Joshua Van Tassel

Just have a second here. Newfoundland is amazing. Beautiful people, scenery and food. The shows have been great and we’re having fun. I’ll go sound hunting today and try to bag some good accents.

Geez. The royal on queen east has got nothing on this.
We played tonight, the sound was fantastic and we had tons of fun. Ever heard of Ron Hynes? Probably not, but look him up. A Newfoundland song writer that can make you cry and laugh hysterically in the span of a verse. He’s the real thing and taught us a whooole lot about being an artist.
We head to Nfld tomorrow weather permitting. See you when I can.

Arrived in Vancouver yesterday and so far so good for the most part. A couple questions though –
Question 1 – if you’re a cab driver, and you have a sign in your cab that says I TAKE CREDIT CARDS!!! and the woman directing you to the cabs says YES THEY TAKE CREDIT CARDS then why once we get to my hotel will you shake your and mumble “cash only…” when I give you my credit card because I don’t have any cash on me because I asked you if I could use my credit card when I got in the cab? Hmmm?
Question 2 – there was a hand written note addressed to me on the desk in my room upon my arrival. Awww that’s really cool and very nice. Does everyone get those?
(updated answer – yes I’m not special. It’s still nice though. )
Obviously I’m very much awake and it’s very early and I forgot to bring a book. More later.

I started on working on this last night, and got super involved and really excited about it. Then I listened to it this morning and not so much. Certain things just don’t work in the daylight after coffee you know? Especially not ambient sounds and whooooshing noises.

I’m headed to Vancouver this afternoon to play with David Myles at a show here, so if you’re in the area or know someone who just looooooves martimers, there’s going to be a few of us there, come on down. From Vancouver we’re headed across o Newfoundland for the ECMA’s, so the blogging may be a bit slow. I just got an email informing me that the hotel I’m in has no room phone, no internet, and cell phones don’t work usually, so deal with it city boy. Once the shaking and crying stops I’ll venture into town and try to give a quick update. Until then, have a good end of this bleak, cold, terrible month.
Sorry, that was a little dark. You know how it is though, c’mon…….
Ok fine, here’s a picture of Stella, a really cute cat.

There.

Even though I was out a bit late last night, I still woke up super early and felt really, really good. I can’t explain it. I got up, had tea, EXERCISED ( yeah, I know. I’m trying it out), practiced a couple instruments, and attacked some banking things I needed to sort out. And it’s not 12 yet. Amazing. As lame as it sounds, I think it’s because I made a list of shit to get done. No more shuffling around the apartment looking confused and poking at buttons, I’m on it. I swear.

Also, here’s where this remix is headed right now, it’s coming along nicely. I put a lot of time in yesterday and it’s starting to bore me, so that’s when I know it’s time for a couple days away from it.

I also ended up with some potatoes made of love this morning too.

Whatever. I think it’s cute.
Ok, time to see if I can keep this up for a few more hours. Doubtful, but it’s worth a try.

Val’s fresh new epk, looks great.

Ronley Tepers new video for “rose”. The record release for this album is March 19th at the Tranzac, and I think it should be magic magical. It’s a 13 piece band featuring mellophone, guitars, basses, me making noises, saw, and whoever else shows up with an instrument or woodsman like tool that produces a tone.

I love these ladies and am super proud to be part of their stuff.

Every time I decide that I’m going to take a day off like normal people do, it just doesn’t work if I stay home. I get anxious, I pick up books, put them down again, try to listen to music, feel guilty about not making any, then just give up and try to do something productive.
A couple things on the go today, one of which is working on a couple remixes for my good friend Valery’s remix contest on her website. It’s a good idea, it’s fun, and we should all do one. Here’s the start of one that may or may not grow into something usable.

I woke up super early this morning, went for a walk, and ran into this lonely heart dangling from a tree.

Poor little guy. he made me smile, so I left him where he is to spread a little love to someone else too.

I got a steel drum last week as a gift, and here’s me testing out what sounds I can milk out of it. It’s lots of fun, and I’m sure I’ll find a way to use it in everything I do from now on. I can tell you’re excited as usual.

In other news, my two good friends and musical cohorts Joshua Cockerill and Bret Higgins just got some well deserved cash support from the Canada Council. It’s a pleasure playing with these gentlemen, and everyone should check out their work. My hat is tipped to you boys, my tax dollars have been well used.

Here’s a hot picture of my hot date. Yowwwee. Romance with a big R.