Showing posts with label music. Show all posts
Showing posts with label music. Show all posts

Gems From The Basement: Songbook 

Wednesday, January 5, 2011 - Posted by Amanda Bast
In the midst of my basement treasure hunting, I did come across some things that might be beneficial sometime in the future. Like this children's songbook, for example.

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Sure it's old, but it's got some classics in it. Plus the music in case I forget the tune. I decided to keep it. I turned to page 14 and found a song that Mother Goose apparently wrote. I had never heard of the song, but my mother had. She then proceeded to sit down at the piano and sing the song to me. Have a look:

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It's about a kitty! Right? A kitty.

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Life Goals 

Wednesday, December 29, 2010 - Posted by Amanda Bast
I used to hate making goals. Since I've altered my thinking from "goal setting" to "things I want to do before I'm a certain age" I have discovered that I have many goals. I have never done anything on this list, and I would like to accomplish all of them. I've also posted this same list under "Life Goals" over there ----->

Here are my 30 before 30 (in no particular order):


  1. See Sufjan Stevens in concert
  2. Eat lobster
  3. Live within walking distance of a coffee shop/craft store/fancy cooking store (any would do)
  4. Write a song other than ones I make up on the spot every day
  5. See the Rocky Mountains
  6. Take dance lessons
  7. Completely gut and renovate an old house
  8. Land a permanent contract job
  9. Take voice lessons
  10. Talk in an accent for an evening in order to convince a stranger that it’s real
  11. Take a fancy cooking course (or several)
  12. See Ingrid Michaelson in concert
  13. Be a part of a show where people pay $20.00 or more to see
  14. Sing in front of a crowd
  15. See a show on Broadway
  16. Hit up a jazz club in downtown Montreal (must be drinking a martini when this occurs)
  17. Fall in love
  18. Teach nieces and nephews a choreographed song and dance number
  19. See the ocean (any one will do)
  20. Adopt a Greyhound dog
  21. Publish a children's book (or three)
  22. Try my hand at some stand-up comedy
  23. Travel to the east coast
  24. Make flan
  25. Host an unnecessarily fancy dinner party (serve flan)
  26. Go scuba diving
  27. Babies! Birth, adopt, foster – any way they choose to come to me.
  28. Oh, get married (that first...then babies)
  29. Preach a sermon
  30. Change someone’s life (for the better)

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Music, Metaphors and Lots of Links 

Monday, December 6, 2010 - Posted by Amanda Bast
If you're from the K-Dubs you might know that the local radio station that normally plays "today's hits and yesterday's favourites" (gag barf ew bleeding ears) now only plays Christmas music. Gross Christmas music. It's almost as bad as when they play that song by Soul Decision (you know the one. You knew it was sleazy when you were in grade five*).

I am not listening to this station. Instead, I am listening my very own Christmas playlist to end all Christmas playlists. It is comprised of the following:

1. Sufjan Stevens - Christmas Box Set
If you buy no other Christmas music, buy this box set. It is all you really need every December. My tall friend Kerry originally introduced me to this box set a few Christmases ago and I am constantly in awe of this beautiful piece of work (the box set, not Kerry...sorry bud). The genius of Sufjan plus traditional Christmas music equals pure audio heaven. He also does covers of some hymns and they make you want to sit in a corner and cry (happy tears). This is what I mean. Included in the box set is five discs, a lyric and chord booklet, short stories, a poster of Sufjan and his family, and stickers. Sufjan is quirky. But he is beautiful. I won't stop raving about this box set. Go buy it. Now. And then come back here to read about the rest.

2. Rue Royale - Christmas EP
I do believe aforementioned Kerry introduced me to this band as well. A husband and wife duo from the UK. They write beautiful songs and their harmonies are so lovely you'll wish you could turn it into some sort of...cake. That you could eat. Because it's delicious. And you would want to eat that cake every day. Their Christmas songs are like cozying up by the fire in your pajamas. Here is something exciting - you can download these three songs for FREES! Right HERE.

3. Adam Padfield - A Little Jazz for Christmas
Ok, so Paddy is a personal friend of mine and I'm giving him a little plug here, but he totally earns it. His Christmas album is so darn peppy, but it's not annoying peppy. It's jazzy peppy. It's like the parties his family throws. They're good solid fun and when you turn around, you see Paddy's mom standing on the kitchen counter taking pictures. Traditional, with a little twist. Check him out on Facebook.

4. Rosie Thomas - A Very Rosie Christmas
Thank you to Twitter friend MattyGFresh  for this gem. Apparently Rosie Thomas and Sufjan are friends which most definitely explains why I loved her right away. If Sufjan and Ingrid Michaelson had a love child, she would sound like Rosie Thomas. Listening to this album is a bit of a rollercoaster. She sings happy pretty songs, like Why Can't It Be Christmastime All Year and then WHAM she hits you with Alone at Christmastime. Somewhere in between there is the coolest arrangement of Silent Night I've ever heard. My only complaint is her speaking voice. It makes me want to punch her in the face. But then she sings and I forget about the talking bits. And oh when she sings!


5. sleeper/awake - Indie Acoustic Christmas
OH WAIT. This album doesn't exist. Yet. But if it did, it would most definitely be on this list. Did you catch that, friends? Record! Record an album! In the meantime, I will just have to look forward to your yearly concert.

6. Et al
Here are some more delicious Christmas tunes to download for frees!
The Civil Wars - 2 free songs - enter your email on their myspace page
Madi Diaz - 4 free really great songs - again with the email entering here

The newer Relient K Christmas would also be on here if my computer hadn't crapped out and lost the files since last Christmas. Can anyone hook a sistah up?

Remember: Christmas is no excuse for crappy music. Happy listening.



*Speaking of songs you listened to as a child even though they were horribly inappropriate: Are those life preservers? What about a this song about...uhhh...well you know.

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because our rendition wasn't good (bad?) enough 

Wednesday, March 11, 2009 - Posted by Amanda Bast
Kirk and I went to see Stars in Decemeber, which was beyond phenomenal. Unfortunately, GENTLEMAN REG opened for them. You may have heard us singing "The Boyfriend Song" at some point in time. If you want to hear this song in its full glory, look up the real music video, but just don't watch it because it is nothing short of disturbing. I refuse to post it. I will however, post a live version:



Sorry if his voice made your ears bleed.

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Avant-Garde 

Tuesday, October 7, 2008 - Posted by Amanda Bast
The following is a personality profile of everyone in my Avant-Garde music class. Why? Because I can't sleep, and because I find everyone so fascinating.

Excessively smiley guy - sits at the front, fidgets, and legitimately loves avant-garde music. I think he's the only one.
Guy who belongs in a boy band* - wears big diamond studs and has extremely styled hair. Definitely visits a salon on a regular basis.
Bad facial hair guy* - he carries a skateboard to class.
Guy who got out of doing a presentation because his laptop is crappy* - seriously.
Princess girl - her job is to be Disney princesses and sing at functions (I know, I'm jealous too)
Girl who sounds like she has a retainer in her mouth, but doesn't - I know that sounds mean, but it's the best way to describe her.
Girl with annunciation issues - hangs out with Retainer Girl...it's ridiculous.
Girls at back of room who don't say anything - I think there are two of them.
Girl with boyfriend - they play tonsil hockey before every class
Big computer science guy* - he likes computers.
Sufjan* - he looks like Sufjan Stevens, but wears Mr. Rodgers cardigans. He also played a washcloth in class. I mean that quite literally.
Migrating Sean - started at the back of the class, ended up beside me. We're friends because we both wear glasses.
Guy who never had to do the presentation because I've never heard him speak - pretty sure he's a robot.
Strange Sarah - she's super tall and looks like she belongs in Strange But Delightful Clothes magazine.
Piano Hands Guy* - Refreshingly weird. He did a presentation where he attempted to put a sock on his foot, with tiny keyboards taped to his hands. He says something every class that makes me laugh, but I don't, because I'm never sure if he's kidding or not.
Old lady Laura - she's 70 something and is auditing the class just because she wants to - wicked awesome.
Tiny brown guy* - he's tiny and brown, and looks like he's 12.
Migrating Sean - started off at the back of the class, and ended up beside me. We're friends because we have glasses.
Quiet Craig - I have been sitting beside him for 9 classes and the only thing I know about him is that he is in history. Oh, and his landlord has a dog. He doesn't speak.



*wears excessively tight pants

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crappy music and reasons why I like it 

Tuesday, September 16, 2008 - Posted by Amanda Bast
I have a problem. There are some songs, that I know I should think are crappy (and part of me thinks they are crappy) but I can't help but love them. Seriously love them. It's a "play the same few songs over and over again and feel guilty for liking them" kind of love. Here is the current playlist:

Get Low - Lil Jon
American Boy - Estelle ft Kanye West
Sweet Escape - Gwen Stefani
Switch - Will Smith
Sing - Theo Tams (the latest Canadian Idol. He looks like a certain dreadlocked guy I know who also sings)
Mercy - Duffy
Love Song - Sara Barielles
As well as anything by the Backstreet Boys.

I need some sort of intervention (but please don't, I'm having fun).

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tickticktickticktick 

Saturday, February 9, 2008 - Posted by Amanda Bast
The music geek inside of me was really excited to find this. Not that I will ever use it. It's just cool.

Will Currie and the Country French got signed by the guitarist from Sloan.

I found some new bands today that I'm quite excited about. You've probably heard of a few, but check them out, nonetheless:

Arcade Fire, Bloc Party, Elliot Smith, The Polyphonic Spree

Polyphonic Spree is especially bizarre and delightful. They have a bit of a Sufjan feel to them, but there's a whole whack of people in the band. Twenty something, I think. They're...quirky and kind of creepy? but I quite like them.

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it's because McFlurries are cold 

Wednesday, October 24, 2007 - Posted by Amanda Bast
Today I have the world's biggest rock and roll hangover, due to a very amazing show at Call the Office in London last night. The doors opened at eight, but we arrived around nine and entered a very quiet and somewhat deserted club. Kerry refused to take my beer money. We found a booth strategically placed by the green room door so we could giggle with glee and point everytime we saw one of the Golden Dogs walk by. No one played until around 10:30 (I was ready for bed at this point), but we had lots to look at.

The club itself had a pretty cool atmosphere, and I think it was mostly due to the demographic of people there. Here is a list of requirements to get into the club:
-if you wear glasses, they must be dark framed
-you must wear a scarf and/or hoodie indoors at all times
-if you are male, you must have a beard
-if you are male, you must also be tall, lanky and awkward
-if you are female, don't bother, because the males are much prettier, better groomed and better dressed than you could ever be

I honestly have never seen so many beards in one place before. Note to guys: beards can be hot, but don't let them get unruly. The following is an example of a hot beard:

This so happens to be Stew, the bass player from the Golden Dogs. He usually sports a fine looking beard such as this one - trimmed, not too bushy and polished. Last night, however, his beard was not up to par. When I first saw him, I wanted to remove the small woodland creature that was attempting to eat him, but I decided that it probably would not budge, seeing as it was in fact, attached to his face. Stew...STEW! It's gone too far. Find a razor, buddy.

But that's beside the point. Now I've lost any resemblence of a storyline...lets see....oh yeah, the show! The Dogs were STELLAR. They're so full of energy and just plain fun to watch. Lots of screaming...so fantastic! I don't know what else to say about the show. You could probably ask Kerry for a better rundown of the show in terms of musicality. I remember it was loud, and now I can't hear out of my right ear.

Back to the funny people. There were some dancing dudes who looked like they belonged at the ranch and/or a Blue Jays game. They provided us with endless entertainment. There was that one guy that was crypting? is that the right term? Some sort of gang dance, I am told. Lots of others were grooving to the music and having a good time (us included). What I really want to know is where all the awkward kids learned to dance in the same awkward fashion. They each had their own awkward signature way of dancing, but they definitely looked like derivatives of the same awkward dance. Is there such this as "awkward indie rock" dance class? I think there must be...

One o'clock in the morning found us at a McDonald's drive thru, trying to figure out why the McFlurry was ready quicker than K's Big Mac. My response didn't seem to satisfy Kerry...but it did make sense. Don't argue, because it did make sense.

During the drive home I fell in and out of sleep, most likely muttering nonsensical phrases like I often do when I'm deliriously tired. I got home, and five hours later, I left for kindergarten. I am tired.

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clarification 

Tuesday, October 16, 2007 - Posted by Amanda Bast
I do not hate Coldplay, I just don't particularly find enjoyment while listening to them. If I were in a vehicle listening to Coldplay, it wouldn't be a bad experience. I can put up with them. Even enjoy them every once in a while. I am just finding it hard to fall in love with them like some others I know have.

Nickelback, on the other hand....
Now, I really hate them. With a passion. I would jump out of a moving vehicle if I had to listen to Nickelback for any period of time. I...don't even want to continue writing this because I hate them too much. Four sentences about Nickelback is four sentences too many. Now I'm up to five...oh dear.

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Revelation 

Monday, October 15, 2007 - Posted by Amanda Bast
I don't like Coldplay.
I don't know why, I just...don't.
I keep trying to listen to it and like it, but I get bored and switch the song.
I don't like Coldplay.
The End.

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shalom! 

Sunday, September 30, 2007 - Posted by Amanda Bast
-not getting (too) lost - 4:00am mornings - new friends - late night fence climbing - late night making fun of Steve - best friends - suprising Chad with cookies - having three toes - Saved By the Bell - those delicious apples - pa-pa-pants! - Caaaawwfeeeaaaaaay! - four on a bunk - a door hit my face - becoming Goo - intense prayer sessions - blue silk blouses - ones-ey pjs - hugs - go fish - three boys in a shower - singing outside - sticky situations - brown and sticky - IKEA in mom's pants - sketchiest man alive - autumn crispness - mad libs - spelling POO - apple juice water - guitars - Jewish things.

Good weekend.

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I need to share.. 

Thursday, August 30, 2007 - Posted by Amanda Bast
...this song. Nevermind the Grey's video jazz. I am currently obsessed with this song, and with Ingrid Michaelson's CD that I just bought via iTunes. Wicked bass line + djembe + clapping in the chorus = better than the chocolate cake I am currently eating.

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ottawa 

Wednesday, June 6, 2007 - Posted by Amanda Bast
Kristi and I head to Ottawa Friday morning.

If the Sens win tonight, we will be downtown Ottawa for game 6. Hoooooooyeeeeeeah.

More importantly, THE GOLDEN DOGS! will be in Ottawa when we are! I love THE GOLDEN DOGS! because they are fantastic and fun and wacky. If you've never heard THE GOLDEN DOGS! then you should listen to them right now. Then you will love THE GOLDEN DOGS! too.

Also, never call frozen pizza "froz pizz" because it sounds gross. Almost gross enough to keep me from eating it. Almost.

Tomorrow evening, the kids at Lexington are doing their School House Rock musical. I'm excited to see some of the props I made being put to use! And to see little grade six Charlie sing the pants off the Number 3 song.

I want to go to Wonderland. On the 23rd. :oP

My excitement has taken away my ability to write coherently. I apologize.

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I'm squinting 

Sunday, June 3, 2007 - Posted by Amanda Bast
After youth on Friday, I did a whole lot of sitting around and doing nothing. That turned into talking with Wally at 1:00am, which turned into me going to Toronto the next day to see Starfield and Hillsong.

Wally picked me up, we picked up Paddy. Princess Paddy wasn't ready to leave because he hadn't eaten. He bragged about his 30 second toaster. I figured he was lying and counted. It was closer to being a 90 second toaster. I told him that I would never buy a house from him because he was unrealistic about his toaster. We drove to TO, windows down, music blasting. Until Princess made us roll up the windows and put on the air.


here we go! (Check out my necklace...it's my latest creation!)Paddy, Me, Wally

Princess Paddy and I

We arrived at the ampetheatre, met up with Buckles, Jono, Leanne, and Leanne's bandmate, Andrew, and wandered around. It was HooooooT! We caught a few sidebands. There was one with a fiddle player, who was absoloutely amazing and incredible, but knew he was amazing and incredible, so it took off some of the impressiveness. During this, we saw a guy walking around in a white speedo. Looked like tighty whiteys. We saw some more people we knew, including Wally's sister, Emily. We waited in line for the concert. I ate my gluten free ham sandwich.

We all were a little scattered and got separated in the theatre. Andrew, Paddy, Geoff and I ended up in the second last row, behind a pole. I could see the stage on either side of the pole, but I couldn't see the keyboardist, but still pretty ok, regardless. Andrew and I talked about things gluten free. And Mexico. Also how it is easy to eat gluten free in Mexico. I ran into (got yelled at by, actually) Snyderman and his brother on the way to the washroom.
Christian concerts are funny because they make you do silly things. Like repeat phrases, hold hands, and hug. It was all pretty funny, but still cool that you can do that at a concert and not start any fights.

Starfield was pretty awesome, except for the lead guy leaving for a whole song just to tune...that was strange. Hillsong was incredible. We were standing on a slope and clapping a ton so today my calves are absolutely wrecked and my wrists hurt. After the concert (Jono, Buckles, Me, Leanne, Geoff, Andrew, Wally, Paddy)

We went to McD's after, got us some grease, Paddy kicked me in the calves, then we sped home. Listening to country, with the windows down. Let me tell you, the 401 is pretty fun when you're being driven by a guy who drives racecars.

Yesterday officially felt like summer. Carefree, full of laughs, good friends, new friends, the rank smell of sweaty bodies in the breeze. Ah yes, summer.





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the Lake, the Lovelies, the Labels 

Monday, May 21, 2007 - Posted by Amanda Bast
Wow. Good weekend. Instead of the weekend recap, I will make a list of highlights:
-metal music on the way up - complete with bandanas
-devil sticks. Oh gosh. Never again.
-Swings
-NEW ROOF ON THE REC HALL!!! (this means no bats!)
-talking and giggling until early in the morning
-garage sale - Caleb bought a label maker and consequently everything in my cottage is accurately labeled (my favourite being "gluten-free microwave/heat up yo gluten somewhere else sucka")
-dock party! whooo!
-Cardboard Kerry showed up in many a picture. He had more fun than real Kerry would have.
-"Luuuke, would you like to play a game, Luuuke?"
-Girl Talk
-calling real Kerry at 1am and making him angry :o)
-talking until early hours of the morning again
-huuge long nice lovely wonderful sleep in
-went to Tobermory to tour the harbour (with Cardboard Kerry) and to the lighthouse for a nice little photoshoot
-extended games of bump
-campfire, stargazing
-"this is for the lovers, strictly for the lovers...if you've got someone to get close to, get close to this UNHHH/like a flower to a treeeeee that's how close I wanna be, (bop bop booo) baby to your heart (your heart ooohhh)"
-SUNRISE! (so cold, sooo very cold)
-an apology serenade (awww)
-slushies on the way home

more pictures later, but here's a few to hold you over:

Me, Cardboard Kerry, Micah, Caleb, Kristi in the Tob!

Cardboard Kerry, Kristi, the Beav, and I in the Tobermory Harbour

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Bon Jovi and the like 

Wednesday, May 2, 2007 - Posted by Amanda Bast
Dear (insert 50+ year old rockstar's name here),

You're old. You need to let go. Things will never be like they were in the 80s. I don't care if you still have a full head of hair. It's dyed blonde, and spikey. No normal sixty-year old man has naturally blonde and spikey hair. It's just wrong.

I would like to address your clothing choices as well. Tight pants are not in unless you are female or emo. You are neither, so give yourself some room. Your much younger wife won't be so grateful when you can't impregnate her with your love child, so do her a favour and wear some Dockers, like the rest of your age bracket does.

I also think you can't sing. You look like you're in pain, and it sounds like it too. Voice lessons won't help you. Neither will organic tea and honey. You'll be doing us all a favour if you just give up.

I hope you take this advice to heart, and step down gracefully. We all remember you, and we still love your music. Quit overdoing it.

Regards,

Amanda

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dedadoodah 

Saturday, April 14, 2007 - Posted by Amanda Bast
If you've ever been to my house, or been on the phone with a member of our household on the hour, then you've probably heard our clocks. There is the little one on the TV cabinet that bongs on the hour and dings on the half hour. And there is also the grandfather clock, which makes some sort of noise every fifteen minutes. I'm completely used to all this noise, and no, it doesn't wake me up at night (anymore). I find the ticking to be quite soothing.

Lately the big clock's bongs have been quieter than normal. The dedadoodahs leading up to the bongs are regular volume though. Mother thinks this is a huge problem. I, on the other hand don't mind it so much. You can talk and still be heard while it's bonging now. I don't know why this is such a big deal, but it's been quite the topic of conversation at our house lately.

I need to get out of the house. Studying is driving me mad. Mom just used the word "crack-ilicious". Even in my study overload state of brain, it doesn't make sense.

In other news, the more I listen to this Sufjan album the more in love with it I become. It's so soothing and wonderful and appropriate for studying. Hoorah.

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