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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So I went to this concert…

On a Wednesday evening, I passed by a venue and went in on a whim. Four bands were on the bill, 10 people were inside. I couldn’t tell if it was more band members or spectators. I spoke to one of the musicians who told me she was from Halifax, they were “touring”. The show was free, or PWYC, I couldn’t tell.
 
 
This scene is very typical. This scene is very sad. When a relatively unknown band travel across the country and blasts their distorted guitars in empty venues, they are doing more harm than good. They are NOT getting any new fans. They are supporting oil companies for transportation. They are supporting harmful manufacturing companies that produced these CD’s and merch. These musicians are on a budget, so they are either dumpster diving, or eating fast food from exploited workers. When you come out to these shows you are NOT supporting the arts. When you come out to such shows, you are supporting insanity.
 
 
The show must go on, but if you are going to harm the world, play for an audience, play with some purpose.
 
 
Well Joe band, good for you for now being able to write “toured across the country” in the bio.