Michael Jackson, unzipped.

Remember that red leather jacket he wore in the video for Beat It? The one with all the zippers. I had one of those. Mine was vinyl. From BiWay. Remember BiWay?
The thing was more of a vest, really. Since he had the sleeves rolled up in the video, the manufacturers must have sliced them off [...]

Plum Tree, Scott Pilgrim & Sister (in chronological order)

My friend Carla and I are both writers. The difference being that I write children’s books and she writes music and musical memoirs.
Recently, she formed a new band called Sister, featuring her sister (who else?), Lynette, and bassist Ryan Myshrall.
I saw them play a gig at Tranzac last week — albeit briefly, slipping in [...]

Dust Films (or who’s in for a pipe wrench fight?)

If you haven’t seen them already, filmmaker and muscian Dustin Maclean’s Literal Music Videos are hilarious (or at least they crack me up).
Check them out if you have some free time. The Chilli Peppers’ Under the Bridge is priceless.

Jian Ghomeshi interviews Leonard Cohen on QTV

Before I began the experiment that became Zorgamazoo, I took much inspiration from prolific songwriters who were able to spin song after song of what was ostensibly rhyming verse (enough to fill a book, no less). I certainly count Leonard Cohen as chief among this group.
Now then: In case you missed it, Q’s extended interview [...]

Enrico Rava at the Birdland

While I was in New York I wanted to hit one of the city’s renowned jazz bars. It came down to the Blue Note, the Birdland, or the Village Vanguard. There was some internal debate, but in the end, decisions were made.
The Birdland’s a homey space on 44th between 8th and 9th with excellent food [...]

Moishe’s Bagel

I have a soft spot for contemporary klezmer music, and when I attended the Edinburgh Jazz Festival last year I discovered Moishe’s Bagel, a band that blew me away.
Their live performance was so full of wit and verve I wished it would never end. What’s more, Don’t Spare the Horses became a sort of musical [...]