Some excellent art on an abandoned building on Havelock that I walk past often. Unfortunately it has since been painted over with plain white paint. For no apparent reason.

I’m halfway through writing a new song and I’m working on incorporating space and quiet into it. This is different because I feel that there is a touch of impatience and insistence that characterizes a lot of my music. I find this new song to be verging on frightening, because it feels as though I might be too easy to see unguarded in the empty space.

 

I use words a lot. I talk and I write songs and I often process thoughts and feelings with phrases that crash into my head.

I’m going to try to play with images a little more now that I have my fancy new iPhone. Without relying on words. Ok maybe a few words. But not enough to leave no room for interpretation.

It’s impossible to define every shade of grey so maybe I should stop trying.

Ron Hawkins and Stephen Stanley rock at Graffitis

Even rockstars look cooler with Hipstamatic.

I’ve been so spoiled with so much live music recently. It’s crazy how much amazing music is happening every night in this city. And I may need to start paying rent at the Dakota.

 

Have I mentioned that I have a band now? I’m the lead blonde in “Stalking Irony”. I know, the name is a little cerebral, but we do have a tendency to go there. And there is no such thing as too many syllables…

We had a show on Saturday, and we had the honour of sharing the stage with a Canadian National Treasure: Voyageur – otherwise known as the Six String Nation Guitar.

Steph Marshall playing the Six String Nation Guitar

It sounds as good as it looks. And it made Viv a little more pregnant…

Thanks to everyone who came out – it was a treat to have so many new faces in the crowd and I hope you had fun.

One more thing – She’ll expose you, when she snows you, even… glad you guys were paying attention.

 

For four years this form was hanging in the stairwell in my well trafficked office building with one name on it. Four years. So I added the next two names. And then it went viral. And now I giggle every time I see it. Not that I giggle.

 

Stairwell #4

Well this is going to be fun.

I like this picture because I keep thinking it’s someone else – a friend who also often favours jeans and navy cons. It’s the first picture I took with my phone.

I’m pushing the pause button here.

You can follow me on Twitter at: http://twitter.com/stephmarshall

Or if you know me in real life you can friend me at https://www.facebook.com/stephmarshall

Small note… this is what I was up to this weekend:

The great thing about Graffitis is that everyone looks better there than in real life.

Hi.

I’ve had three 20 year old girls here for the past few days and it has been a blast. I keep forgetting that I’m actually way older than they are – until conversations like this:

Me (having slipped in 20 year old girl talking rhythm): “You have to check out this video – k, look at this guy, isn’t he so cute???”

Little cousin: “Ewww, Steph, he is literally old enough to be my dad! I like cute young guys”

Reality check. I’m not 20.

Music makes stuff happen. Ever since I picked up my guitar things have been in overdrive and I’m not sure where it’s all leading. I like that. Comfort zones are for pussies.

So what do you need to know? Here are some run on sentences and ramblings to get you up to speed.

1. Big day is Monday… Open stage with 2 originals and a cover. Thanks god(s) I finally finished that second song… It’s not perfect but I’m feeling good about it.

2. My parents want to come and see me play but I’m not letting them – because do I really want to be belting out a tune about wanting to fuck someone with them in the small audience? Not so much. Is that something you ever get over?

3. I seem to have over-prepped this summer and moving into winter I am still over-compensating with the rockstar/tomboy look. If I don’t bring the preppy back they may not let me into Vermont next summer so I had better reintroduce a dash of preppy.

4. Loving hockey and I “scored” 2 goals last week – one of them I knew I was going to have to collide and wipe out to pull it off but I went for it anyway and felt so tough. The quotes around “scored” is because it was not a real game. Seems when the pucks come out so does a little bit of killer instinct. So much more fun than golf.

5. Digitized old tapes (including mine…) and I’ve been time traveling while walking to and from work. Jalyn Ridley, Melisse Lafrance, all of the hot shaved headed tough boot women. Some stuff ages well, some not so much… I pretty much loathe mine, although I could probably re-work one or two tracks if so inclined.

6. I miss France. Haven’t been in too long and I miss the family.

7. My Mini-me’s are coming to visit for New Year’s! I keep calling them my “little cousins” but they are in their 20′s now (the ones from DC, not from France… but don’t be fooled, we all got the French side). So anyone think they can handle hanging out with three of me? They are kind of like Steph 2.0 – They got the bugs out. Going to bring them to see Guitar Guy play amongst other things. They are also into music and accidental stalking.

8. It’s official. Nothing on the planet feels as good as seeing live music and really feeling a song. Nothing. Thanks SOO much Stephen Stanley and Ron Hawkins because I’ve really been spoiled with a lot of that recently. I’m a huge suck for the solo shows with new material but what a complete blast to see Lowest of the Low after 20 years. Last time I saw them was with ex Al Bakewell and although I liked a bunch of their songs… I was wondering why we were missing a night of parties if it wasn’t for the Indigo Girls. Yeah, I was that girl. Anyway, they rocked last weekend and (yes I know, I’m like a drug pusher with music) – everyone should make an effort to see them play because these guys do not belong in your past. Oh and follow @sstanleymusic on Twitter and do complain to him if his tweets are not riveting enough.

9. A Year Without Candy is over but may have to start up another year without it because moderation is still not really my strong point when it comes to sugar. Or Diet Coke. or boots.

10. Random song that I’ve been singing all day. With the accent. It’s fun.

http://www.youtube.com/v/juHMvf5eNYQ?fs=1&hl=en_US

K. That’s me. Just needed to get the rambling out of my system. Your turn.