Musical Mood

I sell advertising for an independent rock radio station. I really like the station. It was listening to the station that I discovered that they were looking for sales people. The station is very heavy. It is one of the heaviest in the country. Even though I really like most of the music played, I was finding that I was more and more on edge. I also noticed that when I was most on edge it was when I was listening more to the station.

So, last week-end I started to listen to the music on my phone. I had not done this in close to six months. Even though I'm a rock guy, I like a lot of different music and within about thirty minutes of listening to some different music, I found my mood changing. There was some Neil Young, Mumford and Sons, and Scott Nolan. All of these amazing performers are not what we play at the station. I found myself smiling and singing along.

Music can have a profound effect on mood. It gets deep into you and makes you feel different. It can explain how you feel or make you feel different. It makes us different.

There are songs that will get you jacked up for an encounter. There are songs that will make you feel romantic. There are songs that will make you smile and sing along. Everyone has a song or two that will take you back to a moment.

I don't want to abandon listening to the radio. I still enjoy the station but I needed to remember that we do what we do to get the results we want. However, we don't play everything I like and I shouldn't abandon that music I like.

I love a good party song, the ones that make you smile and sing along. I like to calm down with some Neil Young. There are even some country tunes that get my feet tapping. I have all of this on my phone. 

I enjoy music and it may have taken me a while but I realized that I should enjoy all of the music I love.

Make It Loud

Last night I went to Ottawa Bluesfest. Slash was the early performer on the main stage. In my humble opinion Slash is the best rock and roll guitar player to walk the face of the earth. He is unique. Within about four notes you know it's him, even if you don't know the song. He loves what he does and it shows. It looks like he is genuinely having fun when he is up on stage playing guitar. He doesn't do backing vocals. He just plays and it's loud.

The headline act of the night was the Barenaked Ladies. They have been around since I was in elementary school. I wouldn't buy a ticket to go see them but they are a part of the Canadian consciousness and I was looking forward to seeing them.

As happy as I was to see Slash, I was equally disappointed with the Barenaked Ladies. I was most disappointed that it wasn't loud enough.

I don't expect it to be Motorhead loud but live music must be loud.

At Ottawa Bluesfest, there are concurrent shows going on. One of the smaller stages, known as the River Stage, is located behind the main stage. There were several instances that the Barenaked Ladies were being overpowered by the act on the River Stage. I was having a conversation with a friend, at normal conversation levels. 

At one point I even thought to myself, I wish everyone would stop talking so I can hear the music better.

Yes, you read that correctly. I was at a music event and and I was having trouble hearing the music.

One of the things I really like about live music is it takes over your life. It is in your face and becomes a singular existence. You lose yourself in the moment because you have to. All your problems are suspended because you can only focus on the music.

The Barenaked Ladies didn't give me that experience and I felt cheated.

We did walk over to the River Stage and catch the end of July Talk. They were loud and impressive. If you get a chance, look them up, they are on iTunes and I'm downloading their album as I write this post.

I like my music loud and I want it to be an all enthralling experience. I mean no respect to the Barenaked Ladies but they did not give me what I was looking for, but wow, I loved Slash and that made my night great.

Music at Work

Normally I can't listen to music at work. It's not important why but for a couple of months I am once again able to enjoy soothing and motivating melodies as I go about my duties. There was a time I always had music going. It helps to motivate me and keep the day rolling.


I find when you get deep into your work and really start to get productive the music keeps you going. The music gets deep into your soul and stimulates creativity. More is completed with better ideas when the music is playing. I miss it when I can't listen and that is the norm since I moved to Ottawa. I don't expect it to be silent for the rest of my working days but there will be a time it will be quiet again.


When it gets too quiet, I can hear the lights hum and the click of keyboards. It gets painful. It's stifling to creativity and slows my production. It makes me less motivated to go to the office. However, when the tunes are going, I can seem to find a better solution. I can seem to get it done sooner and I can seem to be more pleasant in the workplace. To me, that's all upside.


The Tragically Hip wrote a song about music at work and when I hear it while I sit at my desk, everything just seems right.

Power of Music

Although music is really just a combination of tones that can be broken down mathematically there is nothing that can grab ahold of you and influence your mood more.  People are moved and debate and seek out music. There was a tweet from Alan Cross that lead to an article about what computers hear when they listen to music. I think everyone was impressed by Shazam when they added it to their iPhone but the article outlines the larger and amazing ramifications of this type of technology.


Possibly the most amazing thing about music is it doesn't have to be familiar to you to have a profound effect. It's always great when you see a band you love and know every note but it may be even better when you see a band you never heard of and are entertained by every note. You have no idea what comes next but each beat brings more sonic bliss. Often a festival is a great place to discover new music. You get it live, as i was meant to be.


Music can get under your skin. It can get stuck in your head. It can motivate you. It can sedate you. It can express how you feel, even when you can't. It can be a warm blanket, a beacon of hope, or a cold shower. All of this is simply a collection of tones that can be broken down mathematically.


Everyone needs to have music in their life. Most of us should probably have more. We need to seek out new music and love old music. We need to close our eyes and let it take you away. We need to enjoy music as it gets to us and strikes our soul.


When was the last time you let music take you away? If it hasn't been recent, it's time for you to be taken away.

C'est Bonnaroo

Last weekend I tweaked my ankle at some point during the Bonnaroo Music and Arts Festival in Manchester Tennessee.

Bonnaroo is a New Orleans term derived from the French phras,e "Bon à rue" which literally means, "good on the street." it was used to describe the quality of the music that night. I can say in no uncertain terms that the music at Bonnaroo was amazing but, that is only part of the fun.

The festival consists of about 80,000 people and a lot of music. It's hot. The people are amazingly friendly. There are a bunch of choices for food. You will lose your friends at least once. You will make new friends, even if just for the week-end.

The vibe at this event is amazing. You can pretty much walk up to anyone and start a conversation. They want to hear about you and where you are from. You share a common interest in the music and it seems so natural.

You can eat almost anything. I had a pulled pork sandwich, a Crifdog, funnel cake, and burritos. It was great.

If you need to get around, simply hop on a golf cart taxi. For five dollars they will take you anywhere in Bonnaroo. If you're not in a hurry, still along and chat with folks as you go.

I had an amazing time at Bonnaroo. I will go back. Everything about it was awesome and how can you not love a Sunday afternoon where you are listening to the Beach Boys.

If you are looking for an amazing music festival, c'est Bonnaroo!

The Answers Are Out There

Since moving to Ottawa, I have not been listening to as much music as I used to. There are a couple of reasons. I walk almost everywhere I go. While I could listen to my iPod I choose not to. I like to be aware of my surroundings when I'm walking. It makes me feel safer. I don't believe I'll be mugged or stabbed but you never know if you get hit by a car. Since every sidewalk I take is directly adjacent to the street, it's a risk not worth taking.


I also don't listen to music at work. There's a long story behind it. I could use earphones but I find it a bit antisocial. I try to give the impression I'm approachable.


This summer I read Steven Tyler's biography. I'll admit it is not the easiest book to read but I got through it. However, contained within his rambling he said the answers lay out there between the notes.


He might be right.


Yesterday I was sitting on a park bench listening to some Led Zepplin. It was a nice day to be outside. The more I listened, the more I found myself thinking. I felt more creative. The problems I was pondering seemed solvable and realistic.


I'm sure there is some science that explains this phenomenon. I'm sure the egg-heads can tell us that music stimulates some part of the brain, releasing a chemical that makes creative thought easier. But, in this situation, the science doesn't matter. The important part is the music can make it happen. At least for me. It also explains why I have so many good ideas while riding the stationary bike. I'm listening to music.


I need to inject more music into my life. I need to replace the missing music. I crave it.  I will find a way to feel the raw power of Zepplin or the simple musings of Scott Nolan. All of this will improve my life and my view of the world.

Lucky Ron

Yesterday, I went to The Lucky Ron show at The Laff in Ottawa. If you have never heard of this I'm not surprised. That being said, this is a bizarre cultural vortex in Ottawa.

The Laff is located in The Chateau Lafayette. It also happens to be the oldest bar in Ottawa. It is not a big place and doesn't even have a stage.

The Lucky Ron Show is a one man act. The first 4 songs are always the same. There is a lot of audience participation. The show rarely changes. The fans of Lucky Ron are very dedicated. They are into the show. All that makes it a lot of fun.

Although I had heard about this I had never gone to a show before yesterday. Now that I have gone I can see how he has been doing the same show every Saturday for 25 years. This is a show that would not work on tour. Much of what makes this entertaining is the crowd and how into it they are. They giver hard.

The show is unique. The crowd is rowdy and dedicated. It's a lot of fun. If you are in Ottawa on a Saturday afternoon. Head down to The Laff, you will see a show like no other.

Fun At Work

I have been a fan of Guns 'n Roses since the first time I heard Paradise City. The sound of Axl's voice combined with the unbelievable guitar played by a guy called Slash. It was part of an album that music lovers still gravitate to.

Last December I saw the current incarnation of Guns 'n Roses. Which is really just Axl with a band of musicians. However, there was the voice. Slash was not there and something was missing.

A couple of years ago I saw Velvet Revolver. There was the Slash guitar. It was a really good show but again something was not quite right.

Last Friday I saw Slash on his current solo tour. Again there was no Axl. He says the two of them will never perform together again. Many people, including myself, think one day they will.

Slash has a rather unique job. He plays guitar in a rock n roll band for a living. Many people play guitar in a band but very few are successful. I don't know about any other recent shows but on Friday he looked like he was really having fun at work. He played really well. As anyone who is familiar with Slash's work knows, he has a very unique sound. His playing sucks you in to a sonic adventure.

He is the best of his generation.

The show was amazing. I watched him and his very talented band from the second balcony of the Burton Cummings Theatre in Winnipeg. This venue adds to any show held there. The crowd was into it. They were true fans. They enjoyed old Gunners tunes, Velvet Revolver tunes, Slash's Snakepit tunes, and songs from his new solo album. The band could feel their enthusiasm and they fed off it. By the time the first jangly notes of Paradise City were played by the man who wrote them I don't think anyone in the building was not completely engaged with what was going on in that room.

I have a great job. I don't write about it here but I will say I want to be as good at what I do as Slash is at what he does and I want to have as much fun while doing. He truly enjoyed his work that night and it showed.

I don't know if I can ever get to that point but I hope I can some day.

My, My, Hey, Hey, Rock 'N Roll Is Here To Stay

I have been to see a lot of concerts in my life. It is one of my favorite things to do. I have seen many of the biggest acts in the world. While enjoying music I love occasionally the talent of the performer is blatantly obvious. This was the case last night when I saw the Godfather of Grunge, Neil Young performed last night at the Centennial Concert Hall in Winnipeg.

This was a Neil Young show. This was not a Neil Young and Crazy Horse show. This was not a Crosby, Stills, Nash, and Young show. This was not a Neil Young with a backup band show. This was not Neil Young and a couple of guys show. The only one who performed was Neil Young.

If it was an acoustic song he played the acoustic guitar. If it was an electric song he played the electric guitar. If it was an organ song he played the organ. If it was a piano song he played the piano.

His talent for songwriting and his love of performing was obvious. He engaged the audience in a show that was how I would imagine hanging out in his basement as he played music for a couple of hours. He played songs I love and songs I didn't know. All the songs were great.

Often my appreciation of a performer increases if I get a chance to see them live. Now that I've seen Winnipeg's favorite son I truly and fully understand his broad and engaging appeal. He can truly communicate through music. He can grab an audience and keep them listening for ever.

Last night I saw one of the most influential people in music in the last 50 years perform. I am very glad I did.

The Power of Music

I often listen to music. I am listening right now as I type this. I was listening earlier today at work and as I got ready for work this morning. I find music can influence me. It can change my mood, remind me of an event, or inspire me.

Why does music have this influence on me and so many people?

Apparently, music can trigger emotional responses in the brain. It can be linked to lasting memories of significant moments. It can help shape those moments.

For me I find that music underscores everything. I often have a song in my head. I can hear songs in the sounds around me. If in see things that are happening with a rhythm I can score it with music in my head. Music seems to have a significant influence on my creativity. It also seems to effect my well-being.

Much like going to the gym, listening to music can make me feel better. I miss music if I don't hear enough in a day. I can enhance or mitigate how I feel with music. It makes can make me happy or jack me up if I'm feeling ho-hum.

I cannot imagine a life without music. It would be a life less examined or enjoyed. I think we all can use some examination and a lot of enjoyment in our lives.

Big Rock and Roll

Last night I saw Iron Maiden at MTS Centre in Winnipeg. This is one of the few bands left for me to see. I enjoy their music but never had the burning desire to see them.

I should have had a burning desire to see them.

Bruce Dickenson, who is the lead singer, is amazing. He has an amazing voice. He wailed all night long. It was on key, strong and smooth. Even more amazing is he is a pilot. I may have a small man crush on the guy. I wish I was him. To fly myself to a gig and then sing as only he can would be a rather awesome life.

Back to the show.

To truly appreciate Iron Maiden you have to see them perform live. The show has a lot of production. It is big, there are colourful backdrops, and it perfectly compliments the sweeping, full, rich, music. Of course there is Eddie. He may be the most identifiable aspect of Iron Maiden. This giant beast will strike fear in the hearts of small children and parents everywhere. At the end of the main set Eddie walked out on stage. It was rather awesome.

I can now say I've seen Iron Maiden. I wish I would have seen them sooner as this show was big.

The Music

A week ago a new series premiered on HBO. Treme is about New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina. It follows some people as they try to rebuild themselves and their city after the devastation. I really like the first two episodes. Central to the story is music. It shows how music brings people together. It shows how music can help create a sense of community. It shows how music is part of our identity.

When I was young, I learned to play the piano. I was pretty good. I haven't played in a long time. There are days that I miss it. i like music a lot. I am often listening to music when I am working. It keeps me going. I think music is central to my experience.

The music I like the most is live music. There is something about listening to music as it is made. It can have a special energy and make a connection. It can stir you in your soul. It can make you think and feel.

There was a time I used to go see a lot of live music. I don't seem to be doing that as much. I'm not sure why and I should probably get back at it. That is one of those moments I like to be in. It gives me a good feeling. It puts the grind of everyday on hold and for a couple of hours I just take it in.

It's the music that makes me like this show Treme so much, but I'm sure there is more out there. I should get back to enjoying more live music, there is so much to enjoy.

Cover Songs

Everyone knows what a cover song is. When they work they are great. When they don't, the teeth come out.

I was thinking about cover tunes this week. Why do artists even attempt them? Why do we like them? Will they ever go away?

I think there are a couple of reasons artists lay down covers. If you are a well established artist it is probably a tribute to those who went before and inspired you. They may be the first songs you played or the song that made you want to start singing or playing. If you are not well established yet, they may be a way to get your name out there. You can play a song you love your own way. The masses will recognize the song but will also be introduced to you. If it works it can be a windfall.

So it makes sense why people lay down covers, but why do we love them so much? They are safe. We know the song. We know the words. It is familiar and comfortable. At the same time it can be exciting. It's like we are cheating on the original song. You feel like you are doing something daring and fun. It ca be the musical equivalent of colouring outside the lines, but not too far, it is a familiar song.

I don't think the cover tune will ever go away. It's become part of the musical landscape and brings a lot to the discussion. It is an interesting way to express yourself. It's something new and something borrowed at the same time. Some very high profile bands have released entire albums of cover tunes. Guns 'N Roses did it with The Spaghetti Incident !?!! and Metallica did it with Garage Inc, just to name two, but there are may more.

I like cover songs, as long as they are done well. Sometimes they make me go woo-hoo and sometimes its a hmmmm. It's always something to think about.

It's Only Rock 'n Roll, But I Like It.

This morning I watched The 25th Anniversary Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Concerts on HBO. It was 4 hours of epic. I was thoroughly entertained. There were many excellent performances by many excellent performers. You know it is going to be good when U2 is singing Gimme Shelter with Mick Jagger, Fergie, and Will.i.am. When Bruce Springsteen and Billy Joel are belting out Born To Run it makes for great music.

I think one of my favourite performances was Metallica singing Sweet Jane with Lou Reed. This performance highlights to me what music is all about.

I'm sure most people today know who Metallica is. They are the best at what they do. If you don't know what they do, they play heavy music. Really heavy music. I have seen them twice and they are amazing performers.

Some of you may not know who Lou Reed is. He was the force behind the late 60's early 70's New York band The Velvet Underground. I know that may not help all of you. Without going into too much detail, this band is one of those bands that influenced everyone to come after them even though they never really sold any records.

So you may be wondering why I like this performance so much. When you watch it there are a couple of things that I noticed.

First and most obviously, this is not the style of music Metallica plays. For a band that has albums called 'Kill Em All' (only because their record company would not let them call it 'Metal Up Your Ass', and 'Death Magnetic,' who sing songs about nightmares and death, this is a rather poppy song. Watching James Hetfield and Kirk Hammett smile and bop along as they play is quite different from how they normally project themselves. It shows that they are true fans of all music, not just the type they play.

Second, you can see that the band members truly respect and admire Lou Reed. The genuine looks of amazement on their faces as they play with him in Madison Square Garden, is refreshing. Remember, Metallica is the best in the world at what they do and they are the ones in awe. It shows a human side to them.

Third, this is a cool song, it always has been and it always will be. It is one of those songs that will never go away. You probably won't hear it every day but it will keep on coming back.

Stuff like this is plastered all over this concert. Watching the greats be truly in awe of each other reminds me of why so many people like music so much. Music is the background and foreground to our lives. It is everywhere and enjoyed by everyone. For some it is their great passion while others it is their companion. It brings people together and produces a commonality that is rarely enjoyed.

If you are a fan of music you should take the time and sit down and watch this concert. It is worth your time and your effort. When you get a chance look up some of the music you don't know, there are probably some real gems out there just waiting to be discovered.