Joshua Van Tassel

One of favorites playing a very pretty solo tune in a very pretty church. Posted by the Pitchfork guys, it looks great and the sound is really really good.

Back in Toronto, keeping busy hence the lack of posting. Had a super relaxing day today, listened to some Dr. John, had some coffee, read a book and pretended to be a normal human. Some new music coming tonight hopefully.
Hope you all had a great dinner and gave a lot of thanks for a lot of things…

Due to some unforseen transportational circumstances I’m in Halifax for a little longer. Missed the flight by a few minutes, so we’re catching one in a couple hours. Luckily HAlifax international is one of the few places on this coporate earth that offers free wifi, so I can email catch up and write what’s sounding so far like a completely boring post.
Things here have gone super well. It’s amazing how a fresh set of ears can totally turn a tune that had a question mark beside it into something that you want to release as the single of your record. What excites us too is that we’re going to be able to do the bulk of the recording together in a room as a band to tape. Remember, before computers and editing and quantizing and pitch shifting and t paining? Yeah, me neither, but I know that most of my favorite records were made that way, lots of sounds bleeding into other sounds, mistakes, great moments, and wait for it, good songs. This week really put some fun back into music for me. I hung with my best friends, got to know one of my favorite Canadian artists, saw my folks, had an amazing rib dinner ( Hannah/Scott I love you and your cats), and am feeling good. I’m gonna go drink some more coffee and see how many steps there from here to the starbucks. There’s also a kid running back and forth in front of me, maybe I’ll see if he wants to race. See you soon.

Still going well, lots getting done. Turns out we’ll track most if it live together as a band which is exciting. Lots of bleed, lots of tape hiss and lots of fun. Last day today, back tomorrow.

….but it feels good. Working with Plaskett is great, really good guy and a very knowledgeable/productive producer. Things are sounding good.

…..crazy maritime wind/rain makes glamour hard. We did our best, we’ll see how it turns out.

….is where I am right now, taking a couple days off before some pre production with David. A little place on the South Shore of NS called West LaHave. One of favorite places I’ve been yet as a matter of fact. There’s also an unbelievable music scene in this part of the world, shows usually 3 times a week at least. My very good friend Diego moved down here about 6 months ago, bought a giant 4000 square foot building and is slowly converting it into a beautiful recording/performance venue. Lucky me, I arrived the night of it’s grand opening and it as grand. I’ve got pictures on the ol’ phone, but it’s apparently scared of computers other then my own, so I’ll get them up when I get some wifi. One of the maritimes most treasured musical treasures, Bill Stevenson played with his trio of Tom Easley and Geoff Arsenault, and they swung the shit out of everything, it was great.  Lots of community love, tons of people. Awesome.

My good friend and name sharer Josh Cockerill has a printed and done record in his hands, and he’s happy. So am I, I think it turned out great and am proud to be on it. Here’s a tune called Bartender that’s nice and loud and full of country angst.

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Headed to Halifax tomorrow night and going to see Garrett Mason. You probably haven’t heard of him, and that’s a goddamned shame. He and his band completely destroy…everything. Dance floors, minds, spirits, whatever. It’ll be fun. Come out if you’re in that area.