Author Archives: jab

Adventure of the Weeks, Chayed Out, Jamboys

Sweet Alchemy

I bought a girl a rose this weekend. It was on impulse, a last-minute apology, a chance to stick out from the other glassy eyed guys offering her shots. It was also her birthday.

I gave her the rose, any edge of embarrassment blunted by the requisite surge of shots I slugged before the Uber. She inhaled, smiled, thanked. We talked, she laughed, I drank.

The night sped and the bar surged around us. Around her. But she remained motionless, rose gripped in one hand, clutch in the other. Friends and strangers extended dancing hands and clouded drinks, but she reproached all comers.

Behind pretty eyes, hesitation scintillated. The ugly trio of self-pessimism: doubt, fear and loathing guarded her every movement. Those bastards seep through even the heaviest masks of makeup.

Thirty minutes later she was gone. What she’s looking for I do not know, but it won’t be wrought from the sweet alchemy of another night, another bar, another round. This, at least, we have in common.

As my roommate and I made to leave, I saw the rose, slightly battered and entirely forgotten on the sticky bar top. I took it with me and gave it to the Mexican girl working the midnight shift at the burger joint down the road. She tucked it behind her ear.

———-

Standard
Bangers and Mash, Jamboys, Music

Zeds Dead – Back Home (feat. Freddie Gibbs)

It’s Saturday and I’ve finished my first few days at a new job. Contrary to expectations, I won’t castigate the corporate world and evangelize about the open road. I actually kind of enjoyed clocking into the office.

That being said.. working the 9-5 is so safe, stable. Take some risks this weekend. Do something out of character. Make trouble.

Standard
Adventure of the Weeks, Aftermath Media, Chayed Out, Jamboys, Mixed Bag, Stuff Besides Music, Video

None But Ourselves

Video

What people are really looking for in young artists is originality. I think that they are more interested in that kind of creative energy than in technical polish. It’s really about creating something that is totally mind blowing and unique and that represents you.

– Vincenzo Natali (from Breaking In)

Cue the music!

Deep Cuts, Jamboys

Zöe Keating

The drugs have worn off, the glitter has faded. This took years, but yes, it finally happened; I exhausted myself on EDM. My musical senses are over-synth’ed, out-based. I’ve taken too many drags with the Chainsmokers, the sun has set on my island of tropical house. I’ll be back someday, no doubt. But for now, it’s time to refuel.

Zöe Keating is a extraordinarily talented cellist and composer from Ontario. I most enjoy her solo performances. Here is a glimpse at how she samples, layers and loops to create symphonic originality.

Zöe doesn’t get along with YouTube, but has made the entirety of her 2010 album Into the Trees available on soundcloud. One day, I hope to have her compose the soundtrack to my debut film.

Standard
Chayed Out, Jamboys, Playlists

Live Large

Seek to live big. Personally, I want to live like a character out of a Gabriel Garcia Márquez novel (I’ve only read One Hundred Years). His players tromp through their chapters with obsessive ambition. Whether they launch thirty-two revolutions, construct little gold fishes, or seduce their sister, the characters are completely engrossed in an often blind pursuit of purpose. If you want to be a writer, lock yourself in your room and write. Learning to skateboard? Obsess about it. Stay out on that street and skate until the street lights flash on and the sweat soaks through your shirt. Craving to be loved – or lusted for? (I find this one’s the easiest to obsess over and the hardest to control.) Haven’t figured out that last one, but if we live large enough, as largely as we possibly can, and I think we’ll be walking in the right direction.*

*Then, say fuck it, and run the other way.

Pic: Ghetto by the sea

Standard