- Jul 18
- 3 min read
Today I released two of my biggest projects yet, that each have been years in the making. They represent my journey through music production and the work inspired by time supported by the local music scene in Saint John, New Brunswick.
"You can let a lot of things go" - The title is inspired by an old photo of the interior of a Montreal dive bar, that I had previously considered using as the cover artwork. On a television screen captured in the moment, a Bill Burr comedy special on Netflix can be seen frozen in time, with the closed caption "You can let a lot of things go" in the frame. In retrospect, I think I recall this being the opening line for a series of jokes about his wife or girlfriend. I liked this photo of the bar interior so much, that if I had chosen to use it, I would have been forced to either edit the freeze-frame of the Bill Burr special out of the shot, or name the compilation after the subtitles on screen. Very quickly, I realized -- detached from its original context -- how much that statement reflected my feelings towards the music.
It was delayed over and over again, as many of the tracks were unfinished in my mind... or it never felt like the right time to release the music, or I was too insecure and embarrassed by some of the older material. It was time to let it go. Any of the things that bothered me, I needed to move past them and let the final revisions or available mixes exist, and stop thinking about it. Ultimately I decided not to use the photo of the bar taken with my phone as distribution platforms likely would have deemed it too blurry or low quality, or at worst I would have faced a cease and desist from Netflix!
The final artwork for my compilation was digitally painted (not AI) from a real location in Montreal that I thought looked particularly liminal and interesting. Here's the original:
Developed simultaneously was the sophomore effort for Fishstixx - an act I had formed with my roommate in Saint John in 2018 before we both moved to different cities by 2022. I dare say we grabbed the hyperpop trend by the throat before it was cool. RIP Sophie.
We were beloved by a small handful, especially on the rare occasions we'd perform live with my laptop, a Steinberg UR-44 audio interface (still going strong) and a bedazzled microphone that I believe was ordered on Amazon. 'f2' is especially dedicated to Dan and Phil of Party Sauce, for being so supportive, chill and inspiring, and bringing us into our local music scene at the time.
I do fully accept that it's been so long that anyone who may have once been interested in hearing this music, or even once considered me a friend or acquaintance may have moved on, or maybe we parted on bad terms. In case of the latter, I'm sincerely sorry. I had many quality connections, friendships and I feel fortunate to have received the support and encouragement I did while this music was being produced, regardless of whether we still speak in the present. I still remember those people, and the good times when I hear this work.
Buy or stream 'You can let a lot of things go':
Stream 'You can let a lot of things go':
Apple Music (delayed)
Buy or stream 'f2' by Fishstixx:
Steam 'f2' by Fishstixx: