Royal Manor’s First Show

I know I’ve been talking about this show for what seems like forever. But that’s only because playing in a band is my lifelong dream and for some reason I haven’t gotten around to it until now.

The show is fast approaching and now it feels like a real thing. This weekend we gained a logo and some band photos. And today we found out who the other bands we’re playing with are – that really makes it feel like an actual thing that will happen. It’s a real show with real bands!

The other week I woke up in the middle of the night and all of a sudden it hit me that soon I will have to get up in public and play guitar and bass and SING. I was literally frozen with fear in my bed and thought I might puke.

But that doesn’t mean I am not SUPER EXCITED.

Facebook event: http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=76124173742

Don’t we look like we’re about to rock your face off?

Inspiration

I had a pretty great weekend. I didn’t go partying at all, and barely relaxed. But it was amazing.

We had band practice on Saturday, which is always one of my most favourite times of the week. Also on Saturday, I went for my consultation with my future tattoo artist. I was a little worked up about it beforehand. I’ve spent over a year thinking about this tattoo, probably more like a year and a half at least. I’ve been searching for the right artist, but never managed to make the decision. It was scary. This tattoo is going to be pretty large and un-hideable. If it sucks, then I’m pretty much shit out of luck.

But after going to see the artist who is going to do my tattoo, I feel much more at ease. I took him some papers with a bunch of reference images, and he immediately picked out one of my favourite pictures as one that he really liked. I also took pictures of a really amazing tattoo I had seen, and he knew the artist and was glad I had picked his work as a reference. Good signs. The great thing about him is that he seems genuinely excited about the tattoos he works on. He doesn’t do every tattoo that people ask for – he picks and chooses the ones he wants to do. So I’m glad he decided to do mine.

He’s going to work on drawing it up, and then I will probably get it inked some time in June. JUNE! Can’t wait.

But the best thing I did this weekend was record an album in my apartment. 14 tracks in one weekend! It was the first time I’ve worked on recording something other than my own solo or band stuff since last summer, and the first full-length album I’ve engineered. I feel lucky to be part of the creation of this album. It is unique and smart and catchy and makes me want to dance at the same time that it tackles things other people would never dare say, with unflinching honesty and straightforwardness. In a just world, it would rule the airwaves.

We fueled the whole thing with pizza and poutine and beer and tea. It was a grand time. Now on to mixing! See everyone in a week, ha.

Admit Defeat

Tomorrow is release day for Great Bloomers Speak Of Trouble. (Do yourself a favour and get this album – it will be on your top of ‘09 at the end of the year, I promise.) In honour of the day, I’d like to present you (and especially… you…) with this loveliest of verses:

If we ever make it through
I swear to you I’ll guide us home
To a nest of sheets and springs
Where lovers never sleep alone
-Great Bloomers, “Admit Defeat”

Wanted: one tattoo artist

I have realized what the problem is with trying to pick out a tattoo artist. The problem is that a lot of people get stupid, ugly shit tattooed on their bodies. So when I look through artists portfolios, they’re perfectly competent tattooists, but I can’t tell if they’d be good at the style I want (think 50s storybook) because everything is all flaming skulls and devils.

And everyone I’ve found that I like has a gigantor waiting list. I’m impatient. I need a new tattoo now! It’s been 3 1/2 years since the last one!

Perspective

I came home tonight worn out (body and mind and heart) and then my mom called me. In the course of our conversation, she told me about a kid who comes to the free lunch program that she runs at the high school where she works. He told her today, “I like the weekdays because I get two meals. On weekends, I only get one.”

I can’t think about it too much or I’ll crumble.

It makes my worries seem so petty and silly and small.

Reminder! Reminder! Reminder!

My band’s first show is quickly approaching! It is exactly one month from today! So I thought this would  be a good time to remind you to book off May 13 on your calendar for us.

I am stupidly excited.  Please come or I will cry.

These are the people in your neighbourhood

Today I was waiting at a stoplight when a man came up to me and said, “Excuse me, ma’am,” in a soft-spoken, uber-polite voice. I thought he was going to ask me for directions. And he kind of did, because then he said:

“Can you tell me where I can find a 20 piece?”

I told him no and hopped on my bike. Odd.

Musics!

I went to the Thunderheist in-store at Sonic Boom tonight, and true to style I caved and bought some records. And a CD. And man did I win.

The first thing I picked out was Drumsolo’s Delight by Strategy. I bought it because it had a wicked silkscreened cover and was on Kranky, who put out Stars of the Lid (whose stuff I wanted to buy on vinyl, but it was too much $$$). I had no idea what the album was, and it turned out to be AMAZING. It was only $8.50 and I am in love with it. Good deal!

Next up I got a Shonen Knife 7″ from the Sub Pop Singles Club. It’s in mint frigging condition – it still has the little coupons attached for joining the club. So rad.

Then I got Verve Remixed 3 on CD. I love that series and it was a double disc for $10. The second disc is unremixed, and the first disc has some amazing remixes – Postal Service vs. Nina Simone, Album Leaf vs. Nina Simone and Junior Boys vs. Billie Holiday. Heaven.

Also I bought a dress. That has nothing to do with music, I know. But I had been coveting the dress for a while and I went to try it on and it was 50% off! And then I didn’t buy it! I thought it was too cleavage-y. It probably is. (Kat says I will never have to wait in line at a bar again, and that I can lie all the time because no one will be looking me in the eye. Hahaha.) But I went back later and got it because I couldn’t forget the awesomeness of the dress. It’s shiny and black and looks like it’s wet and has a cute cut-out back. Wheeeee dress season!

Good things come in threes

More good things! Look at me and the positivity!

• Cinnamon incense. MAN, does it smell good.
• Pickled eggs. I may be 90 years old, but they’re delicious. Whatever.
• Jazz. I really like jazz a lot lately. But I don’t have very much to choose from. I think this means…. RECORD SHOPPING!

Ok, one negative thing. WHAT IN THE FUCK IS UP WITH SNOW IN APRIL? I know I bitch about the winter all the time. Like, I’ve literally had it with winter the day after the first snowfall. But this one is just ridiculous. It feels never-ending. This winter is the never-ending story. I really don’t know how much more I can take.

More good things

Being negative is an easy trap for me to fall into, so I’m trying to avoid it lately. (Also, it just hurts my stomach too damn much to think of things like the massive pit of debt I’m in from school.) So here are some more lovely things.

• Lavender soap from the Guelph Soap Co. It’s not full of gross chemicals, and smells like delicious lavender.
• Lavender all-purpose cleaner. It’s not full of gross chemicals, and smells like delicious lavender!
• Having the windows open. Finally! This winter has been (still is) neverending, but being able to open the windows on a day like today is a light at the end of the tunnel.
• Alphabetizing my records. Yes, I’m a nerd. But now I will be able to find things.
• Band practice. Our first show is coming up soon and I CAN’T FRIGGING WAIT. (Of course, I say that now. When the day comes I will probably be barfing all over the place from nerves.)