Tamer than Anything purgatory

As promised:



We've received a lot of good feedback about these. We're going to be doing some new songs in alternate arrangements over the next couple weeks.

Enjoy.

g.

Tamer than Anything purgatory

beckoning acoustic

A while back I posted a video of us playing our song The Raft. Here is Beckoning from that same night. I will post Tamer than Anything tomorrow.



and here is the raft for anyone who missed it:



night.

g.

beckoning acoustic

rule #1: don't mix your politiks with your art.

this is the stuff that keeps me up at night.

Why Free-Market Capitalism Will Follow Communism Into the Trash-heap of History.

Part two and three are worth reading too.

g.

rule #1: don't mix your politiks with your art.

Who Loves Horses?

The show with Sex Dwarf and Spirits at Starlight is less than two weeks away.

The band will be getting together to rehearse this week. After a brief post-tour hiatus from playing shows I know we're all 'ants-in-the-pants' to play a gig. I hope you all can make it out.

Doors are at 8pm. We are kicking things off at 830. Come on folks. LET'S DO THIS.

g.


PS - if you've got a second and want to help out - vote for Blanket Sky over at Emission. Kudos!

Who Loves Horses?

fan photo from Elkford, BC

We played two nights in Elkford courtesy of the lovely JP. Great little town. Fantastic pizza next to the venue.

Not sure if this is from $2 highball night. Even a modest tab goes too far when the drinks are that cheap.

Thanks Nikki.

g

fan photo from Elkford, BC

a new song live

This is a song we've been playing since March. We've done it a bunch of ways now, but this is where we're working toward taking it for the album.



Filmed March 20th at Wilfred Laurier University in Waterloo. We did a bit of music after a very informative lecture from Marc Kielburger of 'Free the Children'.

The first bit of video is from sound check. Jamie Usas (visuals) just happened to be filming. The audio in it's entirety is from a zoom h2 in the audience. Near the beginning you can hear someone ask, "Should I be videotaping?" The answer is, "Yes." No big deal though because the way it worked out you can imagine that the first bit of video is from the past, but the audio is happening right before your ears! Sensory time travel ladies and gentlemen.

:) We still love you April.

g

a new song live

Thought you guys would like this...



p.

haze transforms into steam

I try and try to keep up on this thing but am super easily distracted. I don't think I'd get anything done if there weren't 3 other people in this band.

We've been recording away. last two weeks haven't been super productive. The wind is picking up and we'll be sailing along in no time. I was just listening to a song of ours from 1998. Wow.

In other EXCITING news... we will be playing with SPIRITS and SEXDWARF at STARLIGHT on SEPTEMBER 17th. Clear your schedules ladies and gentlemen because for $10 it does not get any better! This is going to be an excellent night. Working on my sales pitch - how's it coming?

I have sent out the digital carrier pigeon to collect the details, but have not yet heard back. If/when the details come in I will share them with you. I'm pretty sure it's an early start. 8pmish?

Well. I hope everyone is enjoying the swelter here in KW. Can't wait to get this record to you all.

Cheers.

g.

Ps - I thought this was a pretty cool article. especially about the type of people who seek power/control over others

haze transforms into steam

Studya Vidya 01

here's another little bit of random video. recording some acoustic guitar, me trying to figure out a melody on accordion (not the easiest instrument to figure something out on) Emeri reviewing a drum take and Emeri and I working out some details for a drum part.

These poorly chopped up videos aren't going to replace our "Onward, Downward" series. We just don't have a lot of time to be editing mini movies at the moment. I hope you enjoy this stuff, stay tuned for more.

Cheers.

g.

Studya Vidya 01

more words from the studio

We celebrated Emeri's birthday on Monday with a cherry fritter and some slurpies courtesy of Hilary and Paul.

We are making good progress on drum/bed tracks. Emeri is committing some great takes to 'tape'. Right now I'm really into multiple drum kits/beats happening at once and there'll be some of that in there. It's amixing nightmare, but totally worth it.

Here is a short video clip of what we were working on today.




g

more words from the studio

Drums... drums... drums. Not a whole lot to say but drums. Emeri is starting us off for the next Vacuity album. Weird to say that... the next Vacuity album, I guess there will be a lot of these "albums". You would think that I would be use to making records by now... but I am not. It's different every time.

We'll have some quick little snippets of the new tunes soon enough... stay in touch and check back. Sorry we have been dropping the ball on updates etc. Lots going on, business to music... crazy.


Looking forward to hearing what you guys think, stay tuned.
Thanks
p.

video talk. recording talk.

This past week we met up with our good friend and visual collaborator Jamie Usas. The subject of discussion was music videos and the creation of them. He has some really great ideas that we're all quite looking forward to working with him on. If you've been with us for a while now, you might recall a time when we were shooting a video for 'The 5th of November'. While Jamie was in Rome and we were on our fall tour out west his hard drive containing all of the footage was stolen from his desk. Needless to say, that video is not going to reach completion. That is a tragic shame given that the shots I took during production look pretty promising.

Emeri and I have spent a number of afternoons working on drums and computer beats for a song of ours that we are currently calling, 'Farsight'. For a while it was looking like this one wouldn't make the cut. At this point I cannot say how many tracks will be on our next release. People believe me - I am pushing for an album of at least 10, but if the magic isn't there, it could be an EP of 5-6. Not sure, too soon to tell, to early to try and say.

Maybe some video clips and audio snippets next post. I will try.

Best,

g.

video talk. recording talk.

IRIS birthday.... Piano

Saturday night we played a show at Maxwell's Music House for Carrie and Todd - I.R.I.S. -one year birthday celebration. KW/Hamilton band Spirits headlined the evening. It would be a modest statement to say it was a most excellent night.

We first met Carrie in my shitty old apartment back in 2004. We were just releasing our first record, 'The Middle Ground'. Now here we are 2 albums later and onto number 4.

Oh the places you'll go! A back alley almost as far west as the roads of this country go. Across the parking lot a door opens. A slice of light brightens the pavement. The day's warmth lingers, or is it the cigarette Longevity John - the promoter/owner - is smoking that is making my head light? Suddenly a flood of miniature furrballs pours from the doorway. 14 dogs surround me. I reach for my camera, but the moment has passed.


On Sunday - after moving a van full of gear for the IRIS show - we drove to Walkerton to pick up a piano for our studio. It needs a tune, and a little bit of love, but we're happy to have it aboard. Even if it did break all of our backs. What studio is complete without a piano?

We're going to go make a new album now. Stay tuned for lotsa bits and bites until it's ready for you.

Cheers!

g.

IRIS birthday.... Piano

SURPRISE SHOW!!!

Hello everyone,

Tomorrow night we will be performing at Maxwell's Music House in Waterloo.

Carrie and Todd from IRIS asked us to perform as a part of their 1 year birthday celebration. We love birthdays and 1 Year for anything music related in this town is worth celebrating! Hi fives Carrie and Todd!

We will be opening the evening at 10pm. Afterward you will be delighted by a performance from SPIRITS.

This is not an evening to be missed.

See you there?

g.

SURPRISE SHOW!!!

snag grab catch (in the title)

We have been recording demos and doing something that feels like 'pre-production' thought I'm not sure what that means in the land where you pay per the hour to record :).

The last few weeks. High moments and low moments, but I'm excited about our new music. Behind the scenes we are going to be organizing a really cool string of shows to support this next release. We're going to be working closely with Jamie to bring the visual aspect of the set to new places. Also scheming on ways to really roll with the Kill The Format campaign.

Why offer your music for free?

g

snag grab catch (in the title)

Onward, Downward: Episode XI

Hello,

I've prepared another video for everyone to watch.



You might be thinking, "This particular episode has taken him so LONG to complete!?!"

Yes.

Enjoy.

- Emeri

Onward, Downward: Episode XI

I was looking over some shots from the road tonight that I took randomly around the Coast.
Hope you enjoy them as much as I did taking them.
























We had some great times on this tour... sigh. Back to the studio...
p.

studio move

Just back from a meeting at our new studio. we're preparing to record some new songs and to release something in September. Not sure what at this point, but I'm hoping/expecting these things to reveal themselves in time.

g

studio move

turn the page

Last night our good friends in The Free Press helped us officially close up another chapter in Vacuity history. A big warm thank you to everyone who has been involved in any aspect of this trek during the last year and a half. Ups and downs and lefts and rights.

It's been a pleasure sharing our efforts from 'At the Command of the Blanket Sky'. If you haven't downloaded the album yet, please do so right here.

We are moving into a new recording space this week. Stay tuned.

g.

turn the page

We're baaaack

I've been delaying this blog intentionally. Trying to write up something witty or profound to say about the tour. The magic sentence to sum it up perfectly. But it's not happening and it's not happening and it's not happening. I try some more and it still doesn't happen. I conclude that such a sentence does not exist.

We've been back for almost two weeks now. I've had enough time to process most of the experiences. There was a feeling of undoing along the road this time. We were righting many a wrong from the tour in the fall. Justice being dished out the back of a flat black short bus. Something sinister, something grieving. We managed to survive 6 pretty intense weeks, 30 some odd shows and a lot of kilometers. There were some great shows and we met and shared the stage with many a great person. Massive thank you to all of our friends who put us up on the road.

This Saturday is our tour finale at El Mocambo. We'll be playing a longer set, which is fun for us, and hopefully good for you too. The talented Jamie Usas will be joining us. Our good friends in The Free Press will be performing. They never disappoint so bring your dancing shoes. $8. Doors at 9pm.


g.

We're baaaack