#handpicked by alex steele

[kkoehn17]

January & February Favorites

The first favorites post of 2024, cute! I’m really trying to focus in on who I am at this very moment because every December I forget who January/February Kim was and feel like she surely existed years earlier. But alas, here I am, here we are, the January/February versions of ourselves, guiding us through the beginning of the year, doing our very best. Let’s get into it. . Books I heard so…

[biblivio]

Midnight Blue, L J Shen

Amazon Digital Sevices LLC, 2018 

Summary:

Struggling for money, amateur fashion designer Indigo Bellamy takes a job as a sober companion for a notoriously difficult but undeniably sexy British rock star, Alex Winslow. Although she was handpicked to accompany him on tour because she wasn’t his usual type, Indigo finds herself struggling to maintain the responsible aloofness that got her the job in the first place. Resentful of having to be babysat and distrusting of women, Alex sees Indigo as a challenge, a challenge to get rid of and a challenge to pursue, but as the two of them travel the world together on his tour, he begins to realize she’s much more than that.

Reflection:

I’ve always been a big reader, but around college found myself falling into a smut hole—everything I read was a trashy romance novel, exclusively under $3, usually formulaic and derivative, and rife with silly typos because it went straight from the author’s laptop to digital download. I noticed that my ability to participate meaningfully in conversations and my vocabulary were suffering because I wasn’t being challenged or engaged by the things I was reading. There were no new perspectives, no unfamiliar words to learn, and nothing you’d be too ready to admit “you read in a book once.” So, I started a reading list consisting of classic literature, New York Times best sellers and Oprah’s Book Club picks (which is why there isn’t too much consistency in the content of this blog). It’s ever expanding and has become somewhat of an literary Goliath, I have no prayer of conquering, but damnit, I’m going to enjoy trying (I’m most definitely still taking any and all recommendations though).

HOWEVER, this doesn’t mean I don’t still enjoy a good down and dirty romance novel every once in a while, and as far as those go, Midnight Blue is pretty well done. What follows is my shamelessly serious review of it. If you’re too cool for romance novels, no need to read on (although I am pretty witty and charming, so it might just be an enjoyable trifle of a read for you).

I’m a sucker for rock star novels any way but found myself pleasantly surprised by the book’s female lead, Indigo. She has that loveably quirky but not put on feel of Louisa Clark (Me Before You Trilogy) and she’s not some one-dimensional damsel in distress with as much autonomy as a cardboard cutout (hem hem, Anastasia Steele, Bella Swan, I’m looking at you two). She’s not a shrinking violet, she isn’t always second guessing herself, and she’s a fully developed person without the help of a love interest. Of course there’s the boilerplate petty drama as a result of trite misunderstandings at the hands of a catty ex/romantic competition, but there is so much else about this book to enjoy, especially if you’re a fan of the genre. Also, isn’t petty drama, catty women and hot sex why you’re here in the first place?

One HUGE problem I have with this book though is its ridiculous cover. I read it on kindle, so I was saved from the embarrassment of displaying Mr. “I’m super swol but I have beaded bracelets so I’m artsy too” on public transportation. All in good fun though, the brooding shirtless guy (why is he brooding? Is it because he lost his favorite shirt?) is part of the appeal of these books. It’s a little reminder that you shouldn’t take them too seriously but doesn’t mean that you can’t enjoy them… immensely.

I’m interested to hear how you imagined Alex Winslow (if you’ve read it or plan on reading it). For me, he’s pretty much James Bay (post haircut, Electric Light era) but if James Bay did a little lifting (does he even lift bro? Seems like a strictly cardio, if anything, guy to me.) Let me know what you think!

[desertislandcloud]

“I was always like this they just tried to stop me”, Nyssa sings on her new single, “Hey Jackie”. This sentiment of resilience and rebellion threads its way through all of the Toronto troubadour’s work. Her cross-decade, cross-genre approach to songwriting and production are a rabble-rousing, wrecking ball to collective malaise and ennui, while her 21st century greaser style and sneer—like some kind of “alternate universe hard-rock disco Elvis” (DOMINIONATED)—form a beacon for the disillusioned. Nyssa has been writing and performing music since she was 12 years old—cutting her teeth in the Toronto scene and befriending musicians of all ages and paths throughout her formative years. Between her loner childhood and musical obsessions—plus over a decade's worth of waiting tables and people watching—Nyssa has cultivated a unique lyrical voice, seeking to tell stories that haven’t been told.

“Stories shape us and allow us to control our own destines,” she says. “Somehow, though, stories of female outcasts are still a rarity. How are we supposed to break free if we don’t see ourselves in that role? I want to live in a world where women are allowed the full scope of their appetites. I want to remove the shame from the equation and unfetter the desire. I want to play my part in shifting the narrative.”

Indeed, her upcoming single, “Hey Jackie”, is downright cinematic in its scope. Nyssa offers us the story of an independent, “wayward” woman in charge of her fate, seeking the thrill of the open road for the sake of it, refusing to be bound or defined by the small-time expectations of family and friends. This is the rare report of a woman bucking convention and constraint that ends in neither tragedy nor enforced domesticity—an important and timely tale made all the more stunning for Nyssa’s production and arrangement. 

Enlisting longtime friends and Toronto fixtures, Carlyn Bezic (Ice Cream, Darlene Shrugg), Matthew Aldred (Michael Rault, Teenage Man), Zack Burgess (Gardenworld, Kremlin) on synths, pedal steel, bass, and live drums, and gathering them together at home and in the studio, Nyssa has created a dynamic, genre-defying, modern anthem of freedom.  Watching Nyssa perform live, one gets the sense of witnessing something important. Performing solo to her self-produced backing tracks, she exudes a punk-Madonna vibe that feels completely fresh and unprecedented. Having become something of a local hero, she’s been handpicked to open for such stalwarts as The Voidz, Fucked Up, Juan Wauters, and Alex Cameron. 

It’s no surprise that Nyssa has gathered a growing following of dedicated fans since releasing her debut EP, Champion of Love, last year. “Hey Jackie” will doubtless cement her as both a songwriter and performer to watch. Links https://soundcloud.com/thisisnyssa https://www.facebook.com/thisisnyssa https://twitter.com/thisisnyssa https://www.instagram.com/thisisnyssa

[aion-rsa]

John Lennon Remixed Collection Coming in October

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“I’m sick and tired of hearing things from uptight, short-sighted, narrow-minded hypocritics,” John Lennon sang on his 1971 single “Gimme Some Truth.” In a time of fake news and false narratives, Capitol/UMe will release the real deal, a collection titled Gimme Some Truth. The Ultimate Mixes. The 36-track collection will be available on Oct. 9, 2020, which would have been the legendary musician’s 80th birthday. Gimme Some Truth. will also be released as a 19-track CD or 2 LP, a 36-track 2CD or 4 LP.

“In everything he did, John Lennon spoke his truth and questioned the truth,” reads the press statement. “An incomparable and uncompromising artist who strove for honesty and directness in his music, he laid bare his heart, mind and soul in his songs, seeing them as snapshots of his current emotions, thoughts and world view. Believing the one quality demanded of himself as an artist was to be completely honest, he did not disguise what he had to say or conform his messages to be more in line with what he felt others thought they should be. Love, heartbreak, peace, politics, truth, lies, the media, racism, feminism, religion, mental well-being, marriage, fatherhood – he sang about it all, and one just needs to listen to the songs of John Lennon to know how he felt, what he cherished, what he believed in, and what he stood for.”

Gimme Some Truth will be available in a variety of formats. “He believed in being truthful and that the power of the people will change the world,” Ono writes in the preface of the book included in the 124-page book included in the Deluxe Edition. Designed and edited by Simon Hilton, the book tells the story of all thirty-six songs in Lennon and Ono’s words and the musicians who worked alongside them.

The songs on Gimme Some Truth. were handpicked by executive producer by Yoko Ono Lennon and producer by Sean Ono Lennon. They were remixed from scratch, radically upgrading their sonic quality and presenting them as a never-before-heard Ultimate Listening Experience. The mixing was done by Paul Hicks, who was also in charge of mixing the 2018 Imagine – The Ultimate Collection series, which were also completely remixed from scratch. The analog masters were done by Alex Wharton at Abbey Road Studios.

“Yoko is very keen that in making The Ultimate Mixes series we achieve three things: remain faithful and respectful to the originals, ensure that the sound is generally sonically clearer overall, and increase the clarity of John’s vocals,” Paul Hicks details in the Deluxe Edition book. “The combination of remixing from all the original first-generation multitrack sources and finishing in analogue has brought a whole new level of magic, warmth and clarity to the sound, along with a more detailed dynamic range and sound stage, and we really hope you enjoy the results.”

The Deluxe Edition and 4LP formats will include a bumper sticker, a two-sided poster of Lennon printed in black and white with silver and gold metallics, and two postcards, one of which is a replica of Lennon’s letter to the Queen of England in 1969 when he returned his MBE in “protest against Britain’s involvement in the Nigerian-Biafra thing, against our support of America in Vietnam and Cold Turkey slipping down the charts.”

“John was a brilliant man with a great sense of humor and understanding,” Ono says in the book. The album cover photo was taken on the day John returned his MBE.

Sequenced in chronological order by album they were released on, the collection bridges the arc of Lennon’s post-Beatles career. It brings together songs from John Lennon/Plastic Ono Band (1970), Imagine (1971), Some Time In New York City (1972), Mind Games (1973), Walls and Bridges (1974), Rock ‘n’ Roll (1975), Double Fantasy (1980) and 1984’s posthumous Milk and Honey.

The collection is bookended with Lennon’s early non-album singles, kicking off “Instant Karma! (We All Shine On),” and his heroin withdrawal masterpiece “Cold Turkey,” and culminating with “Happy Xmas (War Is Over)” and the anti-war protest anthem “Give Peace A Chance.” The collection will also include live versions “Come Together,” and “Whatever Gets You Thru The Night,” which he performs with Elton John.

Gimme Some Truth. The Ultimate Mixes. Deluxe Edition. track list:

CD1

1. Instant Karma! (We All Shine On)

2. Cold Turkey

3. Working Class Hero

4. Isolation

5. Love

6. God

7. Power To The People

8. Imagine

9. Jealous Guy

10. Gimme Some Truth

11. Oh My Love

12. How Do You Sleep?

13. Oh Yoko!

14. Angela

15. Come Together (live)

16. Mind Games

17. Out The Blue

18. I Know (I Know)

CD2

1. Whatever Gets You Thru The Night

2. Bless You

3. #9 Dream

4. Steel and Glass

5. Stand By Me

6. Angel Baby

7. (Just Like) Starting Over

8. I’m Losing You

9. Beautiful Boy (Darling Boy)

10. Watching The Wheels

11. Woman

12. Dear Yoko

13. Every Man Has A Woman Who Loves Him

14. Nobody Told Me

15. I’m Stepping Out

16. Grow Old With Me

17. Happy Xmas (War Is Over)

18. Give Peace A Chance

Gimme Some Truth. The Ultimate Mixes will be available on Oct. 9.

The post John Lennon Remixed Collection Coming in October appeared first on Den of Geek.

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[chestnutpost]

Randy ‘Iron Stache’ Bryce Starts PAC For Working-Class Democrats

This post was originally published on this site

Randy “Iron Stache” Bryce, a former Democratic congressional candidate in Wisconsin, announced the founding of a political action committee Saturday dedicated to recruiting and supporting working-class congressional candidates.

Bryce, who worked for years as a union ironworker, ran unsuccessfully in Wisconsin’s 1st Congressional District in November.

His campaign, initially aimed at unseating then–House Speaker Paul Ryan (R), who announced his retirement in April, nonetheless inspired massive grassroots support from Democrats galvanized by his progressive message and unusual pedigree.

With the creation of Iron PAC, as Bryce is calling the new fundraising group, he hopes to leverage his email list of some 450,000 donors to assist other Democratic congressional candidates who lack the benefit of personal wealth or a network of well-heeled friends.

“We’re not going to be going out to help any millionaires or billionaires ― just people that work, whether you’re a bartender, school bus driver, construction worker ― somebody who works for a living,” he told HuffPost.

Bryce, a 54-year-old Army veteran and cancer survivor, would have been one of very few members of Congress who did not graduate from college. In 2017, just 5 percent of House members didn’t have a four-year degree, compared with about two-thirds of the country, according to Census Bureau data.

Congress is also home to a disproportionately high number of millionaires. 

A big reason for that, Bryce and other progressives argue, is the extraordinary fundraising demands on typical congressional candidates. The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee, which helps elect Democrats to the House, focuses on recruiting candidates with big fundraising Rolodexes. Those recruits are disproportionately drawn from law, business and other upper-middle-class professions with access to friends with cash to spare.

Bryce, who benefited from a small-dollar donation operation rare for a House candidate, wants Iron PAC to increase the socioeconomic diversity of Congress.

The current fundraising system “leaves people like me who know what it’s like to live paycheck to paycheck with less of an opportunity to actually become involved,” he said. “And that’s what I think we need. It’s something I really believe in.”

Since losing his race in November, Bryce has been consulting for the progressive Working Families Party’s Wisconsin chapter, contributing, among other things, to the group’s work pushing to rebuild the nation’s infrastructure.

He said that he plans to continue that work but that he wanted to make his own mark on electoral politics with an independent venture. He is launching Iron PAC with an email blast to his donor list with the subject line “My plans for 2020.” The letterhead features “Iron PAC” with steel beams between the words — a riff on his congressional campaign logo.

“If Paul Ryan can handpick and support candidates around the country, maybe I should too. What Congress needs is 50 people who work on their feet, who work with their hands. People who wear boots instead of wingtips,” Bryce writes, bolding the second and third sentences for emphasis.

Strategy and Hustle, a consulting firm founded by Alex Lawson, the executive director of the nonprofit Social Security Works, is managing the rollout of Iron PAC. The new PAC will rent the donor email list from Bryce’s dormant campaign.

Asked whether he has plans to make another run for Congress, Bryce did not rule it out, but he cast doubt on the possibility, given his district, which was drawn to benefit Republicans.

He said his efforts will likely be limited to recruiting and supporting candidates for GOP-held House seats, though he is open to involvement in Senate contests later on. He added that Iron PAC will not get involved in recruiting primary challengers against sitting Democrats.

“It’d be nice to go after the higher-profile Republicans,” Bryce said, noting his experience taking on Ryan. “Somebody like [Iowa’s Rep.] Steve King who is just pouring gasoline on themselves while they’re holding matches.”

The post Randy ‘Iron Stache’ Bryce Starts PAC For Working-Class Democrats appeared first on The Chestnut Post.

from The Chestnut Post https://thechestnutpost.com/news/randy-iron-stache-bryce-starts-pac-for-working-class-democrats/

[thepermanentrainpress]

THE RICKSHAW THEATRE CELEBRATES NINE YEARS OF LIVE, LOUD, MUSIC

Formerly a theatre that screened kung-fu films in the 70′s, The Rickshaw Theatre on 254 East Hastings has since played host to a variety of diverse acts, and is celebrating nine years as a live music venue this July. “A vital institution in the ongoing revitalization of the Downtown Eastside,” the theatre has been run by its current owner, Mo Tarmohamed, since the summer of 2011. The Rickshaw sticks by their philosophy of giving performers every opportunity to succeed, and the audience the experience, by focusing on the stage performance. 

Congratulations to the theatre on 9 years as a live music venue! What has been the most rewarding part about operating The Rickshaw Theatre?

Thank you! There are a lot of rewards operating the Rickshaw, but if I were to sum it up into one overarching reward, it would be witnessing the audience and performers connecting on an otherworldly level and knowing that we helped to facilitate that experience.

What has been your favourite show you've hosted during the 7 years you've been on board as owner/general manager?

Wow, this really is a tough question for me to answer. There have been so many great shows, but I guess the one that sticks out for me is the Bob Mould show in October 2017. I have been such a huge fan of Bob's music over the decades. I had been trying for over 6 years to convince his agent to book a show at the Rickshaw, and then it finally happened! I had seen Bob's last Vancouver show at Richards on Richards in March 2008, and so it was such a thrill having him grace the Rickshaw stage last year.

The great part about The Rickshaw is its diversity with shows, between hosting legendary and international acts like The Sonics and The Joy Formidable, to comedy troupes, drag, belly dance showcases, and emerging local artists. How special is it to you that all forms of art and entertainment are showcased at your venue?

It is very special to me to make the venue accessible to all forms of artistic expression. I did not want the Rickshaw to be pigeonholed as a punk or a metal venue. We definitely cater to the metal and punk community, and will always do so, but we also embrace all genres of music and other forms of artistic expression. I am fortunate to be in a position to provide a space to not only established performers, but also to new and emerging talent.

As supporters of the Vancouver and BC music scene, it's wonderful that these musicians have a space to perform at your venue. With some local venues that have previously hosted these acts closing, or being forced to close their doors, why is this important that the Rickshaw remain a place for these acts to come to?  

For local bands, the Rickshaw is a bridge between playing house shows or shows at smaller venues, and seeing what it might be like to make music a career (even if it might be a part-time career). Our demeanor and philosophy is no matter where a band might be on their musical evolutionary cycle, they will receive the same level of production value and attention as a major touring act. We want bands to feel like rock stars when they play our stage and hopefully that inspires them to carry on their musical quest.

Your venue is well-regarded for focusing on the performance, and what's happening on-stage. This is a fantastic mindset to have and keep implemented! Personally, why is the 'experience' so important to you? Have you always felt this way about live acts you've seen, even before you owned the Rickshaw?

Live music is all about the experience - for the performers and the people who have come to see them. Our philosophy is to make sure that we give the performers every opportunity to succeed, as best we can. And from an audience perspective, our aim is to provide a welcoming space for them to enjoy the artists. I guess, subconsciously, this is how I've always wanted to experience a live concert even before owing the Rickshaw: a friendly and welcoming space that cares about the product it's delivering. We want going to see a live show an addictive experience.

You have a nice line-up for the Anniversary show - Art d'Ecco (who is no stranger to the Rickshaw Theatre), Sunbathe, The Intelligence Service, and Cartoon Lizard. How did you handpick these acts, with so many who have came through your doors prior? What makes these acts special to you, and what are you looking forward to at the upcoming evening?

The lineup evolved over the space of a couple of months. It started with a conversation I had with Lance Gordon (Mad Alchemy) when he was here doing the liquid light show at the Burger A Go Go shows at the Rickshaw in February. Lance is a huge fan of the Rickshaw. He has done lights here for the Levitation Festival, Desert Daze and the Mad Alchemy Caravan. He mentioned to me that if I ever wanted him to project lights at the Rickshaw, he would happy to come up from California, where he is based, to do so. We checked our respective calendars and targeted July 13th.

After that, I contacted one of my favourite local musicians Art d'Ecco to see if he was available (and luckily he was!) to headline the event. I then approached Victoria's Cartoon Lizard, who have played the Rickshaw a couple of times before, because I felt that their music lends itself to a psychedelic light show. They are also a great bunch of guys who really help promote shows they are involved in.

A few days later, Pieter Hilton from Portland's Typhoon got in touch with me asking me if there were any gigs available on July 13th that his other band, Sunbathe (that also includes another Typhoon member, Shannon Steele) could jump on for their Pacific Northwest tour. Typhoon have played the Rickshaw a number of times over the last 6 years and I have become close friends with the members of the band. I wasn't aware of Sunbathe before Pieter mentioning them to me but after listening to them, I felt that they would compliment the lineup we already had.

I wanted a 4th band on the bill with a slightly edgier sound and it was suggested that I contact The Intelligence Service. Their psyche infused sound also lends itself to a liquid light show perfectly. Once the lineup was set, Alex Pen from The Intelligence Service designed the show poster.

Once again, congratulations on 9 years! Can we expect another 9 years (and hopefully many more) of live music at The Rickshaw Theatre? Tell us about the schedule for the upcoming summer and fall, what are a few highlights?

And once again thanks! It's actually a double anniversary: not only is it the 9th year for the Rickshaw, it's also my 7th year owning it. Summer tends to quiet for music venues as everyone prefers to be outdoors enjoying the warm weather and getting their fill of live music at outdoor festivals. Having said that, we still have some great shows in July and August and a chock full of shows in the fall. I am especially looking forward to the return of Mudhoney to the Rickshaw in September.

______________________________________________________________

Thank you to Mo Tormohamed and The Rickshaw Theatre! Once again, you can purchase your tickets for The Rickshaw Theatre’s 9th Anniversary show on July 13th by checking out their Facebook event, or following this link to Ticketfly. For a complete listing of upcoming events, visit http://www.rickshawtheatre.com/.

Posted by: Chloe Hoy