Pat Blythe – Indie Week wrap-up Part I…..and music

It’s been a whirlwind week with so many events happening. The big one and closing out music festival “season”…..Indie Week. Heralding five days of entertainment from all over the world, the launch bash was held at Revival this past Wednesday, Nov. 13. The following days and nights were filled with the sounds of music, cheers and stomping feet, all leading up to the wrap-up party at the Mod Club on Sunday, Nov. 17. With a 4am last call, thousands of ears were filled with international sounds emanating from the participating Toronto clubs salted all over the city

Pat Blythe – OMG….Radio Free Universe….ONE WORD…..and music…..

Well…..for the first time in 4.5 years I am at a loss as to what to write. It’s not that I don’t have any ideas…..it’s not writer’s block. The challenge is I have too many ideas and am overwhelmed with all the other activities in my life. I like busy, then there’s crazy busy and then there’s insanely busy. I’ve reached the insane level. Not just professionally but personally….OMG, my house!! Yards need to be addressed with the rake and the lawnmower, bushes trimmed, planters cleaned out (I have managed to cut most of my herbs and they are now drying), porches swept and so on.

Pat Blythe – Memories…..celebrations…..three concerts….and music

It’s 9 o’clock on a……no, no, no, wrong song.  Betcha ya got an earworm now….before you even listen to the song.

Pat Blythe – Pomp & Circumstance…..Rival Sons…..the end of summer……

Four weeks!!! Four whole weeks….over in flash, just like summer!!! The column hiatus has now ended and WE’RE BACK!  Yep it’s been a busy (and sweaty) summer with loads going on, on all fronts, both personal and professional. I must confess, Fall is my favourite season. The colours are outstanding and the cooler weather (with sunshine) actually makes me feel cozy.

Okay……so where to begin….I’ll work my way backwards…..one concert at time.

Pat Blythe – A Little Vacay …Waabi Nibi Water Crisis …April in August …and Music!

Heads up folks, DBAWIS will be going on summer hiatus beginning next week until September 7. So after today (Wednesday) I won’t be landing in your inbox or appearing on my FB timeline again until September 11. Hmmmmm…..come to think of it, I may resurrect a few oldies but goodies on my timeline, just to keep you on your toes.  So with that, let this post begin….

Pat Blythe – Every Picture Tells a Story…and Music!

I try and start the column with the actual focus of the column, which is music. Then the squirreling happens and my brain starts to meander all over the place….and nowhere in particular. Again, researching something entirely different I came across this quote from a video I stumbled upon. The video is actually produced by Canon (which happens to be the maker of camera I use).

Pat Blythe – Much Music, Pics and Other Stories…..

Baby’s got a new camera!!!! Chris’s camera finally bit the dust….shutter is stuck in the closed position, the “motherboard” is cooked. Ahhh….the digital age. ….and yet, his two 31-year-old “analogue” Nikons are in perfect working order. Complete with two motor drives, three lenses and a flash. Pop in a film canister and away we go. Planned obsolescence? Good question. Same goes for cars, major and minor appliances….just about everything we use today is all run by computer, and yes, computers run out of gas. That brain we call the motherboard, well….she just stops firing on all cylinders, or maybe, shoots off the wrong command. Her synapses aren’t synapsing (so to speak). I then found out today (being Tuesday) that digital cameras actually have an internal “odometer”. There are only so many pics that can (or should) be taken, then….sputter, sputter….you’re shooting on a wing and a prayer. Those aforementioned Nikons? Odometer? I think not. There is truly something to be said for analogue, vinyl, cassettes, 45s, my mom’s wash machine, stuff that was made to last a lifetime…..literally.

Pat Blythe – All Stars, Remembering and ONE(s) More Time…..

Well….unfortunately I wasn’t able to file last Wednesday. Assisting some friends through a personal crisis filled my time and my focus was elsewhere all week. I did, however, manage to get out for a couple of shows during the latter part of each week so today’s column will be playing catch-up.  I was on the receiving end of some much-needed tutoring with the new photo editing program (I have a hell of learning curve ahead of me) and a few of the results part of this column. Some experimentation going on as I suss out what I can and cannot do. Having some fun and messing about with a bit of colour but B&W is where my heart is.

Pat Blythe: Keeping the music alive…one “note” at a time

It has indeed been a busy summer for everyone. 2016 has been a peculiar, curious and rather dramatic year. A year of extreme change, upheavals, death, excessive busyness, new connections, sheer stupidity, life transformations and adjustments — nothing has been minor. It’s all been “in our faces”, screaming and shouting at us, begging us to take notice, pleading with us to address whatever is coming at us.  I think many will be glad to see the back end of 2016 and look forward with hope to 2017. No, this is not a ‘year-end’ column, just a bit of reflection on the summer that seemingly whizzed by and all that happened in just that short timeframe.

Pat Blythe – Fabulous Fall

Well “hello”….back again after a three-week hiatus. I’ve missed you. Today’s mind dump is going to be short and sweet. Playing catch-up to all sorts of “busy-ness” that just doesn’t seem to slow down or quiet down. Summer went by in a flash (and as fast as him too) and we are now halfway through September, heat waves and all. ….and no more whinging about the heat either….snow and ice coming soon enough.