I was around 7 when Born in the U.S.A [I think the song I like least on that album is the title track] was released. I wore out my original tape eventually buying a CD copy which I still have.

That album keep me up many a night under the covers with my headphones on trying not to annoy my brother singing along, “drumming” on mattress and whatever other annoying habits I had. [I should have asked him this weekend]

That was the start of an appreciation of The Boss that has never been dismissed. But it wasn’t easy. Even though, or perhaps in spite of that album having 7 top ten singles off it, it quickly came to pass that liking Bruce was not what the cool kids were doing - or at least that’s how it seemed. While that was my introduction to the Boss and I went backwards devouring his past releases, I definitely wasn’t into his albums Lucky Town or Human Touch myself - but I never stopped loving his earlier work.

However, I hadn’t listened to any Springsteen though in months, not the Born stuff or earlier anyways. But two week’s ago I was at Jason Burn’s [he of Down With the Butterfly, Jenn Grant, Tanya Davis]. He put on Arcade Fire’s new album which I hadn’t heard anything from yet. While the album was good, the influence of the Boss was what stood out - it was huge. I wondered if Win Butler had a younger [or older] brother he annoyed the hell out of listening to Springsteen late into the night?

listen to (Antichrist television blues): mp3

If that couldn’t be a Springsteen song I don’t know what could. Everything about that sing screams at me Bruce Springsteen [I even went on a hunt as that song reminded me of something very specific but alas I came up with nothing]. In a brief search I found nothing from Win Butler commenting on his growing up listening to Springsteen just countless other reviews finding even smaller examples of the influence on the album.

However, I did get into Tracks though which I haven’t listened to in years [CDs right - never ripped or downloaded it]. Like his Glory Days, digging out his CDs was like reminiscing with an old friend and too many old memories.

The Wish – about his first guitar has been a song that at times I simply couldn’t listen to because of the memories it brought on.

Dirty old street all slushed up in the rain and snow
Little boy and his ma shivering outside a rundown music store window
That night on top of a Christmas tree shines one beautiful star
And lying underneath a brand-new Japanese guitar

We were actually inside the store looking. And my guitar wasn’t under the tree. they hid it upstairs, saving it for last. And it was Korean. A Korean made Fender Telecaster - easily my most prized possession.

My Mom would be so happy to see me at the Rock Garden - stereo [or computer cranked] music all around. And my Bro is coming home for the first time with his little boy would have melted her in a second. But she passed away a number of years ago after a long fight with cancer – there’s no way to ever know what her final thoughts were – but I’d bet my business one of them was her worrying about her kids.

She also would have loved Joi - no two ways about it. [One of the first things that was discussed when we brought up getting married one day by Joi was that there would have to be something in the wedding honoring or representing my Mom – the fact she would even voice such a thought won me over that much more].

Hell my Dad even spent just as much on Joi at xmas as he did on me - and he’s never bought a thing for anyone I’ve dated before. She’s pretty amazing, I’m pretty lucky [getting back today she was sad because she was already missing MY family – how sweet is that].

I made my Mom [well everyone] worry for a time there - I just wish she could see it was all for naught - everything more or less worked out [except – so far - for those fucking student loans].

ASIDE: Speaking of my bro - he’s living in Ottawa and chromewaves just directed me to the Ottawa Bluesfest lineup this summer - holy shit - I think I may be seeing my brother again this summer. Something for everyone [well, lost of people - Béla Fleck and the Flecktones
Michael Franti & Spearhead, Jonny Lang, Buddy Guy!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! [I need to see him before it’s too late], Cat Power, Robert Cray Band, Sam Roberts Band, Sarah Harmer, Kanye West, Bob Dylan, George Clinton & The P-Funk All Stars, Blue Rodeo, Manu Chao, and The White Stripes - there’s sooooooo much more too. Locals the Grass and In Flight Safety will also be making it up for the fest.

Now it may seem odd to think that good came out of losing my Mom, but I guess that’s just partly how I have to look at it now. I was lucky enough to be able to work for the Cancer Society here in Halifax at their Lodge That Gives – having recognized the name in a job ad due to my Mom having stayed there once. It’s a place where people needing to come to Halifax for cancer treatments, radiation or chemo, could stay for free or relatively cheap depending on the circumstances. I didn’t do much there but there but guests were never more appreciative for even the smallest things.

ASIDE #2: If any local musicians reading this ever feel so inclined you will be hard pressed to find a more appreciative audience - they routinely had musical performances in the front lounge. There was at least one guitar on hand when I was there and a piano as well.

Even with every single person staying there being someone fighting cancer there was more life in that place than any university dorm I’ve been in. And the opportunity to say that I was able to be part of that is one I will hold close and has literally changed the way I looked at life.

So how the hell does Rich Aucoin fit into all this? Well he seems to be a decent fellow from my few interactions with him, Halifax seems fortunate to have no shortage of decent people who have involved themselves in music – and it’s great to be around a number of them almost every day.

So Rich is on his way across Canada now trying to raise some money for the Canadian Cancer Society. Not sure why, if he’s had someone close to him battle cancer but it’s a decent thing to do all the same. Read some more about what he’s up to courtesy of SWC’s online blog [might as well be!!]

# May 4 Toronto, ON @ Whippersnapper Gallery (Over The Top! Music Festival)
# May 11 Victoria, BC @ Logan’s Pub w/Run Chico Run
# May 16 Vancouver, BC @ Hoko’s
# May 17 Vancouver, BC @ The Main
# May 25 Nelson, BC @ Hume Hotel
# June 1 Calgary, AB @ Broken City
# June 15 Saskatoon, SK @ Amigo’s
# June 7 Sault St. Marie, ON @ Lops Lops Gallery
# June 17 Toronto, ON @ Horseshoe Tavern

Bruce Springsteen is just one of dozens of artists that I can use to trace my life through, from crushes and break-ups, to bigger loses to simple lazy afternoons and weekend getaways [Jenn Grant’s new CD this weekend (Her CD release was a. a great way to kick off the weekend and b. so great she even made Joi tear up), as well as a blues/punk mix, rough mixes of Myles Deck’s album we’re putting out (and loving) and Supergrass’ 10 year best of got the majority of listening time this weekend]. Or how about two weeks ago at Jason’s, talking and smoking being introduced to new music. I love that.

This fact that I can dig through my truck of CDs and remember people I haven’t thought of in years, events forgotten – it’s a power few other arts can share to such a degree.
So even when a song gets me down, I know I have literally hundreds to pick me right back up. And maybe because I have to, or maybe just because the timing is right, I think I’m going to spend more time listening to those types of songs in the coming weeks and see what happens.

Last night we all sat around laughing at the things that guitar brought us
And I layed awake thinking ’bout the other things it’s brought us
Well tonight I’m takin’s requests here in the kitchen
This one’s for you, ma, let me come right out and say it
It’s overdue, but baby, if you’re looking for a sad song, well I ain’t gonna play it

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