If only to sour your milk and tangle your patch cords, I have a few opinions to express in this moment of self-indulgent outward criticism.

i. Guns n Roses - What did I expect? With promotion lines like, ‘The Most Anticipated Album Ever this is bound to be somewhat of a let down. Guitar solos aplenty, that’s for sure, and really cool ones at that. Sure to keep every keener and their Squire singing late into the night. I really dig the electronic production, and overall production. Very cool beats and some really great moments. The orchestral arrangement on Prostitute is really moving. Unfortunately Axl’s voice isn’t what it was, or maybe it never was… I can’t stand it most of the time, either way. The first progression of the record has got to be the most creative piece of work I have ever heard… definitely satisfied that insurmountable anticipation.

ii. Nickelback - Meat & Potatoes, I would like to introduce you to Dance Dance Revolution and the ensuing orgy. These tunes are so catchy they make me want to sell margarine door-to-door in the middle of the summer.

I’m going to save mentioning my picks of new music I do like until a time when anyone who actually reads this has forgotten I wrote it.

I’m excited for the next couple weeks. Having found a place to live in (actual) Vancouver, and now that I have a better understanding of the layout of this fine land, I get to jump back into the music scene with both feet, playing, rather than tracking. I’m hoping this move will (as it already has) inspire a new focus in practicing and writing music and putting together some new bands.

…but now that’s an interesting thought. Is any group of musicians playing together a band? Or are there distinctions between groups, projects, and endeavours…

What a great trip.

Vancouver - London
London - Rome
Rome - Barcelona
Barcelona - Glasgow
Glasgow - London
London - Vancouver

…and a little bit of music in between.

Escaping the rain, I’m sitting in the The Warehouse waiting to share some ideas before moving on to a couple other similar destinations. Sometime later this afternoon I’ll head back to the forest-recluse that is Gibsons to keep learning, practicing, producing.

The soundtrack of the last 2 months has been the production of what will be the first release from Sights & Sounds. Simply an incredible bunch of guys. I’ve learned more about making records during these past months than in the last year. As a bonus, the end result is a real treat. It won’t be released until sometime in the spring, but keep your ear’s open- you’re sure to love what you hear.

Since finishing the record I’ve started delving further into electronic elements in music, exploring all sorts of tasteful crazyness. The end result for me will always be combining the digital with the analog, and with that in mind, here’s some flavour for anyone interested:

Liar’s Rosebush
Bjork
Hadrien Féraud

Happy listening.

Unreleased (2009)
Written, Programmed, Produced by Mike St-Jean

Copyright 2009

There is hope.
It drips from your heart as your soul perspires
An I.V. fueling love’s fire
The slow burn of your deepest desires

Unreleased (2009)
Written, Programmed, Produced by Mike St-Jean

Copyright 2009

i) Sample pop song
ii) Reverse
iii) Add beat & resonance & delay
iv) Sit back and wish you had spent more time…

Welcome to London.

The last band has fallen through at the studio in Vancouver, so I’ve taken the opportunity to skip over to London & Glasgow for a couple weeks to see some friends & family and hopefully some good music.

Pictures are abound [here]
The usual, uninteresting building shots.

I’ve been making lots of music lately, through primarily electronic mediums with a little guitar thrown in for good measure. That will be posted soon enough too, like this one.

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Canadian Blues Guitarist and friend of mine, JW Jones has been nominated for two Maple Blues Awards!
If you’d like to support him, and the album I was a part of (yes, I sang on it!), follow this link and cast your vote! We’ll invite you to the after party if we win!
You’ve got to register first but hey, it only takes a minute!

Thanks and check back for more soon!