Wasson Watch

Apologies for the lack of posts recently. Life took over for a while and Light&Hearted came to a halt. But I’m back, and I have some fun and flirtatious photos of a new female crush I have- She happens to be a model and some would say, ‘IT’ girl. If she’s not on the cover of Vogue or Esquire she is launching her own line with RVCA – a line which happens to be a personal favorite of mine. Erin Wasson’s edgy sense of fashion ranges from Indie Rocker to Sex crazed and Gaga inspired. But it is her natural beauty and delicate yet simultaneously bold features that makes her so easy on the eyes. 

Wasson captures "Rocker Chick" effortlessly, loving the tassles

Wasson takes the crops from day to night

I love the high bun and Mr. Magoo glasses = Perfection when paired with a studded jacket.

Wasson 'Bails' from the boho look, and trades up for Bailmain with a beautifully sideswept bun

Tune of Today

Definitely not deserving of  “Album of the day” –

but this single track is noteworthy for its feel good vibe.

Tomayto, Tomahto

11 George Street is a familiar address on this website. Most of my musical choices (2) have in some way been related to this address. . .

But what exactly does 11 George Street have to offer to the “sub-culture” I’m attempting to target?

About 25 years ago, Peter Besserer opened  Shake Records as his first business. It was a successful business, especially for his first self-managed endeavor. Unfortunately, the age of technology brought on the closing of Shake Records( RIP End Hits- the most recent loss of CD/ record stores in Ottawa).

Besserer didn’t let that stop him. In 1995, he continued his business adventure and opened a restaurant with the intention to fuse good eats with sweet tunes.

At this, he was successful as we now have 11 George Street – more commonly refered to as The Black Tomato.

This indie restaurant started off with a wide selection of eclectic foods as well the most broad selection of obscure music in the city.  4 out of the original 12 tables actually included TWO menus. One for food and one for music, encouraging diners to satiate  their musical appetite. Each of these 4 special tables included a mini- disc player for private ( and much desired) listening & dining.

This innovative restaurant has expanded to about  32 tables now and sadly the disc players are no more. Restaurant manager, Stephen Flood, manages to keep the music alive as he is constantly playing new tracks on the main system,  specializing in roots and dub reggae, improvised, modern classic, indie rock, ambient and electro.

And the best part?

Every track you hear while dining is also available for purchase,- before,during or after your  delicious meal.

How can you go wrong?

http://www.theblacktomato.com/ 

Tune of Today

SONG OF THE DAY goes to

SAINT ETIENNE  “SPRING (AIR FRANCE REMIX)”

Saint Etienne’s original “Spring” from her latest album So Tough/Sound of Water is unquestionably a beautiful song which is why Air France barely even tweaks the tune in their remix. Few subtle differences are found in the choice to exclude Etienne’s emotional spoken word throughtout the song. Instead Air France gives the song a lighter “Air” by adding a quicker tempo in percussion. By slightly playing with the original version- too melodramatic for a song entitled “Spring”- Air France’s remix actually makes the song bloom.

5 Websites: To keep it Light

 These  5 websites will take the edge off and get you itching in your chair with excitement . . .

 

1) www.matadortrips.com : this site is INCREDIBLE.  It’s easy to get lost in the wealth of information provided on this website- from nightlife abroad, to destination experts, to travel writing and photography. This website is a gold mine for anyone who has interest in the  world around them.  And as it is with most websites, the more you give – the more you get back. My favourite links in particular are found under the “TRIP IDEAS” category where the writers of Matador make it their duty to shed light on the unbeaten path.  This link will lead you to all sorts of goodies: Photo essays of the world’s most recognizable mountain peaks, tips for travelling safely in the Palestinian Territories,  the best wine tours in Argentina and top surf destinations of 2010 to name a few. . .

2) www.blackcabsessions.com : Recently I stumbled upon this site and have not stopped checking it since. The premise behind blackcabsessions is the opportunity to record artists as they are stripped down to the basics. The artists will hop into the backseat of  London taxi cab and perform one song, one take. The sessions range from artists such as Alela Diane who performs a beautiful rendition of  ” Lady Divine” , Peter (Bjorn) and John performing “Living Thing” and The Futureheads with “Radio Heart”. It’s refreshing to watch these artists raw  with  fresh versions of the songs that have made them popular.   You’ll feel like you jumped in to the backseat of a London cab with them!

3) http://leloveimage.blogspot.com  : Le Love knows her heart and although it isn’t always light, the love is plentiful.  If you are seeking an uplifting quotation about love, lust or life this is the place to go. Le Love’s readers will submit poetry or shorts about their encounters with love including the good, the bad and the ugly. These pieces are then paired with an emotional picture ( often taken by Le Love) and have definitely brought a wee  tear to my eye once or twice.

4) www.hypem.com : This site feeds the latest and greatest tracks to the music hungry. With a broad range of musical interest, it seems as though almost anyone can post/blog/tweet their newest musical crush. My TUNE OF TODAY  ( following this post) was blogged on the site 3 hours ago- must be good!

5) http://orgyinrhythm.blogspot.com : ORGY IN RHYTHM is exactly what you would imagine – it is an orgy of world music. You will mostly find Jazz and Latin beats with the likes of Tubby Hayes and The Herbie Hancock Trio, but this site does not shy away from other world musics like cuban and indian tunes.  Rare, strange, deleted and all ripped  from original vinyl- I assure you will find nothing else like it on the world wide web .

Tune of Today

ALBUM OF THE DAY goes to

BLOCKHEAD ” THE MUSIC SCENE” 

 

 Better known for underground hip-hop , Blockhead’s recently released album ” THE MUSIC SCENE”  has an alternative vibe. Each track has a trance-like rhythm to it, synthesized with hip-hop hype. The subtleties of each track are so minute that it is easy to miss the detail upon first listen. The best tracks are, of course, “The Music Scene” as well as “Attack of the Doctor” and “Pity Party” where percussion and piano is layered to create this new sound for Blockhead.  Pick up the album at The Black Tomato located in the market @ 11 George St.

 

A Lost Voice

“You are all a lost generation” – Ernest Hemingway

Once a lost generation, it seems that there is still hope for the artists of Ottawa. Professor Collett Tracey of Carleton University initiated the newly renovated and open hearted  magazine In/Words : a student oriented magazine that is willing to push the envelope. I’m talking about sex, rape, drugs, lust, and love. Forget the Canadian content , this little mag features poets who have something to say about important issues, about the things that matter to them.

Celebrating and inspired by the likes of Irving Layton and Louis Dudek,  In/Words captures what it is to be a writer and poet while challenging  its readers to revel – even in our literature-lost society.   It’s not whimsical or Whitmanesque in the least. Instead you will find  artists coming together with an appreciati0n for two things. The fact that poetry is not dead and that there is someone who is willing to listen.  

Finally, the voice of young poets and artists : lost AND FOUND.

Check out some of their work at www.carleton.ca/inwords 

God is indeed dead. He died of self-horror when He saw the creature He had made in His own image. – Irving Layton

Sunday Secret

 February 7th 2010 is just around the corner and its a SUNDAY.  As you may think, Ottawa brightens up a bit  Fridays through Saturdays and the other 5 days of the week its a workaholic, noncosmopolic, bedroom community. 

 But Sunday is the city’s secret. . . if you know where to look.

This Sunday try The Manx Pub at 370 Elgin Street where you will find exactly what you think the city is missing. Local artist and restaurant manager, Stephen Flood, is opening his art exhibition  at The Manx. The exhibition features   Flood’s photography of derelict houses.  The exhibition entitled “What’s Good About goodbye?” sounds like a bad recipe for cheese whiz. But his art is surprisingly evocative and eery. Definitely worth a look- if not for the art, for the crowd it will draw.

The after party is taking place at OZ Kafe *, located almost directly across the street at 361 Elgin Street.  Another Sunday night secret is going down at OZ  when Peter Turner and Mik “Cletus” Ackison take over the DJ booth with sounds unlikely.

“Errr’thing from lounge to house to good old funk,” said Turner about his upcoming gig.

Ottawa keeps its secrets ( locked in a vault it seems) but the  “Kafe” and those who frequent it gladly welcome a hectic week night. The tunes are always fresh and it is one of the hottest spots on a Sunday.

* Oz Kafe [ exposed ] will be popping up soon on lightandhearted- check it

A lighter way of living in a duldrum city

Lightandhearted is a stream for anyone who wishes to dabble or dive into the lighter ways of living. In a city like Ottawa, you will be hard pressed to dig beneath the surface of a highly “politicized” city. Here, you can check out the hot spots and new thoughts of a sub-culture that does exist. Get into it Ottawa. . . 

 & Lighten up.