soul | Snapshots and Needle Drops

Hometown, Snowbound

November 27, 2012 by snapshotsandneedledrops

Winter has arrived to my neck of the literal woods. I’ve been away for a few days and I returned to find the green and brown landscape thickly blanketed in white. For some reason, the arrival of snow every year brings about a seasonal change in my taste of music. Like switching from rosé to red wine, my music preferences become a lot heavier. My appreciation grows for a strong, honest voice and beautiful, heavy orchestration. Out with the easygoing troubadours and […]

Categories: Canadian, singer-songwriter, Soul, Uncategorized • Tags: Canada, Canadian, icicle, music, nature, Ontario, photography, photos, singer-songwriter, soul, winter

Sweater Weather

October 15, 2012 by snapshotsandneedledrops

Well it’s happened. The temperature has dropped, the leaves are falling, decorative gourds line entrances to grocery stores and I’ve been consuming pumpkin-flavoured treats with gusto. I spent a good couple hours today unpacking my sweaters and sorting through my summer things. Keep, donate, discard- I have packrat tendencies so the vast majority of my attire fell into the first category. I’m so bad that I’ve even developed a clothing “limbo” tote where I keep the clothes I’m borderline about. Every few […]

Categories: Alternative, Experimental, Hip Hop, Indie, Soul • Tags: alternative, Autumn, Canada, experimental, fall, hip hop, indie, music, photography, soul, sweaters, The Neighbourhood

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

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

The Road Trip Home

December 22, 2011 by snapshotsandneedledrops

FREEDOM!! Freedom came for me at 3am on Wednesday morning when I finished my last of 10, twelve-hour shifts, in the past 11 nights. Within 9 hours my co-worker Mel and I picked up our paycheques and hit the road for our Ontarian homes. If you’re going to be stuck in a car with someone for seven hours it is near-impossible to beat the fine and fun company of one Miss. Mel. We talked about anything and everything. And just to […]

Categories: Alternative, Dreamwave, Electronic, Indie, Rock, Soul • Tags: Christmas, electronic, indie, music, photography, Rock, soul

Stained glass window of La Sagrada Familia

It’s Always Darkest Before the Dawn

December 1, 2011 by snapshotsandneedledrops

“People are like stained-glass windows. They sparkle and shine when the sun is out, but when the darkness sets in, their true beauty is revealed only if there is a light from within.” Slightly cheesy, I know, but when I was 15 I thought this Elizabeth Kübler-Ross quote was incredibly astute. Random fact: Elizabeth Kübler-Ross is the same psychiatrist who proposed the five stages of grief model. The photo is from inside La Sagrada Família, Antoni Gaudí’s cathedral in Barcelona. Construction […]

Categories: Alternative, Rock, Soul • Tags: alternative, Barcelona, Florence and the Machine, Gaudi, History, music, photography, Rock, soul, Spain

In Slow Motion

November 28, 2011 by snapshotsandneedledrops

Happy Monday! I do have a non-blurry version of these two who are standing along the Seine, but I think this one better suits the music. I just found this beautiful song and I couldn’t resist sharing it immediately. I heard it in a great ad that I’ll put up as well, it’s definitely worth watching. “Last Night I Heard Everything in Slow Motion” by Oliver Tank

Categories: Alternative, Dreamwave, Electronic, Experimental, Indie, New Wave, Soul, Symphonic, Unsigned • Tags: Australian, experimental, France, indie, music, night photography, Paris, photography, Seine, soul, unsigned

Releasing the Brothers

November 13, 2011 by snapshotsandneedledrops

Eeeks! I had got complaints, but I hadn’t realized it had been nearly two weeks since I had posted! Sorry, it’s been fast-times in the world of VApps, and at the moment, I’m writing to you from my best friend’s place in Paris. Alright, so about a month ago, I was fortunate enough to attend the album release concert for The Barr Brothers. The Brothers have been a big hit on this blog. For previous posts click here (coincidentally a photo […]

Categories: Alternative, Canadian, Concert Pics, Experimental, Folk, Indie, Rock, Soul • Tags: album review, alternative, Canada, concert, experimental, folk, guitar, Harp, indie, La Tulipe, Montreal, music, Paris, photography, Rock, soul, The Barr Brothers

Snapshots and Needle Drops

Music meets international photography.

Tag: soul