McSweeney’s List (26 July, 2023)
Accessible Audio for McSweeney’s List will be available soon!
This week’s Mc(Play)List is a collection of songs about being stuck, or breaking free, and wanting more.
We all know the "peaked in high school" trope. The image of a middle aged, overweight man telling the story of his high school accomplishments, his college "conquests", the proverbial "big game winning touchdown" scenario, in whatever form be it sports, or art. We don't only know this character from pop culture, we know this person because, well, we know this person. We all have that parent, uncle, acquaintance who shows their one trophy every time you go over, and tells you the whole dramatic story of how they got it -- yet again. They aren't trying to be tiresome, they simply have a limited well of experiences to draw from.
These people petrify me. Yes, because they're an embodiment of the passage of time and the inevitability of our best days being behind us, but not only that. They are examples of people who have committed -- consciously or otherwise-- to stop trying. Whether they refuse to entertain new music, new flavours, or new experiences, at some point they decided that their growth had satisfactorily plateaued; permanently.
What the hell, Bro?! As long as there is breath in my lungs and strength in my spirit, I aspire to learn, to savour, to challenge myself and explore what this life has to offer. I understand that’s dependent on health and a myriad of “dumb luck” factors (knocks on wood, throws salt over her shoulder, polishes various stones). Still, I personally know too many folks living their lives in quiet complacency. People who are content telling stories of the things they once excelled at, popularity they used to have, fundamentally who they used to be.
My best days are still ahead of me. Now and forever (well, metaphorically). So often people say the best day of their life was their wedding day, or the day their child was born, going to the best show / game / travel destination. But they forget to add “so far”. Because there’s still much more to come, paths you will take that you can’t even imagine!
When I saw NOFX last year I was struck by their energy. That seems obvious if you know their material, but a lot of that music was made by young men. Here were these grown ass (to be gentle) men, not only on the road touring, not only playing hard ass punk, but jumping in the air like few folks a fraction of their age can. It was beautiful. It reminded me that age is a number -- if you choose it to be. That the lifestyles so often attributed to youth are only forgone when people decide to stop opting for them. I was excited by the reminder that you can be a rockstar when you grow up, and then you can keep being one, even when your rockstar buddies decide it's time to retire. (Editor’s Note: Shoutout to Madonna.)
Worse than those who die on the hills of their old triumphs, are those who drone on about all the things they could have done. Arguably as prevalent as the "Already Peaked" comes the mediocre adult who "Almost Was". The Venn diagram between these groups overlaps in the fact that they've both given up: there are no future hills to climb, no lessons left to learn, no fresh experiences to be discovered and explored. Where they differ is in the fact that the former tells you how great they used to be, and the latter tells you how great they could've been, had it not been for -- any number of excuses. And fundamentally, that's what they are.
I’m not claiming to be some pillar of personal evolution, or even that I'm immune to the pitfalls of procrastination (far from it). Still, my eyes remain set on the horizon, and I’m eager to see what lies beyond. In my optimistic naïvete (ask around, it’s real), I thought for years that most people saw their future in the same way. But I meet a lot of people…and I watch them (sometimes too) closely. And I’ve run into a shocking number of stagnant people. While some folks have just hit their natural zeniths, the majority no longer see any easy opportunities for growth, or no purpose in trying, and have resigned themselves to go slowly and into that good night. Perhaps even darker, there are loads of grown-ups out here aware that they could be aiming higher, but know that they can get away with far less than their best, hedging their bets that being barely average is the new avocado toast (or whatever).
If you feel like I'm talking about you, I am! And I’m talking to myself too! We all need this reminder, this encouragement, some admittedly more than others. We all have days (or decades) wherein we have more stories of yore than plotlines on the go. We all catch ourselves going through the motions, drifting into the background of our own lives. But we can't just let that go on forever. Or, well, I suppose you could just call it a day, stop where you are, let people outgrow you, have possibilities pass you by. And years from now you can tell the story about how things might’ve been, how you might have been someone if you’d done something differently right now. If that’s cool with you, go right ahead, admit that you are perfectly content with where you are, and that you intend to go no further. (Editor’s Note: Billy Joel lyrics would fit nicely here.)
With all of this in mind, I am officially rebranding as Timeless; Infinitely Unfinished, Eternally Evolving. In the event that I ever lose focus, begin to sink into the petrifying amber of time, I hope that I am in the company of enough Horizon Chasers to shake the shit from my eyes and coax me forward.
See you out there.
Call In Sick
No one ever expects a Thursday "sick day", so go out tonight and worry about it in the morning. The Cherubs are bringing hardcore from Austin, Texas, with local bands Red Dagger (Red Mass & Mickey Dagger), and Pnoom. They'll leave your ears ringing in that way you love.
WHAT: The Cherubs with Red Dagger and Pnoom
WHERE: Bar Le Ritz PBD, 179 Jean-Talon W., Montreal, H2R 2X2
WHEN: Wednesday, July 26, Doors @ 7 PM, Show @ 8 PM
METRO: Jean-Talon (Orange)
TICKETS: Blue Skies Turn Black
A New Show Every Week!
What do you get when you mix a themed show with some of the best improvizers in town? Laughs! Unscripted, unrehearsed, every show is a unique experience! Cash only at the door, or hit the link below!
WHAT: The Every Thursday Show
WHERE: Variations Mile End Improv. 5337 St. Laurent Blvd., #250, Montreal, H2T 1S5
WHEN: Every Thursday, Doors @ 8 PM, Show @ 830 PM
METRO: Laurier (Orange)
TICKETS: Eventbrite
When The Haüs Is Rocking…
Looking for weekend music?! I found it for you! Check local bands Félixe (grungy alternative for the 21st century), Sweetheart Grip (great guitar with dreamy vocals), along with Grotoko (catchy and melodic, in from Winnipeg). The lineup has the bases covered, and you're bound to leave being a fan of all of them.
WHAT: Félixe, Grotoko and Sweetheart Grip
WHERE: Turbo Haüs, 2040 rue Saint-Denis, Montreal, H2X 1E7
WHEN: Saturday, July 29, 8 PM
METRO: Sherbrooke (Orange)
TICKETS: The Point of Sale
Anything I Write Here Will Date Me
Celebrate hip hop and rap through the ages! 50 years of the beats and bars you love! Whether you're dying to dance, or looking to post up by the speakers, this one's for you.
Bonus: In case you missed it, back in February guest contributor Chuggo Freeman (self-proclaimed washed-up Battle Rapper, Men’s Work Boot reviewer, Prisoner Rights activist, Cranberries Super Fan, and Urban Music Historian) gave us his list of Top 10 Pioneers of Canadian Hip Hop (That Aren’t White)! Check it out!
WHAT: Together Brothers: Hip Hop All NIght - 50 Years of Classic Material with DJs Scott C and Sevdee
WHERE: La Sala Rossa, 4848 St. Laurent Blvd., Montreal, H2T 1R5
WHEN: Saturday, July 29, 10 PM
METRO: Laurier (Orange)
TICKETS: Casa Del Popolo
Kayfab-ulous
There's wrestling at Foufs this weekend, and I don't feel like I need to say more…but I will, you know, for format's sake. There's a Six Man Tag Team Match, Grudge Match, Championship, and all sorts of badass shit, and they promise to quench "your thirst for action". It's going to be a wild night!
WHAT: BATTLEWAR: Thirst Trap
WHERE: Foufounes Electriques, 87 Rue St. Catherine St. E., Montreal, H2X 1K5
WHEN: Sunday, July 30, 8 PM
METRO: St. Laurent (Green)
DETAILS: Facebook
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