Nostalgia

The term nostalgia describes a yearning for the past, often in idealized form.^[1] The word is a learned formation of a Greek compound, consisting of νόστος, nóstos, "returning home", a Homeric word, and ἄλγος, álgos, "pain" or "ache".

This. and This. Make my heart hurt.

"Was it something dangerous? Was it something marvelous? I don't get out that much.. need you to be my eyes."

Being a full-time student and unemployed can be wonderful. Until it comes to that small issue of cash/money. I am slowly driving myself further and further into debt not by buying textbooks, or paying for parking at MR.U, but by buying tickets to numerous live shows around Calgary. If this isn't an appropriate use of a student loan I don't know what is.

Most recently I went to see Aidan Knight perform with Dan Mangan.

Aidan and his red toque hit the stage at around 10:30 p.m. which by this time I had already consumed half a bottle of wine and two beers. Part On Wayne, Party On Garth.

Mr. Knight was noticably comfortable on stage, after all he has been performing in bands since he was 17. He chatted amicably with the crowd and made cute jokes about pre-pubescent voice cracks. Personally, I would have been happy if he was the only act. But I was in for so much more awesome-ness. His first solo album Versicolour is available for purchase on March. 2nd. For those of you who would rather cozy up to the warm sounds of Vinyl, pre-order Versicolour on 12" Vinyl at www.aidanknight.bandcamp.com.

Dan took the stage a shortly after and put a huge smile on everyones face as he opened with Road Regrets. Later on, his band consisting of his drummer, Aidan on electric guitar, and his stand up bass player, joined him to play tracks from his critically acclaimed CD Nice, Nice, Very Nice.

Getting closer to the tail end of his set he realized he had cut open his thumb. To which, a very nice concert goer took it upon herself to find the nearest first-aid box and grab him a band-aid. For that, the entire crowd was rewarded with a everyone's favorite sing-a-long song "Robots". Dan and the band had the 400 person venue on their feet, hands clapping in the air shouting how "Robots need love too, they want to be loved by you".

I was still anxiously awaiting for Dan+Aidan to play "Jasper" {Aidan had promised in his set that it would get played that night}. They ended up finishing the set with it. Dan's deep raspy vocals offered a thick backing to Aidan's clear melodic voice.

As if the show couldn't get any better, for the encore they returned to the stage briefly only to grab the bare necessities and then head out into the middle of the exuberant crowd for an unplugged version of "So Much For Everyone". The entire venue was standing on chairs and singing harmonies never wishing for the song to end.

Oh, and then we made Aidan do shots with us.

Sorry for that Aidan.

Peas & Luhv,

Brie

Sister.Act.2

I haven't willingly set foot into a church for almost 3 years. But give me an MBF concert and me and my new purple Keds were there.

The wooden vaulted ceilings of Knox United Church gave Michael's songs a new life and sound I have never heard before. With around 70 youthful, harmonized voices backing him up, the entire church was vibrating with such positive energy.

An incredibly cool add-on to the show was this incredible artist {whose name is completely escaping me at the moment. If someone reads this and knows who it is PLEASE let me know so I can give her props!} who was painting massive white canvases while Michael played. They were stunningly beautiful. To top it off, they were being sold after the show with half of the proceeds going to charity. Preettyy Freeeaakin Cooool.

I am convinced that Michael's idea of having a hundred-person choir perform with him was so he could simply re-enact a scene from his favorite movie Sister Act 2. :)

But for serial, for the 4 times that I have seen Michael live, I was completely blown away and speechless by the end of the night. With powerful&soulful renditions of Maxine, Black & White Phonetics and the most joyous version of Brand New Spaces I have ever heard; I think it's safe to say that everyone left that church happier than they arrived.

For anyone in Kelowna tonight, check him out at The Habitat. You won't regret it. And if you DO. Feel free to let Michael know. :)

Peas & Luhv.

Brie

Phuck Fog.

Tonight, I was so excited to go see Aidan Knight and Dan Mangan play at Communitea Cafe. I bought my tickets three days after I heard he was playing the cafe. And I'm sure anyone who follows me on Twitter was probably saying "O.K. We get it, your going to see Dan Mangan. Now Shut it!"

Once we head out on the No. 1 Highway to Canmore. There is a thin layer of fog - but I think, it will probably lift by the time we get down the highway.

I was wrong. So very wrong.

We were so beyond "fog lamp" territory. To the point where none of us could see what was directly in front of the car.

I know that we made the right choice to turn around and come back home. As lovely and talented and splendid as Dan is, he isn't worth 3 girls lives. But part of me thinks we probably could

have made it, and the fog would have lifted by the time the show was done. But that probably wouldn't have happened.

To add insult to injury, his show in Calgary (which I decided to for-go buying tickets for because I wanted to see him the small cafe atmosphere) is completely sold out!

Mother Nature and I are fighting

Ghostridin' The Whip.

Tight black pants? check. Black high top Keds? Check. Red plaid shirt? Check. Thick Rimmed Glasses? Double Check.

"Yeah, so I booked this gig a while ago, and it was supposed to be a solo, acoustic show... I decided to bring a six person band." -MBF.

This blog post brings us back to the wonderful and awesome Communitea Cafe in Canmore, AB.

Seven thirty rolls around and we finally stumble upon Communitea to an already small gathering of people waiting outside to grab seats.

Eight thirty brings us to "The Kiteless Flights" {as Steve #2 lovingly named them} who take the stage. They were basically a wicked little band where the oldest musician was pushing it at 16. They took hold of their instruments and completely shocked me with a great rendition of Glen Hansard's "Falling Slowly". After playing a few original tunes, the crowd; mostly filled with proud parents, applauded their little ones.

Nine o'clock or so brings us to the night's main attraction. Every seat is taken and Michael opens the show with himself, his guitar and his trusty loop peddle. Now, I will let myself indulge in a quick fan moment and say that when he opened with "Heroes" I was über stoked. First, I have never heard or seen videos of him playing this live before. Second, his layering of harmonizing vocals on top of one another made it impossible to focus on anything else. Throughout the night he got good use out of his loop peddle. Case&Point, he did a loop with the entire band for the first time which sounded glorious.

The song "Suzie (I Love You)" brought around a dedication to the "Suzie" in the crowd that night a.k.a. my friend Lizzie.

Shortly after Michael telling loving stories of the first time he played in Canmore, the band stepped in to bring "Maxine" to life while the horn section hilariously mimed the words to the song when their lips weren't pressed to brass.

The rest of the set included bringing out older tracks like "Mary Me Mary" and "Black and White Phonetics". Also, Andrew {drummer}, and Michael got all of Communitea to it's feet with Brand New Spaces' iconic - Stomp, Stomp, Stomp, Stomp&Clap. And not to forget the nights first MVP, who was an older gentleman whom Michael jokingly called out for getting up and walking to the bathroom by saying:

Where are you going, sir?

Give the guy about 5 minutes and he returns and replies with:

I was getting you a beer.

Well played sir, well played.

Overall, I can tell you that this "small cafe show" was none of the sort. With exuberant Saxophone and keyboard solos and hilarious crowd participation it was a night I won't soon forget. Sorry you had to miss it.

Next on the sched. Aidan Knight opening for Dan Mangan. Can't wait for some awesome "Robots" sing along.

Peas & Luhv.

Brie

LittleBitOfLove.

I went to see Jon and Roy; a musical duo native to Victoria, play in Canmore at Communitea Cafe. {Check their website out here}. The night started off with having dinner with a friend who I hadn't seen in about a year and a half. The Wine poured out and so did the stories.

For those of you who haven't

been to Canmore, but live in Calgary, to you I say. What are you waiting for!? It is awesome for the following reasons:

a. It's a million times better than Banff. (And slightly cheaper too.)

b. It is Incredibly beautiful because it is such a tight knit, friendly community.

c. It's surrounded by the Three Sisters - The most gorgeous mountain.

We found a table that was just off the right hand corner of the 'stage' and got a lovely kenya coffee press full of African Chai Rooibos (pronounced roy - bos). I knew that Lindsey had never heard of Jon and Roy before, but, I had an inkling that she would really dig them...

If you ever have a chance to see this duo play live, do it. Their warm BC vibe is worth it alone.
Next up? Dan Mangan Feb. 3rd. Cannot wait.

Peas & Luhv,
Brie

Pfft.

Word to the wise. School is for chumps.