#1 - What is the one album (or ep or song) that you think should be the very next musical thing that everyone presses play on the next time they find themselves thinking “what should I listen to now”?

This first one's hard but right out the gate I would have to recall Pat Stay's - Guilty by Association. With the very recognizable Phil Collins sample, Pat puts together an elegant picture of what he sees and what he also once saw.

Exhibiting a very thought-out approach, which in turn sounds like a letter about a life he once knew and the one he set out to create. One of my influences from out east that unfortunately, the hip hop world lost this early September. Major blessing to his loved ones and homies.

Also lately I'm quite impressed with the latest NAS release King Disease 2… and I'm definitely setting out to listen to the next one.

#2 - What is the one movie or tv show that you think should be next in everybody’s metaphorical Netflix queue (ie. it doesn’t have to be available on Netflix or even available on streaming, just a movie or tv show that comes to mind when thinking about what you've enjoyed enough to want to tell someone else to go check it out)?

Boardwalk Empire. Simply one of the more well put together tv series, so much so that I couldn't bear to watch it end.

I believe I've still put off watching the 5th and final season. But with the theme of ‘no one gets out alive’ being the overall gist of it, I may have gotten a little timid. If you like gangster/mob flicks mixed with historic references like Al Capone and more, this could be right up your alley if you haven't already indulged. Steve Buscemi is an absolute beast.

#3 - I (and by “I” I mean “whoever is reading this”) am going to the local book store (or maybe the local library) to find the very next book that I will be putting some valuable ‘me time' aside for. Which book would you get, if you were me (and, I suppose, if you hadn’t already read what you’re about to suggest so you could get to read it again for the first time)?

Funny enough, I've been trying to get myself back into reading. I always found reading books that pulled from real life always kept my attention. Viktor Frankl’s ‘Man's Search For Meaning’, is always my favourite recommendation. A heavy read, following Frankl as he survived the holocaust and created his psychotherapeutic methods.

#4 - Because the people who frequent mountain towns often like to jump around the map (often to other mountowns), I consider the HWY 95EH "local area" to be anywhere that someone living in the Kimberley/Cranbrook area would consider driving for a weekend away — SO, WITH THAT IN MIND — please provide some personal local area tips by describing what an ideal couple of days in your "local area" would look like for someone like you.

I feel like, more so if you're making your way through here in the summer and spring months, our many trails offer great sites and views on the best of days. Whether it's something mountainous you'd like, trekking up Eager Hill is always a nice viewpoint for Fish Peak, or maybe you befriended some locals who can show you around to one of many waterfalls. Perry Creek is always my go to, a decent hike in but it's a place of wonders and killer for cooling down when that summer temperature hits. And I have to mention some of my favourite food spots: Ella's (CBK) Pedal & Tap (Kimberly) and The Firehall Grill and Tap (CBK), which all offer great menu items..… great burgers, bomb chicken and everyones favourite, cold beer.

#5 - And, finally… please give one completely unaided recommendation that you think everyone should start doing / using / eating / thinking / quitting / etc-ing to make their lives a little bit more better / bearable (because if it's worked a bit for you, maybe it'll work a bit for someone else).

This last one is interesting but I like it. I think one thing that could help everyone is just to be more mindful with your actions, your speech, and even the conversation you participate in or even just hear. For myself, I always aim to try and take in more positivity because, especially in today's age, with the access we have, it's very easy to paint a bleak picture. So, as if we were trying to keep our appetites in check, think about the kind of food for thought you're both giving and receiving.

OK folks, there you have it. Things that Strange 2ruth thinks you should consider incorporating into whatever you get up to during the 9-to-5’s and 5-to-9’s of living, whether you are currently in a mountown somewhere in the highway 95/a area or not (although, question 4 is pretty ‘regionally specific’… so you might need to come swing by the Kootenays to put that tip into practice, eh)!

But before you log off and go start being more mindful with your thoughts & actions, make sure to follow Strange 2ruth on the INSTAGRAM / FACEBOOK + also give a ‘Kootenay Rap’ a listen below:

\\

//

…and if you like what you’re hearing, go do some further strange-2ruth-flavoured audio exploring over on the Bandcamp / Spotify / Youtube. And don’t forget that you can catch Strange 2ruth performing at the Ed Fest community showcase down at Rotary Park in Cranbrook on Saturday, September 9th (2023).

.

•

.

🍻

--

JEREMY / @HI54LOFI

▲54▼

≈

+

&