What you like, what I like, why can't we both be right?

Alabama Shakes. "Don't Wanna Fight." Sound & Color, Alabama Shakes LLC under exclusive license to ATO Records, LLC in the United States., 2015.

Still coming down from the high of the Osheaga Music and Arts Festival last weekend in Montréal, where I had the immense pleasure of sitting next to Toronto R&B up-and-comers Daniel Caesar and Tommy Beesley (aka River Tiber) while the supremely talented Alabama Shakes rocked the crowd. Lead vocalist and guitarist Brittany Howard is truly a force of nature and witnessing her belt her heart out to a crowd of tens of thousands of festival-goers during sunset was an experience I'll not soon forget.

After learning of the horrifying events in Charlottesville this past weekend, and returning to the US from a short visit back to Canada, I've been feeling a renewed sense of hope in the power of cultural institutions, the arts, and especially music, to share messages of tolerance, foster understanding, and build community. We need it now more than ever.

Who do you think you are?

Gnarls Barkley. "Crazy." St. Elsewhere, Gnarls Barkley under exclusive license to Downtown Music, LLC and Atlantic Recording Corporation for the United States, Canada and Mexico., 2006.

Things are feeling a little crazy lately. 

Sharing two versions of Nelly Furtado's cover of this Gnarls Barkley track to calm things down a little.

My style is off the thermostat plus I'm comin' from the cold

Don't whisper in my ear

Honne, Izzy Bizu. "Someone That Loves You." Warm On A Cold Night (Deluxe), Tatemae Recordings, a division of Atlantic Records UK. A Warner Music Group Company, 2016.

Discovered Honne at Osheaga this past weekend and I can't get enough of their sound.

Thanks to my sister, Kelly, for dragging me from all the way on the other side of Parc Jean-Drapeau across the festival grounds to catch these guys live. This track is poppy, sure, but it's sweet and upbeat and I can't help but smile when I hear that chorus.

🎶 Don't touch me
Boy I want you
Not allowed to
You have someone that loves you
I'm waiting
And I'm patient
I'm deluded
You have someone that loves you
 🎶