Hartamophone

A few years ago I said in a post that I didn't remember what I got for my fourth birthday. Within 38 seconds, BradM posted a picture of the He-Man toy, directions to all of the stores in a 100Km radius of my house that still sell them, and a link to a crisp aud made of me opening it up. The dude is incredible. Happy birthday, brother. It's always a pleasure. Peace Alhoa, Hart

Hope it's a great one! Happy birthday, M.

Tribute acts always crack me up. I when I did event programming in university we would always get brochures from the companies, and the breadth of acts that have tributes would always amaze me. I distinctly remember thinking at one point: does the world really need a Creed tribute band? (I was surprised to see a Green Day tribute as well, in that first link.)

I heard that the initial version of the GD pack had you being able to sing like Phil, but people at "Rock Band" parties got tired of being told to fill out their organ donor cards.

I planned my snowshoe tonight to coincide with Earth Hour. It's something I would have done today anyway, but I planned accordingly. Funny, though, we're getting much more daylight up here with each passing day. Turning out lights from 8-9 tonight wouldn't have been too big a challenge, as it was still plenty light out at eight o'clock. It's almost ten now, and only in the past half hour or so has it actually started to get significantly dark outside. The North is awesome.

Dear Old Man Winter, Apparently, I have upset you. It would seem that seconds after I posted my blog on Monday evening about how you bring people together up here - and made a dig about your beloved Packers - you thought it necessary to prove that you are not a cuddly old grandfatherly type, by plunging all of Yellowknife into a blackout. Nicely played, good sir. And even after the lights went back on, you thought it further necessary to demonstrate to me, personally, that you are a force to be reckoned with by freezing the pipes in my trailer and forcing me to go water-less for a few days. I am sure that you roared with amusement as you watched me burst through the doors to the men’s change room at the gym before work this morning in a tip-toed sprint, barely making it in enough time to conduct my ritualistic morning business. Touche, old man. Still, though, you didn’t think I’d learned my lesson, and have now revoked my functioning furnace privileges. I am water-less and heat-less and throwing myself at your mercy. You win, jack ass. I should not have described Monday night’s blackout as “part of the adventure†of being up here, nor should I have called my girlfriend so that she could share in the excitement with me from afar. I was wrong to shrug off being water-less and point out how it was all good since I live so close to the gym. I did not show you the proper respect, and for that I am deeply sorry, as you have now ratcheted up your assault. Allow me to stand corrected: You do not encourage people to come together in the Wintertime, as I previously suggested. Rather, you marginally permit it. You are not a kindly, aged Friendly Giant figure, but are more akin to a hung over and sexually frustrated Mr. Burns. You make the Grinch look like the love child of Sharon, Lois and Bram. You are a ruthless son of a bitch. One night in your Northern grip makes the “cold†Ottawa winters I used to boast about seem like a four-month tropical love-in of a birthday party with an open bar, hosted by the Rockettes. I was wrong to underestimate you and I feel that you have proven your point. If you could please have the heat working in the trailer again by the time I get back from work this afternoon, I would really appreciate it. I’m even violating my strict “one blog post per week†policy so that the seven people will know what a self-righteous vigilante you really are. I thank you for your prompt attention to this matter. Hugs and Kisses, Harty

I don't think the point is the quantitative difference that will be made during the one hour. Rather, I think it's more an issue of awareness. Hell, take a look at the discussion it's spawned right here in this thread; a conversation that would not be happening otherwise. You're not going to change the world in an hour, but you can damn sure plant the seed.

I'm with you, Ol'Hickster. The Evergreen Forest was alright by me. Anybody dig Thundercats?

Trigger - United Steelworkers of Montreal I'll Fly Away - Allison Krauss and Gillian Welch Nothing but the Water (the whole album) - Grace Potter & The Nocturnals Plus the obligatory Emmylou Harris and Janis Joplin tunes.

Haven't seen this in too long, but dig it every time. YOU PAID US!

Sending vibes your way, brother. Hud was as lucky to have you as you were him.

The Wood Brothers are great. Restrained acoustic roots music with a soul. I dig 'em.

Or these dudes:

I believe the Highlander Pub is just a little ways down the street from Maverick's, back towards the Rideau Centre.

Uuuhhh, yeah I think so. They went all out in the headliner department, which obviously drives the price up. They could have dropped two of those headliners and it would still be a top-shelf - and presumably less pricey - endeavour; I wonder if they gave that any thought, or if they just tried to get whomever they could. Not much rhyme or reason to the lineup, it doesn't look like.

huh?!?! I love BC myself and miss living there quite a lot actually. That festival looks great to me! I'd love to make it out there for it, but music has taken a dive on my list of priorities. Oh, I wasn't implying that there are any negative sentiments towards BC on here, just that most of the people who post here are based in Ontario or East, so West Coast events don't get much attention. You used to live in Victoria, didn't you?

mulvee, Where are you?

That's exactly what I wanted to know. It was completely off of my radar. I agree that there aren't the high-quality hidden bands there, but even the second-tier ones on the lineup (Black Mountain, MMJ, Metric etc.) should be stellar. The location is also a big draw. I think my Sasquatch plans just got scrapped (especially since I can see the REM/Modest Mouse/National tour in Vancouver).

I know there's not much love for the Left Coast around these parts, but this looks like it'll be quite the show. Just down the road from Whistler - not a bad setting, I don't think. Can't wait for my first full summer in BC. COLDPLAY TOM PETTY and The Heartbreakers NINE INCH NAILS JAY-Z THE TRAGICALLY HIP THE FLAMING LIPS SERJ TANKIAN DEATH CAB FOR CUTIE INTERPOL MY MORNING JACKET SAM ROBERTS BAND METRIC BLACK MOUNTAIN VAMPIRE WEEKEND THE CRYSTAL METHOD DJ SET DJ SHADOW w/ Cut Chemist BOOKA SHADE . JUNKIE XL . DAVE SEAMAN . WINTERSLEEP . BUCK 65 . SECRET MACHINES . SIA . MSTRKRFT . DEADMAU5 . BRAZILIAN GIRLS . MGMT . THE FIERY FURNACES . MATES OF STATE . GRAND OLE PARTY . CAROLINA LIAR . THE AIRBORNE TOXIC EVENT . MONTE NEGRO . LOW VS DIAMOND . ANNIE STELA . M.A.N.D.Y. . TOMMIE SUNSHINE . CHROMEO . 3 Oh! 3 . KEVIN SHIU . TIMELINE . TONY PANTAGES . http://www.pembertonfestival.com

Bummer.

One of the articles I read about this today said that while the present leg is almost entirely overseas, there will be a proper North American tour come Fall. This definitely put Mr. Cohen on my mind today, and I'm betting I was the only one at the gym tonight who had him as the soundtrack on the ol' iPod.

When Bob Marley was on the cover, they very intentionally spelled out "Roll One": I wonder how "coincidental" it was this time around.