Okay, so many of you probably think its stupid to care about lashes enough to try and find a product to make them grow, and maybe it is – but if you have barely there lashes even with mascara on and use of a heated lash curler you might understand where I’m coming from. It’s safe to say mine were pathetic and lack of them made me feel manly… and that sucks.

So when I started to hear about new products that can magically grow your lashes I hit google to search it out immediately. Initially I found that super expensive by prescription only product called Latisse and after realizing I could never afford it I also read that it can possibly make your eye color turn brown?!?! I have green eyes and I like that they are green, so no way was I touching that stuff even if I could manage to save up enough to afford it.

Sad that I could not use this magic potion I looked into other options. This is really embarrassing to admit but I even tried lash extensions which worked out cheaper than Latisse, but they didn’t last long for the price and were just too long and felt hard and unnatural and every time I needed to rub my eyes I worried about some coming out. After a couple weeks they started to come out more on my right eye (which is the side I sleep on) and at that point I was like okay this looks stupid – so extensions were not for me either. I ended up ripping the left lash extensions out and moved on.

But I didn’t give up. Months later, flipping through some beauty magazine I found reviews of a bunch of products that claim to grow your lashes and MaxoLash received the top score. Fusion Beauty’s StimuLash received second place and I absolutely love LipFusion (yes I have thin lips too, thanks genetics!) so I was going to try that first but MaxoLash ended up being cheaper so I figured why not? I looked it up and there was no weird claims of changing your eye color or anything scary like that so I found it on ebay for a reasonable (though still not cheap) price and gave it a try. A little over a month later I was so glad I did. For the first time in my life I had noticeable naturally soft long lashes and mascara actually makes them look even better rather than just visible like before. I no longer have to struggle to even curl them like I did when they were so fine and short! There is no turning back. This is a holy grail product and you won’t find me without it.

At around 75$ it is definitely something you might have to save for, but it is worth saving for. One tube will last you a long time. I’m two months in on my first tube and it is still practically full, no kidding. And I noticed results after about two weeks.

Worth noting, I also tried their MaxoLip product as it came with it free so I figured why not, and I was pretty disappointed. Not nearly as good as LipFusion and the watery serum texture means you can’t even use it as a gloss like you can with the Fusion products. I didn’t notice much of a difference after using it for a couple weeks, while with Fusion I notice it immediately after putting it on.

All in all MaxoLash quickly became one of my few can’t live without products, and if you want longer lashes without any scary risks this is the stuff to get.

I was introduced to the work of Bonnie ‘Prince’ Billy (also known as Will Oldham, Palace Brothers, Palace Music and so on) around the year this album was released, and the majority of music he has produced did not stick with me nearly as much as Superwolf has. Guitarist Matt Sweeney somehow managed to take Oldham’s music from average weirdo indie singer songwriter to perfection.

Superwolf plays like a classic film, going through every dramatic emotion possible in the span of 41 minutes. The opening track “My Home is the Sea” includes the most beautiful guitar work heard on any Bonnie ‘Prince’ Billy album to date. Lyrically there are still the signature strange lyrics Oldham is known for “and I love my tummy/it’s round and firm and funny/that’s what I am” (?) but they are book-ended by some of his strongest lyrics and by far the most beautiful melodies his collaborations have ever produced. It also features what is probably my favorite BPB song lyrically – “Blood Embrace” which sounds  exactly as deceptive and dark as being cheated on feels. In this song they sample from a scene from the revenge film Rolling Thunder (1977) which was written by one of the best screenwriters out there – Paul Schrader -when he was in his prime.

The only sub-par track on this album is “I Gave You” which begins with some of his worst lyrics (“I gave you a child/and you didn’t want it/that’s the most that I have to give”) along with rather forgettable music. It is a throwaway track that should have been cut. Ending with “Death in the Sea” would have been a much stronger way of wrapping up the overall theme.

Records that work as full stories are rare, as in most cases the songs stand alone and removed from the whole which is part of why the album format is no longer appreciated. Oldham and Sweeney managed to create a true to form album with Superwolf, and if you only own one Bonnie ‘Prince’ Billy record, this is the one to have (although I See A Darkness definitely gives it a run for its money).

Best Tracks: My Home Is The Sea and Blood Embrace

Broken Social Scene‘s Toronto Island Concert is coming up in exactly a week and I am super excited for it – if you are thinking about going tickets are still available so don’t miss out. Pavement, Band of Horses, Beach House, Timber Timbre and my favorite local band The Beauties are also playing and it’s looking like it is gonna be a gorgeous day on the island so it is well worth the 60$. In honor of their mad skills listen to this song (and watch the awesome video) from their self titled 2005 album:

• Recording industry wants $1 billion from limewire.
• As someone who has received many parking tickets despite rarely having access to a car, this made me very happy: Toronto parking ticket cancellation guide released.
• Hmm… Michael Jackson fans granted access to his grave.
• The Wire fans in NYC - play paintball with the cast!
• An answer to the question we’ve all asked at least once: Does Michael Cera play the same character over and over?
• 20 essential music books… some more essential than others.
• Thom Yorke is interviewed for a new high school text book and suggests the mainstream music industry is about to collapse. Can’t say I disagree.
• Why don’t rock stars trash hotel rooms anymore?
• RIP Dennis: Seventeen reasons why Dennis Hopper was cool.
• Weezer gets even more embarrassing.
• The Vaselines are releasing another album?!!
• This is funny – Broken Social Scene’s Brendan Canning trash talks Olympic gold medalist.
• Will Max Weinberg be Conan’s drummer on the new show? Looking unlikely, but I hope he is.
• Speaking of Conan: Did you hear about Conan recording a live show for vinyl release at Jack White’s studio? So awesome.

Have any links to share? Post em and I’ll add them in.

The next couple of weeks are very very busy ones for Toronto, and I figured I could be of use and break down which events you shouldn’t miss. Getting around won’t be easy because of the upcoming G20 Summit blocking off transportation on tons of main roads, so if you’re gonna go out it better be worth your time, right?

Luminato

When: June 11 – 20 2010

Where: All over the city

Deets: Nows in its 4th year running, Luminato is the premiere festival for arts and creativity in the city. With 80% of the events free of charge, it is incredibly accessible no matter what your budget – unlike most Toronto festivals. Use the website to organize what you want to attend, and find events based on your interests – music, theater, dance, visual arts, literature, film, fashion, magic, illuminations, education, or celebrations. The theme this year is East-Meets-West so heavy topics will not be ignored. If you only do one thing make it 1000 Tastes of Toronto, every year this is my favorite part of the festival. Some of the best chefs from the city come out and offer dishes at 5$ each, so you can try gourmet meals for well under the regular asking price.

Don’t Miss: 1000 Tastes of Toronto, Rufus Does Judy, Sweatshoppe, Fiction in the Age of E-Books, The Ascension of Beauty, Pop Divas, West Side Story Suite, John Malkovich Live On Stage in the Infernal Comedy, Ship O’ Fools

Woofstock

When: Saturday June 12 and Sunday June 13 10am 6pm

Where: St. Lawrence Market

Deets: Woofstock is a rare dog friendly event in a city that doesn’t care much for pets. If you have a dog you can not miss out on this. Mr. Bojangles was literally in heaven last time he went and I can’t wait to see him enjoying the attention this weekend. Every dog vendor out there (Purina, Pet Valu, Modern Dog etc) will be attending and giving away tons of free samples. Last time we came home with two big bags and didn’t pay for a single thing – they even took our picture for free. Events like the Dog Stars dog show, Fashion Show, Stupid Dog Tricks Contest, Best Costume Contest, and Mr & Ms Canine Canada Pageant run both days. Admission is free so there is no reason not to spend some time in the city with your pet.

NXNE

When: June 14-20

Where: Various Venues

Deets: The 16th annual North by Northeast Music Festival and Conference is one of the best times to be in the city if you want to discover new indie music. There are a staple few big acts playing free shows (Iggy Pop, anyone?) but the heart of this festival is in the tiny venues debuting new acts from around the world. With over 650 bands playing over 7 days in 50 venues, almost every bar in the city will be offering an NXNE show. Much more than a music festival these days, I am most excited by the Film Festival portion of it. For 25$ you can get a wristband to see all 40 music based films playing at some of the best cinemas in the city. New this year is NXNEi (interactive) which focuses on workshops and presentations about the digital music marketing industry and social media, which is quickly becoming the only real way to successfully market. Musicians and marketing industry professionals should not miss out on this.

Don’t Miss: Iggy and the Stooges, Raveonettes, Sloan, Eagles of Death Metal, X. Films: Do It Again, Sounds Like A Revolution, Johnny Cash’s America, When You’re Strange: A Film About The Doors,  Circa 1977: The Diodes, The Blank Generation, This Movie Is Broken, Year of the Carnivore, The Adventures of Spaghetti Cowboy, Thomas Pynchon: A Journey Into The Mind Of, Search and Destroy: Iggy Pop and The Stooges’ Raw Power, Suck, Strummerville, Stones in Exile.

Concerts

June 10:

-Futureheads / Mod Club / $18.50

-Joey Cape & Tony Sly / El Mocambo /  $16.00

June 11:

-Arcade Fire / The Music Hall / $35.00 - Just announced!

June 12:

-Arcade Fire / The Music Hall / $35.00 – Just announced!

-Robyn Hitchcock / Drake Hotel / $20.50

-Jamie Lidell / Mod Club / $20.00

-Shad / Opera House / $15.00

June 15:

CocoRosie / Opera House / $24.50

New Pornographers / Sound Academy / $28.00

Thrice / Phoenix / $26.50

June 17:

The Misfits / Opera House / $30.00

June 18:

Girl Talk / Sound Academy / $26.50

June 19:

Pavement/Broken Social Scene/Band of Horses / Olympic Island / $57.50

June 21:

Fiery Furnaces / Drake Hotel / $18.50

June 23:

Cute is What We Aim For / Mod Club / $17.50

Am I missing anything worth noting? What are you planning on checking out over then next couple weeks?

I vote for the weirdo. I vote for the loonies, I vote for the people off the left wall, I vote for individuals.

Joe Strummer

Blogger Shane Snow made this super hilarious chart comparing rock bands to startups and I figured I should share it here:

Hello peeps and welcome to the new layout of turntherecorover.com. It is finally up and running and I hope to be back to a regular posting schedule now. Lot’s of good stuff has been happening lately around Toronto and I have some fun links to share:

• We all know and love adult swim programming, but I didn’t know they make hilarious games until today. If you are looking for something to waste some time with, try Robot Unicorn Attack. It pumps you up when you begin with motivating phrases like “You will fail!” and “A fiery death awaits you.” Anyone know what that awesome/awful song is that plays on a loop throughout it?!
• If you haven’t already you should download this Kill Rock Stars free sampler immediately, some great tunes from my favorite indie label.
• If you’re a fan of 70′s cinema you know the work of John Cazale, a great character actor who died of cancer right after shooting one of my all-time favorite films The Deer Hunter. HBO finally gave him the recognition he deserves in I Knew It Was You: Rediscovering John Cazale. I can’t wait to see it.
• 35 Songs Hollywood Needs To Stop Using – so many I agree with, seriously – you can only use Sweet Home Alabama or Under Pressure so many times before the point is lost completely.
• This made me laugh – Warner Bros. Sued for Pirating Anti-Pirating Technology.
• Interesting read about how Canadian bands are finally starting to understand that the money is in the merch.
• I was on the Party Down love train from the first episode, but if you don’t even know what that is here are six reasons why you should start watching immediately.
• Ten Filmmakers Who Rocked the Ad World.
• I can’t stand the term “Beiber Fever” either but this examination on how he got so huge so fast is interesting.
• By now you’ve heard that M.I.A posted a writer’s phone number on her twitter when she didn’t like what Lynn Hirschberg wrote about her, but if you haven’t read the article that sparked her rage here it is.
• Every Summer Music Festival You’ve Ever Been To. So funny and true.
• Who should play Kurt Cobain? It was inevitable that a biopic would be made (well Van Sant already made a version of one with Last Days but we’re talking about a mainstream version here), do you like any of their suggestions? Who do you want to see in that role?
• I agree with all of these:  Songs That Sound Better Live.
• Toronto patio guide – Kensington Market.
• Michael Bolton teaches kids how to sing like Michael Bolton, lol!
• 10 Epic Musical Comebacks (some more embarrassing than epic).
• I’ve always known music to be the cure to everything, but here is some proof: 7 Ways Music Breaks Can Improve Your Health.
• Glad someone is pointing them out – 10 Singers In Successful Bands Who Really Aren’t All That Good.
• On a personal note, today is my pup’s 4th birthday! He still looks like a puppy to me so it’s crazy that he’s already four.
• June is literally overflowing with fun stuff to do in the city. I will be compiling a list of the best of it for you very soon.

Have any links or good things to share? I’m always looking for more inspiration so let me know.

It’s good to fail now and then – you learn a lot more out of failure than you do out of success.

Ian Hunter

Hello to those of you who’ve found your way here. This place has been under construction for a while now as I’m in the process of having it redesigned, but plan to return to regular programming as soon as it is ready to go. For now here is my favorite Rolling Stones song of all time (the video is from the film Moonlight Mile which is a good one, go rent it):