It’s just one of those things….

My 9 to 5 presents me the opportunity to enlighten 10 and 11 year olds to music beyond Tech N9ne and Nicki Minaj. By no means is this stated on my job description — that writeup looks something like teaching kids how to read, write, compute, and think critically. But the finale is upon me and my classroom of 30 plus characters. And with this little time we have, it’s where I throw most things I should be covering out the door. What it boils down to is keeping a bunch of pre-teens engaged and still interested in what I have to say.

“I’m going to try something totally different today. You all know my strong interest in music. Today I’m sharing two songs with you”

A few ears perked up; overall though, only so many were truly curious. As lyric sheets were provided to the students, I had them peruse the lyrics for the “more chill, relaxed track” and their task was to provide a short prediction on what the artist is trying to say. Interpreting poetry meets the standard, boss. We discussed how many songs are written about past loves, for a current love, or about relationships in general. Next, all they had to do was write a short guess on what the song may sound like. Taking a chance is not a strong point for most.

The listening party’s initial selection was “Don’t Be Crushed” by none other than Hawksley Workman. They were promised a “drastically different and upbeat track” next. “Sunlight” by Bag Raiders, another track previously featured on this blog was the “kinda cool because it was like techno” selection. It’s been a good week plus, or when students weren’t in summer mode, where most everyone was listening, contemplating, and sharing their thoughts. One girl asked, “Can you bring more songs tomorrow?” Well, yes; I might have a few more to share…

Hawksley Workman :: Don’t Be Crushed

Our Year Featuring Hawksley Workman…

The multi-faceted one-man jam, Hawksley Workman is always keeping me guessing. The Canadian had another eclectic year with his upbeat, electro-rock self and his minimalist piano perfection side, too.

When the Ontarioan makes his voice the forefront of a performance, the outcome is moving. Hawksley pairs up with fellow compatriot by way of Glasgow John McDermott to bring more moving minimalism with Our Year.

The original can be found here; what’s below doesn’t appear too synched up with the audio…

Top Five Tracks of ’10…

2010 started with endless potential. The first quarter alone produced enough to begin compiling best of lists. Favorite artists of mine played a slight variation of the boy who cries wolf – with the wolf being a record. Gizmodgery will get its follow-up. With the quantity of quality that was being thrown at us faster than this blog went from something to nothing, the year was inevitably going to produce strong tracks. Some, like my favorite of this year, were songs I couldn’t get enough of numerous times a day. I hope you never pulled up to me at a red light when that song was on blast….

As I peruse this list, and you know where I stand musically, it’s almost predictable. But really, not one you’re seeing anywhere else…

#5  Robyn :: None of Dem featuring Royksöpp

Robyn, the pop princess, teams with the Norwegian duo Royksöpp to bring bounce, bass, and beats to make me shake.

#4 Hawksley Workman :: The Sweetest Thing

I never dug myself out of that rut Hawksley put me in. Care to share another track done on the minimal this sincere and beautiful from ’10?

#3 Local H :: Wolf Like Me (TV on the Radio cover)

Is it coincidence things Scott Lucas touches continue to end up on my best-of lists? A dedication to the craft of rock is what continues to have him top my charts. A monster. And to hear it live, with only an acoustic, makes him look and sound even better than on record plugged in.

#2 sElf :: Could You Love Me Now

Classic Matt Mahaffey right here. It took a few spins to seep into my system, but after it did, this one clicked. Matt doing what he does best: composing pop with sweet simplicity.

#1 Harvey Danger :: The Show Must Not Go On

The definitive break-up track? Who knows. Hits harder than anything else I heard this year. Truly, I can’t stop playing this. And live, too.

You’re Safe and Sound With Me…

A love song. I never think about it, but many love songs have been posted here. There is no doubt I’m driven by the beats and rhythms more than the lyrical makeup of tracks. The simpleton in me, I suppose.

I’m still in that deep and engrossing rut that is Hawksley Workman. His songs continue to excite me, make me stop what I’m doing and simply, tune in. His most excellent and heartfelt Safe and Sound is the epitome of why this is one rut I can’t climb from. Nor do I have the ambition to. With the help of light strumming and Workman’s Buckley-esque voice, this moving and romantic number is one of my favorite pieces from the Ontario one-man jam.

Hawksley Workman :: Safe and Sound

Captivating Canadian (Sweet) Cacophony…

A musical resource before overwhelmingness kicked in, was a form of networking. I would seek out and follow bands who were friends with one another; listen to a new artist simply because a favorite of mine produced this new-to-me act; or simply looked into acts that consistently toured with favorites of mine. That legwork – which was an enjoyable activity in itself – has disappeared from my listening habits. Now, I simply fire up a board, Twitter, a news site or two, and dive into a band’s output – the research phase has evaporated. This simplicity equals too much music to let one thing settle in, truly enjoy, and want to return to because I copped three new LPs today.

I went back a few days ago and followed a favorite of mine into the studio. Ontario superstar Hawksley Workman worked on fellow Canadian sextet Hey Rosetta! ‘ s Into Your Lungs – an epic orchestral pop album bustling with beautiful, poetic numbers. All songs are full with instrument upon instrument and truly skilled musicianship throughout. Start simple, mellow even, begin to build, and then unleash infinite energy – which seems to be Hey Rosetta’s formula. And it is really working for me…..

R.I.Y.L :: Arcade Fire, Frightened Rabbit, Hawksley Workman

Hey Rosetta! :: Red Heart

From their EP Plan Your Escape….

Don’t Be Crushed….

I strive for diversity with this blog – but the problem is, I’m in a rut, a musical rut. By no means is this negative. The culprit? Discovering how strong and varied Hawksley Workman‘s catalog is. All over again. Rather in glam-rock form, spiritual hymn style, a quirky pop composition, or anything else he is reaching for, HW has been on repeat around here.

I want to share a live clip from ’07, where Hawksley performs Don’t Be Crushed, which also stems from For Him and the Girls. The original is a minimalistic approach, with light drums, feathery keys, a faint shimmer of guitar, and what ultimately ties this song together, Mr. Workman’s vocal instrument.

And in live form, all he needs are the bare essentials. A moving performance….

Hawksley Workman :: Don’t Be Crushed

No Sissies Outta Ontario…

When you’re a solo artist, one who does all the leg work yourself, it’s easier to create, right? Hawksley Workman, who is Ontario’s one-man-jam, is nothing less than prolific. The man has already made his mark on 2010. This eclectic composer has been burning up my charts lately – with sweet simplicity, of course.

An upbeat, brisk pace with a lyrical ode to locking down a particular love interest adorns No Sissies; from HW’s ’01 For Him and the Girls….

Hawksley Workman :: No Sissies

An excellent interview from ’08, where Hawksley showcases how well-spoken, passionate, and insightful he is outside of his music, too.

We’ll Always Make Time for Hawksley…

And I’ll have to with two releases this year from Toronto’s Hawksley Workman. From Meat, comes We’ll Make Time (Even When There Ain’t No Time) – a slow burner, one that begins one way and closes another. A faint, repeating hum-dum, similar to The Pounding Truth by MM, sets the tone, while Workman attacks with his vocal delivery at a brisk pace. After he’s gotten his point across, lyrically and passionately speaking, the bells intensify, and the crunchy, explosive guitar sways the tempo to another direction. But to me, this is Hawksley at his best: flexing his versatility. Unpredictability is a great attribute to have.

Hawksley Workman :: We’ll Make Time (Even When There Ain’t No Time)

Someone pull me away from this song!

Canada’s Workman Dances to Yesterday….

Oh, 2010. It just don’t stop. The year has already unleashed greatness; more goodness awaits us. The Canadian one-man jam, Hawksley Workman, who has become a favorite as of late, is putting out two, yes, two new releases in this momentous year. (could be?) A quick blurb:

Workman will be cementing his electro-rock corner with his dual releases this year. With the albums Meat, out tomorrow on his own imprint Isadora Records, and Milk, a digital release which will premiere a track at a time on his website, Workman says he’s relocated an experimental, wild groove he hasn’t felt since 1999’s breakthrough For Him and the Girls. It took him a long time to process the fickle nature of being a pop super star.

A wild groove? 2010! Check out his first release, We Dance to Yesterday, from Milk, the digital release slowly unveiling this experimental groove and pride in songs of yesterday. On repeat – a la Striptease…

Hawksley Workman :: We Dance to Yesterday

I Asked and Quickly Received…

There is a scene, a classic one, from The Wire where only one word is uttered many times over. The word is fuck. Bunk Moreland and Jimmy McNulty, two detectives hot on the trail of a female homicide, are having an epiphany. After many tiresome hours, the two gumshoes realize the solution to the problem. This morning, while taking in those eight hours away from music happenings, I saw Hawksley Workman is briefly stepping into the states. And I was just complaining about how the man doesn’t visit. Without hesitation, I scrolled down to see who the lucky winners will be. My current locale? No, of course not. But, he is rolling through Schubas, my second-favorite Chicago venue.

On this Sunday in October, I have a prior engagement. Within a second, all I could think of was fuck. Nothing more. Instead of uttering the obscenity because I figured it all out, this was more in frustration, to put it lightly. Although, every problem has a solution. Either in Chicago, or one of the other venues below, I will be there. Don’t disappoint me, HW…

20-Oct-09 Cafe Du Nord Cafe Du Nord San Francisco, CA

21-Oct-09 Hotel Cafe Hotel Cafe Los Angeles, CA

25-Oct-09 Schubas Tavern Schubas Tavern Chicago, IL

28-Oct-09 City Winery City Winery New York, NY

29-Oct-09 Tin Angel Tin Angel Philadelphia, PA

A number very representative of what drew me to Hawksley in the first place…

Hawksley Workman :: When You Gonna Flower