New Blog Theme

I have been thinking long and hard about a use for this blog.

I already have a livejournal, which serves as the #1 source of Rachelle Goguen news. What good is this blog?

I knew it needed a theme, but what?

I have decided that, henceforth, it will be my place to praise local bands that I see. There's too much negative in the Halifax music scene. If you want negative, you can go to halifaxlocals. If you want positive, come here.

Last night I went to see B.A. Johnston and The Sweet Tenders at Gus's Pub. The Stolen Minks were asked to play this show as well, but we're focusing on recording right now. Plus, we had a heavy weekend last week, and it was nice to just go watch a couple of great acts.

I wanted to see the official Sweet Tenders CD release show on Friday at the Pavilion (I just learned that Pavilion is spelled with only one L...why is that?). Anyway, I didn't because we were recording that night. Plus I was tired from a long, hard work week.

Last night's show was advertised as Drunk Fest '05. The poster alone made me sorry I wasn't playing the show.



Hilarious. Are there any more of them? I want one.

I had no chance of winning the Drunk Fest competition for drunkness. There were too many heavyweights. Plus, I had my car. So I drank one bottle of Coke (the thing that rules about Gus's is that they serve Coke in those old-fashioned little glass bottles).

I could see B.A. Johnston a hundred times and still laugh at every joke. It doesn't matter if I've heard them all before. Last night I was thinking about how lucky Halifax is to have him here. His CD almost hit the top of the national charts in Exclaim recently. I like him for two main reasons: a) He's really funny, and b) There is absolutely nothing pretentious about his music. The music doesn't even matter. It's all about the lyrics. And the performance. I love watching people see his act for the first time. The same way I like watching The Jerk with someone who has never seen it.

The Sweet Tenders have been getting better and better every time I see them. I love that all of their songs sound like covers, but they are all originals. They totally got that classic 60s sound nailed. And Lyle can play the hell out of the guitar. They were pretty drunk last night, but so was everyone else. I liked it when Joel lost his guitar strap but kept on playing while awkwardly holding the bass.

Matt and I now own their new CD. I love the song Skeleton Key so much. I'm always singing it. Every time I unlock my door.

So last night was a party. I am looking forward to playing with all those guys (plus The Maynards AND Windom Earle!) on June 11. It will kick off a run of Stolen Minks shows (June 11th, 16th, 21st, 24th and 25th).