The Show Must Go On

It may have been one of the worst nights in the city for weather in some time, but that didn’t stop The Balconies from putting on a fantastic show at Crocks Wednesday night in front of the few brave souls that dared to venture out to see them.

Some bands may have taken the night off but Jacquie and company performed as if they were playing to a sold out house.  True professionals they performed their polished and well-rehearsed set in support of their latest album “Rhonda”.  Their latest offering is a mix of hard hitting alt-rock-pop songs with some sweet 80’s synths.

Jacquie’s range of vocals were predominantly strong, powerful and passionate - but she had no issue switching gears to soothing and melodic.

The band last night comprised only of herself, fellow guitarist Liam and drummer Mike.  Their Bass player was MIA for a few of their gigs which forced the band to use some technical ingenuity to fill out the rest of lineup.   The result was a slick and encompassing performance.   If Jacquie wasn’t rocking out on her guitar, she was dancing up a storm.

The Balconies are heading west on this leg of their tour but hope to be back in Thunder Bay soon.
For more information about the band: http://thebalconies.ca

Big show coming up

We're 2 days away from playing a big stage at the CLE Wednesday night. We haven't played since Sportnet's Hockeyville event at the Marina back in January.

We got a good rehearsal in last week and it didn't take much time at all to dial everyone in and get things nice and tight. Last night's practice was fun - we went over all the cover songs and 2 songs we may throw into the lineup if we need them. Spirits were high and everything sounded right.

Carlo suggested i use his new Savage amp. He liked the way it sounded. I got used to the subtle differences after adjusting a few things in my effects chain. We're going through the whole set list again I'll run that amp through it's paces. It will definitely save some effort moving it instead of my 4x12 cab and amp head.

I've really made an effort with Tourist Bureau to 'add' nuances to the songs instead of 'blasting' through with my guitar. There's a lot going on and my approach of less is more i think seems to be really helping the overall sound of the live shows.

I'm really looking forward to this gig. It's outdoors and from what I hear it's a big stage. Maki is doing the sound I believe and that's always a great thing. My family are able to attend which is always important for me to have my kids see me doing what I love doing. I hope it inspires them to do what they love doing.

Daily Musings Writing Experiment

Ewan McGregor and Charley Boorman take a three-month motorcycle trip. 

My personality type is the kind that likes to deep dive on interest.  Once I like something I tend to exhaust it.  Leave no stone un-turned is my motto.  My latest obsession is Long Way Round.  It's that documentary that came out about 10 years ago with Ewan McGregor.  He and a mate of his decide to ride motor cycles around the world in 3 months.   

They wanted to document their adventure.  Before the journey they challenged themselves to do a video diary at the end of the day.  It's pretty interesting.

My life - is no way as interesting as say Ewan McGregor's and the prospect of other people having an interest in my day to day ventures is pretty scant.  However I really liked the idea of journalling for myself as record of my accomplishments.  The idea of having something look back on as a reminder that I am living my life is assuring.

Video blogging for myself - I will see about that.  My comfort level isn't there yet.  But I do see is it's merit.

BoJack Horseman Theme

So the latest episode of Song Exploder was released  yesterday - it's one of my favorite things for my earballs.  They break down artist's songs - everything from lyrical influences, instruments, themes etc.

The latest was about the theme to BoJack Horseman.  It's pretty awesome. Patrick Carney of The Black Keys explains how he was experimenting in his studio and plugged his Protools click track into the CV of an analogue keyboard and put it through it's arpeggiator to come up with the opening of the track.

He got his uncle involved - Ralph Carney of the Tom Waits band who is an amazing Sax player. Together they shipped the song tracks back and forth and collaborated on this piece not knowing what would come of this composition.

The creators of BoJack Horseman were big fans of The Black Keys and got in touch with Patrick.  The rest is history.  The Carney's little project became the them song to the show.

I've never seen BoJack Horseman.  But after hearing this Song Exploder I just had to see what it was all about.  It's got a favorite actor of mine - Will Arnett as the lead voice.

The theme song ads a ton of weight to this crazy cartoon.

Hrishikesh Hirway

Song Exploder: BOJACK HORSEMAN (Main Title Theme)

Posted 1 day ago

ROBOTS vs HUMAN NHL REFEREES

NHL Referee Huddle

Based on the most recent discussion on the SteveDanglePodcast and the debate over off side calls and robots….

I think you have to first decide FIRST which interest is more important:

1.      Fans / Entertainment
         -or-

2.      Teams/Coaches/Players

-Fans WANT to be entertained.  Teams NEED to win.-

When you state that Sports is ENTERTAINMENT that may be true – but it’s jobs and money for Teams/Coaches/Players.

So the way I see it – Video Replay is solely for Teams. They will exploit anything and everything if it means winning at the end of the day.  Teams are eliminated from playoffs based on one game.   That will cost a team Millions of extra dollars if they miss out.

If TEAMS is the primary interest – then I agree with Jesse – ROBOTS. 

However the opposite is true if the FANS are the primary interest.

Eliminate Video Replay.  Even goal line reviews.  All of it.  How many times has a missed call been complained about by the coach to a ref and the ref than makes up with it by calling something against the other team?  How many times have we heard how vital the Refs position to influence the game is?

The down side to this is if referees become compromised the same way FIFA has a problem with its refs and bribing.  Just look here at this 'influencing' scandal:  Footballs biggest fixing scandals Liverpool Juventus Manchester

So – one or the other.  This Hybrid isn’t working.

First Hike

I had every intention of going to Kakabeka Falls to hike the "Little Falls" trail.  But the weather wasn't co-operating and I was running out of time.

I opted to Urban Hike.  There's a bike path near my home that borders the river.  I took every opportunity to walk off the path and in the brush to make make it more hike like.

It was chilly but spring was definitely in the air.  The sounds of Robins - almost of dozen of them off to the side of the path were trying to stay warm.  In the same wooded area I spied some sparrows and a single Wood Pecker.

Later on two I spotted 2 Loons making their way up river.  I imagined the fowls second guessing their arrivals back to this area.  There was still some snow and some ice along the water way.

I spent roughly 2 hours plodding up the river than back down taking in the sights and sounds.  Traffic was minimal and didn't influence my state of mind terribly.  I took as many moments as I could to stop and really take in the nature around me.  Staring into the rushing river I hoped to see some Steelhead as rumor had it they were starting to run.   The sound of the water, and the brightness of the sun's reflection slowed time.

All the Presidents Men

I've had this on my must see list for years.  My anticipation and perceived weight of the film could be why I didn't care for it.

Nixon, Impeachment, Watergate etc - all big words and concepts I've grown up with since I was a kid but never quite understood.  I always envisioned this movie to be my 'aha!' clarity movie for this event in history.

Sadly it was not.
Redford's character was pretty good.  Hoffman annoyed me.  The audio wasn't clear and add to that Hoffman's mumbling made this very hard to understand - especially specific details that would make understanding this conspiracy so much more comprehensible.

I really wanted to love this movie but since I had to Wikipedia Watergate to get a better understanding of the event I have to flat out throw this movie to the curb.

That being said - if I were to watch this again having a better understanding of Watergate - it may make more sense.

When this came out in '76 - the details fresh in everyone's mind this film I think would have been better - but 40 years later it just doesn't hold up.