The Conquering Sun

Like yesterday’s sun, I was conquered.  Conquered by a little big show at The Marquee Ballroom on Gottingen Street.  Gord Downie, The Sadies & The Conquering Sun completed their summer tour in Halifax.  I had been looking forward to this show for MONTHS.  Gord, of course, is my poet love and hero.  I have so much appreciation and respect for him and his art, his performances, his ideals and approach to music and the world.  As I mentioned before, I’ve seen the Tragically Hip a lot but I’ve always watched from a fair distance.  Last night, I was fortunate to be right in the front and prior to them taking the stage butterflies swirled around like caged animals in my tummy.  Nerdy as it may be, it was a big deal for me to be that close to the stage, to experience Gord.  The whole damn thing altered my insides, shuffled my pieces around.  I haven’t felt that way since my Leonard Cohen show in 2013.

He looked like a rogue angel in white, wide-brimmed hat and all. He was incendiary right down to the tips of his black pointed budget shoes.  He toyed endlessly with his microphone stand, toyed with the audience that were just as rapt as I was. I am in complete awe of the man, his antics, his facial expressions, his inventiveness and his command of the English language, he knows how to manipulate words to make wonder.  And really, what other man do you know who would insert the word ‘odious’ into audience banter? He is the polar opposite of anything extremely unpleasant, repulsive.  He is a Supreme Being. My heart grew six sizes to Sunday, I thought it might burst in my chest.

So close, so damn close.

Holy snappin' bananas, so close.  So cool.

I was nervous that with all of my family goings-on, I’d be hard pressed to find it in me to fully enjoy the moment and be present.  For the minutes he was obliterating the stage, everything melted away.  I was in my moment that I had been anticipating all these months.  I am grateful for the time that I spent outside of my head and my worries; fully engaged in music, euphoric and weightless.  Gord looked down into my little old soul, literally. He stood over me, looked into my face as he sang, full frontal eye contact.  All at once, it was soothing and overwhelming, so much so I had to momentarily look away. Too much power for my tender heart but I will savour that feeling for the rest of my small literary life. At the end of the show, he reached down with his warm hand and squeezed mine (my bud’s too) and said, ‘Thank you for being in front.’  I wouldn’t have wanted to be anywhere else.

Mind was blown.

In addition to the music from their ‘Conquering Sun’ record they were touring in support of, they also pulled out three stellar covers, ‘So Sad About Us’ by The Who and in their encore they pulled out Guided By Voices’ ‘I Am A Scientist’ and then obliterated us with ‘I Got A Right’ by Iggy & The Stooges.  Musically, it was a perfect show.  What am I saying, it was a perfect show in every single aspect.

And what about The Sadies! Holy snappin’ bananas they are increddddible.  They are an opulent and cohesive unit.  They melted my face. Miraculous. I was just as enthralled by their musical offerings as I was with Gord’s.  And together, they are a mighty mighty force. When The Sadies get back to Haliax, I will be there.  No question.

I should also note that the Adam Baldwin Band opened with a killer set and primed the room with his exceptional songs.  He tweeted yesterday (and I am paraphrasing) that The Sadies are an institution, Gord Downie was a legend and he was just a skid opening for them. I, in my nerdy fashion, being the music geek I am replied and told him he is OUR institution.  I am pleased to see him doing so well with his EP, he was nominated for SIX Music Nova Scotia music awards this year.  He’s loved and rightly so. Skid no more in my opinion, not that he ever was one. The kid can PLAY.  And his band is top shelf.  Hometown pride right there.  And all of this happened with my good buds alongside me.  There’s nothing better than having your friends next to you for the important things.  I sure do love them.

Adam Baldwin Band KILLING it as per usual.

Last night’s show and Leonard Cohen at the Halifax Metro Center in 2013 are the two most important music moments of my life.  And Duran Duran in Montreal, seeing the O5, as it brought my childhood full circle.

I’m still reeling from the whole crazy thing this morning.  I’m appreciative to have a vacation day to unwind and process it all before I return to my 9 to 5 and my family.  I can honestly say that the smile on my face is a genuine one.  I haven't had cause to smile for a little bit now but when he waltzed across that stage, my face hurt from happiness. This moment will always be a bright spot in a large sadness.  I'll never forget it.

Grateful, grateful, grateful. For music, for my heroes who are also my friends and for Gord Downie, my poet love.

In propinquity,

Nic

Timekeeper

Timekeeper

a mere man at his center

averts the world patiently

fixes romantic tenements

in blazing lionized sangfroid

is anonymous yet eminent

an ingenious timekeeper

drawn over hours and days

breathed in and savoured

a veritable man at his core

makes mountainous waves

maintains theatrical distance

to cue perfection to dance

is more than flaws wrought

an acclaimed timekeeper

an impassioned instance

embraced and then set free

keeping time

                serene progression

keeping time

                ordained peace

the timekeeper expressing the

syllables of my commandment

a mere man at his center

invisibly clear classically trained

a nighttime hymn a soft ear

the timekeeper impressing

touch on sure summer nights

standing still

standing tall

holding tight

holding mine

he is the compass of supreme fiction

the timekeeper lacquered in armour

permissible and possible

 **

I’ve been pecking at this poem for over a week.  It’s been a long worrisome one, dealing with a family matter that stopped my creativity that had just re-emerged.  This past week has been a blur, it’s been like floating in a dream, being on the outside watching myself.  It’s tough to watch someone you love weaken and move closer to their end.  It’s so important to be present and loving and open with your people.  It’s so important to communicate and laugh and share your life and in turn share in theirs.  Be kind and tell those you love that you truly do.  Before it’s too late, everything truly is temporary in this life which makes time extraordinarily precious.  Use it wisely, don’t waste it.  I’ve been doing just that even more so this past week.

I managed to spend some time this weekend out with my buds, decompressing.  Friday night I attended the first birthday party for my favorite Halifax radio station, Radio 965.  I was bone tired but loved the festive red carpet, the fun in the photo-booth and great performances by The Brood, Soho Ghetto, Dylan Gythro and Adam Baldwin.  I kept close watch on my phone in case of emergency and swallowed the guilt of being out. There are people who would be extremely judgemental of me for stepping out during this tentative time in my family but I was instructed by a wise man to pay no mind to that nonsense and do what eases and fulfills me.  The music was soothing, I won’t lie. 

The same thing happened last night.  My bud yanked me out of the house and spent her extra ticket on me to go see former Guns n Roses guitarist play at The Seahorse.  Cape Breton got Slash and Aerosmith but I got to see Gilby Clarke.  It was an excellent rock show.  I was disappointed in this city that there were so few people in the bar.  Maybe 50 or so.  He deserved better.  And what a great human.  He stopped us on the sidewalk in the pouring rain while lugging his own gear and thanked us for coming.  He recognized us from being inside.  Zero pretension.  I was glad I decided to get out in the world and experience something instead of hiding away. 

Gilby Clarke rockin' @ The Seahorse, September 13th, 2014

Tonight is the night I’ve been waiting on for MONTHS.  I scooped up tickets for my poet love Gord Downie and The Sadies right away because they are playing The Marquee and that means an intimate show compared to the several Tragically Hip shows in large arenas and open air fields.  I’m still riddled with guilt and am truly trying to maintain my excitement for this show.  The thought of being THAT close to a stage he’ll grace, gives me goose-bumps.  He’s an absolute hero of mine, I admire and respect his writing, and he’s an incredible performer.  His poetry book, ‘Coke Machine Glow’ is one of my most coveted volumes, like ever.  A massive fire broke out this morning in a commercial building just behind the venue, I hope it doesn’t have any impact on the show.  If it does, I hope the contingency plan is a good one.  The Adam Baldwin Band is opening tonight too so that will make it a good night all around. 

While I putter and lounge a little, I’m also attempting to break in my shoes for a wedding next weekend.  A family wedding.  My nephew is marrying his love and it will be so nice to witness that and have a night where my family are all in one place together.  I am hoping Dad is well enough to attend.  I know how badly he wants to be there.  Prayers are welcome.

As for the above poem, I did write it with a specific human in mind.  Exactly who it is I will never tell.  Hee.

In propinquity,

Nic

               

                

This is the Song to Calm the Crazy Master of Your Heart

I maintain that music sustains me, it is my form of prayer, how I measure time and place, music is oxygen, music is life and love and longevity.  It inspires me to write, rocks my core, brings me to tears and raises me up to religious heights.  For someone who can’t play an instrument and his highly uncoordinated, I am a slave to every note, every pulsing beat, taking each waltz to the edge of everywhere; music is everything.  Music solves the sunset, muses the moonlight.  It’s hard to not wax poetic about the most beautiful and unifying language on the planet.

I have attended a plethora of shows this year, discovered new and exciting artists and value each experience for the energy and stimulus I garnered. 

Here’s a loose list of many of 2014’s musical highlights:

Matt Mays – NYE @ Casino NS w/ Carmen Townsend, Big Red Festival in PEI and at The Shore Club in Hubbards, NS.

Blue Rodeo - Halifax Metro Center

Adam Baldwin CD release party with Sam Cash & The Romantic Dogs - Seahorse Tavern

Wintersleep/USS/The Trews  – The Marquee

Matt Epp – The Carleton

Royal Wood – St Matthew’s Church

City and Colour – Halifax Metro Center

The Stanfields (acoustic) – The Carleton

July Talk – Alderney Landing for Canada Day, Big Red Festival in PEI

Sam Roberts – Alderney Landing for Canada Day

Ben Caplan, Alderney Landing for Canada Day

Drive By Truckers – Big Red Festival in PEI

Platinum Blonde – Casino NS

Brian Byrne – The Carleton

Gloryhound CD release w/ The Motorleague – Seahorse Tavern

Dave Marsh & True Love Rules, The Navy Brats – Jacob’s Lounge & The Carleton for HUFF

The Killers – Big Red Festival in PEI

Nashville Pussy w/ Fifth on the Floor – Seahorse Tavern

Dropkick Murphys – Cunard Center

Ashley MacIsaac – The Carleton

Dylan Guthro & Mo Kenney – Casino NS

Dwight Twilley (soundcheck) – The Carleton for HUFF w/ an honourable mentionable hug from Garland Jeffreys

Adam Cohen – The Carleton

My list is missing bits and bobs I am sure, things like remarkable Saturday nights at The Carleton with The Carletones etc etc but what I really want to discuss is the last entry on my list, Adam Cohen.

For those of you born under a rock, Adam Cohen is the song of Leonard Cohen but stands beautifully on his own two feet as a singer/songwriter/performer.  While he acutely resembles his father and has the same awe-inspiring voice, his songs are all his own.  It’s true, there is homage present to the music he was born into but there is a definite tone of originality and songs that express what he so deeply wishes to share with his audience.

I’m not sure I have attended a show at The Carleton with such palpable energy, a loving energy that boasted a sheer veil of faith and hope, creativity and grace.  Adam took the stage with his outstanding band and straight out of the gate, just from the ambiance of humanity circulating through the room, from person to person, a tiny and constant tear streamed from my left eye.  I tried very hard to stop it but an overwhelming wash of emotion was too powerful to defeat. 

His stories of his family and his father, his sweet sense of humour and his songs made for a beautiful evening.  He speaks like a poet, performs like a rock star and accepts his accolades with a humble heart.  When he played a new song from his new record called ‘Love Is’ he had the whole bar singing it with him and those as you know are moments I live for; harmony among humans, unity in one voice.  It fills me up and it pours out of my silly face.  He continued to overthrow my heart when he finished with Dad Cohen’s ‘So Long Marianne’.  If I was permitted and it wouldn’t made me look like a complete wiener I’d have let the tears come like Niagara Falls.  It was really hard to sing along without my eyes bursting and then my concert company would have clocked me for crying.  Thankfully her back was to me for the duration of the show.  I was singing ‘Now so long Marianne, it’s time that we began to laugh and cry and cry and laugh about it all again …’ but not at the top of my lungs like I wanted because it would have come out in sobs.  This is how I know that the time he shared with his last night will resonate for a long time to come.  After the encore I made a mad dash for a mascara check and to catch my breath.

I had the opportunity to shake his hand, compliment his artist and offer my gratitude for making my Saturday perfect.  He spoke very highly about his father’s command of the English language and his elegance.  I told Adam Cohen I loved the words he spoke about Leonard but they truly mirror back at him in his own right.  His handshake was firm and warm and appreciative.  It was an honour to look a Poet in the eye and speak about words and music and for it to have meaning.  It was a small but mighty exchange but I can’t tell you what it meant to me.

For me, Adam Cohen, who sold out every single seat for three nights straight, was the BEST show I’ve seen to date at The Carleton.  It runs dangerously close to every Matt Epp show I’ve seen there because his shows and music and artistic intention moves me in the very same way. 

I am compelled to spend today writing, musing, thinking creatively, counting blessings and filling my ears with beautiful music.

Music like this:

In propinquity,

Nic

Sharp Tender Shock

I am desperate to write. My story outline sits stagnant, waiting for me to pay attention, the characters are off to the side, and their are arms folded impatiently waiting for me to get my poop in a group.  I am still stifled by the 9 to 5 but maybe now I’m using that as an excuse because my lofty procrastination has turned into another painful bout of writer’s block.  It is entirely my fault for not writing.  I should be writing.  And trust me, I am trying.

The good news is, I am reading a lot and taking in live music shows to keep me breathing.  I did manage to get a lovely weekend away from the grind but I maintain I still require a retreat.  Absolute solitude, no technology, no distractions.  If I didn't require a steady paycheck I’d be gone in a heartbeat.

I just want to be artful. 

And, in the spirit of wanting to be artful on the last day of the long weekend and since I didn't post a single thing in the month of August, I set a goal for myself to write a poem today.  

This was the result:

 Sharp Tender Shock

You, in the brazen sun

a concept easily quoted

a sharp critical engagement

an event among philosophers.

You, fixed in a delicious swirl

throwing a tender muted gaze

speaking an intoxicating language

an unprecedented artful arrangement.

You, safe in the comforts of metaphor

a stimulating shock of necessary illusion

a threshold to the fall of cinnamon rain

a font of deeply decorous translations.

I invited you to the end of this poem

to reference the sharp tender shock I am

in from the tenacity of your turgid heart

where I am permitted to mention a thing

so vulgar as love.

**

Phew.  It's icky but it is writing, right?  Right.

You'd think that after watching Dwight Twilley's soundcheck yesterday, getting a hug from Garland Jeffreys and sitting in on a songwriter's workshop by Brian Potvin (Northern Pikes) and David Pirner (Soul Asylum) I'd have more to say.  But in all honesty, I'm still in awe of my day. of those artists.  I did soak up some mojo though.  Maybe this week I will set small attainable goals for writing.  Even a page an evening.  I think I can handle that.  Maybe I need to revisit the concept of writing prompts again.  Ugh.

In propinquity, 

Nic