#a004

[interlockingpatches]

This is boring and sad, but I need to celebrate finally confronting my dread/overwhelm at bringing the oldest patterns in line with current protocols. Memento Mori was the fourth collection I did (2024-04), and it was one of the handful of ideas that started me on this whole mess, so it feels very good to bring the patterns up to snuff!

The changes might not look like much (side-by-side comparisons above), but I think they add up! At least I hope they add up because updating (with only my frail, human intelligence i might add) 67 pages and 400 diagrams worth of crochet pattern takes, it turns out, a solid three days, and I've got … quite a few of these things that could all use (more or less of) the same TLC!

Anyway, these patterns have a lot of moving parts, and just coming to grips with the workflow for keeping them correct and up-to-date seems like a big step on the path from "lone wingnut's crudely-monetized depression project" to something more like a plausible (if still comically ill-advised) small business.

[interlockingpatches]

no-sew sewing projects (interlocking crochet)

[interlockingpatches]

they had cotton twine at the corner store, and it seemed as good an occasion as any to revisit this Old Friend from Memento Mori.

(Outlines are #3 thread; hook was 3.75mm; both were a bit too small for comfort, but it worked up and washed out okay in the end).

[mattriiviews]

RiiVIEW #037 Future Politics - Austra

A #004:

Okay folks, it's been some time since I've written a riiview but I'm ready to sink my teeth into some new music  and entertain you all (hopefully) with my thoughts on Austra's new release Future Politics. 

Austra is a band based out of Toronto and led by Katie Stelmanis, who's voice is undeniably spectacular and lends itself perfectly to the ethereal, electro-pop,  cosmic world of Future Politics. The album, for me anyways, evokes a lot of dualities. It has you both feeling like you're at some trendy warehouse party walking slow motion through the crowd or running fast in the cold crisp air of winter until you run out of breath. It's an album I feel is best to listen to alone, yet according to Stelmanis Future Politics is a statement about coming together for a better future. I don't particularly care for big optimistic statements like that, in fact they make my cynical heart cringe, but that is what is so great about this album, it allows space for interpretation.  I love you more than you love yourself  is a good example. The track has intimate and candid lyrics like "There is nothing in your soul tonight, I only see darkness" sung to a synth-pop beat that made could make you groove and cry at the same time, if you're the crying type that is.  

So comes my dilemma. I'll admit, when it comes to local acts, I'm susceptible to giving them the benefit of the doubt because you know, I want to support my Toronto homies.  On the other hand, I have never been taken so much with these new-age Kate Bush/Sinead O'Connor types, which I think is a valid comparison. After three listens I've come to this conclusions.I don't think that I will download this album, it's just not to my taste,  but Stelmanis' vocals are full of grace and work well with the catchy, dance-worthy beats on each track. Future Politics is a beautiful union between our darkest thoughts and the hope we all hold onto. 

Top 3: Future Politics, 43, I Love You More Than You Love Yourself

Rating: ✨🌩⛈🌜🌛🦄☂️ /10

M:

Happy New Year. It’s 2017 now, aren’t you glad 2016 is over, thank god we made it out of that burning trash heap alive. 

Just kidding! The states are 6 days away from the ascension of the all too real version of a corrupt comic book mayor for president. Other than that, not much has changed. I’m glad to start off the year with a discussion of some Future Politics. 

I’ve been excited for this album, especially after hearing the singles “Utopia” and “Future Politics”. Although I must say this album hasn’t grabbed me by the throat the same way “Olympia” and “Feel It Break” did. Unfortunately, the singles are probably going to be the only songs you remember off this one. 

The album certainly sounds like Austra, I mean it’s pretty much unmistakable. You’ve got your shimmering, icy synths, and Katie’s vocal aerobatics, which beg the impossible task of being imitated. Even with this winning recipe, Future Politics comes across as a bit boring. It sounds weary and devoid of the punch that was present in the last two. Rather than ending, it feels as if the album just stops being, with it’s last song “43″.

Future Politics feels like a murky cousin to ANOHNI’s HOPELESSNESS, which has regained some of it’s hope. It isn’t bad by any stretch, just not the regular quality I’m used to from Austra. 

Top 3: Utopia, Future Politics, Gaia

Rating: 💃🏿❄️💃🏾🌎💃🏽👁‍🗨 /10