Joshua Van Tassel

- some grants

- a large book

- a remix

I can only prove one of these things to you. Here’s the tune.

It was a lot of fun to do, and very cool to get to hear all the individual tracks to this beautiful tune. Hear the original and buy the awesome record here.

Also, here’s what wikipedia says about remixes -

A remix is an alternative version of a song, different from the original version. This name is also used for any alterations of medias other than a song (film, literature etc.).

A remixer uses audio mixing to compose an alternate master recording of a song, adding or subtracting elements, or simply changing the equalization, dynamics, pitch, tempo, playing time, or almost any other aspect of the various musical components. Some remixes involve substantial changes to the arrangement of a recorded work, but many are harmonic, such as creating a “vocal up” version of an album cut that emphasizes the lead singer’s voice.

Sounds about right. In this case I did a lot of cutting of some sections, and moving some things around to get it into a shape I thought may work. Not saying it’s better then the original by any means, just a different take on things, an alternate reality. Christine and Daffyd’s music lends itself really well to remixing because of the amount of space they leave, very thoughtful music. Then I come bulldozing in with a reverb/ambiance/percussion hose and get it all dirty.

Headed back out east Thursday for some David Myles and some hiding out in LaHave.

My good friend Kyle who I’ve talked about here before sent me a few more photos he just got developed from this summer, and they’re great to have. The first is from a show we played in Rugby, UK where it was raining fairly hard all day and no one really seemed to care. What is strange is how they all sat unprompted about 8 feet back from the stage. Weird. Canadians scare people maybe. Or we’re completely unattractive humans, that could be too. The second is David and Alan rocking it outside at Al’s place. I love rehearsing there. The third is me at Hirtle’s beach, one of my favorite places. Lucky to have this photo of it.

Got some good work done on this little remix, here’s where part of it’s heading. I can’t seem to do anything lately without inserting some sort of psychedelic freak out, so there’s one going in there too. It needs to sound a little more drug induced yet, I’ll hopefully finish it off and post it tomorrow.

I’m headed to go see the Art of Time Ensemble in a few, I’m excited. They’re playing the music from Abbey Road, and apparently it’s sounding super cool. Tribute stuff always makes me a bit uneasy, but there’s some pretty amazing performers and arrangers so I’m not too worried.

I hope you’re having a good Sunday dinner somewhere nice.

x

For a variety of reasons I can’t say who put this together for me, long story, but in case you were inclined to see a great website with super neat locally designed products, go to www.chromoly.ca. I’m just saying.

The tune in the video is called “i was seeing colors” that I was going to put on that Nighttimer ep I did a few months ago but didn’t. It’s a pretty simple little piece and i”m glad it found it’s way somewhere. It’s about having too much strong ass coffee, so when I was sent this video and asked if I had some music for it I knew what would fit. The images have a sort of frenetic crazy quality because of the time lapse style that I thought matched up well with the vibe of the track. I feel like I’m standing in front of a painting at a pretentious art show with a glass of wine expounding on my floral color technique so I’ll shut up. Enjoy.

I keep waking up consistently at 7:15 or thereabouts every day for the past little while, and I don’t know why. Doesn’t matter if I go to sleep at 11 or 3 or whatever, it’s just time to get up apparently. This leaves me with a lot of time on my hands to do very quiet things. So far today

- I read this book

which is stark and beautiful and scary and intense and quite romantic at times.I’m about halfway through, Billy Parham’s brother Boyd got shot and things are lookin’ mighty grim. They’re deep in Mexico and finding a doctor is proving tricky.

- I listened to this. Super relaxing, really cool sounding recording. Bibio just put out a record on Warp that’s really good, but I’m into this one quite a bit more.

- And I started working on a remix for Christine and Daffyd. So far it sounds like this

I really don’t know.

started a new tune that I’m going to do with my lovely friend Kate, I think she’ll sound real nice for what I have in mind. here’s quick demo to give her an idea of what this song will sound nothing like.

Smoke and mirrors. I  want to work with some more friends on the things that are brewing now, but I kind of want to misdirect them into getting stylistic ideas into their heads, then have them track over tunes that sound completely different then what they thought they were going to do. Keeps it fresh I hope. Or makes it complete bullshit, hard to say. I’ll let you know.

I looked at acoustic guitars yesterday and realized I didn’t have a sweet clue about what to look for and how much they should cost. Help.

***(if you’re reading this on facebook go to www.joshuavt.com or click the link at the bottom of the post for all the stimulating sights and sounds that fb doesn’t show you.)

Had a busy week last week, or I convinced myself I had a busy week because I didn’t get shit done and feel like a lazy human about it……either way it’s a new week. I’ve got a clean shirt on and I’m ready to take something on. I saw m 2 favorite dog friends this weekend which was great. Here’s Bean, who is acting as producer and crative director of a new project I’m in

and here’s what the world looks like from Ben the dog’s eyes, or at least my apartment

Started some music last night too, really quietly. It’s not that often that I have trouble sleeping, but I apparently had a busy head. Making loops sort of calms things down for me I’ve found out which is handy to know. It’s like warm milk, or heavy sedative semi legal drugs. Here’s one of them that upon listening to this morning I think is usable.

I’ve also started spending more time with the guitar which is an instrument I have a whole lot of love and respect for. Christine Bougie just put up a super interesting post on practicing and her methods and it’s been really helpful to me. I took out a Grade One  Royal Conservatory book to start learning some pieces, and it’s slow going but fun. Some of them are super pretty and I plan on completely butchering them in my own special way and putting some up this week. I know you’re excited, wow. This is just awkward now. Have a good Monday……

Nigel Godrich’s little show…..watch it……

<object width=”560″ height=”340″><param name=”movie” value=”http://www.youtube.com/v/mK4cB5rW248&hl=en&fs=1&”></param><param name=”allowFullScreen” value=”true”></param><param name=”allowscriptaccess” value=”always”></param><embed src=”http://www.youtube.com/v/mK4cB5rW248&hl=en&fs=1&” type=”application/x-shockwave-flash” allowscriptaccess=”always” allowfullscreen=”true” width=”560″ height=”340″></embed></object>

<object width=”560″ height=”340″><param name=”movie” value=”http://www.youtube.com/v/mK4cB5rW248&hl=en&fs=1&”></param><param name=”allowFullScreen” value=”true”></param><param name=”allowscriptaccess” value=”always”></param><embed src=”http://www.youtube.com/v/mK4cB5rW248&hl=en&fs=1&” type=”application/x-shockwave-flash” allowscriptaccess=”always” allowfullscreen=”true” width=”560″ height=”340″></embed></object>

<object width=”560″ height=”340″><param name=”movie” value=”http://www.youtube.com/v/mK4cB5rW248&hl=en&fs=1&”></param><param name=”allowFullScreen” value=”true”></param><param name=”allowscriptaccess” value=”always”></param><embed src=”http://www.youtube.com/v/mK4cB5rW248&hl=en&fs=1&” type=”application/x-shockwave-flash” allowscriptaccess=”always” allowfullscreen=”true” width=”560″ height=”340″></embed></object>

Still a little sick, tired, but had a great time. Here’s some documentation.

Lots of this on the bus. devo taught us Gin Rummy and things were never the same..

Lots of this on the bus too….

No you’re not.

Lots of shows, lots of nights seeing things like this.

Scotland, I love it there.

Friendly Manchester signage.

really really old gravestone

hello friends. I’ve been a slack blogger but not by choice. We’re in the UK with Kate Rogers and it’s been super fun so far. Played in London and saw some old friends, played in Scotland and saw some sheep that I wish were my friends, and am in Manchester where I’m too scared to try to make friends. Getting good pictures/sounds, and sadly my beaten little iPhone has pretty much given up on me. Back to London in a couple hours for 2 shows tonight, and then to see Torontos own Obijhou which should be fun. I’ll post again sooner…..

hello friends. I’ve been a slack blogger but not by choice. We’re in the UK with Kate Rogers and it’s been super fun so far. Played in London and saw some old friends, played in Scotland and saw some sheep that I wish were my friends, and am in Manchester where I’m too scared to try to make friends. Getting good pictures/sounds, and sadly my beaten little iPhone has pretty much given up on me. Back to London in a couple hours for 2 shows tonight, and then to see Torontos own Obijhou which should be fun. I’ll post again sooner…..