Little Ms. Laura Marling

I think my heart leapt across to England and back when I heard the news:

LAURA MARLING HAS A NEW ALBUM COMING OUT ON MARCH 22nd, 2010.

It's new content, ladies. Sorry, let me correct that -- it is fantastic new content. I am frothing at the mouth in anticipation. It's rumoured that her sound has become far more complex, rich, and even has certain exotic elements blended in, too. Hmm, seems she's carving a new path for the folk rock genre and stretching her alt pop influences to their furthest limits and beyond.

Oh, too much excitement for one evening.

The new album's titled I Speak Because I Can and the tentative track listing is thus:

• Devil's Spoke
• Made By Maid
• Rambling Man
• Blackberry Stone
• Alpha Shallows
• Goodbye England
• Hope In The Air
• What He Wrote
• Darkness Descends
• I Speak Because I Can

If you wander over to Laura Marling's official website, you can find details on ordering information, concert listings, and other delightful bits of information about our sweet English rose.

Oh, but the presents don't end there.

First off, I'd like to introduce you to Ms. Marling's official first single from the new album titled "Devil's Spoke." Readers first introduced to Laura Marling via Tunes for Tuesdays will notice it's quite a large departure from the music on her first studio album, Alas, I Cannot Swim. Trust me, though -- it's dynamic and demonstrates quite clearly that this musician is far ahead of her time.

She's got such a new power behind her voice and an extra shot of confidence that wasn't quite there on her first album. Cripes -- I have to wait until the end of March to get my hands on these tracks?! I will need to find some sort of distraction to make it through until then...

Speaking of which....

Anyone hankering for a melancholic, season-appropriate tune by Ms. Marling herself? I promise, "Goodbye England" is breathtaking and I am so incredibly upset that it's not available on the Canadian version of iTunes right now. Curse you, geo-blocking. I will have to wait (and seethe) until March. *Dramatic sigh*

The message of the song is hitting close to home at the moment -- I just need to replace "England" with "Canada" and I think we can call it even:

..... And even greater news (well, for me, at least):

LAURA MARLING WILL BE PLAYING IN TORONTO ON FEBRUARY 9, 2010, AND I THINK THERE ARE STILL TICKETS AVAILABLE.

What news to kick off another weekend with.

If you need me, I'll be floating among the clouds for the rest of the night.

QUEER: Helpful or Hurtful?

I want to tackle a subject that's spawned great debate within our community over the latter half of the twentieth-century and well into the twenty-first. It's a social identity issue that continues to raise debates across the generations that comprise our current culture and, who knows -- it might be an issue that continues to raise eyebrows and ruffle feathers well into the future.

I am talking about the word QUEER.

Now, I want to preface this post with a general disclaimer: I am not an academic and I am not well-versed in the historical context of this term. I'm aware that the original definition of the term "queer" was not related to sexual preference. I know it's a word that was reclaimed from negative connotations and it is now employed as a catch-all term to unite the disparate groups under the LGBT umbrella. Aside from that, the etymology escapes me.

Despite all of that, I find myself returning to this same discussion with each new person I meet.

When I first came out, I detested the word. I thought it was derogatory and strange and I did not see myself reflected in it. I'm not quite sure how this opinion developed, but I became aware of it once I entered my undergrad and heard it used throughout classes and social events on campus.

I remember meeting another woman in a coming out discussion group who explained that it took her about one year to come around to the notion she was Queer. It was a slow acceptance for her and she fought against her own internalized idea that identifying as "queer" connected her to a history of oppression and violence targeted toward individuals perceived as unconventional or questionable. In the end, she came to realize that Queer could be a uniting word. We could redefine it and create a linguistic space through which lesbians, gay men, trans people, bisexuals, two-spirited people, questioning individuals, or any other labels could connect and thereby belong to the same community.

Once I saw the word in this context, I adopted it for myself. I mean, I've even included the word Queer in the name of this blog. I feel more connected to it than I do with the term "Lesbian." I find it suits me and gives me a wider radius to define myself.

And yet, there are still others out there who see the use of this word as an acceptance of institutionalized hatred.

Again in that first year of my undergrad degree, I took a course in LGBT theatre and was exposed to further discussions on this same topic. Our professor was in his late forties and he supported the use of "Queer" to define the community. However, he told us about his other friends, all of his age group, who cannot rationalize the term. In their adolescence, same-sex relationships were illegal according to Canadian law. The word "Queer" held a great deal of hate and fear to it, connotations that are not easily shaken after decades of use. Our professor's friends could not ever bring themselves to identify with the word and they found it to be counterproductive now that it's used as an umbrella term for the community.

Heck, he even told us that his friends felt the younger generation was undermining previous efforts to erase the word from the Canadian vernacular.

It's quite the divisive term, it would appear.

I'm curious to know what readers think about this issue. Do you identify as Queer? If you do, what connects you to the term? If you don't, what leaves you feeling disassociated from it? What are your opinions about reclaiming once hurtful words or symbols, such as the pink and black triangles or the word "queer," for the community?

And for those straight allies out there, I'm curious to know your thoughts on the term. Do you feel comfortable using it to describe this community? If a friend referred to herself of himself as Queer, would it conjure up a different image for you vs. gay, lesbian, bi, pansexual, or other social identities?

Discuss.

Tunes for Tuesdays: Martha Wainwright

It is a rare trait for a musician to possess -- the power to mesmerize an audience with a simple acoustic guitar and a voice that transcends the song itself.

For Martha Wainwright, it's just another night on the road and another stage to dominate.

Now, I know this Tunes for Tuesdays segment of Cute, Queer, Canadian is rather dominated by folk-oriented, singer-songwriter types who are thoughtful, introspective, and hushed when it comes to their sound. Technically, Ms. Wainwright was born into this culture known as the North American folk scene. She is the daughter of the late Canadian folk singer, Kate McGarrigle, and American singer and actor, Loudon Wainwright III. If you follow the branches of her family tree a little further, you will also discover that she is the younger sister of the powerhouse known as Rufus Wainwright.

Music is fused into her genetic code.

But, I digress.

Though Martha Wainwright is often categorized as a folk musician due to her lineage, I would argue she far surpasses the genre's boundaries. Her lyrics are intimate and intense in their emotional clarity, though her language is modern and accessible. Her voice is filled with a palpable tension -- one moment she is delicate and sorrowful, the next she is resolute and unshakeable. She's one of the few artists out there who achieves her greatest potential live and under the lights of the stage. Now, that's not to discredit her studio albums at all. Instead, it proves just how formidable a talent she is.

Ms. Wainwright officially launched her career in 1998 when she recorded "The Year of the Dragon" for the The McGarrigle Album, a disc released by her mother, Kate, and her aunt, Anna McGarrigle. Martha Wainwright provided backing vocals on tours and recordings for her older brother, Rufus, before she decided to tackle her own studio album.

The first track I'd like to share with you this evening comes from her self-titled debut album released in 2005. I was torn over which song to post here -- there's the romantic, dreamy "When The Day Is Short" (which also has an official music video) and then there's the raw, unapologetic "Bloody Mother F***ing A**hole" (oooh, blog censorship).

I have opted for the second choice. I was floored when I first heard this track. Floored in the good sense. I'll let you test the waters for yourself:

I KNOW. I developed a massive crush on her after I heard this track. I mean, I love a woman who can balance that intense vulnerability with a sharp, unforgiving edge. Simply amazing, that's all I can say to that.

The second track to share hails from Leonard Cohen's music catalogue. The tribute-concert -meets-documentary, Leonard Cohen: I'm Your Man, highlights the best of the poet-singer's archive through the voices of the Wainwrights, the McGarrigles, the Thompsons, and other impressive musicians. Yes, it was an extensive family affair when it came to the soundtrack and Martha Wainwright provided a fresh, exciting take on Cohen's collection. Here she is performing "Tower of Song" on Late Night with David Letterman:

Still need more of Ms. Wainwright? I would be remiss to mention her other credits for new fans reading this now:

• 2006: Featured on Snow Patrol's fourth album, Eyes Open ("Set the Fire to the Third Bar")
• 2008: Released her second studio album, I Know You're Married But I've Got Feelings, Too. The album features music legends Pete Townshend (The Who), Donald Fagen (Steely Dan), Garth Hudson (The Band), and numerous family members
• 2009: Released Sans Fusils, Ni Souliers, à Paris: Martha Wainwright's Piaf Record. Yes! She sings in French, too! Hurrah for bilingualism.

Without a doubt, Martha Wainwright is a force to be reckoned with. Though, really, why reckon with a voice like hers when its far more fun to succumb?

Crisis Averted

Lesson Learned: Clarification --> Understanding --> Good Vibes

--> Possible New Friend.

... It appears I am a little too quick with the posting. Remember that whole Facebook fiasco I detailed yesterday? Well, I decided to attempt that whole "adults deal with issues and do not ignore them" perspective and, lo -- I am no longer deemed a creeper.

*EPIC RELIEF*

So there, kids -- don't feel intimidated or awkward when some clarification is needed. I think folks appreciate that extra effort and, who knows, you might even broaden your social scene as a result.

Facebook Fiasco

I appear to be challenged when it comes to first impressions. Or, rather, I am challenged when it comes to impressions made via the Internet.

Case and point: Readers will note that back on Jan. 16/2010, the Kyles recommended I send out a note to one of their friends over Facebook. Kyle C. knows me as "one of the nice lesbians" and he wanted to make sure that his best gal pal was treated well as she started her fabulous journey out the closet.

Now, I am also quite new to the queer scene in Toronto. I am fortunate enough to know an amazing, stunning, and drop-dead gorgeous group of gay men and straight allies who are more than willing to help a gay gal out. However, I'm not actually close friends with ANY queer women.

I know. Weird, eh? I seemed to miss out on that experience in those vital undergrad years and it's proving difficult to find a collective of open, kind, and relaxed gay gals in these parts.

So, I think the Kyles were of a sound mind when they suggested I introduce myself to another queer gal who is currently in the same position as me.

Alas, I've stumbled across another awkward situation it would appear.

The introduction was mistaken as a pass. I became a creeper without intending to.

I ignored the initial urge to write back and clarify my position. However, after discussing said issue with The Advocate and Ship Sharp this evening, it was agreed that perhaps another message was required. And send it, I DID.

Ah, first impressions in written form are such fickle things. I have the sinking suspicion I've blown the chance at a friendship with this particular girl. I know I shouldn't take it personally -- I mean, this WAS a Facebook message here. The forum is notorious for breeding creepers and I would have carried out the same screening process if I were in her position. Still, I hope that I haven't soured a future, in-person introduction. I mean, we're friends with the same folks -- I'm more than certain we'll meet at this year's Pride parade whether it's planned or not.

Weird -- if Facebook's meant to connect people, why is it helping to disconnect me further?

Lesbian Lit.: Suburban Style

I might have just stumbled across a new side project for myself -- and I have the local library to thank for it.

I was reflecting this evening on the utter awesomeness our local library has added to their collection. This awesomeness is known in the vernacular as "MANGA." I realize I've been hammering this point home for quite a few weeks now, but I cannot stress how progressive this is for a proper, buttoned-down town to list manga on its public library records.

I mean, if you have even a passing interest in graphic novels and manga in general, the collection is impressive. Titles include massive hits like Nana and Bleach, Naruto and Death Note. Heck, I even saw that the first 20th Century Boys title is on order. Whoever became the head librarian here gets MASSIVE points from me, let me tell you.

I let my thoughts wander and lo, I arrived at the inevitable: What about their lesbian-themed literature? How do those titles measure up?

The keyword "lesbian" yields 118 titles. Huh. It's quite the improvement from the ol' high school days. Can you imagine it? In the first few years of the 2000s, our local library had FOUR titles. Yeah. FOUR. All of them were books written for parents of queer youth (the whole "Your kid just came out, take a deep breath because it's all going to be alright" vibe).

I'm so glad that diversity reigns in the year 2010.

So yes, I propose a new challenge for myself -- I'd like to read and review a number of those texts for the purpose of said blog. Seems fitting. I'm a former English major, I've just been bitten by that reading bug again (I've got four books on the go at the moment -- it's like I've returned to the undergrad years), and I've now got a platform where readers could benefit from learning about the titles.

Book-induced coma, here I come.

The Birthday Blitz

It was quite the glamorous stretch this past weekend. It's an energetic scene in the city and, when paired with a cool crew of arts kids, well -- it's impossible to not feel charged. I spent two late evenings in Toronto celebrating the birth of two close friends and I am raring to go for the next round.

I'm sensing a point-form rundown, folks:

Friday, January 15/2010: Mr. Shirreff's 24th

• 5 pm: Met with The Advocate at Bathurst/Bloor for our own mini adventure prior to the shindig. Made the first visit to The Beguiling, the hub of Toronto's comic book scene. I was floored by this place. I mean, the rumours are true -- the second floor was wall-to-wall manga, people. The Advocate and I were prepared to set up camp and live there between the stacks of graphic novels and other goodies. Managed to resist buying... well, everything. Trust me, it was tough.
• Approx. 6:30 pm: Headed over to Future's for a dinner of cheesecake. SO GOOD. As we sat down, The Advocate realized she was taking me on one her patented First Date Excursions® (includes cheesecake, fine conversation, and a trek to the BMV). Scared The Advocate with that pesky adult logic I've developed in the past few years. I know, where the heck did THAT come from? Serious, though, it was a great location and I had a difficult time deciding which cake to try. Darn, guess I'll just have to go back.
• Approx. 7:30 pm: Arrived at the BMV to browse books, film, and music. Also encountered more manga (very appreciated). All those endless stretches of new and used books wore down my resolve -- I picked up two. Very Bad Poetry (collection) and Once Upon A Time In The North by Philip Pullman. The Advocate was a rock and avoided the allure of all those titles. I was impressed. Cashier laughed at the Very Bad Poetry title -- boasts the WORST poem ever written in the English language. Need an ego boost for your own writing? Well, there it is.
• Approx. 9:00 pm: Arrived at Molly Bloom's, decidedly late. I think books are a justifiable distraction, though. Our birthday boy was in fine form once we arrived -- the kid was already starting in on shots and beer to ring in that 24th year. Folks were trying to force disgusting shots on him, but Mr. Shirreff persevered. Worst Shot of All: Beer and relish. *Shudder* NO GOOD.
• Met The Advocate's gentleman friend. He is every bit as fabulous as the lady's let on. We recited/sang scenes from Labyrinth, so, um, my approval is complete. Those kids are too cute, I tell you. All I need now is a nickname which I will consult The Advocate over.
• Impromptu Coming Out: C1 showed up later in the evening. We were chatting about the dreaded Plenty of Fish site and I thought, "Well, I'd like to share those horror stories, too -- might as well tell her." She seemed chill with it, as did The Advocate's boy. Again, we're an arts crowd, so it's a liberal group. I love that I'm relaxed enough with myself now to treat it as a lack lustre bit of information about me.
• Parted ways with The Advocate and her boy after a street car ride, sang "Magic Dance" in hoarse voices. Definitely a magical evening, was quite serene on the subway ride home.

Saturday, January 16/2010: Ship Sharp's 24th

• EXCITEMENT ABOUNDS! She is the first of our tight collective to turn the big 2-4, so we had to celebrate in style. Alas, though -- the lady suffered a migraine earlier in the day and was still on the mend as we headed out the front door. She's a trooper, I tell you. (But that's why she's Ship Sharp)
• Surprised Ship Sharp with ALL of our MSN scripts from back in high school. That's about 340 pages worth of writing, in case you were curious.
• Tori arrived whom most of us kids haven't seen since high school. She was gracious and drove us into Toronto. Definitely amused by her firm, though panicked, GPS narrator. I feel I need to find more topics to gossip about, I don't have the gossip. Perhaps that's a New Year's resolution all on its own.
• End Destination: Super Market. Encountered Napoleon as we pulled up out front -- the gentleman has quite the distinguished goatee now. Lord, quite the blur after that. We were in a haze of delicious Thai dishes, smooth beers, and great company. I totally ordered a beer called Amsterdam Blonde because I'm a lech, apparently.
• Discovered that we were ALL channelling a Captain Jack Harkness vibe that evening. Hypothesis: Proximity to funk beats and a dance floor --> The 2010 Captain Jack Off. Oh yes. I kid you not.
• MUCH LOVE for the Kyles -- Kyle C. has decided I'm a cool lesbian and wants me to befriend one of his closest friends (who is just working through her own coming out, really). I'm still quite new to the scene and would love to make friends with queer girls. Ah, it was so great to catch up with those boys. I haven't gotten the chance to talk queer issues with a crowd for SUCH a long time, it was a refreshing scene. And yes, "Mo Money Mo Problems" came on and the Kyles told me the "I'm coming out!" lines were all for me. It's ridiculous how sweet those two are and I get the impression I'll be hitting the queer scene with those two and the crew in the near future.
• I think it's been decided by us ladies, too, that more outings to Toronto are DEFINITELY called for. We need to pull Ship Sharp onto the dance floor when she's feeling 100% healthy.

***

I think I'm finally at the point where I'm investing in myself and the happiness of others more. I'm conscious of the fact that I'm becoming more honest with those closest to me and it's a liberating sensation. I'm definitely in an optimistic head space at the moment and I'm looking forward to 2010 even more so.

Toronto -- you best prepare thyself.