Sunday, June 25, 2006
for the single young professionals, who find the neighbourhood hip and charmingWorld City
download: Geoff Berner - That's What Keeps The Rent Down, Baby (via GeoffBerner.com)
I hadn't actually heard Geoff Berner until he was invited on stage during Jolie Holland's recent show. And, I never would've figured out who the guy who blew me away with his accordion driven song was, if it weren't for a kind soul who enlightened me in the comments of my recap of that show (thanks apl!). Since then, because of the wonders of the internet, I've been listening to this tune ad nauseum. The song, taken from Geoff's 2004 Live in Oslo record, may not end up amongst my favourites five/ten/howevermany years from now, but for now it's on near permanent repeat. And, on a weekend that saw the "W" plucked off of the Woodward's building, not to be replaced until the top floor houses a million dollar suite in 2009, it's timely.
Songs stick with you for a variety of reasons. Some of them just resonate for reasons unknown. Some of them are attached to certain feelings or individual moments or places. And, some are attached to certain times. This is very much one of the latter. Here I am, fresh out of University and looking for gainful employment, and watching the city I love as it slips further and further away from affordability for any of my peers. Renting, of course, while still getting expensive, is much different than buying. And, it's still possible to set up shop in an East Van apartment/basement when you're just eeking out a living. But, with expensive lofts popping up in Strathcona and Chinatown, and high end condos going up in the Downtown Eastside, there are fewer and fewer places within Vancouver's borders that "nobody wants to live in."
"That's What Keeps The Rent Down, Baby" is the perfect Vancouver rallying cry against every condo that sits purchased and empty, every rich WASP that moves from Kits to South Main because it's trendy, and every building full of lofts that "retains its original character" but gains $400k in price.
Featuring only accordion, fiddle, and Berner's voice - relaxed and conversational at one moment, epic and theatrical the next - the song is musically stunning, in addition to its apt lyrics. Based on the instrumentation, there's an unsurprisingly old time feel to the song, which juxtaposes nicely with the very modern lament. The accordion pushes and pulls laying the groundwork, while violin lines twist in and out at just the right moments.
Next time you find yourself in the Eastside, and notice shiny new condos cozying up to decrepit old buildings, this will be your soundtrack.
Geoff plays Rime at 9pm on June 29th, as part of the JazzFest.
now playing: the Verve - Sonnet
for the single young professionals, who find the neighbourhood hip and charming
One Song: Perfect Songs for an Imperfect
download: Geoff Berner - That's What Keeps The Rent Down, Baby (via GeoffBerner.com)
I hadn't actually heard Geoff Berner until he was invited on stage during Jolie Holland's recent show. And, I never would've figured out who the guy who blew me away with his accordion driven song was, if it weren't for a kind soul who enlightened me in the comments of my recap of that show (thanks apl!). Since then, because of the wonders of the internet, I've been listening to this tune ad nauseum. The song, taken from Geoff's 2004 Live in Oslo record, may not end up amongst my favourites five/ten/howevermany years from now, but for now it's on near permanent repeat. And, on a weekend that saw the "W" plucked off of the Woodward's building, not to be replaced until the top floor houses a million dollar suite in 2009, it's timely.
Songs stick with you for a variety of reasons. Some of them just resonate for reasons unknown. Some of them are attached to certain feelings or individual moments or places. And, some are attached to certain times. This is very much one of the latter. Here I am, fresh out of University and looking for gainful employment, and watching the city I love as it slips further and further away from affordability for any of my peers. Renting, of course, while still getting expensive, is much different than buying. And, it's still possible to set up shop in an East Van apartment/basement when you're just eeking out a living. But, with expensive lofts popping up in Strathcona and Chinatown, and high end condos going up in the Downtown Eastside, there are fewer and fewer places within Vancouver's borders that "nobody wants to live in."
"That's What Keeps The Rent Down, Baby" is the perfect Vancouver rallying cry against every condo that sits purchased and empty, every rich WASP that moves from Kits to South Main because it's trendy, and every building full of lofts that "retains its original character" but gains $400k in price.
Featuring only accordion, fiddle, and Berner's voice - relaxed and conversational at one moment, epic and theatrical the next - the song is musically stunning, in addition to its apt lyrics. Based on the instrumentation, there's an unsurprisingly old time feel to the song, which juxtaposes nicely with the very modern lament. The accordion pushes and pulls laying the groundwork, while violin lines twist in and out at just the right moments.
Next time you find yourself in the Eastside, and notice shiny new condos cozying up to decrepit old buildings, this will be your soundtrack.
Geoff plays Rime at 9pm on June 29th, as part of the JazzFest.
now playing: the Verve - Sonnet
Labels: geoff berner, one song
