I'm reading Stephen King's book, "It" right now.
I've never read a book that made my spine tingle like this one. You may or may not like King's writing but I've always enjoyed his books. I've read about 10 of them and will probably continue reading a few more this year.
It was a New Year's Resolution to read more. I usually have a book or two on the go but last year didn't hardly read anything but some pop fiction.
So this book.
The premise is about a group of kids who are not killed by this evil clown named Pennywise. You've all probably saw the movie. Well I can tell you right now there is absolutely no way that the movie does this book justice. King has a tendancy to let his pen run. And run. And run. He'll develop minor characters. Spend 15 pages setting the background of someone who is killed early on. It's great though because he knows how to really build a story. That's why he's probably one of the most popular writers of the modern era. I'm not finished the book but I wanted to mention the fear.
Fear.
Remember childhood fear?
Ghost stories.
I can remember being afraid at 6 years old after watching of all movies, ET. Why? I don't know. Maybe it was the fear of the unknown. or Alien.
As a child it's harder to seperate reality from dreams. This is no more evident then in It. The fear is manifested into adulthood in this group of character's lives.
What if you could still really feel the fear. Not be able to seperate reality from dreams. Or the true opposite. Innocent joy. Sheer absolute happiness. Like Christmas day. Or riding your bike down a country road in the summer time.
I'd take that kind of feeling again. Even if it meant I would have to experience real fear.
Love,
Marty
@martyzylstra
February 9, 2011
February 8, 2011
Failure
I look back over the last 5 years of my life and I only see failure.
These failures consist of everything from losing jobs to ruined relationships with friends and lovers.
I look back at this time period and I wonder if I can look forward enough and see success on the horizon.
I think I can. No, I know I can.
I've been on a sobriety test. 24 days of zero alcohol.
At one point or another I'm sure a lot of you have had that feeling that "maybe I have a problem".
Yeah, I've had that feeling too much over the last year. So I quit. For now. It started with a 30 day goal. Maybe it will go longer. You want to believe that nothing will control your life. That you can look to the future with no fear. No failure. Beautiful optimism. But you get to a certain age and you think, I should have been "here" by now, but instead I'm still "here".
I'm not saying that alcohol has been the cause of everything, but it certainly doesn't help. It's destructive. It can lead to complacency. To failure. Failure to react. Failure to move forward. I want to remove anything in my life that holds me back from moving forward and achieving goals. Those goals can be as small as wanting to go for a short 30 minute jog on a Sunday morning. Or, spending more time with my family. But also saving a few dollars towards the future. I want to make sure I leave all doors open. Any door that I can control.
I love these few quotes:
"you've got to learn to lose for a while"
and
"you've got to lose love if you want to find love"
and
"when there's nothing left to lose, you must set yourself on fire"
Is this too personal for you?
Love,
Marty
@martyzylstra
These failures consist of everything from losing jobs to ruined relationships with friends and lovers.
I look back at this time period and I wonder if I can look forward enough and see success on the horizon.
I think I can. No, I know I can.
I've been on a sobriety test. 24 days of zero alcohol.
At one point or another I'm sure a lot of you have had that feeling that "maybe I have a problem".
Yeah, I've had that feeling too much over the last year. So I quit. For now. It started with a 30 day goal. Maybe it will go longer. You want to believe that nothing will control your life. That you can look to the future with no fear. No failure. Beautiful optimism. But you get to a certain age and you think, I should have been "here" by now, but instead I'm still "here".
I'm not saying that alcohol has been the cause of everything, but it certainly doesn't help. It's destructive. It can lead to complacency. To failure. Failure to react. Failure to move forward. I want to remove anything in my life that holds me back from moving forward and achieving goals. Those goals can be as small as wanting to go for a short 30 minute jog on a Sunday morning. Or, spending more time with my family. But also saving a few dollars towards the future. I want to make sure I leave all doors open. Any door that I can control.
I love these few quotes:
"you've got to learn to lose for a while"
and
"you've got to lose love if you want to find love"
and
"when there's nothing left to lose, you must set yourself on fire"
Is this too personal for you?
Love,
Marty
@martyzylstra
February 7, 2011
Show Review: Atomic Tom & Sweetheart
Last Friday I was excited.
Do you know that I play in this band: Click here
I think you did know and I think that it is old news to you.
If this isn't old news to you, you should just go download our album for free here.
ok.
A while ago, we were asked to play a show at the Media Club in Vancouver with Atomic Tom.
This show was last Friday. As I said before I was excited for this show. I was excited for a few reasons.
1) I love playing with bands from outside of the city. You get a new perspective on what is happening outside Vancouver, and what is people are doing musically, and on stage.
2) The pre-sale for the show was strong. I really enjoy playing to a good crowd on a Friday night. I love it. More then anything.
3) Home Ice Advantage. The Media Club is like home to us. I hang out there often and we play there often. I know the stage and I know the sound and I know all the staff as friends. It's awesome.
So when we showed up for load-in/sound check AT was on stage working out their sound. I could not believe it when they literally stopped what they were doing to meet us and introduce themselves. Very unpretentious, very down to earth and very nice. Keep in mind this band is from Brooklyn New York and they've just driven over 2000 kilometers to play one of only 2 dates in Canada. I really appreciated this small gesture. Their soundcheck was really great and the quality of the sound was very very good.
So fast forward to the show.
As you may or may not know, Sweetheart tends to exude energy. We play upbeat songs and we try to interact with the crowd as much as possible. It was fun. Robert played his first show on bass (of many I hope) with us and he was extremely solid. His background vocals were perfect and his calm nature on stage was exactly what gave us that little edge and confidence. All round it was a positive experience for me.
to the Headliner:
Two things about AT. Number one: they have zero radio play. They had only a small amount of promotion for the show but a small club listing in the local entertainment magazine. They did not do interviews for the show. They did not do press. Yet, the club was packed. Clearly the local industry is out of touch. Another sign was that the crowd knew their songs. The show. I really liked their show. This was their 5th show of a month of touring and they had a great presense and charisma. There were quite a few songs that stood out and of course their single "Take me out" was great as was a cover of "Don't you want me baby" by the Human League (from the 80's).
I'm almost positive you'll be hearing about this band again and you should go buy the single, "Take me out" on iTunes:
Click here
So once again thank you to Timbre for having us and to the Media Club and to Atomic Tom.
2011 is really shaping up to be a great year.
Love,
Marty
@martyzylstra
Do you know that I play in this band: Click here
I think you did know and I think that it is old news to you.
If this isn't old news to you, you should just go download our album for free here.
ok.
A while ago, we were asked to play a show at the Media Club in Vancouver with Atomic Tom.
This show was last Friday. As I said before I was excited for this show. I was excited for a few reasons.
1) I love playing with bands from outside of the city. You get a new perspective on what is happening outside Vancouver, and what is people are doing musically, and on stage.
2) The pre-sale for the show was strong. I really enjoy playing to a good crowd on a Friday night. I love it. More then anything.
3) Home Ice Advantage. The Media Club is like home to us. I hang out there often and we play there often. I know the stage and I know the sound and I know all the staff as friends. It's awesome.
So when we showed up for load-in/sound check AT was on stage working out their sound. I could not believe it when they literally stopped what they were doing to meet us and introduce themselves. Very unpretentious, very down to earth and very nice. Keep in mind this band is from Brooklyn New York and they've just driven over 2000 kilometers to play one of only 2 dates in Canada. I really appreciated this small gesture. Their soundcheck was really great and the quality of the sound was very very good.
So fast forward to the show.
As you may or may not know, Sweetheart tends to exude energy. We play upbeat songs and we try to interact with the crowd as much as possible. It was fun. Robert played his first show on bass (of many I hope) with us and he was extremely solid. His background vocals were perfect and his calm nature on stage was exactly what gave us that little edge and confidence. All round it was a positive experience for me.
to the Headliner:
Two things about AT. Number one: they have zero radio play. They had only a small amount of promotion for the show but a small club listing in the local entertainment magazine. They did not do interviews for the show. They did not do press. Yet, the club was packed. Clearly the local industry is out of touch. Another sign was that the crowd knew their songs. The show. I really liked their show. This was their 5th show of a month of touring and they had a great presense and charisma. There were quite a few songs that stood out and of course their single "Take me out" was great as was a cover of "Don't you want me baby" by the Human League (from the 80's).
I'm almost positive you'll be hearing about this band again and you should go buy the single, "Take me out" on iTunes:
Click here
So once again thank you to Timbre for having us and to the Media Club and to Atomic Tom.
2011 is really shaping up to be a great year.
Love,
Marty
@martyzylstra
February 4, 2011
Earlstown Winter - Helena
A few years ago I heard a couple of my friends of mine had started a new alt-country group called Earlstown Winter. As we got talking, plans to go into the studio and record an EP with a few songs were mentioned and I wished them luck and looked forward to hearing the final product. I got my hands on this new CD titled "Porch Lights" from my friend Adam Fink (who I have spread copious amounts of love on this blog mostly because he is one of my best friends but also because he is ridiculously talented and also awesome in every way! (follow him on twitter: @adrawk)) a while later and had zero expectations but knew it would be pretty cool to hear some new great music from such great friends.
So I get through the CD and really like what I hear but then get to the last song. It's titled "Helena". Jonathan's voice is very unique. He's got a country tinge and his delivery is perfect. You know when you hear a song so beautiful and so powerful you have to listen to it again on repeat until you know every word and until that feeling in your heart goes away? Helena, does this to me. I don't know who this girl is but in this quiet acoustic ballad with barely anything but guitar and a bit of piano I can relate and connect with the feelings within that it's so powererful it almost brings me down to tears. It feels like you're sitting in a dark room with an old guitar and a bottle of cheap whisky. This song is like a ghost that haunts you. All of the lost loves, and feelings of regret come back. Your heart hurts for a moment. You think of all those memories of pain you've had and maybe pain you've caused. I think we've all had a "Helena". I certainly have.
Sample lyric:
The time that we had/the time that's so quickly to go/your feelings I've had/emotions I just didn't know/the longer I wait/the quicker I'm losing this race/subtle remarks end up as just a disgrace/
Helena, won't you come back to see me/you're sailing your ship but you're all that I know/Helena, your sweet love will defeat me/I'll lay down my life and I'll lay down my soul.
Click Here to buy this song on iTunes
Go listen. Maybe you'll feel the same as me. After a few listens maybe you'll be able to move on from the Helena that you're holding on to.
Love,
Marty
@martyzylstra
So I get through the CD and really like what I hear but then get to the last song. It's titled "Helena". Jonathan's voice is very unique. He's got a country tinge and his delivery is perfect. You know when you hear a song so beautiful and so powerful you have to listen to it again on repeat until you know every word and until that feeling in your heart goes away? Helena, does this to me. I don't know who this girl is but in this quiet acoustic ballad with barely anything but guitar and a bit of piano I can relate and connect with the feelings within that it's so powererful it almost brings me down to tears. It feels like you're sitting in a dark room with an old guitar and a bottle of cheap whisky. This song is like a ghost that haunts you. All of the lost loves, and feelings of regret come back. Your heart hurts for a moment. You think of all those memories of pain you've had and maybe pain you've caused. I think we've all had a "Helena". I certainly have.
Sample lyric:
The time that we had/the time that's so quickly to go/your feelings I've had/emotions I just didn't know/the longer I wait/the quicker I'm losing this race/subtle remarks end up as just a disgrace/
Helena, won't you come back to see me/you're sailing your ship but you're all that I know/Helena, your sweet love will defeat me/I'll lay down my life and I'll lay down my soul.
Click Here to buy this song on iTunes
Go listen. Maybe you'll feel the same as me. After a few listens maybe you'll be able to move on from the Helena that you're holding on to.
Love,
Marty
@martyzylstra
February 3, 2011
I reposted Lefsetz blog about Mumford and Sons
I reposted this blog because if you read it, you'll see that all the "rules" within the music industry are DEAD:
Mumford & Sons
The story of the week is not Amos Lee entering the chart with an anemic sales total of 40,000. That’s like seeing your name in print in the newspaper. All your homies call you up thrilled and the following day you’re forgotten. Ditto with Cake. These are not bad stories, the fans come out and support these acts, they can make a living playing music. But they’re never going to go platinum. They’re never going to blow up like Mumford & Sons.
Could it be the Hot AC play? And there’s been adult radio spins, but there are barely any adult radio stations.
We could debate all week long what’s fueling Mumford’s sales, but the fact is Mumford & Sons’ "Sigh No More" sold 31,000 copies this week to place number six on the SoundScan chart. They’re almost at 750,000 copies. And number 10 on the 2010 chart was Ke$ha, with 1,143,000 copies sold.
In other words, in the world of recorded music, Mumford & Sons are SUPERSTARS!
Katy Perry’s vaunted "Teenage Dream" has sold barely over a million. Despite being on the chart for 22 weeks. Then again, Mumford’s been on the chart for 49. You see it takes that long to build.
And building is the story.
It’s no longer about the peak. The Black Eyed Peas are going to headline the Super Bowl this weekend on the downswing of their career. Not because they’re decades beyond their moment in the sun like the classic rockers, but because their latest album, "The Beginning", is the beginning, of the E.N.D. It’s over. It’s like everybody in America looked at each other and said THESE GUYS SUCK! In a world searching for meaning, the Peas are meaningless. It’s hard to party all the time when you’re broke and don’t have a job.
When that happens, you’re looking for something more soul-fulfilling.
It turns out Top Forty radio is not king.
Most of those Top Forty acts, which do sell singles on iTunes, can’t tour for shit. Whereas Mumford sells every ticket. Then again, Mumford underplays and undercharges. What a concept! Create a frenzy, get everybody talking about you!
In other words, your friend says he’s going to the show. Do you want to come? You debate. The Ticketmaster charges, the lame opening act, you’re gonna pass. But when your friend is going to the show of an act you’ve never heard of, and is foaming at the mouth about it, and you get excited and want to go too and you can’t get a ticket you’re frustrated and ask yourself WHAT IN HELL IS GOING ON HERE?
What is going on here?
The media is driving towards a cliff of its own device. The record labels and the movie studios and the newspapers and magazines and TV stations are in cahoots, believing it’s still the nineties, when hype is everything and it pays to be mainstream.
You know how you become mainstream today? By driving in the complete other direction and doing something so different, so unique, so ALIVE that the public is drawn to it.
Mumford doesn’t need the usual suspects. It’s just the music. That’s enough. Acoustic instruments, no beats, HUH?
You can decry the Internet. But it’s the Net that breaks these new acts. Because the mainstream, if it cares at all, cares last. People are looking for something new. And they’ve found Mumford & Sons… WHO’S NEXT?
Could it be the Hot AC play? And there’s been adult radio spins, but there are barely any adult radio stations.
We could debate all week long what’s fueling Mumford’s sales, but the fact is Mumford & Sons’ "Sigh No More" sold 31,000 copies this week to place number six on the SoundScan chart. They’re almost at 750,000 copies. And number 10 on the 2010 chart was Ke$ha, with 1,143,000 copies sold.
In other words, in the world of recorded music, Mumford & Sons are SUPERSTARS!
Katy Perry’s vaunted "Teenage Dream" has sold barely over a million. Despite being on the chart for 22 weeks. Then again, Mumford’s been on the chart for 49. You see it takes that long to build.
And building is the story.
It’s no longer about the peak. The Black Eyed Peas are going to headline the Super Bowl this weekend on the downswing of their career. Not because they’re decades beyond their moment in the sun like the classic rockers, but because their latest album, "The Beginning", is the beginning, of the E.N.D. It’s over. It’s like everybody in America looked at each other and said THESE GUYS SUCK! In a world searching for meaning, the Peas are meaningless. It’s hard to party all the time when you’re broke and don’t have a job.
When that happens, you’re looking for something more soul-fulfilling.
It turns out Top Forty radio is not king.
Most of those Top Forty acts, which do sell singles on iTunes, can’t tour for shit. Whereas Mumford sells every ticket. Then again, Mumford underplays and undercharges. What a concept! Create a frenzy, get everybody talking about you!
In other words, your friend says he’s going to the show. Do you want to come? You debate. The Ticketmaster charges, the lame opening act, you’re gonna pass. But when your friend is going to the show of an act you’ve never heard of, and is foaming at the mouth about it, and you get excited and want to go too and you can’t get a ticket you’re frustrated and ask yourself WHAT IN HELL IS GOING ON HERE?
What is going on here?
The media is driving towards a cliff of its own device. The record labels and the movie studios and the newspapers and magazines and TV stations are in cahoots, believing it’s still the nineties, when hype is everything and it pays to be mainstream.
You know how you become mainstream today? By driving in the complete other direction and doing something so different, so unique, so ALIVE that the public is drawn to it.
Mumford doesn’t need the usual suspects. It’s just the music. That’s enough. Acoustic instruments, no beats, HUH?
You can decry the Internet. But it’s the Net that breaks these new acts. Because the mainstream, if it cares at all, cares last. People are looking for something new. And they’ve found Mumford & Sons… WHO’S NEXT?
February 2, 2011
Sweetheart - A show
Did you know I was in a band called Sweetheart?
I'm being partially facetious because most of you will know about that. I wanted to talk about it for a couple of reasons.
Part 1:
Firstly I want to mention how highly I think of the people in this band. I have known MK & Sammy for 9 years and 6 years respectively. Do you have 1-2 friends who you can go to with ANY problem and they will listen and give honest advice? Well these 2 individuals I can literally go to with anything and they will not judge and they will listen. That is important. Both of them know my deepest & darkest secrets. They have been there with me through the failures. We have also stood there through some of the biggest successes in our lives. Personally and professionally. I would defend them and take a bullet for both of them. This is what a band is about. A band isn't about fame and fortune. A band isn't about sex, drugs & rock and roll. A band is a group of brothers who can have a laugh and have fun playing the music that they truly love to play.
Part 2:
We hadn't rehearsed in a few months up until about a week ago. Our good friend and fellow bandmate Weezee had left the group in November for a new opportunity in another province. He was our bass player and we really enjoyed having him in the band and sharing a lot of laughs and a lot of amazing times. The "new guy" had big shoes to fill. A couple weeks ago I pitched the idea of playing bass in the band to my friend Robert Watt. We happen to share a love for the Beatles and Brit-Pop and have had many a (beer fueled) disscussion about John L, George H, Macca, and Ringo. He said, "Why not?". He'd recently purchased a bass with the intention of recording some demos or possibly filling in here and there around the city. He's a really really good player and can fill every role. He also knows just about every song you can think of and we've had fun sitting around singing Oasis/Blur/Beatles covers on many a night.
So back to last week's first rehearsal with a 4 piece.
I heard a quote from Geddy Lee once that said that when Rush got back into rehearsals for a tour they felt like the first few practises they were like a Rush "cover band". Well last week it felt like I was in a Sweetheart cover band. The only person who actually was really solid was Rob. He is a great player and extremely versatile. I was terrible and at times couldn't remember lyrics to songs we've been playing for a million years. Fast forward to this week. Last night we had our second jam. When everything clicks in the rehearsal space there is no better feeling. It's hard to describe. It's like a warm summer day on a patio with your favourite group of friends with your favourite beer. It's like listening to your favourite song that's been stuck in your head and you hadn't heard it in a long time. It's like a good movie in a theatre with the smell of popcorn lingering in the air. When Sweetheart hits our stride in the space, it feels like magic. The songs we play are my some of my favourite songs.
In closing.
I'll tell you why we're "getting the band back together". Well first of all, we recorded a few songs last year and we're getting ready to release it to the world. This will be a fun process and I always love the CD release party and the initial stuff that happens surrounding a release. But secondly, we were asked to play a show a few weeks ago by our friends at Timbre Productions. Click here to find out what they do and what shows they put on. They offered us a show with this great band from New York City called Atomic Tom. You may remember them from a "viral video" last year where they performed their hit song on the NYC subway entirely on iPhones with iPhone instrument applications. Click here to see it: As you can see it's a pretty quirky video and really well done. Anyway, we agreed to play the show and I'm really looking forward to Friday. As always I hope some of you come out. I will review the show from my perspective on Monday.
Now, if you don't have any recordings by Sweetheart, you should download the entire LP, Map of the Human Heart here for free. It was recorded a while ago but we still perform a few songs from that album. Just enter your email address and then you'll be sent a link with instructions on how to download the zip file.
Thanks for reading.
Love,
Marty
@martyzylstra
@sweetheartband
I'm being partially facetious because most of you will know about that. I wanted to talk about it for a couple of reasons.
Part 1:
Firstly I want to mention how highly I think of the people in this band. I have known MK & Sammy for 9 years and 6 years respectively. Do you have 1-2 friends who you can go to with ANY problem and they will listen and give honest advice? Well these 2 individuals I can literally go to with anything and they will not judge and they will listen. That is important. Both of them know my deepest & darkest secrets. They have been there with me through the failures. We have also stood there through some of the biggest successes in our lives. Personally and professionally. I would defend them and take a bullet for both of them. This is what a band is about. A band isn't about fame and fortune. A band isn't about sex, drugs & rock and roll. A band is a group of brothers who can have a laugh and have fun playing the music that they truly love to play.
Part 2:
We hadn't rehearsed in a few months up until about a week ago. Our good friend and fellow bandmate Weezee had left the group in November for a new opportunity in another province. He was our bass player and we really enjoyed having him in the band and sharing a lot of laughs and a lot of amazing times. The "new guy" had big shoes to fill. A couple weeks ago I pitched the idea of playing bass in the band to my friend Robert Watt. We happen to share a love for the Beatles and Brit-Pop and have had many a (beer fueled) disscussion about John L, George H, Macca, and Ringo. He said, "Why not?". He'd recently purchased a bass with the intention of recording some demos or possibly filling in here and there around the city. He's a really really good player and can fill every role. He also knows just about every song you can think of and we've had fun sitting around singing Oasis/Blur/Beatles covers on many a night.
So back to last week's first rehearsal with a 4 piece.
I heard a quote from Geddy Lee once that said that when Rush got back into rehearsals for a tour they felt like the first few practises they were like a Rush "cover band". Well last week it felt like I was in a Sweetheart cover band. The only person who actually was really solid was Rob. He is a great player and extremely versatile. I was terrible and at times couldn't remember lyrics to songs we've been playing for a million years. Fast forward to this week. Last night we had our second jam. When everything clicks in the rehearsal space there is no better feeling. It's hard to describe. It's like a warm summer day on a patio with your favourite group of friends with your favourite beer. It's like listening to your favourite song that's been stuck in your head and you hadn't heard it in a long time. It's like a good movie in a theatre with the smell of popcorn lingering in the air. When Sweetheart hits our stride in the space, it feels like magic. The songs we play are my some of my favourite songs.
In closing.
I'll tell you why we're "getting the band back together". Well first of all, we recorded a few songs last year and we're getting ready to release it to the world. This will be a fun process and I always love the CD release party and the initial stuff that happens surrounding a release. But secondly, we were asked to play a show a few weeks ago by our friends at Timbre Productions. Click here to find out what they do and what shows they put on. They offered us a show with this great band from New York City called Atomic Tom. You may remember them from a "viral video" last year where they performed their hit song on the NYC subway entirely on iPhones with iPhone instrument applications. Click here to see it: As you can see it's a pretty quirky video and really well done. Anyway, we agreed to play the show and I'm really looking forward to Friday. As always I hope some of you come out. I will review the show from my perspective on Monday.
Now, if you don't have any recordings by Sweetheart, you should download the entire LP, Map of the Human Heart here for free. It was recorded a while ago but we still perform a few songs from that album. Just enter your email address and then you'll be sent a link with instructions on how to download the zip file.
Thanks for reading.
Love,
Marty
@martyzylstra
@sweetheartband
February 1, 2011
Carpenter
Are you a bro?
The first time I saw Carpenter play it changed my life.
It was March 2008 and they were playing a "Bro Show" at the Media Club. The bill was something like: Living With Lions, Carpenter, Broadway Calls, and someone else either Battle Snakes? or Aspirations?, or ?
I went alone to this show expecting nothing, just wanting to hang out with my closest friend MK who works at the club and to drink some Pilsner and see some indie bands.
I left this show blown out of my mind. If you haven't seen Carpenter, go see them as soon as you can. Even if you don't like punk/punk influenced post-modern rock, you will appreciate this band's live show. Energy. That's what an "industry" person would say to describe their music. Energy. Every person in the audience was singing along with these songs. I had to know more about this band and find out what they are all about.
The day after this show I drove down to Zulu records on 4th and bought Law of the Land which is Capenter's 1st LP. I still listen to this record almost daily. It is an inspiring album. Some songs on this record deal with touring with a band and life on the road and how difficult it can be to be away from your family. Some songs deal with pain. Lost love. Found love. Taking punches and continuing:
"You can take what I say/twist and turn it around/You can't keep a good man down" is a sample lyric.
I'd give you my highlighted songs on this album but I don't have any. This record is all good from beginning to end. You should just go buy it. Support this band. Why? Because they would support you.
Late last year Carpenter released "Sea to Sky". A new LP.
I couldn't wait to get this record and bought it on iTunes the day it was released. I wanted to hear it immediately. Remember in the old days when you would mark on the calendar the release date of your favourite band's new album?
I was not disappointed with this LP. Right away 2 songs stood out and spoke to me:
"Joan" - a very heartfelt story about addiction
"Just another Friday Night" - A country tinged upbeat song with great pedal steel playing.
This record is raw and stripped down to 2 guitars, bass and drums. There are no slick studio tricks. It is honest and refreshing to listen to. I really love this album and feel that it shows growth but also isn't a departure in sound. You'd like it.
Click here to go buy it!
Carpenter plays the Fairview on February 19th with: Northcote, Viginia Leaves & Childsplay
Click here for more info on this show!
**They will also be releasing their 12" of Sea to Sky on the same day, make sure you make it out!
I'll be reviewing the show here on my blog, so stay posted.
Love,
Marty
@martyzylstra
The first time I saw Carpenter play it changed my life.
It was March 2008 and they were playing a "Bro Show" at the Media Club. The bill was something like: Living With Lions, Carpenter, Broadway Calls, and someone else either Battle Snakes? or Aspirations?, or ?
I went alone to this show expecting nothing, just wanting to hang out with my closest friend MK who works at the club and to drink some Pilsner and see some indie bands.
I left this show blown out of my mind. If you haven't seen Carpenter, go see them as soon as you can. Even if you don't like punk/punk influenced post-modern rock, you will appreciate this band's live show. Energy. That's what an "industry" person would say to describe their music. Energy. Every person in the audience was singing along with these songs. I had to know more about this band and find out what they are all about.
The day after this show I drove down to Zulu records on 4th and bought Law of the Land which is Capenter's 1st LP. I still listen to this record almost daily. It is an inspiring album. Some songs on this record deal with touring with a band and life on the road and how difficult it can be to be away from your family. Some songs deal with pain. Lost love. Found love. Taking punches and continuing:
"You can take what I say/twist and turn it around/You can't keep a good man down" is a sample lyric.
I'd give you my highlighted songs on this album but I don't have any. This record is all good from beginning to end. You should just go buy it. Support this band. Why? Because they would support you.
Late last year Carpenter released "Sea to Sky". A new LP.
I couldn't wait to get this record and bought it on iTunes the day it was released. I wanted to hear it immediately. Remember in the old days when you would mark on the calendar the release date of your favourite band's new album?
I was not disappointed with this LP. Right away 2 songs stood out and spoke to me:
"Joan" - a very heartfelt story about addiction
"Just another Friday Night" - A country tinged upbeat song with great pedal steel playing.
This record is raw and stripped down to 2 guitars, bass and drums. There are no slick studio tricks. It is honest and refreshing to listen to. I really love this album and feel that it shows growth but also isn't a departure in sound. You'd like it.
Click here to go buy it!
Carpenter plays the Fairview on February 19th with: Northcote, Viginia Leaves & Childsplay
Click here for more info on this show!
**They will also be releasing their 12" of Sea to Sky on the same day, make sure you make it out!
I'll be reviewing the show here on my blog, so stay posted.
Love,
Marty
@martyzylstra
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