Shirin Delsooz

My Life Adventures and Thoughts

More Gear! The Inspirational Story Behind This Midi Controller

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Summary:

The midi controller keyboard I wanted was for sale used, so I rushed to get it. I missed the bus by a second, the driver closed the door in my face. I ran to the next bus stop and I CAUGHT UP WITH HER!!! Then I gave her a piece of my mind.

 

The Long Version:

I’ve been trying to find a suitable set up for my live shows. I had my eye on the M-Audio 61e, since it was cheap and did exactly what I needed to do, it plugs into the computer and loads any samples I want. The keys are semi weighted, not fully, but semi will do!

I was about to buy it new at a store. As I was about to leave, I went on my facebook wall and saw that a friend on facebook happened to be selling the exact same one slightly used! So I rushed to get it because I had something planned after. I waited for the bus but it wasn’t coming, and I needed change for a 20. I went across the street to the small grocery store that looked empty. But a handicap lady and her son were at the cashs buying one pear, one orange, two apples, one something else. The cashier was slow. Then I saw the bus come. So I dashed out, crossed the street, and I was on time, except the bus driver decided to close the door in my face and drive off!

Oh no you didn’t! So I ran to the next bus stop AND CAUGHT UP WITH HER! Then I demanded to know why she didn’t stop, and I kinda muttered, “useless”. Then I sat down and people laughed.

Since We’ve Had Nice Weather…

This is how life has been so far since the weather was reasonable in Montreal!

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St. Jean Baptiste festivities in my hood! Hangin’ with Lex. I like the colours on that church.

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There was a community gathering at the mile end, and they had a board for people to write what they want to see in their community. Someone wanted trees, another person wanted a gorilla park, and another person wanted just monkeys…

Review of Lydia Ainsworth at the Slut Island Festival in Montreal

I saw Lydia Ainsworth at the Slut Island Festival. I loved it.
 

First of all, unlike other indie concerts, I could actually hear the music. The sound wasn’t pummelling my ear drums. Lately I’ve been tricked into concerts with some gear head machos who like to blast distorted guitars and all their glitzy gizmos to hide behind how terrible their songs are. They aren’t good enough to captivate the audience, so they crank it over crowd chatter.

 

Luckily, this concert was part of the Slut Island Festival, so it was a macho-free zone. And Lydia’s set was focussed on music. She is a film score composer, so it was interesting to hear music as an art, and not a gimmick or a vanity trip. I liked how the musicians wore masks, as if to say, ‘hey, don’t look at me and judge me! Just listen to the music!”

 

There were acoustic instruments, violin and cello, a laptop for the back tracks that had all the glitter, harmony and beat, her synth and voice. Perfect set up. Perfect levels. It was just right, like honey to my ears.

 

She played her songs from her latest EP, including my personal favourite, Malachite.

 

So there, I wish I attended more concerts from the Slut Island Festival because, let’s face it, most of the music scene, even in Montreal, is dominated by cisgender males. And, speaking for myself, and many other people I know, it is intimidating for anyone else to come into the scene. We need festivals like this on a monthly basis at least!

 
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Run Away – Real McCoy – Piano Cover

Another song from back in the day, this one is a unique song because it has politically charged lyrics which never happens in dance music. I wonder if any drunk guy in a club caught this.