Goodbye, Mark Linkous
Posted by Colin on Sunday March 7, 2010 Comment
I came home from a fun night out celebrating the birthdays of friends to read that Mark Linkous (aka Sparklehorse) has committed suicide.
Mark has been an immeasurable influence on me. I have often tried to emulate his music—quite unsuccessfully—through sampling, copying, and outright stealing.
Most importantly, I have enjoyed so much time simply listening to his lush, aching recordings of his beautifully written songs. His music is of that special variety that rests so perfectly between your ears; it is a gift that the world is incredibly fortunate to have.
Rest in peace, Mark. You will be very sadly missed.
There’s a heaven and there’s a star for you.
— Daniel Johnston
This is why I love it here
Posted by Colin on Thursday February 25, 2010 1 Comments
Today, my last full day in Dawson, there was a wedding on the frozen Yukon River.
Frostbite Festival
Posted by Colin on Tuesday February 16, 2010 Comment
For anyone in Whitehorse this weekend, here’s the where + when of my time at Frostbite:
- Friday at 8:20pm: Solo performance (Yukon Arts Centre)
- Saturday at 1:30pm: “Manly Songs” [haha!] workshop (Yukon Arts Centre)
- Saturday at 3:30pm: “Saskatchewanians” workshop (Woodshed)
- Saturday at 8:00pm: Solo performance (Yukon College gym)
- Sunday at 3:00pm: “Funny Bones” [???] workshop (Cafe Degele)
Who needs a girlfriend?
Posted by Colin on Monday February 15, 2010 Comment
I spent Valentine’s Day hanging out with some really cool dogs and playing badminton with some pals to a soundtrack of Ludacris and Jay-Z.
Dawson City is awesome.
Pictured: “Sherpa” Jonathan and his team of mushers take a break from towing me around.
Yukon Quest
Posted by Colin on Sunday February 14, 2010 Comment
I’m halfway through my stint as Dawson City’s Resident Songwriter. Thus far I’ve managed to write a handful of songs for a future album, but the most memorable song was written yesterday.
I spent the morning in Mr. Menzies’ Grade 3 class co-writing “Yukon Quest is the Best” with the kids. It’s a song about the annual Yukon Quest dog sled race, supposedly the toughest mushing race around. Its participants are currently on a brief layover in Dawson.
The kids have been following this year’s race since the dogs left the starting blocks and their enthusiasm shows in the chorus they wrote:
Yukon Quest is the best
Fairbanks to Whitehorse, 1000 miles to you
For the record, this is probably the best song I’ve written since I’ve been here, and the kids did most of the work. They’re total pros. I’m going back next week to record it with them.
In other news, I was told the other night during a pick-up curling game that I’m a worse curler than both Martin Tielli and Laura Barrett. No kidding.
