I’m having a super busy weekend at Wavelength Music’s 16th birthday festival. Last night I saw Foxtrott, Calvin Love, Keita Juma, Blunt Chunks and Organ Mood at The Garrison. Read my review and see more photos over on Ride the Tempo!
This month’s Vinyl Me Please package is an exclusive pressing of Nada Surf’s album high/low in 150g orange vinyl. It also contains an 8-page books with lyrics and photos, poster and of course a cocktail pairing.
Excited to see what is in store for February! I love this monthly gift of music.
Lately, one of my favourite ways to relax on my free time is to spin a record. To curate a record at a time has a romantic aspect to it. It’s like picking a storybook from a shelf, only you can listen to someone else tell it.
I wanted to make use of my new record player so last month I signed up for Vinyl Me Please, an online record club. Note: This doesn’t count in my 30 Day Challenge as it is something that I previously subscribed to for 3 months.
My December package arrived in an adorably labeled package, in hopes that the mail carriers would handle with care (which thankfully they did).
I was surprised with Nils Frahm’s Spaces, the 36th record in the series so far.
Inside the package were record notes, original art prints as well as recipes for a drink that the record could be paired with. The record sounded beautifully warm in my player. It wasn’t something I would have consciously decided to go buy but am super proud to have on my shelf. I’m looking forward to what record I’ll be surprised with in January.
Subscribing to the club also gives you access to a store full of exclusives. If you want to sign up for Vinyl Me Please, use this link for $10 off!
Had a super busy few days full of food and parties. Last Friday my work had their holiday party and look who showed up!
We were treated with a special performance by Kiesza, most famous for her worldwide single “Hideaway”. Check out my vine of her covering Hozier.
What’s an album that has got you through some tumulus times? For me it is Stars’ Set Yourself on Fire. Songs like “Calendar Girl” are the reason that I’m alive today.
Last night, the band celebrated the 10th anniversary of the album and I screamed all the lyrics along with the packed audience who probably shared some similar connections to the album.
I believe that all music that connects with someone is important. What is an album that has got you through some tough times?
Tonight I saw a show I wasn’t allowed to shoot. Phones were even put away for the most part. My hands were a bit fidgety but I was able to thoroughly experience the moment of two incredible artists. Sometimes it is worth it to unplug.
It’s rare that in 2015 that a new RECORD STORE would open up but Dead Dog Records appeared in my neighbourhood. I finally ventured in to find out that they sold some records for lower prices than what I could find online.
I picked up a bunch! I’ve been eager to grow my collection ever since I bought my new record player. Dead Dog’s selection might be smaller than Sonic Boom but if you’re lucky there are some cool deals on awesome finds. Plus, since it’s small you can pretty much look through the entire place every time you go there, so you’re bound to find something you like!
I cherish physical copies of music still (but not CDs) and there is a magic I feel when pulling a record from the shelf and the warmth it brings to the music playing. This active relationship with music is so important, in a world where music is often as seamless as water with life. To keep these physical copies alive we have to support the artists that make them and our local stores that sell them.
For the first time ever I’m presenting a show as Ride the Tempo. I have always wanted to host a show but have been a bit reluctant because I was scared that it wouldn’t go perfectly, or that people wouldn’t show up.
I finally decided to take the dive when I was offered a slot at The Handlebar. A lot of work goes into organizing a show. Thinking up a theme, finding and securing artists, posters, press releases and I’ve been doing it all while holding my full-time job (which itself has some insane events during non-work hours, but that’s another story).
I’m super proud and happy to announce L CON, Parallels and NYSSA at the Handlebar on November 29th. Facebook event is here: https://www.facebook.com/events/460187380844670/.
So far, I’ve received an overwhelming response and support from the music community I’ve surrounded myself with. I’m happy to have said YES to this opportunity. We all have to jump into the unknown occasionally to grow as people.
Tiana Feng 