music | Snapshots and Needle Drops

Looking through the keyhole at the Palace of Holyroodhouse, Edinburgh, Scotland

On Her Majesty’s Secret Service

October 8, 2012 by snapshotsandneedledrops

“Skyfall” is a 13-second word in the hands of Ms. Adele. Along with producer Paul Epworth, Adele channels her inner Shirley Bassey for the theme of the next instalment of the James Bond film series. Unlike the past few themes, tackled by the likes of Madonna, Sheryl Crow, Jack White, Alicia Keys and U2, Adele’s efforts hark back to the 60s ballades with femme fetale splendour. Calm but always dynamic, the song unravels itself with the cinematic lush and grandor we’ve come to […]

Categories: Dreamwave, Pop, singer-songwriter, Soul, Soundtrack, Symphonic • Tags: 007, Adele, Edinburgh, History, James Bond, james bond film, music, photography, pop, Scotland, Skyfall, soul, soundtrack, travel, vacation

Kanye’s Point of View

October 1, 2012 by snapshotsandneedledrops

At the moment, my friend J is one of the 500,000 or so people in the air. He’s probably just passing over the North Pole right now. As circumstance would have it, I landed at Toronto Pearson this morning and was able to catch J before he took off for a six-month stay in Shanghai. We were sitting in front of this irritating window and he cleverly says: “It’s like Kanye Vision!” I can’t think of a single international airport I’ve been […]

Categories: Hip Hop, Motown, Rap, Sample, Soul • Tags: ads, advertising, airports, Canada, hip hop, HSBC, Jay-Z, john durham peters, Kanye, Kanye West, music, Otis, photography, Sample, soul, toronto pearson, travel, vacation

The Mumford Effect

September 24, 2012 by snapshotsandneedledrops

Three days ago Mumford and Sons released their much-anticipated second album, Babel. Okay, here’s the thing: I haven’t actually listened to it yet apart from the single “I Will Wait” and the leaked tunes from a few months ago. So… I kinda dropped the ball on that one. From what I can remember though, the songs followed the Mumford standard: start slow- then, with rustic fervour, get faster and faster and faster. Really though, you’ve got nothing to worry, it’ll just more of […]

Categories: Acoustic, Alternative, Americana, Folk, Indie, Rock • Tags: alternative, Americana, banjo, banjo style, Canada, entertainment, farm, folk, folk groups, lumineers, Mumford and Sons, music, Ontario, photography, Rock, The Lumineers

In the Sticks

September 17, 2012 by snapshotsandneedledrops

I tend to have unrealistic expectations when a favourite band comes out with a new album. I’m always expecting to hear something that I both immediately love and is a big step away from their previous stuff. These things are rarely ever compatible. Fortunately, as these artists have already won my favour I stick it out for a few rounds on “repeat all.” For Mother Mother’s newest The Sticks, which is set to release tomorrow, it only took one additional listen before I […]

Categories: Alternative, Canadian, Indie, Rock, Unreleased • Tags: album release, alternative, British Columbia, Canada, Canadian, indie, music, nature, photography, Rock, travel, unreleased, Whistler

Espace Go

September 10, 2012 by snapshotsandneedledrops

Montrealers might recognize the photo as that cool garage up on St Laurent. What they might not know is that this is the loading dock to Théâtre Espace Go. The company had been having problems with vandalism so they held a competition with artists from the two biggest graffiti collectives in the city, En Masse and Mu. Together they created <<Quai des Arts.>> Here’s an awesome vid of the work in progress: The track is from the always fun Matt […]

Categories: Alternative, Dance, Electropop, Funk, Indie, Pop, Rock • Tags: Canada, electropop, En Masse, graffiti, indie, Indie Rock, Matt and Kim, Montreal, Mu, mural, music, photography, pop, quai des arts, Quebec, Rock, speed painting, street art, Theatre Go

Stars of The North

September 4, 2012 by snapshotsandneedledrops

New Stars album out today!!! Stars’ schtick is to throw roses out at their audience during concerts. They’re very much about sharing the music and the adulation. “We are Stars and so are you” is often repeated during their shows. On Facebook today they addressed fans: “This record is yours.” For concert pics and a previous post on this fav band of mine, click these words! Veteran Canadian indie rockers Stars released their sixth full-length studio album today named, The North. As you might […]

Categories: Alternative, Baroque Pop, Canadian, Electropop, Indie, Pop, Rock, Soul • Tags: alternative, Canada, Canadian, electropop, entertainment, indie, internet, Montreal, music, new music, online music, photography, pop, red roses, roses, Stars, Stars (band), streaming, The North, Wilco, yankee hotel foxtrot

Sepia, close up girl in sunglasses, street photography

All I Ever Wanted Was the World

August 27, 2012 by snapshotsandneedledrops

I recently wrote about the joys of listening to country music while cruising down rural roads. And while I am ‘a little bit country,’ I’m really a lot more pop. I usually associate driving with pop music. Undoubtably the result of my local radio stations that typically live in their happy place of top 10 hits, occasionally wading further into top 40 waters. As much as I complain, however, I still secretly love rocking out to the latest and greatest pop […]

Categories: Alternative, Dance, Dreamwave, Electronic, Electropop, Indie, New Wave, Pop, singer-songwriter, Synthpop • Tags: b&w photography, Barcelona, black and white photography, dance, electropop, indie, Marina & the Diamonds, music, photography, pop, singer-songwriter, Spain, Synthpop, travel, vacation

Dancing Concert Girl sitting on shoulders, The Black Keys

Best of the Fest: Osheaga 2012

August 17, 2012 by snapshotsandneedledrops

Alright so Osheaga was almost two weeks ago now…… buuuut how timely was I with that closing ceremony post!? eh?…. ehhh? In a city renown for its music, the crowning jewel of Montreal’s indie-scene is the Osheaga Music and Arts Festival. Launched in 2006 with 25,000 concert-goers this month’s edition hosted more than 120,000 fans. This was even a big jump from last year’s 80,000. I believe the most integral part of any live show is its audience. Joy is contagious, […]

Categories: Concert Pics, Electronic, Electropop, Indie, Pop, Rock, Synthpop • Tags: 2012, Canada, colbert report, concert, concert photography, electric, electropop, entertainment, festival, Montreal, music, Osheaga, osheaga music festival, Passion Pit, photography, pop, Rock, Synthpop, travel

Close up Nagano Olympic 1998 glass, bubbles

Closing the Games

August 12, 2012 by snapshotsandneedledrops

The Nagano Olympics were the first Games I truly remember getting into the spirit for. I still have my skiier’s bib from a themed birthday party, where I got this awesome glass. The Olympics are so freaking cool! I can’t believe the 16 days are over; they passed so quickly. Like I said in my last post, I love the games. The events display an inspirational mix of athleticism, determination, grace and cooperation. Have you all seen the facebook post the […]

Categories: Alternative, Dreamwave, Experimental, Indie, Instrumental, New Wave, Post-Punk, Rock, Soul, Soundtrack, Symphonic • Tags: 2012 Olympics, alternative, athletes, celebrities, closing ceremonies, dreamwave, entertainment, experimental, Explosions in the Sky, George Michael, indie, instrumental, london 2012 olympics, music, new wave, Olympics, photography, post-punk, Rock, soul, soundtrack, Spice Girls, sports, symphonic

Snapshots and Needle Drops

Music meets international photography.

Tag: music