S.o.t.D. - Wait in the Car – The Breeders

Wait in the Car – The Breeders

I knew about this ahead of time ... and then forgot to post it on the day it came out.

Soooo much fun. Only downer is that it’s 2 minutes long.

The Breeders are back. And doing it better than many others.

And a video by Chris Bigg!

S.o.t.D. - Solaris – Blut Own & Blure

Solaris – Blut Own & Blure

Instantly added to the list of music to play as I lie in palliative care.

S.o.t.D. - Inside Your Head – Tremah

Inside Your Head – Tremah

S.o.t.D. - Stream – Sibewest

Stream – Sibewest

S.o.t.D. - Edlan - Cold Nights

Cold Nights – Edlan

The piano in this really makes it.

S.o.t.D. - Spiritual Fog – Sloati

Spiritual Fog – Sloati

S.o.t.D. - Glow Worm – ActRaiser

Glow Worm – ActRaiser

S.o.t.D. - Autumn Plains – Silence Groove

Autumn Plains – Silence Groove

The image is of Lake Sylvenstein in Germany.

S.o.t.D. - Grime – KOOS

Grime – KOOS

With all the other sub-genres of house, not so surprising there is one called “Bass House”. Sounds like a bit of bassy house and elements of dub-step thrown together. Pretty good.

S.o.t.D. - It’s Always About The Girl (Lomax Remix) – Autumn

It’s Always About The Girl (Lomax Remix) – Autumn

Not just a fine roller, but the first half of the video shows scenes of Toronto at night.

S.o.t.D. - Withering Flower – Phelian

Withering Flower – Phelian

Patchery: Kraftwerk Trans Europe Express

Rendezvous on Champs Elysées
Leave Paris in the morning with T.E.E. 
Trans... Europe... Express... 

The patch on the right was one I did about a half year ago. Made it too small and there was too much infill. Learning as I go. Went back and opened areas up to avoid that, and made it larger. 

Now I have myself a Kraftwerk patch!

S.o.t.D. - Scientists – Four Tet

Scientists – Four Tet

I think the tune loses focus towards the end and becomes too discordant, but the first three quarters is buoyant.

Union Special 38200 C

One of the many weird and wonderful (and very old) sewing machines at my work.
It’s a Union Special 38200 C.

I believe that’s known as an aggressive auxiliary puller.

S.o.t.D. - Move – Ministry

Move – Ministry

Really surprised by this. For many years I had known this tune from Keith LeBlanc’s 1989 Stranger Than Fiction album, and also from Tackhead’s M.O.V.E. It certainly has that very distinctive On-U-Sound sound. Then I belatedly hear this for the first time. So I’m guessing this is an outtake from the production work Adrian Sherwood did for 1986’ Twitch.

It kicks ass, no matter what the progeny of this song is.

S.o.t.D. - Stormy Weather – Fats Comet

Stormy Weather – Fats Comet

Or...Tackhead in another guise. The vocals are sampled from a version of the song done in the 1930s by Bert Ambrose and His Orchestra with vocals by Sam Browne

S.o.t.D. - Gerra & Stone - On The Outside Ft. Jordan Jnr

Gerra & Stone - On The Outside Ft. Jordan Jnr

While I almost universally hated MCs in D&B tracks back in the heyday, the more recent trend of singers in them is totally okay with me.

S.o.t.D. - Lifegrain – Ennja x WooDMooD

Lifegrain – Ennja x WooDMooD

S.o.t.D. - Eclipse – Silence Groove

Eclipse – Silence Groove

The work of Poland’s Kuba Cichocki.

S.o.t.D. - By Your Side – Azaleh x Eikona

By Your Side – Azaleh x Eikona

I’ve featured a collaboration between these two before, and it’s equally lush.

S.o.t.D. - Solitude – Bert H & High N Sick

Solitude – Bert H & High N Sick

Lovely and propulsive.

S.o.t.D. - Bello Banff – Daniel Waples

Bello Banff – Daniel Waples

Another track utilizing a hang drum.

S.o.t.D. - Hit up on This! – Tristan de Cunha

Hit up on This! – Tristan de Cunha

S.o.t.D. - Reference One – 25 Places

Reference One – 25 Places

S.o.t.D. - Sam – Jonny L

Sam – Jonny L

S.o.t.D. - Rain For Avalon – Robert Haigh

Rain For Avalon – Robert Haigh

Robert Haigh, he of the crackerjack early to mid 90’s drum & bass productions of Omni Trio, has changed gears quite a lot in the intervening years. Reminds me a in a sense of the change in direction Spring Heel Jack took after their D&B days.

S.o.t.D. - Dog Eat Dog – Adam and the Ants

Dog Eat Dog – Adam and the Ants

My friend Rob’s cousin came to visit him from England, in 1979. He brought some 7" records with him, of a group called Adam and the Ants. It was one of the first inklings I had that there was music out there, that I wasn’t ever going to hear on commercial radio. Also the mind boggling concept of two drummers. Never did become much of a fan, and I don’t think they aged so well, but this song still kicks ass.

S.o.t.D. - Blue Heat – Cabaret Voltaire

Blue Heat – Cabaret Voltaire

One of the standout tracks for me on Micro-Phonies. An early example of a track that was menacing , but still had that driving beat.

S.o.t.D. - Alone Together – Chet Baker & Bill Evans

Alone Together – Chet Baker & Bill Evans

I don’t know how deep into their heroin addictions they were by this stage, but it sounds pretty magical.

S.o.t.D. - We Rise – Volor Flex

We Rise – Volor Flex

I’ve been on a bit of Volor Flex tear the last few days. Not sorry.

S.o.t.D. - Outlaw – Volor Flex

Outlaw – Volor Flex

So! Damn! Good!

S.o.t.D. - Straight From My Heart – Volor Flex

Straight From My Heart – Volor Flex

Smoking hot.

S.o.t.D. - From Nowhere – Volor Flex

From Nowhere – Volor Flex

This feels more like a couple of tracks stuck together. More an EP than a track. But it’s Volor Flex, so whatever.

S.o.t.D. - Just Breathe – Pearl Jam

Just Breathe – Pearl Jam

Never paid much attention to this band, but this is a sweet tune.

S.o.t.D. - 11:11 – Arkells

11:11 – Arkells

Hamilton band Arkells, and the video was filmed at local institution Cheapies.

S.o.t.D. - If I Had A Heart – Fever Ray

If I Had A Heart – Fever Ray

Fever Ray remind me a bit of the slower, dirgier Sisterhood and mid 80s Sisters of Mercy.

Worth watching just for that absolutely chilling opening scene for Vikings, which this is from the soundtrack to.

S.o.t.D. - Iron – Woodkid

Iron – Woodkid

I have no idea what is going on in the video, but it looks great, and I have no idea what genre this might fit into, but it sounds great.

A seemingly notable artist who has completely slipped past me before this, but I’m really intrigued.

S.o.t.D. - Assimilate – Radical Face

Assimilate – Radical Face

An acoustic cover of the snarling techno-industrial track by Canada’s Skinny Puppy. I can see how some fans might hate this, but I think it’s fantastic.

S.o.t.D. - Human – Rag’n’Bone Man

Human – Rag’n’Bone Man

Not often stuff I hear on commercial radio stations when I venture out into the world that impresses me. But this is so good.

S.o.t.D. - The Violence – Rise Against

The Violence – Rise Against

I don’t listen to a lot of stuff like this, but I liked this.

S.o.t.D. - Freaky Deaky Machine – Egyptian Lover

Freaky Deaky Machine – Egyptian Lover

While it sounds like it’s really good electro from the early 80s, it’s actually from 2015, by one of the progenitors of the genre. Using all the instruments - and recording techniques - of the early 80s.

S.o.t.D. - Grit Mania – Sinden & BOT

Grit Mania – Sinden & BOT

Funky and, indeed, gritty.

S.o.t.D. - Solitude – Vandall

Solitude – Vandall

Moody.

S.o.t.D. - East Orange – DJ Steaw

East Orange – DJ Steaw

House music will never die.

S.o.t.D. - Escape – Vacant

Escape – Vacant

I think what I like about a lot of this genre, is that it hints at a pop song, and then subverts the whole premise.

S.o.t.D. - Milkyway Marathon – Area 31

Milkyway Marathon – Area 31

Lovely liquid.

S.o.t.D. - Strange Planet – Shpongle

Strange Planet – Shpongle

Exactly the sort of trippy, trancey sound I’d expect from these fellas.

S.o.t.D. - Skank in the Air – Chinese Man

Skank in the Air – Chinese Man

Hip hop meets dub by way of France. I believe Mr. Bassie by Sly Dunbar is sampled in this.

S.o.t.D. - Came To Get Funky – Cazztek

Came To Get Funky – Cazztek

I’m always ready to get funky.

S.o.t.D. - Winona – DJ Boring

Winona – DJ Boring

A not boring deep techno track.

S.o.t.D. - Til You – Silence Groove

Til You – Silence Groove

Super impressed by Silence Groove.

S.o.t.D. - You – ArpXP & Level 2

You – ArpXP & Level 2

S.o.t.D. - Saudade – AK x Sublab

Saudade – AK x Sublab

My sewing has failed...

I have to admit with some chagrin, the first instance of my sewing failing. Walking along, and .... my bag is on the ground.

2½ years ago, one of the 2 buckles (the prongs on the male part) connecting the shoulder strap to the Messenge’mups broke. Three years of anywhere between 5 to 30 pound loads hanging from those delrin side release buckles - for easily many thousands of hours - that was its limit revealed. (The breakage hierarchy is hardware, thread, webbing and then fabric.)

Since the 2" webbing was sewn right along the entire length of the back, right into the seams, my only option for repair was to hacksaw off the buckle, take a piece of 2" webbing, another buckle and sew it to the existent webbing. Easy. Took my usual approach, a needle and thread and fixed it. Meant to bartack it, but it was put off for so many more pressing, and let’s face it, fun projects.

So, 2½ years of once again, thousands of hours of heavy - way too heavy - loads, and the standard 69# thread gave out. Buckle’s fine. Thread broke.

I've been trying really hard for many years to destroy what I make. I like it and all, but I have to see what it can withstand. And this is without doubt the most strained part of anything I’ve made. The way I do stuff is maybe a bit weird, but I’m still fairly confident in the results.

Good thing I have more than one bag to use till I fix this.

Don’t Say Velcro

Not the biggest fan of this stuff - it has its uses, but it’s used WAY too often in applications it shouldn’t be used in - but this is pretty funny. A musical number about trademark law.

S.o.t.D. - Seclusion – Spaceouters

Seclusion – Spaceouters

Chilled. With a beat.

S.o.t.D. - Final Fall – E.lementaL

Final Fall – E.lementaL

It burbles along nicely, and then that shuffling beat kicks in. Eargasmic.

S.o.t.D. - Elusive – Sloati

Elusive – Sloati

Can’t believe I haven’t had this gem on yet, considering how many times it’s run through my playlist over the past few months.

Ink Cabinet

Ink cabinet at the shop.

S.o.t.D. - Endlessway – Menual

Endlessway – Menual

Stretching space and time.

S.o.t.D. - Holodno – Sibewest & Sloati

Holodno – Sibewest & Sloati

S.o.t.D. - Voices – aLone

Voices – aLone

Slow, brooding beats.

S.o.t.D. - Feel It Still – Portugal. The Man

Feel It Still – Portugal. The Man

Fun. Catchy.

S.o.t.D. - Right Thang (Tâches Remix) – Human Movement

Right Thang (Tâches Remix) – Human Movement

S.o.t.D. - Born Under Punches (The Heat Goes On) – Talking Heads

Born Under Punches (The Heat Goes On) – Talking Heads

Another of the many bands I’ve been aware of for a long time, and enjoy, but feel like my appreciation of is lacking.

S.o.t.D. - Take No More – Oddsoul

Take No More – Oddsoul

S.o.t.D. - My Love For You (ft. Nicole Henry) (Live Element Remix) – Patrick Green

My Love For You (ft. Nicole Henry) (Live Element Remix) – Patrick Green

Such a classic house stomper, worth posting a second variation.

S.o.t.D. - My Love For You (ft. Nicole Henry) (Lounge Elements Remix) – Patrick Green

My Love For You (ft. Nicole Henry) (Lounge Elements Remix) – Patrick Green

So lush and sexy. Total groover.

S.o.t.D. - Spacer Woman – Charlie

Spacer Woman – Charlie

From 1983, and new to me. Italo–Disco was a genre that completely slipped me by. Totally hokey and clunky in some respects, and totally fun and catchy in others.

S.o.t.D. - Youth Without Youth – Metric

Youth Without Youth – Metric

Really tight band that crafts really catchy, 80’s new wave influenced rock, that I should pay more attention to. Canadian too eh!

Purple Dahlias

I think they’re dahlias?

Bryce Huffman Paintings

Sadly, Bryce Huffman is leaving Cottage 13. He’ll still be putting his fine tattoos on people, just at a different shop. And he’ll still be doing his fine paintings, but they just won’t be hanging up at the shop. :-(

S.o.t.D. - Dance Monkey – MAGIC!

Dance Monkey – MAGIC!

I know nothing about this act, but it’s a heck of a catchy tune.

S.o.t.D. - Shake Your Rump To The Funk – The Bar-Kays

Shake Your Rump To The Funk – The Bar-Kays

Has there ever been a better titled song?

S.o.t.D. - My Love – Ivan The Terrible

My Love – Ivan The Terrible

Loves me some funky house.

Uli’s Stairs pt.2

I’ve mentioned these before.

Possibly my favourite thing in Hamilton.

I’ve been there a bunch of times since I posted those photos (6 years ago already - yikes), but hadn’t bothered taking any more.

Took some friends and their kids there on Sunday. A few changes, but still the awe-inspiring combo of an amazing feat of one (in his 70’s [!] )man’s ingenuity and hard work, and a beautiful natural area.

When I take my millions, and build the giant theme park of my dreams, it will feature stairs like this leading up to all sorts of magical sites.

Uli has added his own whimsical sign to the official legalese sign.

The lookout as you walk up.

The lookout.

Top of the stairs.

And Uli’s warning sign at the top.

The reward at the top. The Red Hill Valley.

The Niagara Escarpment.

And then I was dropped back off close to home.

S.o.t.D. - Spaceship – Ennja

Spaceship – Ennja

S.o.t.D. - Blue Drone – Mojoman

Blue Drone – Mojoman

S.o.t.D. - l-odgersou-l – Margari’s Kid

l-odgersou-l – Margari’s Kid

Juicy.

S.o.t.D. - She – Pensees

She – Pensees

Par for the course with this artist. Very evocative.

S.o.t.D. - Should Have Known – A E T H E R

Should Have Known – A E T H E R

Lovely.

S.o.t.D. - Forgive – SmokeFishe

Forgive – SmokeFishe

Nocturnal vibes.

S.o.t.D. - Hope – Gidge

Hope – Gidge

I give up hope of ever knowing every amazing artist, because I seem to discover a new one once a week.

S.o.t.D. - Growth – Gidge

Growth – Gidge

If you love B.o.C., you’ll dig this. Very different, but it plays in the same part of the range.

S.o.t.D. - Soul Priestess (ft. Oscar Michael) – Actraiser

Soul Priestess (ft. Oscar Michael) – Actraiser

Singer reminds me of Mick Hucknall. That clear delivery.

S.o.t.D. - Astray (Seba Remix) – Naibu

Astray (Seba Remix) – Naibu

S.o.t.D. - Undone – The Sweater Song - Weezer

Undone – The Sweater Song - Weezer

Always loved this song.

S.o.t.D. - Buds – Big Buds

Buds – Big Buds

It’s good to have buds in your life.

S.o.t.D. - Trouble – Scorpio

Trouble – Scorpio

The supply is inexhaustible it seems. Another mighty roller new to me.

S.o.t.D. - Lunar Bass – Origin Unknown

Lunar Bass – Origin Unknown

These fellas rolled.

S.o.t.D. - Something’s Gotten Hold Of My Heart – Marc Almond & Gene Pitney

Something’s Gotten Hold Of My Heart – Marc Almond & Gene Pitney

I loved Nick Cave’s version of this on Kicking Against The Pricks, but this duet might even top that.

The geometric dance of Earth & Venus over an 8-year period

Signage: Adler’s

When you have to pee really badly and duck into an alley to do it, you sometimes find gems.

The lack of an area code before the number dates this to over 20 years old.

Anyone want some 3" foliage green / sage green 17337 nylon webbing?

A while back I saw that Princess Auto had some 3" 17337 nylon webbing. Hhhmmmhh... 3 inch is hard to find, I could use some for water bottle holders for the pack I’m designing. Kind of an odd foliage green / sage green colour though, not olive green, so strike against it. But ultimately, $45 for a 100 yards that I could only see myself using a small amount of sporadically ... I’ll pass.

I see my pal Andrew last night who has a part time gig there. We’re talking about the little treasures you can find at Princess Auto. Mention that webbing.

“Yeah it went on sale, half the price, manager slashed the price even more, I got an employee discount - $9. I’ve got them in the trunk of my car. I’ll give you one.”

It’s still not my preferred colour, it’s still way more than I can see myself using - but hell, a free roll of webbing is okay in my books.

S.o.t.D. - Teeth Will Be Provided – Test Dept.

Teeth Will Be Provided – Test Dept.

A video that shows not just the theatricality of Test Dept., but also the intense physicality of that live show. Not to mention, awesome drumming.

S.o.t.D. - Procession – New Order

Procession – New Order

There is so much New Order’s done that’s great, but this one...woooo boy.

One of the first things they put out after Ian Curtis’s suicide, and while it still has that incredibly propulsive bass and drum driven Joy Division sound, it isn’t quite as sludgy. That jangly guitar and the clearer higher vocals of Bernard Sumner – it’s one of Martin Hannett’s best production jobs. But there is also just a hint of what was to come in the next few years. Buoyant song.

Sept. 1st Sunrise and Sunset

One of the only benefits of waking up at way too early AM is catching a nice sunrise.

One of the benefits of having friends who live up high is catching a nice sunset.

S.o.t.D. - Let Go – Ennja

Let Go – Ennja

Catchy, but has a deep, emotional feel to it.

S.o.t.D. - Grey Unknown – Ambyion & Phelian

Grey Unknown – Ambyion & Phelian

Rainy day vibe.

S.o.t.D. - To Vanish – Mojoman

To Vanish – Mojoman

Another fairly recent discovery. Done right. Subtle, sweet elements, with smooth beaty bits.

The insanely gorgeous video is taken from footage produced for the 2011 Mexican centenary celebrations.

S.o.t.D. - Calling (Kori Remix) – Atlas In Motion

Calling (Kori Remix) – Atlas In Motion

Wistful.

S.o.t.D. - Abseil – Technimatic

Abseil – Technimatic

There’s no abseiling in this song called “Abseil”. Although the terrain featured in the video looks like the climbing and abseiling would be out of this world. From a film called “Between Heaven & Earth” by Henry Jun Wah Lee taken in Zhangjiajie, China. Thousands of jagged quartzite sandstone columns, several hundreds of meters tall rise above the landscape, and caves sit below it. Song’s decent, but the video is what grabbed my attention. 

S.o.t.D. - You Forgot Me So Easily – Honeyruin

You Forgot Me So Easily – Honeyruin

Atmospheric with some Matthew McConaughey bits from True Detective I think.

S.o.t.D. - Listen (ft. Tiffani Juno) – Hybrid Minds

Listen (ft. Tiffani Juno) – Hybrid Minds

Expansive.

S.o.t.D. - Soon (Andy Weatherall Mix) – My Bloody Valentine

Soon (Andy Weatherall Mix) – My Bloody Valentine

Loved the original, but this is good.

S.o.t.D. - One Touch (Technimatic Remix) – Macca & Los Contreras

One Touch (Technimatic Remix) – Macca & Los Contreras

Beats are a bit too hard and fast for my liking, but still a good tune. Everything else is smooth and lovely. That’s what the ladies call me too. Smooth and lovely. Yup.

Video is nice too.

S.o.t.D. - Up All Night – Beck

Up All Night – Beck

Another artist I’ve known about for a long time, but one I’ve shamefully not paid as much attention to as I should have.

Fun video and song.

S.o.t.D. - Paradise Lost – Doc Scott

Paradise Lost – Doc Scott

One of those artists who manages to capture both the hard and soft. A mellow intro to martial beats leading to a mellow outro.

S.o.t.D. - Being With You – Foul Play

Being With You – Foul Play

I never cease to marvel at how many artists from this genre and era I still have never featured here. And this artist I think I only really know as a remixer of an Omni Trio song. And for all I know, it’s merely a pseudonym of someone I am familiar with.

S.o.t.D. - Glue – Bicep

Glue – Bicep

Always consistently good stuff from Ninja Tune.

Signage: Doorbell Broken

In the transom of the door leading to an apartment above a store. Made me laugh. On Barton Street near Wentworth in Hamilton.

S.o.t.D. - Four – Insomnia

Four – Insomnia

Rifleman’s Ration

I don’t condone firearms use under the influence of alcohol. But after some time on the range, this is a delicious beverage to unwind with.

S.o.t.D. - Luna (Rhekluse Remix) – Phelian

Luna (Rhekluse Remix) – Phelian

S.o.t.D. - Depressed – Bloom

Depressed – Bloom

Apt title for this incredibly deep and moody piece.

S.o.t.D. - Chinz n Grinz – J Laze

Chinz n Grinz – J Laze

Surprised I’ve never featured J Laze. (I’ve had another jungle artist, J. Majik on here. Another fella I suspect is actually called Jason.) Certainly given how totally creamy the first two minutes of this are.

Military Occupation at Burlington Heights

There’s a fairly new sign outside Dundurn Castle, with a photo illustration detailing what the area would have looked like during the War of 1812 and some explanations. (Hopefully you can zoom in and read it okay if you’re interested. And please excuse any wonkiness in the image. It’s cobbled together from over a dozen photos.)

Pulaski

Having wielded a few in my day, I can say, “now THAT’s a pulaski!”

https://www.barebonesliving.com/store/products/garden-tools/pulaski-axe

S.o.t.D. - Maera – Azaleh x Sublab

Maera – Azaleh x Sublab

Hypnotizing.

Signage: Repairs

They may do repairs, but it looks like they also need some repairs.

S.o.t.D. - Constantinople – Kinetix

Constantinople – Kinetix

S.o.t.D. - Mindless – Insomnia

Mindless – Insomnia

Fantastically Fractalated Foodstuffs; or Crazily Crenellated Cruciforms

S.o.t.D. - Free Fall – Eze-G

Free Fall – Eze-G

Signage: Prosperity Auto Sales

Prosperity Auto Sales doesn’t look that prosperous, judging from the beleaguered state of their sign.

S.o.t.D. - Oz Noo Doo Daa – Organic Synthetic

Oz Noo Doo Daa – Organic Synthetic

Lazy comparison is to FSOL, it’s got a bit of that atmospheric electronica feel.

S.o.t.D. - Bankrobber – The Clash

Bankrobber – The Clash

The Clash are one of those bands that I’ve been familiar with forever, but haven’t really appreciated enough.

Listened to this the other night, and it gave me a renewed appreciation. Both in terms of their ability to broaden beyond any narrow confines, and in terms of how this sound would have hit people when it came out.

Bruce Trail Hike August 5

Went and explored a local section of the Bruce Trail, that for some inexplicable reason have only ever been on once. A long time ago. From Highway 6 towards Waterdown. Friends Michelle and Amanda came down from Toronto. Not too long of a hike, but time spent in the woods is always good in my books. And it was an opportunity to try out my new pack, the Squish’mups. Stay tuned for an update on it.

One side and the other of the underpass beneath Hwy. 6. Big improvement. Before you had the choice of trying to run across the highway and dodge traffic or make a long detour.

One of the first things you come across is the ruins of a homesteaders cabin. Not sure how old it is.

Some scenes in the woods.

A quarry has been turned into a managed wetland area.

Amanda and I in the underpass. (Photo by Michelle M.)