Three-Part Harmonies and the Courage to Speak
10 Random Thoughts: Instagram Vids, "The Nineties", Ms Pac-Man, A Cowboy's Hat, Machines
I guess the upside to scrolling is seeing it as a form of market research and more than anything, what doesn’t work on me. Last April I wrote a Substack of randomness, a collection of ten arbitrary thoughts acting as of an exercise in clearing some cognitive cobwebs. There had just been a solar eclipse on the 9 month anniversary of Dad’s passing and a thread of metaphor was attempting to come through but in my attempt to pull it from the ether, I bore no success. I settled on a single paragraph expressing the reality of the day, staring at the ground. The articulation felt complete and I let go of making it any deeper than it was.
Of the remaining nine sub-thoughts I commented on the “strategic” formula to gaining traction on TikTok as shared with me from a label contact -
“making sure they use the front facing screen camera, the beginning of the video should include the artist pulling their arm back after hitting the record button, jumping immediately into the first verse lyrics, the lower the production the better.”
Now, it’s all I see. Like a veil had been lifted, wondering if they’re in on the formula.
All this to say, I didn’t replicate the technique but did release a couple performance vids to the internets before the weekend (and to replicate my previous writing exercise, ten random thoughts)
I Am Weary, Let Me Rest
My wife and I have been asked to be a part of a very special evening in Saskatoon on Thursday night at The Broadway Theatre as part of their Winterruption Festival. O Brother, Where Art Thou? Revisited 25th Anniversary Live Concert and Screening. As curated by one of the most eccentric and prolific artists in our scene, Jaxon Lalonde, the festival is describing the event as “a veritable who’s who of Saskatchewan’s booming blue-grass scene to bring the soundtrack to life on the Broadway stage! A star-studded event to be sure, you will witness the likes of Belle Plaine, Blake Berglund, members of The Local Group, Sonia Reid and Friends, Aryn El Hefe, Gil & Wil, Wyndham Thiessen, Maya the Bird and Joseph Desjarlais”
Melanie and I are also honoured to be your emcees for the evening. We spent last night watching the movie…again, as it’s an all-timer in our house.
We also spent the morning with Jaxon and captured our three-parts on “I Am Weary, Let Me Rest”
Thursday, January 23rd | Broadway Theatre | Saskatoon, SK
presented by Winterruption | $22.50 taxes and fees in!
little jack farms
My little jack farms session was released on Friday. We hunkered down in the basement of the little jack farmhouse outside of Dundurn as the wind howled itself dry. It’s destructive nature was balanced by the radiancy of an autumn sun. Regardless of being in the basement the natural light was stunning that afternoon. Film just couldn’t capture it.
“The Nineties” by Chuck Klosterman
I was given this book last summer by my good friend, Kent Roberts, following his extremely intimate wedding ceremony. It has taken me a few months but since cracking last week and haven’t put it down. I read “Fargo Rock City” in 2001 and haven’t read any Klosterman since - what a pleasant return. Born at the forefront of the Millenials, I openly identify as a GenXer. Which pisses GenXers off. Truthfully, it’s more of a discovery mode as I come into my middle age having married an actual GenXer. The likeness is clearly one centred around the music moreso than any other determining cultural factor. But then she says things like, “how have you not seen Reality Bites?”…and in true GenX fashion, shames me back into my rightful Generation.
But I married one, and that was always the plan.
Ms Pac-Man
A round of Ms Pac-Man at turbo speed is the usual precursor to any deep work task that requires a few hours of flow. It’s like spraying a can of ether into the intake of a diesel engine for me. Bam. Full blown mental combustion. Every cylinder. From ice cold to roaring RPMS. For the longest time it was Dr. Mario rerelease for Super NES, highest difficulty, highest speed until my cartridge could no longer be blown.
My highest score to date on Ms Pac-Man is 127270, achieved four days ago. Nothing crazy but it works for me. Make sure you play Turbo. Good Luck.
B-E-N-C-H
My three year old read BENCH tonight. He sounded it out and remembered that C & H together say “CH” - I ran into the kitchen as his mother was making homemade soup for supper, almost slipping on a skateboard in the hallway, ecstatic:
“Melanie! Holy Shit! He read BENCH!"
Melanie’s Birthday
As you read this, January 20, my wife is celebrating her day of birth. We adopted our roles in the household with generous crossover but at its core but she’s the one that holds this whole operation together. Grounded and level. As a boozing, fist-throwing farm kid, she single-handedly gave me the opportunity to rise into a better version of myself through grace and grace alone. I see her patience as a mother and wife, balancing the expectations of career and living an example of simply how to do it all. Happy birthday, love.
A Stripe
Between the farm, my office and the road, my minimal time in Regina is defined by engaging in the art of jiu jitsu. It’s hard not to put one’s journey up against another’s but last Saturday I was promoted with my first stripe on my white belt. Again, one of those things where all I wanted to do was call my Dad.
Taking the hat off a cowboy’s head
Before Christmas, I took in a seminar presented by Master AJ Scales/Complete MMA and had the genuine honour of learning from Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Coral Belt, Master Wendell Alexander. It was an incredible mix of scrappy old school street moves and ballet. I’m still trying to catch-up on everything taught over the weekend. On the Sunday night myself and members of our team went out for a nice supper. Upon sitting down beside Master Wendell, he took the hat off my head and put it on his own. Every cell in my being ignited with that natural reactive instinct as it does when one commits such a transgression. Immediately putting it into context, recognizing the intent as one of comradery, and Lord Almighty, the obvious and extremely unparalleled skillset, I responded with the utmost humility and a compliment; a genuine one at that. If you think you look good in a cowboy hat, you almost always do. And Master Wendell looked goooooooood. I damn near gave it to him. I should have.
“Just Machines.”
As my son sits beside me, I just asked him, “What’s your most favourite thing?”
“Just machines.”
“What kind of machines?”
“Well, we were talking about machines and mommy wanted one where you push the button with your nose.”
“What kind of machine do you push a button with your nose?
“A flabbergaster.“
Resolution: how clear is the coming year?
Last weeks entry was a fun (and intimidating) one to write. Mostly because of how open I was about my plans. I’m of the nature to withhold until complete. This entry was not that. There’s also something to say about social contracts, especially with those that have a vested interest (not to mention financial investment) as I see those who have been generous enough at supporting my efforts through the paid subscription tiers.
But if you can see it in your mind, feel it in your heart and have the courage to speak it…it happens. I’d further that sentiment by having the humility to put it in God’s hands. I’m just here to do the work and this past week gave me full confidence that I am on the right path in life.
Seeing new readers come through the gate on the weekly. Welcome, Crew.
I’ve taken on the new mantra of consistency - and as I like to put it - this means sitting my ass in the chair. Being at the ranch, being a Dad, training my body and running a record label is forcing me to see time as a currency. You’ll notice the theme of “time” popping up on the regular in my posts as its a concept that boggles. With that in mind, my gratitude towards all those that spend this precious limited resource on opening up this Substack and reading the writing, cannot truly be put into words. But for you, I will meet that offering with the return of more writing.
Thank you for the comments and the shares.
And as per usual - if you’d like my new double-LP sent directly to you doorstep, completely free of charge (shipping included), grab yourself a yearly paid subscription and consider it done.
Love the photo of Master Wendell!!
Well written and said