Author Archives: Vanessa Hidalgo

What your Starbucks drink says about you

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When you work at a café or really anywhere that you have your own regulars, you start to learn a lot about people. So as an ex-barista I’m going to tell you what your drink says about you.

Starbucks Corporation Logo 2011.svg
By Source, Fair use, Link

Latte

A very generic but safe bet, a regular latte is always a go to for the dads any other drink seems to be too complicated for them to order. Now if you take the latte and make it a non-fat, no foam, sugar free vanilla latte at 190 degrees; you definitely go to the optometrist every couple of months. Anyone who gets 190 degrees must be checked up on there is no way they are okay at all and are playing with death. Last, if you get just a vanilla latte there is really nothing to say here you can be anyone, as in you’re basic.

Caramel Macchiato

If you think ordering this drink by calling it a Mochamitto, a MACHEEiatto or Macholatte is funny, I would like you to stop the nonsense immediately. You are an adult; literal children order this drink properly like normal human beings. Please save the dad jokes for your wife and kids I am not them. Caramel Macchiatos are a staple drink they’re great hot or iced but if you’re an iced type of person paired with a non-dairy as your milk, you’re a super sweet gal who’s hitting all the curbs in the parking lot.

Cappuccino

Not as popular as the last two drinks but still a memorable mention. This is the dad drink of Starbucks I don’t know what it is, but all dads get this. Now if you start getting fancy and want a dry or wet Cappuccino, I am positive you have your life together with a retirement plan in motion somehow. It seems the got their life together crowd enjoys a Cappuccino.

Pink Drink

Stop spending 18 hours on TikTok you could have finished all your assignments or chores. That’s it.

Americano

If your order a black americano blink twice if you’re okay. Americanos are fairly E for everyone as you can customize it into anything. If you order this over a pike roast coffee, I am glad you were born with all your taste buds in-tact. If you’re a normal person who needs some sort of cream or sugar in your drink I understand and respect you; you are simple and love Ikea. Because these are great to customize, if you order 6 long shots in your Americano I promise you the person on the bar is crying.

And last my favourite so I am going to be biased.

Iced Matcha Tea Latte

Yes, if you order this you are awesome, we have the highest IQ everyone else is nothing compared to us shaking our iced matcha tea lattes. People who say matcha tastes like grass have also been, that kid who didn’t like water in school.

2021 is just 2012 in a studded belt

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Yes, more pandemic talk I am sorry, but this is all we’ve got going for each other right now fellow reader. It has been basically a year of this key history event that we are living through and I don’t think I want to live through any more life changing events that’ll end up getting taught in a Social Studies class to High School students.

This stuff has really got me going through a mid-life crisis too early ya feel me?

On the topic of mid-life crisis, I can’t seem to escape the throwbacks of the 2012-2014 Emo/Scene music thanks to TikTok. This got me to think and re-listen, several times. The way that Emo/Scene culture has regressed slowly into society might just be the death of me.

First off, the music, you’ve got your hardcore screamo which is deafening to anyone over the age of 47 or really angsty singing with a sprinkle of screamo here and there. Personally, I was in the middle of these while I enjoyed listening to some guy in black skinny jeans scream for 2 minutes straight, I was a big fan of just the sad singing itself.

The way music evolves over the years is always so cool to see, especially when this genre is adapted into other music genres which makes it just *chefs kiss*. I have seen lots of people regress into their 2012 emo self because of the pandemic and honestly, I think we all should regress into things we used to or still enjoy.

Which is why I am declaring 2021, 2012 but in a studded belt, still angsty and figuring out life.

Who the hell is Squishmallow??!?

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Well, our COVID-19 anniversary is coming up. Can you believe how far we’ve haven’t made it with NOT stopping the spread of the virus. Halloween was cancelled, Thanksgiving was cancelled, Christmas was cancelled and yes, every single person’s birthday was cancelled as well.

During it all you have probably spent more time shopping online or just window shopping as you would if you went to Metrotown. I can speak for myself when I say retail therapy shopping seems to be the most exciting thing, I have going for me right now. If you’re a normal person you know of tik-tok and the way this app has influenced the shopping habits of many users. One of those being the rise of Squishmallows.

For those who don’t know what a Squishmallow is, I doubt you don’t because it is fricking everywhere, but they’re these cute stuffed “animals” which come in various shapes and designs that are like the new Ferbies not really, but it’s got the hype.

These little things have driven people mad with trying to get the latest releases as they sell out fast once available in-store or online. I guess you can equate these little guys almost being like the top Jordan shoe release.

Now the Squishmallows are not just for kids (unlike Trixx) anyone at any age can enjoy them. So, if you don’t know what to get your significant other this Valentine’s, get them a Squishmallow.

Virtual Jim Beam National Talent Search

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Canadian music week is excited to announce the Jim Beam National Talent Search this year over livestream. The talent search will take place starting October 13th until October 20th. Each episode is 30 minutes highlighting different bands from all over Canada. The featured cities are Vancouver, Toronto, Calgary, Ottawa, Edmonton, Halifax, Saskatoon and Montreal.

Jim Beam / Facebook

From Vancouver we want to cheer on our local artists, so from here we have: RedWoods, Small Town Artillery, Maddie, Gnarfunkel and Raincity

Redwoods

High-school friends with chemistry who’s friendship shows through their music. Their sound consists of Alternative, Soul and classic rock n’ roll. Group is said to be amazing live and sweaty! Lead vocalist  Devon Webber is a powerhouse you don’t want to miss.

Small Town Artillery 

The band is founded by brothers Tom (Vocals, Guitar) and Derek (Drums, Vocals) van Deursen, and supported by Carson Webber (Bass). This band mostly drives their influence from funk-influenced and riff-drive rock n’ roll, their live shows are a must watch. 

Maddie King

Modern singer-songwriter based in Vancouver but from England. Her music takes elements of pop, rock and R&B. Originally having completed 2 years in musical education at Selkrirk College in Nelson B.C she furthered her musical studies by studying at Nimbus school of recording and media in Vancouver.

Gnarfunkle

This band incorporates all types of elements like pop, blues, hip hop, latin and psychedelic  but you can guess by the name what you’re going to get. Both frontmen are described as “animalistic” so you will not be bored.

Raincity

Vancouver based funk-rock group who turns many heads with their unique sounds. The group originally started as a jazz trio in 2016 known as “Raincity Blue” but later grew into being five members , they’ve performed at a number of festivals including Rifflandia, the TD Vancouver International Jazz Festival, Canadian Music Week, and Bellingham.

 

Pigface Livestream: Stay the **** Inside Tour 2020

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This industrial rock super group is bringing you the Everywhere All At Once Livestream concert. The livestream is Pigface’s pre-recorded at Thalia Hall from November 30th 2019. This livestream is marking the end of Pigface’s first tour in 14 years.

Members of Pigface in 1991 in Palo Alto, California; left to right: Chris Connelly, Nivek Ogre, Martin Atkins

Tickers for the show are $15 USD and 50% of the sales will be going directly to the Rickshaw Theatre, so support local venues in these unprecedented times.

The show features 3 bass players and five drummers with the ever changing lineup, the show has been filmed with a rotating camera so you won’t miss a single thing. Opening acts include Project 44, Curse Mackey, Ruby, Dog Tablet & Worm. With the bands ever changing lineup you can see the full list of names on the Rickshaw Theatre website here.

If you have never heard of Pigface till now like me, it is time for a quick history lesson. The history on these guys is a little confusing because they never really had “set members” but anyways.

This group is nothing like a band, rather it is more of a performing group with a rotation of a handful of well known musicians in alternative/industrial genre. The one founding member of the group is Martin Atkins in 1990. Before forming Pigface he had lent his talents to Public Image Itd. , Ministry, Nine Inch Nails and Killing Joke. The benefit Pigface had is that it gave these label artists more opportunity than their usual projects, they could just work without having to please any fans or labels. The music that came from the projects attracted a lot of attention in the rock scene at the time. One of the most famous collaborators with Pigface was Trent Reznor from Nine Inch Nails before they became the biggest band in the 1990s.

 

The Blue Jay Sessions: 4-Week Livestreams

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The Blue Jay Sessions are running a 4 week Livestream on their Facebook page off several Canadian Artists.

Starting October 14th @ 7PM MDT are virtual sessions featuring phenomenal Canadian singer-songwriters sponsored by Russel Brewing Company.

The weekly lineup is:

Week 1:

David James Music

Recording country artist from Winnepeg

Theresa Sokyrka 

Folk singer-songwriter from Saskatoon 

Wyatt C. Louis

Plains cree folk singer-songwriter based in Calgary 

Peter Katz 

Juno award, Canadian Screen Award nominee 

Week 2:

The Heels

High energy country trio

Crystal Leigh of Sons of Daughters 

Contemporary country duo from Vancouver 

Alex Runions 

Saskatchewan based country singer-songwriter

Cory Marks

Country singer who mixes it up with rock n’ roll

Week 3:

Jade Turner 

Country artist 

Shawn Austin

Vancouver country singer-songwriter 

Kristin Carter 

Country singer-songwriter from White Rock

Dani Strong

Country singer-songwriter not afraid blend genres

Week 4:

Shylo Sharity 

singer-songwriter 

Gizelle de Guzman 

Recording artist and performer with a passion for wiriting

Petric

Brother country duo with millions of online streams 

Alessia Cohle 

Country singer-songwriter

That’s so much Canadian talent and it’s all free in the comfort of your own home! Blue Jay Sessions also says it might have some surprise appearances you won’t want to miss it.

Kill The Katherines

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Vox Rea / Facebook

What’s better than 3 women who make killer music? Absolutely nothing. Formally known as The Katherines they’ve re-named as Vox Rea, with a brand new single coming out this month on the 16th.

If you love Lana Del Rey you will love Vox Rea, not to be mixed up with Lana but you get the same euphoric, road-back driving with the feeling of being free. Their music is described as being that euphoric coming of age in a postmodern world. Their debut album cited influences from Arcade Fire to Friedrich Nietzsche.

Vox Rea consists of Kate Kurdyak (lead vocals/piano/guitar/bass), her sister Lauren Kurdyak (vocals/piano), childhood best friend Kaitlyn Hansen-Boucher (vocals/percussion) and Berklee-alum Mitchell Schaumberg (vocals/piano/guitar/bass).  Releasing their debut album To Bring You My Heart on 604 records as The Katherines. The album gained over a million plays on Spotify and was a huge success. Their songs were featured in the following playlists; New Music Friday, Pop All Day, Hot Hits Canada, Indie Pop Chillout and the Canada Viral 50 chart.

Lauren and Kate studied together in school where they met Mitchell Schaumberg, multi-instrumentalist and certified virtuoso. Together they all started playing at school parties under the name BEEF with friends. After realizing the chemistry they all had they started meeting for late night writing sessions.

So now that you’ve read me ramble on, give them a listen ASAP and sip on some craft beer and don’t forget to pre-save their upcoming song Dose Me Up.

Here are my top 5 I recommend listening to first after much deliberation,

Minefield

Tomorrow

Cherry Lips 

Heart On The Table 

Great Big Blue

 

Music Essentials featuring, Harlequin Gold

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Harlequin Gold are sisters Avery and Elle O’ Brien both from B.C. Initially Avery was travelling abroad and Elle was in Vancouver studying microbiology both living different lives they were brought back together when a family tragedy occured with their brother ending up in a coma. After the recovery they were left unsure of themselves and where to go but this only brought them closer together. With both of them having a passion for music they decided to make songs together. Their sound is mostly folk and indie but it has a sprinkle of pop in some songs. The duo have a song coming out this friday you wont want to miss it.

Now onto the music.

Baby Blue EP

Baby Blue

First thing you’ll notice on this song upon listening is the perfect harmonizing between both sisters. The deep guitar hicks paired with drum beats flow smoothly under the vocals sang. This song to me feels sad yet so happy i can’t explain it but i feel the emotion through the singing.

Take me Home

The indie mixed with pop for this song just struck something in me the song felt familiar. That feeling of being far from home and wanting to go back home or just go back into the past. Again the sisters kill it singing together with their voices synching with one another. Take me home is the track to listen to when running away.

I was your girl

The mellow song soothes you to peace yet with upbeat parts it’s cheery almost like  playing outside in the snow during a montage. Although not being a sad song i can’t help but feel moved especially with their voices singing with passion just makes me want to hug someone

Want you more

The more laidback song with the deep bass strings starts with the angelic soft singing. I think this is my favourite song from the EP. I’m a little biased because I enjoy the guitar a lot in this song. The vocals in this one are in my opinion the best out of the four, It sounds so sweet yet glass cutting.

So make sure you check this out, and support local artists.