Joshua Van Tassel

I try to keep things that I post on here fresh, and most importantly original, but I couldn’t help myself today. Here’s what you need to do - — - -

1. Open up your itunes

2. Go to your podcast directory

3. in the search bar type in “WNYC Radio Lab”

4. Subscribe to the podcast

5. download the episode entitled “Time”

Within this gem of an hour of radio, you’ll hear super interesting interviews with people like Oliver Sacks ( talking about a man who takes 2 full hours of continuous motion to wipe his nose), a 2.5 minute montage of  recordings of a girl from ages 8 months to 13 years, Beethoven slowed down to the point where one symphony takes a full 24 hours to listen to, and so much more.

All the podcasts I’ve heard from them so far have been really insightful, and best of all, extremely well produced. Sorry to sound like such an infomercial, but something like this really deserves our support. Check it out and let me know what you think . . . . .

making everything interesting since yesterday…..

These are the sights and sounds of Montreal’s industrial district late at night. There’s all sorts of crazy loft spaces within this area, including one we played at called The Pound. People in that city really do stay up all night, I swear..

I’m in Montreal with Ronley Teper for some shows, and it’s great fun. This is a wonderful city even in the rain, which is a good sign. I’ve met a joke telling cab driver ( I have a great recording of his jokes which I’ll share when I get back), slept beside a man who sleeps in his leather jacket and hat, and just had pizza poutine…..a successful weekend so far. We’re in our nation’s fine capitol tomorrow, so if you have any friends or casual aquaintances in Ottawa, let them know….this is google images choice of “bad french”. Fairly accurate I’d say… 

I’m back in town and trying really hard to finish up some music……which alway ends with me making new stuff instead. It’s a real serious issue…..I need help…..here’s a demo of something on the go……

I’ll be out of town til Monday, so no updates until then. I’ll come back with bursting with sounds previously unheard…by people on this site at least. I’ll have technically heard them, because I’ll record them. And then you can hear them. I don’t feel like I make any sense today.

My dad’s shop houses many fearsome metal beasts. 

Last night I went to see a play loosely based on the life of Jerry Lee Lewis called “Fire“, and it was really great. Good acting, totally interesting set, and the music was played amazingly well. Melanie Doane arranged all the vocal harmonies, and there were lots of ‘em, all sounding straight out of Arkansas just like the should. There was a packed house and everyone seemed to really enjoy the show. Except for one small thing that people need to remember - -

JUST BECAUSE MUSIC IS BEING PLAYED DOESN’T MEAN IT”S TIME TO START TALKING TO YOUR HUSBAND/WIFE/WHOEVER.

Seriously folks. It’s a show about a musician, so naturally I’d assume if you pay $30 plus dollars, you have at least some fleeting interest in the music they were playing. It seemed like every time a song would start, at last 20 people would take that as their cue to have a quick conversation with whoever was willing to listen. Maybe I sound like a super crotchety old man lecturing elementary school children, but please Toronto, lets show a little more respect for our artists.

Oh, and to the person with the intelligence level of handicapped primate who cell phone went off 3 times in the second act….well, my parents read this blog so I’ll keep it civil. You’re a bonehead.

This isn’t an isolated incident either. Tranzac Club, 2 night ago watching a super crazy/unique songwriter named Anhai perform, and some monkey was in the very front row with his phone sitting on the table. Here’s what it sounds like to be an asshole ( listen for at 41 seconds in)

I wonder which provider has the best customer service for monkeys? Probably Fido, there’s a fair number of them working there.

This little bird was singing a crazy song this morning and I thought I’d share it with you today. I’m with you little brother. It was a long winter and it’s officially spring.

What does this have to do with spring? nothing. Funny little men on wooden cats makes me snicker, that’s all.

Lots of my favorite people are from Truro, NS, and so is the best open mic in the world.

….would love this. I grew up in NS for 20 years and didn’t think this actually happens, but here is the proof Ontario.

People actually get together in pub just to play music for fun in the Maritimes.

Not for an audience, not for fame, money, or sponsorships from deodorant companies, but because they want to. Everyone wins in this relationship: the pub is happy because they have a real live genuine tourist attraction hanging out in their business drawing a crowd. The crowd is happy because they get to hear great music, but not too loud of course, if you can’t talk over it it’s just annoying, right? And most of all the musicians are happy because they’re having fun playing music. The key word is playing. It’s fun. We love doing it. Here it is in multimedia form - - -

If you were a guard on Citadel Hill this is what you would see/hear for a really big part of your day. I saw some kids with rifles who I followed for a while in hopes they were going to fire them, but security seemed to think I looked “threatening”. hey man, I’m not the one with the rifle.

I’ve been able to spend the last few days at my folk’s place and it’s been great. This is what it sounds like here during the day -

Don’t hear anything? Me either. Because it’s soooo quiet. I love it.

Here’s a picture of possibly the best place to eat lunch in the world, according to not just myself. The La Have Bakery. It’s a super interesting building, housing a bakery, skate board shop, a hostel, conference room, craft co-op, you name it.