By a stroke of luck, Candice from Q107 found the recording I did of Kim Mitchell’s ‘Patio Lanterns’ a few weeks back. It’s a curio, if anything:
VdS(x)
January 31st, 2012
Radio (II)
I went to Q107 studios last week, played a few tunes and chatted with Candice K. for a little bit. Candice produces the Kim Mitchell show. She’s a cool girl and we had a nice time. I gave her a lift to the Eaton Centre afterwards so she could get a new bag; some food had exploded in her old one earlier that day. Also, Dave Bookman showed off his belly to Candice and I as he was getting into the elevator, which was thrillingly odd.
Sadly, some computer difficulties meant that only one of the three files from the session was salvaged- this recording of 66:
Have a listen. I’m off to bed.
VdS(x)
by vandersaar | Posted in Uncategorized | No Comments » |
January 22nd, 2012
Radio
Here’s a neat thing: on Tuesday VdS goes on the Kim Mitchell show at Toronto’s Q107 studios for a two-song acoustic session and a chat. No word on whether it’s going out live or being recorded for later broadcast, but it should be a fun evening nonetheless.
Otherwise, the VdS machine is in sleep mode. Some tinkering and plinkering happens here and there, but mostly, things are quiet. As ever, have a listen to the newest EP, Sixty Six, via the player below or by heading to the VdS bandcamp. The twitter feed (@allanlewis17) also makes for an eyeful on occasion.
We’ll see ya when we see ya.
VdS(x)
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January 2nd, 2012
Sixty Six
Right, here you are: a new VdS EP for a new year.
The piano loop for two of these songs was done on my old cassette four-track while waiting to go out for a bite with my folks. I didn’t think much would happen to the loop other than some aimless tinkering, but there’s something about its loping, ramshackle quality that kept me interested.
The three songs on this little EP are the result. Download and stream them here using the widget below. As usual, past releases, including Lowpass and Red Circle, can be had cheaply (i.e. free) at the VdS Bandcamp page. Do enjoy.
Be good, friends.
VdS(x)
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December 13th, 2011
Drinking Advice and Holiday Giveaway
Quickly: If a holiday hangover has you down, make coffee and pair with a healthy blast of Kahlua peppermint mocha liqueur. There is no finer elixir for returning you to the haziest of holiday hazes or the raucousness of your most recent session. Say you’ll consider it.
The remainder of this note addresses: 1) updates; 2) celebrations; and 3) giveaways. Let’s go:
1) The new VdS EP, Sixty Six, is nearly done. It will be available via vandersaar.com, Bandcamp and SoundCloud on January 3rd 2012, when most of us are still at our post-holiday bleariest/weakest.
1a) You can now download ‘Your Friends Are Knives’, the first VdS release, in the ‘Recordings’ section. It’s an unpolished affair with some great songs and ideas that are fun to listen to from time to time.
2) Further to 1a, I realized in the summer that VdS is six years old. I remember recording Your Friends Are Knives in my parent’s basement in August 2005 before moving to Scotland. It’s pretty cool to reflect on this project’s progress since then.
3) Further to 2, I’d like to say thank you to everyone who comes here for a few minutes every now and then. Whether your interest is fleeting or fledgling, you’ve supported Van der Saar in some way over the last six years, and that’s huge. Below are a few VdS tunes for you to download that aren’t available anywhere else:
A Heavy House
Office of Hearts
The first is a wooly, grainy piano instrumental, A Heavy House, recorded on the old four-track. The other is a cover of the Guided by Voices song Office of Hearts, the only intended b-side from Red Circle that ended up fully realized. I’m not sure how to properly credit Bob Pollard and GbV for their work; just know that I didn’t write the song and don’t want any money for it.
Think of these tunes as me buying you a holiday drink. Thanks for your support. You guys rule.
Enjoy the holidays and best to you,
VdS(x)
by vandersaar | Posted in Uncategorized | No Comments » | Tags: drinking, guided by voices, holiday, kahlua, Van der Saar
November 30th, 2011
Inches…
I don’t play in Youth Season anymore.
It’s sad- they’re great guys. We didn’t quite agree on everything when it came to music and, as it sometimes goes with bands, we parted company.
I wish the boys well and hope that we’ll still get to drink together on occasion. The Youth Season guys are fun to drink with. If you see Andrew, Bevan or Jon, buy them a drink and get one for yourself. It’ll be worth your while.
Thanks boys.
VdS(x)
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