Spotify For The Win!

Call me late tot he game on this, but I am really enjoying the versatility of Spotify as a streaming source for music.  I at first was skeptical of using the service because of the cost versus artist availability.  That was until I was given an invitation for a premium account from a family member (Thanks Simon!) to try it out without any ads, or introductory time frames.

What won me over was a combination of many things, especially for the mobile devices.  The accessibility to a huge selection of artists to start.  Spotify has obtained quite the roster of bands and compilations over the years.  This comes in very handy for me when I make my playlists.  So not only can you search for other people's playlists, but you can following top trending ones, radio stations, and also create tons of your own!

(Photo courtesy of Spotify: Design Resources)

Another bonus feature that sealed the deal for me was the ability to download as many songs as I wanted (on the premium account) for offline use when I am in an area that doesn't have WiFi, or signal issues, which can be frequent in the mountain areas nearby.  It's a relatively easy process to download, remove, and add new downloads.  You can do them as a whole playlist, a whole album, or individual songs of your choosing.

So far, the playlists have been a hit. I have been sharing them with a few family and friends, and hoping to add to them as I discover more and more artists.  Add me if you are a member (afgallagher86).  I believe it's also free to sign up!

Alexisonfire - Live At Copps

A wonderful flashback occurred recently.

It was a crisp, cold GTA evening in the end of December, 2012.  After returning from holiday festivities in my hometown, I grabbed our whack of tickets and took off for three nights of Alexisonfire at the Sound Academy.  Being that it was supposed to be their farewell tour, I was looking forward to the band and crowd energy at each show.  Needless to say the GF and I suffered a few bruises and bumps in the mosh pit/entire crowd (haha).

So after they depart from the city after four days of havoc, I received a text message from my buddy John, asking if I was available that evening.  With no idea what he's got planned, or any real plans myself, I was happy to tag along.  I had a slight suspicion anyways, being that he attended previous shows with us.

(Courtesy of theonlybandever.com)

We ended up in Hamilton for Alexisonfire and their [apparent] farewell show after 10+ years as a band.  While St. Catherines is the guys hometown, Copps Coliseum felt the perfect venue for fans all across the Niagara region and the GTA.

With Moneen warming up the crowd as we entered the venue, there was a great vibe in the air, and a huge crowd screaming, eagerly awaiting what would eb the final time anyone was going to see these five on stage together.

Shortly after an energetic show from Moneen, the five gentlemen took the stage, and gave it all they had.  I would normally find myself in the moshpits for something such as this, I decided to lick my wounds from previous evenings and watch the night unfold by the sound booth.

So the flashback came from John a few weeks ago when he shared that concert with me (Thanks John!).  I had noooo idea this was being filmed, but remembered saying something along those lines when I was in Copps.  So, here is that full concert, courtesy of Dine Alone records!