P R O S E
Dear Beautiful Readers,
It’s been almost two months since my last Review. Summer get’s away on us doesn’t it? Just over five months here for me in the big city and yes the back of my neck (and everywhere else on my body) is perpetually sweaty and gritty. Leaning in… the first heat wave was a rude awakening. I’ve lived in tropical climates and even had summers in Ontario before, but ten years acclimatizing to the west coast island breeze makes for a whiny woman in this lake swamp climate. I now feel better prepared for this second half of summer. I’ve learned that less is more with respect to clothing, soda water does not do the same thing as regular water, and one must accept the pond that resides on their upper lip. I’ve also got an exciting new love affair to get me through these hot summer nights. We’re pretty serious and it’s the first committed relationship I’ve had in years. Meet my air conditioner…
I understand falling in love with machines now. She still needs a name…I am taking suggestions. I only hope I can provide for her as much as she does for me.
The first half of summer was a bit of a bummer, finding a fulfilling job/gigs has been a bit challenging here and I am having mad fomo not playing my summer tour mania. But, and, also, I am so grateful for a lot of rest, for the time to read, play, plot, explore the city, cook, and hang out with my baby nephew. A band is forming, and new songs are coming to life. I see alot of folks around working themselves to the bone. Survival.
At the beginning of each year I choose a few values to focus on from a big ol list. I pick five that speak to me and then I revisit them from time to time to see how its going and deepen my exploration of what the value means. It’s different than concrete goal setting but I find it works in a very slow and profound way. This year one of those values was ‘serenity’. Now you’d think moving from a little shack in the woods on an island off an island would be a loss of serenity. For some reason though, here I am in a big old city, feeling more peace than I’ve ever felt. I’m certain it has much to do with the wonderful folks in my life. Yes I love the salty air and the trees but community is lifeblood for us. Just like the trees need eachother… we feed off one another. Sure I miss the stage, the dear friends who played with me, but the new writing is coming from deeper truths. The pause from the hustle brings more awareness. I’m getting back into my body through a slow and profound yoga program and working towards becoming a teacher. They said today in a workshop “to teach people to relax can be a very difficult and draining task”.
Challenge accepted.
S H O W S + S O N G S
Have a listen to “Hot Town”, our version of the Lovin’ Spoonfuls “Summer in the City” from Seasons.
Performing August 11th @ the Tranzac Club in Toronto with a couple other lovelies
and behind the scenes I am plucking away at the next album and putting together my next fabulous backing band…
M U S I C
F E A T U R E D F R I E N D
Where are you? What'd you have for breakfast? And what are you up to today?
I am at home on the couch with my cats. For breakfast I had green tea, a peice of toast, and strawberries. Today I am going to hangout with a friend at my house.
What three things in your life are you most grateful for right now?
My friends and family, my cats, and my artistic mentors and inspirations.
What have you got on the go artistically at the moment?
I am working on songwriting, and recording an EP. I'm also a dancer, so I have been dancing a lot.
If I passed you an instrument, what song would you play us right now?
“Legs Away” by Mother Mother
What's been on repeat on your record player/streamer/tape deck/CD player/ et al.?
“More Than You Wanted” by Debra-Jean Creelman
If we want to find your work, where can we go?
You can find updates on my music on Instagram and tiktok @marztunesofficial, and anything dance/art related on Instagram @marz_the_dancer
G O O D O C E A N N E W S
“After I had taught them, we were sitting in a circle and the children asked me if I could say hello from them to the next Giant Pacific Octopus I saw while diving.”
- Jackie Hildering , The Marine Detective
La Bibliothèque
wise words from the books I’m reading
“It’s not that either one is better,” he said. After a brief coughing fit, he spat a glob of phlegm onto a tissue and studied it closely before crumpling the tissue and throwing it into a wastebasket. “It’s not a question of better or worse. The point is, not to resist the flow. You go up when you’re supposed to go up and down when you’re supposed to go down. When you’re supposed to go up, find the highest tower and climb to the top. When you’re supposed to go down, find the deepest well and go down to the bottom. When there’s no flow, stay still. If you resist the flow, everything dries up. If everything dries up the world is darkness. ‘I am he and / He is me: / Spring nightfall.’ Abandon the self, and there you are. “
- Mr. Honda
S A S S T R O L O G Y
ft. BONBON
Leo: time to take centre stage, honey! Curl your lashes and prep your acceptance speech.
Virgo: get into the groove for you have to prove... nothing to nobody, cause bitch, you're a boss.
Libra: you're a levitating lexicon of luxurious lapis lollies. So luscious and lovely.
Scorpio: your cups runneth over. Don't let a drop go to waste.
Sagittarius: set fire to the rain, and then do that in reverse.
Capricorn: are the sweet kind of corn, or the tough cattle kind? Either way, you can be hard to digest.
Aquarius: what intergalactic innovations will you bring to life next?
Pisces: put on your floaties, 'cause you might have forgotten how to swim since last summer.
Aries: calling all campers! You sure can direct a group of people like they're a herd of list kittens!
Taurus: tend the garden, work the land, collect the coins and make a plan.
Gemini: no, that designer purse on sale will help fill the void. But those new earrings might.
Cancer: you grow from shedding and shedding can be very uncomfortable.
Stay tuned in & turned on
x.o.
Love
S.O.