by Amber Goodwyn
Hark! I am now the proud owner of a home organ! My search was long and annoying, with many visits to the merchant folk of Craigslist and Kijiji, but I finally found a pretty one with lots of bells and whistles (okay, buttons and knobs) — and it even has lights!
My pleasure is extreme.
Here is my tale.
QUEST TO THE FROZEN NORTHWEST
I secured a van, directions and a driver, and we steadily made our way to Regina’s remote northwest to claim my prize. Upon arriving at our destination (and ensuring the area was free of orcs), I proffered the agreed-upon sack of coin and was then led to my new treasure. It was beautiful! The mighty instrument was also much heavier and larger than described.
Verily, this was more organ than I’d bargained for.
It took myself and four sturdy hench-dudes to ferry the thing back home. It was a perilous journey. One burly-armed dude rode seatless and beltless in the back of the van to help secure the shifting, lurching beast.
Fortunately, we travelling minstrels are accustomed to the dangers of such unsafe driving. Our fellowship made it home without the loss of a single dude.
And then it was time for our final task: getting the organ into its new abode.
We struggled to manoeuvre this large box of wood, metal and plastic through my doorway, then carefully navigated our way down treacherous stairs to the depths of my cellar studio, only to be thwarted when the organ’s foot pedals kept catching on a corner. Alas! New plans were quickly made, however, and the hulking thing was manoeuvred into a spare bedroom, quite a distance from my other musical instruments. No matter, I crowed. We’ll try to move it downstairs again — someday!
Perhaps in the next volume.
IN LOVE WITH THE JANITOR OF LUNACY
The source of my organ-ly obsession is Nico’s 1970 album Desertshore. It has all of the gothic, lovely, stripped-down elegance I’ve always liked in prettily dark music. A lot of ’70s prog titles feature organs, so I’m creating an autumn listening list with them.
Also, my band used an organ on our last album and it was great. That experience cemented my desire to own one.
THAT OLD TIME ROCK N ROLL
Lots of great live music going on these next couple of weeks, more than I can list (that’s what the listings section is for!) — as well as some strange pop cultural relics. In the latter category are two Casino Regina Lounge shows: Hanson (“MMMBop”, anyone?) on Friday Oct. 4, as well as David Cassidy of Partridge Family fame on Friday, Oct. 11. Why do these shows make me feel weird?
Anyway, lots of folks in town deeply dig electronica group Austra (fronted by Katie Stelmanis), who seem to dig Regina right back, what with its regular Regina dates. Catch them Sunday, Oct. 6 at The Exchange when they play with Toronto’s Moon King who has a power-shoegaze-pop thing going on. This will be Austra’s first visit since the spring release of the band’s latest album, Olympia.
BC-based gospel group The Sojourners will make beautiful harmony at the Artesian on Monday Oct. 7 as part of the Regina Folk Festival Concert Series. Finally, legendary folk artist David Francey plays The Exchange on Wednesday, Oct. 16. Thanks, Grassroots Regina!
In my ears: The Julie Ruin’s Run Fast
Check in: ag@prairiedogmag.com
