anyway?
What if I told you that as YOU were reading this blog, YOU were listening to a song on your iPod that YOU didn't even pay for?
What if I told you it didn't matter if you paid for that song, it's an artist that is already so successful, so powerful, backed by so much money, that it doesn't matter in the slightest whether or not you paid for it?
What if I told you that you're willing to pay $75 or more to see said artist in a venue that isn't intimate, isn't real, doesn't even have quality sound?
What if I told you that for every illegally downloaded song or album by a bigger artist, there is a small artist that would not be developed, and that the independant labels who develop small artists are struggling just to pay their bills in their overpriced office space in this overpriced city?
What if I told you not to believe anything you've just read?
Love,
Marty
@martyzylstra
January 31, 2011
January 28, 2011
SHOW REVIEW: TV Heart Attack, the Manvils, & the Quickness
Remember how the "early" Beatles had their "personas"? George was the "quiet" one, John the "funny" one, Paul the "cute one" and Ringo was, well, just Ring.
I took the Skytrain downtown last night, wanting to make sure I got there early enough to hang out with some of my friends who were going to the TV Heart Attack show at the Forum, and also to make sure I saw all the bands. As I got off the train I was texting Adam (drums from TVHA) asking what time he'd arrive. I look over and he is responding to my text walking beside me heading towards the exit on the street. What a hilarious way to start a night!
My anticipation for the night grew as we got caught up discussing what we each had been up to in the past few weeks.
I have extreme love and respect for these people. They are, in a lot of ways, my family.
As Adam and I are standing outside the club Arthur and Ryan show up and we get to talking. Ryan is recently single and talking about wanting to meet women that night. I point to a couple of girls standing a few feet away and he is like, "Watch this. I know them." in a perfect dead pan. If each of TVHA is a persona, Ryan is the "cute" one. Jay shows up a little after this, and in perfect Jay fashion starts to make jokes. I'm laughing before he's even finished his first sentence. Jay is the "funny" one. Art comes over and as all of us are standing outside chatting and talking it feels alive. Vancouver's not dead. Vancouver is quite alive.
If you can guage the temperature of an artist's future by a show like last night TVHA will be breaking out in 2011. When I walked into the club the place was full of people and as I looked around I realized that I knew many of these people from the local music industry. There were even a couple of "celebrities" from local bands/TV/Radio, and you could feel the buzz in the room.
Although I missed the first 1/2 of the set of the 1st band, the Quickness, I will say a couple of things about them. Number 1, the sounded like Jimmy Eat World. Number 2, I liked their energy and look forward to hearing recordings by them. Also, it was nice to meet them after the show, and it turns out we have many mutual friends. It was also very nice to hear that Jacob (the singer) is a fan of my band. I like compliments from talented people.
Have you seen the Manvils live?
I suggest you see them. Mikey Manvil is the guitar player/singer. He is one of the most genuine people I know. I always run into him in the supermarket or simply walking around downtown somewhere and always gives a at least a few minutes of his time to chat about music, life or anything really.
His onstage persona is wild.
I would compare it to a guitar weilding Jim Morrison. He swaggers. He spits. His guitar is loud and sounds crisp. The band is terrific. The songs are terrific. The energy is terrific.
I will be buying all of this bands music ASAP and I'll do a song review next week.
The closing song was one of the highlights. It was a bluesy uptempo song and as it drew to a finale, I had a feeling it wasn't quite over. Sure enough, Mikey starts into a building tremelo guitar part dualing with bass. They built this jam into an intense frenzy until the song exploded into the "big" rock and roll ending.
There was a guy who obviously was a huge fan, at the front of the audience banging his head with amazing long hair and a jean jacket and a Pilsner in his hand. I told my friends I was with that I was banging my head just like that the entire show, but on the inside.
TV Heart Attack was up next.
Jason looked a little like Morrisey last night. He had a red button up shirt with a skinny tie and he's grown his hair a little and looks extremely fit. He walks up to the mic and pulls out a flask. He takes a haul, cracks a joke and they bust into a new song. I've heard this song before. It was written in August 2009. I was there when it was first played. Forgive me for not knowing the name of the song but I think you'd like it. It's currently stuck in my head with the soaring gang vocal hook. After hearing a number of new songs, I feel that TVHA's new EP will probably build on "Lost in the Sway's" success. The band is using strong danceable rythmns and good spacial energy in all of the new songs. They also have a lot of keyboards which gives the live sound something a bit more unique then the 2 guitar/bass/drums sound.
The crowd of people in the dance floor were very happy when Hypnotic Eyes started. I found myself singing along (as always) and the energy of the band was explosive.
About 6 months ago the TVHA boys were missing a drummer and I suggested Jay audition my friend Adam. I will be honest, this band has never been tighter or had as much energy. If Ringo's persona was just "Ring" then Adam is just "Ad". One of the best friends I have.
In closing, this was one of the best nights of the year yet. Close friends, amazing live music, amazing energy, and a great new venue for original music, the Forum.
If you haven't already, you should buy the Manvils & TV Heart Attacks album online:
Click here for the Manvils
Click here for TV Heart Attack
Thanks for reading,
Marty
@martyzylstra
http://www.martyzylstra.bandcamp.com/
p.s. Arthur is the "talent" ;)
I took the Skytrain downtown last night, wanting to make sure I got there early enough to hang out with some of my friends who were going to the TV Heart Attack show at the Forum, and also to make sure I saw all the bands. As I got off the train I was texting Adam (drums from TVHA) asking what time he'd arrive. I look over and he is responding to my text walking beside me heading towards the exit on the street. What a hilarious way to start a night!
My anticipation for the night grew as we got caught up discussing what we each had been up to in the past few weeks.
I have extreme love and respect for these people. They are, in a lot of ways, my family.
As Adam and I are standing outside the club Arthur and Ryan show up and we get to talking. Ryan is recently single and talking about wanting to meet women that night. I point to a couple of girls standing a few feet away and he is like, "Watch this. I know them." in a perfect dead pan. If each of TVHA is a persona, Ryan is the "cute" one. Jay shows up a little after this, and in perfect Jay fashion starts to make jokes. I'm laughing before he's even finished his first sentence. Jay is the "funny" one. Art comes over and as all of us are standing outside chatting and talking it feels alive. Vancouver's not dead. Vancouver is quite alive.
If you can guage the temperature of an artist's future by a show like last night TVHA will be breaking out in 2011. When I walked into the club the place was full of people and as I looked around I realized that I knew many of these people from the local music industry. There were even a couple of "celebrities" from local bands/TV/Radio, and you could feel the buzz in the room.
Although I missed the first 1/2 of the set of the 1st band, the Quickness, I will say a couple of things about them. Number 1, the sounded like Jimmy Eat World. Number 2, I liked their energy and look forward to hearing recordings by them. Also, it was nice to meet them after the show, and it turns out we have many mutual friends. It was also very nice to hear that Jacob (the singer) is a fan of my band. I like compliments from talented people.
Have you seen the Manvils live?
I suggest you see them. Mikey Manvil is the guitar player/singer. He is one of the most genuine people I know. I always run into him in the supermarket or simply walking around downtown somewhere and always gives a at least a few minutes of his time to chat about music, life or anything really.
His onstage persona is wild.
I would compare it to a guitar weilding Jim Morrison. He swaggers. He spits. His guitar is loud and sounds crisp. The band is terrific. The songs are terrific. The energy is terrific.
I will be buying all of this bands music ASAP and I'll do a song review next week.
The closing song was one of the highlights. It was a bluesy uptempo song and as it drew to a finale, I had a feeling it wasn't quite over. Sure enough, Mikey starts into a building tremelo guitar part dualing with bass. They built this jam into an intense frenzy until the song exploded into the "big" rock and roll ending.
There was a guy who obviously was a huge fan, at the front of the audience banging his head with amazing long hair and a jean jacket and a Pilsner in his hand. I told my friends I was with that I was banging my head just like that the entire show, but on the inside.
TV Heart Attack was up next.
Jason looked a little like Morrisey last night. He had a red button up shirt with a skinny tie and he's grown his hair a little and looks extremely fit. He walks up to the mic and pulls out a flask. He takes a haul, cracks a joke and they bust into a new song. I've heard this song before. It was written in August 2009. I was there when it was first played. Forgive me for not knowing the name of the song but I think you'd like it. It's currently stuck in my head with the soaring gang vocal hook. After hearing a number of new songs, I feel that TVHA's new EP will probably build on "Lost in the Sway's" success. The band is using strong danceable rythmns and good spacial energy in all of the new songs. They also have a lot of keyboards which gives the live sound something a bit more unique then the 2 guitar/bass/drums sound.
The crowd of people in the dance floor were very happy when Hypnotic Eyes started. I found myself singing along (as always) and the energy of the band was explosive.
About 6 months ago the TVHA boys were missing a drummer and I suggested Jay audition my friend Adam. I will be honest, this band has never been tighter or had as much energy. If Ringo's persona was just "Ring" then Adam is just "Ad". One of the best friends I have.
In closing, this was one of the best nights of the year yet. Close friends, amazing live music, amazing energy, and a great new venue for original music, the Forum.
If you haven't already, you should buy the Manvils & TV Heart Attacks album online:
Click here for the Manvils
Click here for TV Heart Attack
Thanks for reading,
Marty
@martyzylstra
http://www.martyzylstra.bandcamp.com/
p.s. Arthur is the "talent" ;)
January 26, 2011
Wayne Gretzky's Birthday
As you know, or don't know, my hobby is following hockey.
Why?
I come from small town Canada. This is the passion of Canada. For those of you who are my friends living in Vancouver/Toronto/urban Canada unless you've driven from Vancouver to Toronto (or further east), I don't believe you truly know the country you live in. Canada is not skytrains. Canada is not rain. Canada is not Condominiums/VW Jetta's and Americanos.
This is not to hack on the "Vancouver" lifestyle. Vancouver has become the city that I love. This morning was beautiful. If you looked into the harbour downtown, Stanley park was shining amidst a small cloud and there is snow on the mountains. This is the most beaufiul landscape of any city probably in the world.
However. This is not Canada. Canada is far too vast. Far too much space. Canada is a small town and what do you do in Small Town Canada where the winter is 8 months long? You do about 3 things: Drink Beer, Play Hockey, or Curl.
Sometimes you do all three in one day.
When I was young, a lot of my friends either played hockey or were really into it. As a lad, you do everything you can to fit in, right? Well, this involved me becoming passionate about our national pastime. In my tweens, I delivered the Sudbury Star for a time and followed a certain Ontario team that was down on their luck. That particular year they made a huge trade which essentially changed their fortunes and the following year ended up in the conference final against none other then number 99.
At the time, there was talk that he was no longer so great and that the LA Kings were beatable. Well, there I am, biting my nails watching game 6 of T.O. vs. L.A. and what does Wayner do? Deflect the puck off of Dave Ellett's skate into the net to beat Felix Potvin. This tied the game.
The Leafs lost that game and then the series and LA almost beat the Canadians that year for the cup.
That's one of my memories of Wayne.
He turns 50 today.
I think what makes Wayne Gretzky so great is that he exemplifies tenacity. He shows the Canadian spirit. Innovation. Endurance. Vision. He wasn't the biggest player. He wasn't the fastest skater. He didn't even have the best shot on the team.
Yet he broke nearly every record (or all the ones that mattered) and changed how the game of hockey is played.
This to me is Canada. Wayne sets an example for all of Canada. I have read stories about how he would stay in the back yard practicing things no one had ever practised or even thought of. Like shooting the puck off the back of the net to see where it would go. Or focusing on where the puck would end up. Not where it was going. Innovation.
I'm very proud to be Canadian. We are lucky to have people like Wayne who represent this great country to the world. I'm sounding patriotic aren't I? Well it's a pretty great place! My only recommendation is that you should see it in it's vastness and entirety. Even just once so that you get a different perspective about what this place is all about.
Happy B-Day Wayne!
Love,
Marty
@martyzylstra
Why?
I come from small town Canada. This is the passion of Canada. For those of you who are my friends living in Vancouver/Toronto/urban Canada unless you've driven from Vancouver to Toronto (or further east), I don't believe you truly know the country you live in. Canada is not skytrains. Canada is not rain. Canada is not Condominiums/VW Jetta's and Americanos.
This is not to hack on the "Vancouver" lifestyle. Vancouver has become the city that I love. This morning was beautiful. If you looked into the harbour downtown, Stanley park was shining amidst a small cloud and there is snow on the mountains. This is the most beaufiul landscape of any city probably in the world.
However. This is not Canada. Canada is far too vast. Far too much space. Canada is a small town and what do you do in Small Town Canada where the winter is 8 months long? You do about 3 things: Drink Beer, Play Hockey, or Curl.
Sometimes you do all three in one day.
When I was young, a lot of my friends either played hockey or were really into it. As a lad, you do everything you can to fit in, right? Well, this involved me becoming passionate about our national pastime. In my tweens, I delivered the Sudbury Star for a time and followed a certain Ontario team that was down on their luck. That particular year they made a huge trade which essentially changed their fortunes and the following year ended up in the conference final against none other then number 99.
At the time, there was talk that he was no longer so great and that the LA Kings were beatable. Well, there I am, biting my nails watching game 6 of T.O. vs. L.A. and what does Wayner do? Deflect the puck off of Dave Ellett's skate into the net to beat Felix Potvin. This tied the game.
The Leafs lost that game and then the series and LA almost beat the Canadians that year for the cup.
That's one of my memories of Wayne.
He turns 50 today.
I think what makes Wayne Gretzky so great is that he exemplifies tenacity. He shows the Canadian spirit. Innovation. Endurance. Vision. He wasn't the biggest player. He wasn't the fastest skater. He didn't even have the best shot on the team.
Yet he broke nearly every record (or all the ones that mattered) and changed how the game of hockey is played.
This to me is Canada. Wayne sets an example for all of Canada. I have read stories about how he would stay in the back yard practicing things no one had ever practised or even thought of. Like shooting the puck off the back of the net to see where it would go. Or focusing on where the puck would end up. Not where it was going. Innovation.
I'm very proud to be Canadian. We are lucky to have people like Wayne who represent this great country to the world. I'm sounding patriotic aren't I? Well it's a pretty great place! My only recommendation is that you should see it in it's vastness and entirety. Even just once so that you get a different perspective about what this place is all about.
Happy B-Day Wayne!
Love,
Marty
@martyzylstra
January 25, 2011
No Filter
As you know, or don't know, I've been putting my heart out there for scrutiny on the internet lately. Not only in this blog but also with my demo home recordings here:
http://www.martyzylstra.bandcamp.com/
As I was working on track #6 this week I got excited. This new song is a breakthrough for me because I feel that lyrically I've come a long way. I feel the growth in my music. It's really rewarding to feel that I have moved down that artistic path instead of staying at a stand still.
A sample lyric is:
"I know it's hard to say I love you/while I am standing for my crimes/The last angel left in the city/is right here by my side"
-and-
"I'm not to be disposed of/I get pushed in too fast/This war's like natural disasters in your mind."
The hardest part about not playing in a band is not filtering yourself. Saying to yourself, "I'm happy with this the way it is". Not being afraid of what people think. Just putting yourself out there. Every band I've ever been in is a filter. They weed out the unoriginal, the cheesy, the overproduced, the bad lyric idea. Usually the people in the band that you trust can offer a new perspective on the work. Fresh eyes and ears.
When you're doing it on your own there is no safety net. You have no safety net. This isn't always true but that's how I'm doing it. No fear. As the artist intended. Literally.
I hope you can live life with no fear. As you intend.
No filter.
Love,
Marty
@martyzylstra
http://www.martyzylstra.bandcamp.com/
As I was working on track #6 this week I got excited. This new song is a breakthrough for me because I feel that lyrically I've come a long way. I feel the growth in my music. It's really rewarding to feel that I have moved down that artistic path instead of staying at a stand still.
A sample lyric is:
"I know it's hard to say I love you/while I am standing for my crimes/The last angel left in the city/is right here by my side"
-and-
"I'm not to be disposed of/I get pushed in too fast/This war's like natural disasters in your mind."
The hardest part about not playing in a band is not filtering yourself. Saying to yourself, "I'm happy with this the way it is". Not being afraid of what people think. Just putting yourself out there. Every band I've ever been in is a filter. They weed out the unoriginal, the cheesy, the overproduced, the bad lyric idea. Usually the people in the band that you trust can offer a new perspective on the work. Fresh eyes and ears.
When you're doing it on your own there is no safety net. You have no safety net. This isn't always true but that's how I'm doing it. No fear. As the artist intended. Literally.
I hope you can live life with no fear. As you intend.
No filter.
Love,
Marty
@martyzylstra
January 24, 2011
TV Heart Attack
Once upon a time in a land far far away I played in a really fun band called Grace Nocturnal with some friends from the island. We used to come to the mainland often to play shows all over Vancouver, and one such show I met my soon to be long term friend Jason Corbett from a band (at the time) called Speed to Kill.
We loved hanging out with these guys in those days, as they were an amazingly talented group of people but also their music appealed to me.
Fast forward 3-4 years.
A couple years ago I'd heard that Speed to Kill had disbanded and that Jay (affectionette nickname) had started a new reincarnation called TV Heart Attack.
Fast Forward another few years.
In 2009 Sweetheart was a part of the "Peak Performance Project" which is a radio contest supporting BC talent sponsered by Music BC & 100.5 the Peak (a great local radio station here in Vancouver). As part of this contest, all 20 of the artists were to spend 1 week at a "bandcamp" where seminars and networking opportunities were held with local industry people. Initially I was skeptical but when the top 20 artists were announced I was pretty excited when TVHA's name was mentioned. I knew that they would be an ideal group of guys to hang out with for a week in the woods as they are probably the funnest, craziest individuals I know. Jason, Ryan & Art have the constant ability to make me laugh just by looking at them. Maybe it's because I can read what they're thinking before they say it. It's usually about the same kind of thing I would say. Our humour is identical, it's awesome.
I'm really rambling here but my intention was to review a song of theirs.
Here we go. Jay will probably hate me for picking "AO" because it's an "old song" but to be honest, it's a great song.
Some people have the knack of writing a hook that is so strong that it stays in your head for days. TVHA is this band for me. I don't have much to critique in this song, to me it is the perfect mix of style and substance. The chorus has a little songwriting trick in it where the band doesn't repeat the line on the 3rd time instead using guitar to repeat the hook. It's ingenius. Also the "Satellite of Love" throwback in the middle 8 is great. One time I told Jay that I wanted them to repeat it but he told me that it keeps you coming back for another listen. It totally does. I like this song so much that when Sweetheart went out for a tour with TVHA we started throwing AO at the end of one of our songs live. Also, I love this band so much that when I heard they were looking for a new member I suggested one of my heroes/best friends Adam to join. Is this making you sick reading this? Bromance is delightful.
I'm really excited to hear the next record from these guys.
--
To wrap up: TV Heart Attack is a Vancouver band that has become on of my favourites over the years as friends and as colleages. I've also become a huge fan and like to tell everyone about it! They perform this Thursday January 27th, 2011 at the Forum on Granville (1163 Granville Street). You should go. You should tell all your friends.
Check out their website here:
http://www.tvheartattack.com/
Check out AO on Youtube here!
(this video is cool, right?)
Love,
Marty
@martyzylstra
We loved hanging out with these guys in those days, as they were an amazingly talented group of people but also their music appealed to me.
Fast forward 3-4 years.
A couple years ago I'd heard that Speed to Kill had disbanded and that Jay (affectionette nickname) had started a new reincarnation called TV Heart Attack.
Fast Forward another few years.
In 2009 Sweetheart was a part of the "Peak Performance Project" which is a radio contest supporting BC talent sponsered by Music BC & 100.5 the Peak (a great local radio station here in Vancouver). As part of this contest, all 20 of the artists were to spend 1 week at a "bandcamp" where seminars and networking opportunities were held with local industry people. Initially I was skeptical but when the top 20 artists were announced I was pretty excited when TVHA's name was mentioned. I knew that they would be an ideal group of guys to hang out with for a week in the woods as they are probably the funnest, craziest individuals I know. Jason, Ryan & Art have the constant ability to make me laugh just by looking at them. Maybe it's because I can read what they're thinking before they say it. It's usually about the same kind of thing I would say. Our humour is identical, it's awesome.
I'm really rambling here but my intention was to review a song of theirs.
Here we go. Jay will probably hate me for picking "AO" because it's an "old song" but to be honest, it's a great song.
Some people have the knack of writing a hook that is so strong that it stays in your head for days. TVHA is this band for me. I don't have much to critique in this song, to me it is the perfect mix of style and substance. The chorus has a little songwriting trick in it where the band doesn't repeat the line on the 3rd time instead using guitar to repeat the hook. It's ingenius. Also the "Satellite of Love" throwback in the middle 8 is great. One time I told Jay that I wanted them to repeat it but he told me that it keeps you coming back for another listen. It totally does. I like this song so much that when Sweetheart went out for a tour with TVHA we started throwing AO at the end of one of our songs live. Also, I love this band so much that when I heard they were looking for a new member I suggested one of my heroes/best friends Adam to join. Is this making you sick reading this? Bromance is delightful.
I'm really excited to hear the next record from these guys.
--
To wrap up: TV Heart Attack is a Vancouver band that has become on of my favourites over the years as friends and as colleages. I've also become a huge fan and like to tell everyone about it! They perform this Thursday January 27th, 2011 at the Forum on Granville (1163 Granville Street). You should go. You should tell all your friends.
Check out their website here:
http://www.tvheartattack.com/
Check out AO on Youtube here!
(this video is cool, right?)
Love,
Marty
@martyzylstra
January 21, 2011
the Writer
I've always dream to one day write a novel. My goal last year to "start" writing a book and I didn't do it. I was scared to write even one sentence. Isn't it funny how we put walls in front of the most simple dreams. A number of friends told me to write one paragraph. That's all. It would've completed that goal. I didn't do it. I'm not brave enough for the scrutiny. In my music it's always been easier to hide behind loud guitars and hidden meanings and inside jokes in my lyrics. A book is like an open door straight into the author's mind/heart/soul.
My friend and current roommate is a writer. He writes dark sardonic tales varying in length and lately has inspired me. Here is one of the newer stories from his website: www.marklistone.com/thewriter
My friend and current roommate is a writer. He writes dark sardonic tales varying in length and lately has inspired me. Here is one of the newer stories from his website: www.marklistone.com/thewriter
The Devil’s Daughter - By Mark Lidstone
Dean stepped slowly into the dark room, his hightops squeaked against the shining, hardwood floor. After a series of unanswered knocks, he had let himself in through the unlocked door. He was already regretting it.
To the right was a long, dark, hallway. Dean couldn’t see anything at first but he could hear the clicking of well-tailored shoes against the hardwood moving towards him. Soon, the shadows parted, clearing a path for a tall, slender man. Darkness lingered like small hands brushing against his silk suit. The man stopped and stared at Dean evaluating his dirty sweatshirt and ill-fitting jeans.
Dean slipped his hands into his pockets and gripped his iPhone as if it offered some kind of protection. Not even a round of Angry Birds could help him now. He stared down at his feet and was caught off-guard by the booming voice from the hallway.
“You are dean” said the voice. It wasn’t a question but Dean tried to answer it anyway. No words came. He could barely manage a wobbly half-nod.
The man was silent. He moved his hand slowly towards his chest, disappearing inside of his jacket pocket. When it reappeared, it was holding a long, thin, cigarette. The white of the paper pierced the darkness like a small beacon of light. He placed the unlit cigarette between his lips. Before long, the tip began to burn and a small trail of blue smoke trickled out.
“Jesus Christ”, Dean muttered through his breath. The man inhaled deeply and blew out a cloud of smoke after pulling the cigarette away between his thumb and pointer finger.
“Not quite” he said to himself. “Tell me Dean, what are your intentions regarding my daughter?”. Dean stumbled for an answer that didn’t involve the word “fuck”.
“G-g-ood” was his only response. His idiotic reply amazed even himself.
“Good?” asked the man through a cloud of smoke.
“I h-have nothing but g-good intentions towards your daughter” he said with a little more success. “…sir”. He stared at his feet once again. No longer could he watch this monster as it slowly devoured what little self confidence Dean had left. He nearly died of fright when two small hands came from behind him and wrapped around his pathetic excuse for a waist.
“Leave him alone, dad” came the tiny voice near Dean’s shoulder, “and turn on a light, you’re not Dracula”. She flipped the switch to the hallway light revealing her smoking father. He glared at her scant outfit but would leave that argument for another night.
“Where are you going?” he asked. The question was directed to Dean who could only mouth words as though he were imitating a beached fish.
“Movie” was the annoyed response from his teenage daughter as she grabbed Dean by the arm and began to lead him away.
“Be back by ten”, he demanded.
“Eleven”, she shouted back as she dashed through the door with her date right behind her.
“Dammit Lucy, I’m..” he shouted after her but was quickly cut off by a slamming door. He was alone. He slumped into his easy chair and rested his feet on the stool reminiscing of days passed while puffing on his cigarette.
There was a time when he was respected. Feared even. Men would spend their entire lives trying to avoid him, only coming to him when they were out of options – offering their souls for help.
He’d gone by many different names then. Satan, Lucifer, Beelzebub, Balial – names of legend. Now he went by “Dad” or “Daddy” – when she wanted something.
He envied those he’d left behind in hell. They knew nothing of suffering. They weren’t raising a sixteen year old girl.
--
follow Mark on Twitter:
@marklidstone
follow me on Twitter:
@martyzylstra
To the right was a long, dark, hallway. Dean couldn’t see anything at first but he could hear the clicking of well-tailored shoes against the hardwood moving towards him. Soon, the shadows parted, clearing a path for a tall, slender man. Darkness lingered like small hands brushing against his silk suit. The man stopped and stared at Dean evaluating his dirty sweatshirt and ill-fitting jeans.
Dean slipped his hands into his pockets and gripped his iPhone as if it offered some kind of protection. Not even a round of Angry Birds could help him now. He stared down at his feet and was caught off-guard by the booming voice from the hallway.
“You are dean” said the voice. It wasn’t a question but Dean tried to answer it anyway. No words came. He could barely manage a wobbly half-nod.
The man was silent. He moved his hand slowly towards his chest, disappearing inside of his jacket pocket. When it reappeared, it was holding a long, thin, cigarette. The white of the paper pierced the darkness like a small beacon of light. He placed the unlit cigarette between his lips. Before long, the tip began to burn and a small trail of blue smoke trickled out.
“Jesus Christ”, Dean muttered through his breath. The man inhaled deeply and blew out a cloud of smoke after pulling the cigarette away between his thumb and pointer finger.
“Not quite” he said to himself. “Tell me Dean, what are your intentions regarding my daughter?”. Dean stumbled for an answer that didn’t involve the word “fuck”.
“G-g-ood” was his only response. His idiotic reply amazed even himself.
“Good?” asked the man through a cloud of smoke.
“I h-have nothing but g-good intentions towards your daughter” he said with a little more success. “…sir”. He stared at his feet once again. No longer could he watch this monster as it slowly devoured what little self confidence Dean had left. He nearly died of fright when two small hands came from behind him and wrapped around his pathetic excuse for a waist.
“Leave him alone, dad” came the tiny voice near Dean’s shoulder, “and turn on a light, you’re not Dracula”. She flipped the switch to the hallway light revealing her smoking father. He glared at her scant outfit but would leave that argument for another night.
“Where are you going?” he asked. The question was directed to Dean who could only mouth words as though he were imitating a beached fish.
“Movie” was the annoyed response from his teenage daughter as she grabbed Dean by the arm and began to lead him away.
“Be back by ten”, he demanded.
“Eleven”, she shouted back as she dashed through the door with her date right behind her.
“Dammit Lucy, I’m..” he shouted after her but was quickly cut off by a slamming door. He was alone. He slumped into his easy chair and rested his feet on the stool reminiscing of days passed while puffing on his cigarette.
There was a time when he was respected. Feared even. Men would spend their entire lives trying to avoid him, only coming to him when they were out of options – offering their souls for help.
He’d gone by many different names then. Satan, Lucifer, Beelzebub, Balial – names of legend. Now he went by “Dad” or “Daddy” – when she wanted something.
He envied those he’d left behind in hell. They knew nothing of suffering. They weren’t raising a sixteen year old girl.
--
follow Mark on Twitter:
@marklidstone
follow me on Twitter:
@martyzylstra
January 20, 2011
Win Big Lose More (Cherries Jubilee)
I first met the Pepper Sands on December 31st, 2003, NYE.
Adam Fink and I connected right away when he and I said at the same time to 2 different people: "I invented the internet" (this was an inside joke of mine and his at the time, which in typical fashion, isn't funny at all to anyone but us).
I'd known about his band for about a year or so as I had been hearing their song Win Big Lose More on the radio and on MuchMusic (remember when they played music videos on this station?) and when they played Victoria at Lucky Bar I remember playing a show on the same night and seeing a line around the block for this new band.
Anyway, when Adam and I met we formed a life-long bond and recently included a tour with him on drums for Sweetheart and a week long vacation to Palm Springs for the Coachella festival. I also love the rest of the band and when Citazen A, Adam and I get together it can be a messy party (that just means we talk about how much we love each other).
To get to my point:
As I call it, "Cherries", has been one of my favourite songs for the last 8 years. I've seen PS play this song live 100 times and always request it. I feel that Citizen A's voice exudes passion and her tonality on this song pulls you into the song and strengthens the hooks. I also really like the production on the drums, they sound massive but not too massive. Jay's guitar playing is perfect and his sound selection always blows me away. He's a scientest in the studio and he doesn't overplay, which can be hard sometimes in studio.
Look/Listen for yourself HERE
Here's their myspace
Follow them on Twitter
Adam Fink and I connected right away when he and I said at the same time to 2 different people: "I invented the internet" (this was an inside joke of mine and his at the time, which in typical fashion, isn't funny at all to anyone but us).
I'd known about his band for about a year or so as I had been hearing their song Win Big Lose More on the radio and on MuchMusic (remember when they played music videos on this station?) and when they played Victoria at Lucky Bar I remember playing a show on the same night and seeing a line around the block for this new band.
Anyway, when Adam and I met we formed a life-long bond and recently included a tour with him on drums for Sweetheart and a week long vacation to Palm Springs for the Coachella festival. I also love the rest of the band and when Citazen A, Adam and I get together it can be a messy party (that just means we talk about how much we love each other).
To get to my point:
As I call it, "Cherries", has been one of my favourite songs for the last 8 years. I've seen PS play this song live 100 times and always request it. I feel that Citizen A's voice exudes passion and her tonality on this song pulls you into the song and strengthens the hooks. I also really like the production on the drums, they sound massive but not too massive. Jay's guitar playing is perfect and his sound selection always blows me away. He's a scientest in the studio and he doesn't overplay, which can be hard sometimes in studio.
Look/Listen for yourself HERE
Here's their myspace
Follow them on Twitter
Here are the lyrics to Win Big Lose More (Cherries Jubiliee): Well I've been cursing it all night can't seem to
Well I've been cursing it all night can't seem to
Get it all to fit right and I'm thinking of your
Type losing more then I mean when you do all
That I want and more coming in that door I
Tried making it a little bit closer but what did I
Do when you called me over? such a
Stranger's date - a rollercoaster losing more
Then I own when you do all that I want and
More you coming in that door all alone and
You - can't try my love it gets bigger
Everyday and it's useless now you running
Away and you - you can't take this light it
Don't matter what you say it's useless now
You running away - you running away so now
I'm dead again - there's no way nothing I can
Give that could stain lose a little more turn
Grey it doesn't matter at all when you do all
That I want and more what makes you so
Damn sure you won't fall and you - you can't
Try my love it gets bigger everyday and it's
Useless now you running away and you - you
Can't take this light it don't matter what you say
It's useless now you running away - you
Running away o don't runaway runaway o
Don't don't runaway runaway o don't don't
Runaway runaway o don't don't runaway
January 19, 2011
Epilepsy
As you may, or may not know, I have Epilepsy.
(for those who don't know about this disorder you can read about it - here)
It's on my mind today because I have an appointment with my neurologist today. He is the "best" in the city apparently. Dr. Michael Jones. Every time I say his name I think of Indiana Jones. Dr. Jones, Dr. Jones. Remember that kid in Temple of Doom?
Anyway, this disorder has haunted me since I was a child. I was on anti-seizure medication pretty much from the time I was 11 until 16. I haven't had many major seizures but when it does happen it happens at the worst and sometimes scariest times. Sometimes, when I look back, each scenario is a bit funny when you stand outside what's happening.
One of the funny times was when I was about 11 and was in church for Easter service. I told you earlier my dad was a preacher when we were growing up? So we're in church singing a hymn, probably "As I survey this wondrous cross" or "The old rugged cross" or some other Good Friday "Old Time Hymn", and the world goes into a tunnel and I fall between the pews into a massive epileptic fit. It wasn't entirely funny but it is kind of funny that it happened in the middle of a church service with my dad on the pulpit. Luckily one of the people in the congregation was a paramedic and another was our family doctor.
One of the scary times was about 5 years ago when Sweetheart was on tour. We had just finished the last show of the tour and it was about 3 a.m. and Sam & I were eating "buffalo chicken strips" in Denny's. With plans to go home the next day. I told Sam I didn't feel well all of a sudden and got up to go outside for fresh air. This is when I collapsed in the middle of the restaurant. It scared me. I thought I was going to die. What made it funny was that there was a Doctor on his stag in the restaurant. He was wearing a pink tutu and a sharpie moustach with a pink extra large foam cowboy hat. It did make me feel slightly better but at first kinda freaked me out. Sam and I still joke about not eating Denny's buffalo chicken strips.
So today I'm going to the doctor. This visit is so I can convince him to let me drive again. You're probably thinking, "I don't want this guy on my roads!" Fair enough right? Well I'll be honest with you I have the mildest form of epilepsy. I also haven't had a seizure in 3 years. But. Usually I'm pretty "fight for your rights" about my driver's license. I'm also stubborn about taking medication. I hate it. Anti-seizure meds make you feel horrible. The drug's side effects include: Nausea, Anxiety, Extreme Fatigue, Distant Behaiviour, Numbness in the face, etc. That being said I've lately heard a couple of horror stories about epilepsy and the need to take medication regardless on the severity of your form of the disorder. It put life in perspective to hear about a friend's co-worker's son died in his sleep because he was alone in his bed and choked on his own vomit. Or another friend of a friend's son who died in the bath. Drown because no one was there. That makes me feel so alone to think about. And sad.
I feel like I'm rambling a bit but my point with all of this is as you get older views change. My views on the world have changed drastically in the last few months. I feel that family is more important then ever and if you ever feel like life isn't worth living, always remember your family. And they love you. I'm lucky to have these wonderful people in my life to challenge me and help me grow as an artist and a human.
love,
Marty
@martyzylstra
(for those who don't know about this disorder you can read about it - here)
It's on my mind today because I have an appointment with my neurologist today. He is the "best" in the city apparently. Dr. Michael Jones. Every time I say his name I think of Indiana Jones. Dr. Jones, Dr. Jones. Remember that kid in Temple of Doom?
Anyway, this disorder has haunted me since I was a child. I was on anti-seizure medication pretty much from the time I was 11 until 16. I haven't had many major seizures but when it does happen it happens at the worst and sometimes scariest times. Sometimes, when I look back, each scenario is a bit funny when you stand outside what's happening.
One of the funny times was when I was about 11 and was in church for Easter service. I told you earlier my dad was a preacher when we were growing up? So we're in church singing a hymn, probably "As I survey this wondrous cross" or "The old rugged cross" or some other Good Friday "Old Time Hymn", and the world goes into a tunnel and I fall between the pews into a massive epileptic fit. It wasn't entirely funny but it is kind of funny that it happened in the middle of a church service with my dad on the pulpit. Luckily one of the people in the congregation was a paramedic and another was our family doctor.
One of the scary times was about 5 years ago when Sweetheart was on tour. We had just finished the last show of the tour and it was about 3 a.m. and Sam & I were eating "buffalo chicken strips" in Denny's. With plans to go home the next day. I told Sam I didn't feel well all of a sudden and got up to go outside for fresh air. This is when I collapsed in the middle of the restaurant. It scared me. I thought I was going to die. What made it funny was that there was a Doctor on his stag in the restaurant. He was wearing a pink tutu and a sharpie moustach with a pink extra large foam cowboy hat. It did make me feel slightly better but at first kinda freaked me out. Sam and I still joke about not eating Denny's buffalo chicken strips.
So today I'm going to the doctor. This visit is so I can convince him to let me drive again. You're probably thinking, "I don't want this guy on my roads!" Fair enough right? Well I'll be honest with you I have the mildest form of epilepsy. I also haven't had a seizure in 3 years. But. Usually I'm pretty "fight for your rights" about my driver's license. I'm also stubborn about taking medication. I hate it. Anti-seizure meds make you feel horrible. The drug's side effects include: Nausea, Anxiety, Extreme Fatigue, Distant Behaiviour, Numbness in the face, etc. That being said I've lately heard a couple of horror stories about epilepsy and the need to take medication regardless on the severity of your form of the disorder. It put life in perspective to hear about a friend's co-worker's son died in his sleep because he was alone in his bed and choked on his own vomit. Or another friend of a friend's son who died in the bath. Drown because no one was there. That makes me feel so alone to think about. And sad.
I feel like I'm rambling a bit but my point with all of this is as you get older views change. My views on the world have changed drastically in the last few months. I feel that family is more important then ever and if you ever feel like life isn't worth living, always remember your family. And they love you. I'm lucky to have these wonderful people in my life to challenge me and help me grow as an artist and a human.
love,
Marty
@martyzylstra
January 18, 2011
War Stories
Last night I had a great conversation with my friend and local musician Gord about bad tours. He had some really horrible war stories about drama within the inner workings of bands and crazy things that have happened on the road to him. It was great to hash out some of my tour history too and I got to thinking about how amazing all the tours I have experienced were. When Sweetheart is on the road, it seems like we become closer and we have more fun as the tour draws on. Then we come home and go our seperate ways and start to miss each other again. That's what being in a band is about. I've heard that many bands want to kill each other by the end of a lengthy tour. I usually want to stay out on the road forever and keep playing forever. It's kinda exciting to think about the next few months for this reason. Sweetheart is getting things rolling again, and people seem to be really enjoying all the new demos I put up. I'm also planning on bringing this project to the stage in the short term. I hope you can come down and see what I cook up. It's going to be fun to play these songs I truly love again with the people I love to play with.
See you there?
Listen to a new Sweetheart demo b-side here called "Blood":
www.myspace.com/iheartsweetheart
Love,
Marty
@martyzylstra
See you there?
Listen to a new Sweetheart demo b-side here called "Blood":
www.myspace.com/iheartsweetheart
Love,
Marty
@martyzylstra
January 17, 2011
I Hate Mondays
Yesterday I posted demo song 4 of ?
Go check it out here. The song is called "I'm not your Normal Way"
When I first decided to post my demos online I had it in my head that I would put one up every few weeks and really take my time with it. That's not what I've been doing. Last week I shifted my idea and made a "slightly" mental decision to make it once a week. I've never been good at keeping secrets. I've got to get this out. I'm starting to find that this is a freeing process. It's personal growth for me to let you hear these demos. I've been in a "band" for 17 years. Without the "band" backing me or shielding me or disagreeing with me or helping me I feel naked. I now have the ability to make mistakes on my own with noone to blame but myself.
So here we are. Track 4.
I wrote this song in 2007. I remember the day I wrote it. It was a Saturday. I poured some coffee and sat down with my trusty guitar. This was my old way of writing. Waking up on a Saturday or a Sunday and getting a caffeine fix while strumming some chords until they turned into a song idea. I usually don't write this way anymore but in this case it worked out really well. The lyrics came from the fact that I'd just recently got my first cellphone and was working out the details & nuances of communicating with this new piece of technology. At the time I thought that it was really strange how things like "oh my cellphone died and I missed your text/call" was a common excuse for not keeping an appointment with a loved one/friend/doctor/math teacher/mechanic/etc.
I'll be honest, I've used that one. Some of the time it is/was true.
So I hope you like this new song. I honestly put alot of work into editing this recording. I don't want to get specific or anything but the original demo sucked. I had to edit the entire song and rerecord most of the song.
The reason I personally like it so much is it contains one of my favourite "classic me" lyrics: "....like Brian Jones, a swimming pool, 100 pills and the Rolling Stones..."
Please critique me.
Alot of friends have been listening and giving me huge support on this project, but I'd love to hear from you so keep it coming. I may take a song down every now and then and tweak it a bit and then repost, but for now, please enjoy the essence of what I'm doing. Raw bedroom recordings.
Love,
-Marty
@martyzylstra
email me and I'll send you mp3's to put on your iPhone/iPod. If you want a burnt CD email me and I'll mail you a CD-R when I get to about 10 songs:
martyzylstra@gmail.com
Go check it out here. The song is called "I'm not your Normal Way"
When I first decided to post my demos online I had it in my head that I would put one up every few weeks and really take my time with it. That's not what I've been doing. Last week I shifted my idea and made a "slightly" mental decision to make it once a week. I've never been good at keeping secrets. I've got to get this out. I'm starting to find that this is a freeing process. It's personal growth for me to let you hear these demos. I've been in a "band" for 17 years. Without the "band" backing me or shielding me or disagreeing with me or helping me I feel naked. I now have the ability to make mistakes on my own with noone to blame but myself.
So here we are. Track 4.
I wrote this song in 2007. I remember the day I wrote it. It was a Saturday. I poured some coffee and sat down with my trusty guitar. This was my old way of writing. Waking up on a Saturday or a Sunday and getting a caffeine fix while strumming some chords until they turned into a song idea. I usually don't write this way anymore but in this case it worked out really well. The lyrics came from the fact that I'd just recently got my first cellphone and was working out the details & nuances of communicating with this new piece of technology. At the time I thought that it was really strange how things like "oh my cellphone died and I missed your text/call" was a common excuse for not keeping an appointment with a loved one/friend/doctor/math teacher/mechanic/etc.
I'll be honest, I've used that one. Some of the time it is/was true.
So I hope you like this new song. I honestly put alot of work into editing this recording. I don't want to get specific or anything but the original demo sucked. I had to edit the entire song and rerecord most of the song.
The reason I personally like it so much is it contains one of my favourite "classic me" lyrics: "....like Brian Jones, a swimming pool, 100 pills and the Rolling Stones..."
Please critique me.
Alot of friends have been listening and giving me huge support on this project, but I'd love to hear from you so keep it coming. I may take a song down every now and then and tweak it a bit and then repost, but for now, please enjoy the essence of what I'm doing. Raw bedroom recordings.
Love,
-Marty
@martyzylstra
email me and I'll send you mp3's to put on your iPhone/iPod. If you want a burnt CD email me and I'll mail you a CD-R when I get to about 10 songs:
martyzylstra@gmail.com
January 14, 2011
Dave Grohl Story
In the spirit of Dave Grohl's Birthday I reposted this story from Sweetheart's Myspace Blog with some changes to update the story bolded & in ()'s:
I am sorry that I haven’t updated this blog lately but now that I finally had a second to write I thought I’d tell my story about how MK met Dave Grohl and I missed it!
So last month (April 2010) we decided to gather a group of friends and head to ....Palm Springs.... for the Coachella festival. This was probably one of the best weeks of my entire life and I’m very happy to say that I made new friends, saw a billion amazing bands and had an all around amazing time!
As you know, or don’t know, Dave Grohl (the lead singer/guitar player and genius behind the Foo Fighters, and the former drummer of a certain world altering band from the 1990’s) (I can't beleive I had to explain this to anyone but whatever, way to go Marty!) is playing drums in a wicked side-project called Them Crooked Vultures. They were on the main stage of Coachella and so when we first decided to go down, at a dinner between me & MK and our friend Adam (at the Foundation over nachos), I said that my goal for the entire festival was to meet Dave Grohl. They laughed and said it would be awesome (I was serious though). So on the Friday we’re hanging out cooling off in the beer tent for an hour or so, waiting to go watch Hockey (the band, not the sport, check out “Song Away”(or "Work")) and I decide to go take a quick bathroom break. On my way back I decided to get a beer because it seemed like a good idea. As I approach my group I see them talking to this dude on the other side of the fence (the VIP area) and I’m like holy shit that’s DAVE GROHL! At this point MK and everyone is high fiving him over the fence and he’s saying hi, so I start to pick up the pace. Just as I get to the fence he’s 30 feet away, walking back carrying his daughter. When I see this, I drop to my knees and yell “Dave! It’s me! Marty! Your biggest fan! Come back!” (totally music nerd but it seemed like an ok thing to do at the time). Anyway, he didn’t come back and for the rest of the weekend MK and Adam make fun of me for missing my chance to meet Dave Grohl.
Funny story eh?
--
That was a great story, but I'm still pissed off that I didn't meet Dave Grohl. I someday hope to meet you Mr. Grohl. Oh and one last comment. MK STILL makes fun of me that he Hi-5'd Dave and I didn't.
Sucks.
love,
Marty
Marty
@martyzylstra
Joel Battle
Joel Battle is a visionary. Joel Battle is an idealist. Joel Battle is a Boxer, owner of an energy drink company, part time hockey player, and a philanthropist.
I first met Joel when I went on tour with his old band the February March in 2007. It was a whirlwind week of driving through western Canada in an RV with 8 guys. It was a very memorable tour involving little sleep, too much booze and lots of man love. The highlight of this tour for me came one night in Regina after what we perceived to be a bad show. We parked the van on the side of a residential neighbourhood and had to decide either to go on with the tour or just go home. Joel had been sitting in the corner strumming his acoustic and he decided to start singing one of my favourite songs by the February March. There was only one light on in the van and I remember it being very quiet and dark and all 7 of us stopped to listen. There are moments in your life when as a musician you find yourself drawn back into the beauty of why you write, create, listen to, and obsess over music. This was one of them. The room was silenced. Unspoken, Joel passed me the guitar and I played a song called "Eyes" by Sweetheart almost in tears. Everyone was moved. We decided unanimously to continue to Winnipeg that morning and even though we didn't make money and we didn't play to many people during that first tour, we did have an amazing time and I learned personally why I play in a band and love music so much.
Fast Forward.
From then to now circumstances changed. The February March is long since gone. Joel Battle has since released a solo record and moved to Toronto. I hadn't seen him in almost a year or longer before last week when I went to his show last Friday. I hadn't even heard his solo record. My roommate Phil had a copy on his bookshelf so in typical roommate fashion I stole it and started listening expecting nothing. This LP drew me in right away. It brought me back to that night in Regina where it was just Joel and a few close friends listening to him sing. This record is heartfelt. This record has a beautiful tragic backstory about 2 lovers. This record is moving.
I listened to "this city life" on repeat all day on Thursday and Friday before the show. Before the show we gathered up some folks and walked up to the venue in the rain. Joel went on stage. I feel something has happened to him in Toronto because he is a man on fire on stage. The band was excellent and the players are some of the best in the city but it was Joel who drew the crowd in. The place was packed full of pretty much everyone I know and I think that after that show people will talk about Joel. He is truly a legend.
Listen to him here:
http://radio3.cbc.ca/#/bands/Joel-Battle
Love,
Marty
@martyzylstra
I first met Joel when I went on tour with his old band the February March in 2007. It was a whirlwind week of driving through western Canada in an RV with 8 guys. It was a very memorable tour involving little sleep, too much booze and lots of man love. The highlight of this tour for me came one night in Regina after what we perceived to be a bad show. We parked the van on the side of a residential neighbourhood and had to decide either to go on with the tour or just go home. Joel had been sitting in the corner strumming his acoustic and he decided to start singing one of my favourite songs by the February March. There was only one light on in the van and I remember it being very quiet and dark and all 7 of us stopped to listen. There are moments in your life when as a musician you find yourself drawn back into the beauty of why you write, create, listen to, and obsess over music. This was one of them. The room was silenced. Unspoken, Joel passed me the guitar and I played a song called "Eyes" by Sweetheart almost in tears. Everyone was moved. We decided unanimously to continue to Winnipeg that morning and even though we didn't make money and we didn't play to many people during that first tour, we did have an amazing time and I learned personally why I play in a band and love music so much.
Fast Forward.
From then to now circumstances changed. The February March is long since gone. Joel Battle has since released a solo record and moved to Toronto. I hadn't seen him in almost a year or longer before last week when I went to his show last Friday. I hadn't even heard his solo record. My roommate Phil had a copy on his bookshelf so in typical roommate fashion I stole it and started listening expecting nothing. This LP drew me in right away. It brought me back to that night in Regina where it was just Joel and a few close friends listening to him sing. This record is heartfelt. This record has a beautiful tragic backstory about 2 lovers. This record is moving.
I listened to "this city life" on repeat all day on Thursday and Friday before the show. Before the show we gathered up some folks and walked up to the venue in the rain. Joel went on stage. I feel something has happened to him in Toronto because he is a man on fire on stage. The band was excellent and the players are some of the best in the city but it was Joel who drew the crowd in. The place was packed full of pretty much everyone I know and I think that after that show people will talk about Joel. He is truly a legend.
Listen to him here:
http://radio3.cbc.ca/#/bands/Joel-Battle
Love,
Marty
@martyzylstra
January 13, 2011
Adrian Glynn
Once upon a time in a different land there were true Artists left in this world. Hell should I even say it? Left in this City? I'm not saying I'm one of them but what I am saying is that Adrian Glynn IS one of them.
I went to a show last night. At a new venue in Vancouver called the Helm. It was a "game time decision" as they say in hockey. I'd heard Adrian was playing and I love his work and hadn't seen him in a while so I decided to go. The first time I experienced Adrian was at a music seminar camp I attended in 2009. I had zero idea what to expect from him but I had heard great things. His music has a soul to it that draws the listener in immediatly. He has an unbelievable star quality about him that is dark and also extremely raw and funny at times. His performances seem to be rooted in stage acting. He will use just his voice to draw you in so that at times it seems like you are the only one in the room sitting across from him, listening to his voice watching him sing. He also can control the audience with a twisted sense of humour and storytelling.
I have only one piece of critism. His style of performing suits only a few rooms in Vancouver. I think a restaurant atmostphere isn't perfect for him. I was annoyed that people were talking at times. I wanted to hear every word and every note. I wanted everyone to hear every word and every note. It wasn't that the 3 loud tables "in the back" were rude, it was a restaurant atmosphere. I forgave them. Rewind to his August 2009 performance. I was moved to absolute tears. I'm never moved to tears.
Go have a look for yourself. Maybe you'll see what I see:
www.adrianglynn.com/
I went to a show last night. At a new venue in Vancouver called the Helm. It was a "game time decision" as they say in hockey. I'd heard Adrian was playing and I love his work and hadn't seen him in a while so I decided to go. The first time I experienced Adrian was at a music seminar camp I attended in 2009. I had zero idea what to expect from him but I had heard great things. His music has a soul to it that draws the listener in immediatly. He has an unbelievable star quality about him that is dark and also extremely raw and funny at times. His performances seem to be rooted in stage acting. He will use just his voice to draw you in so that at times it seems like you are the only one in the room sitting across from him, listening to his voice watching him sing. He also can control the audience with a twisted sense of humour and storytelling.
I have only one piece of critism. His style of performing suits only a few rooms in Vancouver. I think a restaurant atmostphere isn't perfect for him. I was annoyed that people were talking at times. I wanted to hear every word and every note. I wanted everyone to hear every word and every note. It wasn't that the 3 loud tables "in the back" were rude, it was a restaurant atmosphere. I forgave them. Rewind to his August 2009 performance. I was moved to absolute tears. I'm never moved to tears.
Go have a look for yourself. Maybe you'll see what I see:
www.adrianglynn.com/
January 12, 2011
Bad Mood
I woke up this morning with a bad mood. Maybe it's because of the snow. Maybe it's because I couldn't get inspired last night tracking vocals. Maybe it's because it's the 1st full week back at work and it's only Wednesday. Maybe it's because my iPhone alarm app doesn't seem to work this week. Anyway as I was on my way to work I was thinking about a tweet my friend Brian (from Thorney Bleeder Records) sent out yesterday or the day before. What music gets you out of a bad mood? So on the way to the skytrain station I put on the Futureheads (this is not the world, released 2008) and slowly I forgot about my troubles. By the time I got off the train I felt almost semi-normal. Then I put on Michael. Do you know him? He's only the king of pop. Yeah, MJ blows my mind. Quincy Jones knew how to keep space in a recording yet build a song at the same time dynamically. Listen to Billie Jean one more time and tell me how great that snare sounds. So now I'm at the office & I'm smiling and dancing to MJ. Screw the bad mood. I'm even feeling inspired to have a 2nd try at that song that I couldn't seem to get last night. Something about it wasn't clicking. Recording solo is like this. You don't have anyone to motivate you but yourself. That's hard. But I'll get used to it.
Go listen to the 1st three songs and get ready for the 4th:
http://www.martyzylstra.bandcamp.com/
I'll post a song soon. I want to wait until Sunday but I might post sooner.
Love,
Marty
twitter: @martyzylstra
Go listen to the 1st three songs and get ready for the 4th:
http://www.martyzylstra.bandcamp.com/
I'll post a song soon. I want to wait until Sunday but I might post sooner.
Love,
Marty
twitter: @martyzylstra
January 11, 2011
2010 - The worst year of my life?
I tell people that 2010 was the worst year of my life. This may or may not be true. I had alot of highs and alot of lows last year. One of the highest moments was when Sweetheart went to an undisclosed location in the forest of British Columbia and played a set for a Pilsner party and got to meet all the guys from FUBAR, drink Pilsner and have an amazing time. That night I also got to meet Canadian Juniors Star Justin Pogge (and former Toronto Maple Leaf I might add) which was amazing because I am a huge fan of hockey and love meeting famous athletes. Also, my amazing cover band, Bangarang, played a number of shows during the Olympics right on Granville Street and I think of a few of these shows as some of the best shows I've ever played in my life. Also, this past November, for the first time in my life I went to Cuba. I will expand that in a future post but basically it changed how I view my entire world. Unbelievable.
Those were the good times.
There were a number of unexpected things that happened that really made 2010 stressful and difficult for me. I'm sure you have had to go through alot too and when you're going through these things that strengthen you and harden you to diamond strength, you always react in ways that you wish you could change. Maybe you don't know how bad things really are? One such example is sitting in a meeting with my then boss and owner of the company I worked for when they told me I was being laid off. I sat there in utter disbelief and horror yet did not have any fight. I did not have any strength to even say "Why me?" Another low point in the year I came home to see my vehicle broken into and all of my musical gear stolen. This is where the story gets better and the light at the end of the tunnel shows itself for the first time. I have the best friends in the world. I can't thank them enough. Some of these friends put together a "benefit" show where the entire door proceeds went to me replacing my gear. About 10 bands/solo artists/friends performed for free. It was unbelievable. I continue to thank them for this and will hold them dear to my heart forever. The talent level among my friends continually blows my mind. I'll probably use this blog to talk about my favourites in the future. But for now, just know that without my friends and family last year would probably have been the worst year of my life. Because of the love and support of these people in my life, it could've been more of a downward spiral. But it wasn't. The things that happened were bad. But bad things always happen, right? It was love and support that held me together.
Thank you.
You know who you are.
I love you.
Those were the good times.
There were a number of unexpected things that happened that really made 2010 stressful and difficult for me. I'm sure you have had to go through alot too and when you're going through these things that strengthen you and harden you to diamond strength, you always react in ways that you wish you could change. Maybe you don't know how bad things really are? One such example is sitting in a meeting with my then boss and owner of the company I worked for when they told me I was being laid off. I sat there in utter disbelief and horror yet did not have any fight. I did not have any strength to even say "Why me?" Another low point in the year I came home to see my vehicle broken into and all of my musical gear stolen. This is where the story gets better and the light at the end of the tunnel shows itself for the first time. I have the best friends in the world. I can't thank them enough. Some of these friends put together a "benefit" show where the entire door proceeds went to me replacing my gear. About 10 bands/solo artists/friends performed for free. It was unbelievable. I continue to thank them for this and will hold them dear to my heart forever. The talent level among my friends continually blows my mind. I'll probably use this blog to talk about my favourites in the future. But for now, just know that without my friends and family last year would probably have been the worst year of my life. Because of the love and support of these people in my life, it could've been more of a downward spiral. But it wasn't. The things that happened were bad. But bad things always happen, right? It was love and support that held me together.
Thank you.
You know who you are.
I love you.
January 10, 2011
The Start
Hello,
Social Media is the best way to start this conversation. Here's where I introduce myself. My name is Marty. I live in Vancouver on Commercial Drive. I work downtown. That's my present. My past is a long story starting in British Columbia, Canada. Maybe you know that I am a former preacher's kid. Maybe you don't. I grew up in rural small town Canada first in Northern BC and then later in the prairies and then even later in Nothern Ontario and back to BC. My perspective of this country is that it is vast and sparse. Urban life really isn't what Canada is to me. Maybe I'll talk about that some other time.
About 3 and a half years ago I bought a MacBook. I wanted to get a computer to start recording songs at home in a demo format. It started small. I barely could even use pro tools let alone a Mac. I began with just an acoustic guitar and some mumblings. Now I can't write songs without this toolbox. About a year ago I realized that I had a bunch of songs that didn't fit my band Sweetheart's sound. Some are too acoustic. Some are too poppy. Some are just too weird. I love Sweetheart by the way, you should go check out this band if you haven't heard us: http://www.iheartsweetheart.com/
So late last year after one of the worst years of my life I had an epiphany. I wanted to purge myself (and my hard drive) of these songs that no one had heard. Stop talking and start doing. I decided to one by one, week by week, re-tweak a song and put it up on the internet. I am now 3 songs into this process and I am extremely excited. I'm tired of holding back. I'm tired of letting things get in the way. I'm tired of waiting. I'm tired of the "old" way. I'm tired of saying "No". This year is about saying "Yes" and saying "I can do this".
Here's where you can find songs 1, 2 & 3: http://www.martyzylstra.bandcamp.com/
I just started the conversation.
Love,
Marty
martyzylstra@gmail.com
twitter: @martyzylstra
Social Media is the best way to start this conversation. Here's where I introduce myself. My name is Marty. I live in Vancouver on Commercial Drive. I work downtown. That's my present. My past is a long story starting in British Columbia, Canada. Maybe you know that I am a former preacher's kid. Maybe you don't. I grew up in rural small town Canada first in Northern BC and then later in the prairies and then even later in Nothern Ontario and back to BC. My perspective of this country is that it is vast and sparse. Urban life really isn't what Canada is to me. Maybe I'll talk about that some other time.
About 3 and a half years ago I bought a MacBook. I wanted to get a computer to start recording songs at home in a demo format. It started small. I barely could even use pro tools let alone a Mac. I began with just an acoustic guitar and some mumblings. Now I can't write songs without this toolbox. About a year ago I realized that I had a bunch of songs that didn't fit my band Sweetheart's sound. Some are too acoustic. Some are too poppy. Some are just too weird. I love Sweetheart by the way, you should go check out this band if you haven't heard us: http://www.iheartsweetheart.com/
So late last year after one of the worst years of my life I had an epiphany. I wanted to purge myself (and my hard drive) of these songs that no one had heard. Stop talking and start doing. I decided to one by one, week by week, re-tweak a song and put it up on the internet. I am now 3 songs into this process and I am extremely excited. I'm tired of holding back. I'm tired of letting things get in the way. I'm tired of waiting. I'm tired of the "old" way. I'm tired of saying "No". This year is about saying "Yes" and saying "I can do this".
Here's where you can find songs 1, 2 & 3: http://www.martyzylstra.bandcamp.com/
I just started the conversation.
Love,
Marty
martyzylstra@gmail.com
twitter: @martyzylstra
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