Are We Not Horses?

So it’s Monday, and a great one because it’s a PA day. But it’s even greater because it’s Random Playlist Monday.

1. Sleigh Ride – KT Tunstall (we’re starting off in a Christmasy way today, works for me )
2. Painting By Chagall – The Weepies
3. Black Bird – The Beatles
4. All The Way Down – Glen Hansard (this is quite the quiet playlist so far)
5. Mick’s Blessings – The Style Council
6. I Hope That I Don’t Fall In Love With You – Tom Waits
7. Shout Bama Lama – The Detroit Cobras (quiets over, but that’s okay ’cause it’s a great song)
8. Rain – Hawksley Workman
9. Bongo Bong – Manu Chao
10. I am an Excellent Steal Horse – Rock Plaza Central

So, that may have been one of my favourite playlists so far. Even with the Christmas song. Of all these great songs I think I’m going to have to go for Rock Plaza Central. You know the saying. When in doubt go for the crazy shouty, indie rock band.

So before going any further I need to say – although I am a  huge fan now – I wasn’t always. All discovery credit goes to my dad. Although, even though I can’t quite believe it, I didn’t always appreciate the…specialness (?) of them. It is a bit of an aquired taste. Once you get past the initial phase and enter into the realm of their true greatness your world is opened up and there is so many more options. I think I really fell in love with them after I saw them at Hillside. The lead singer brought his daughter on stage, and it was love from there on in.

My dad discovered them after they released their first CD Are We Not Horses, a crazy mix of songs all related to..you guessed it, horses. I must say I’m not as well aquanted with their newer CD’s, especially their newest At The Moment of our Most Needing. If you’re looking for an intro to them I’d try checking out Anthem for the Already Defeated (love it’s name), and I am an Excellent Steel Horse. Below is the video for I am an Excellent Steel Horse in all it’s horsey glory.

I think it’s an interesting video, with a really simple idea. But somehow it works, maybe because the song isn’t simple. Either way it’s a great video and a fantastic song. For now though, I must be off, enjoy the rest of your rainy gloomy night.

I Love You

Alright, so it’s Monday and it’s been quite a long time since I last wrote. Plus, today is extra special because…are you ready for it? This is my 100th post!! WOO-HOO! And to celebrate this I’m going to do a 100 song Random Playlist Monday. I know, I’m pretty dedicated. So, without further ado, here it is (just a warning: I am about to completely embarrass and humiliate myself because I have a feeling some very weird things are about to come up, brace yourselves).

1. War of the Worlds – Get Cape. Wear Cape. Fly
2. The City is a Drag – Hawksley Workman
3. To The Dogs or Whoever – Josh Ritter
4. Neon – John Mayer (so far so good)
5. Joy to the World – Sufjan Stevens
6. Woods – Bon Iver
7. Depot Depot – Tom Waits
8. Fool – Neutral Milk Hotel
9. The Girl You Lost to Cocaine – Sia
10. Back Broke – Swell Season
11. Cape Canaveral – Connor Oberst
12. New Years – Ohbijou
13. At the Airport – Old Man Luedecke
14. Motion the Eleven – Cornershop
15. Extra Ordinary – Dave Mann Collective
16. Sixteen – Justin Trawick (Freaky, no!?)
17. Come Together – Across the Universe Soundtrack
18. Late Bloomer – Sarah Harmer
19. Never Going Back Again – Fleetwood Mac
20. An Open Door – Illinois
21. Dream About Flying – Alexis Murdoch
22. South Australia – The Pogues
23. Trouble – Ray LaMontagne
24. Here Goes Something – Nada Surf
25. Waiting on the World to Change – John Mayer
26. To Go Home – M. Ward
27. Language is a Virus – Laurie Anderson
28. Doot Doot Plot – The Hidden Cameras
29. I Don’t Mind – The Cave Singers
30. Whole Lotta Losin’ – Monsters of Folk
31. Home – Wintersleep
32. Perfect – Danny Michel (It’s about time!)
33. Say Hey (I Love You)  – Michael Franti and Spearhead
34. Sula – Jeremy Fisher
35. Violins – Lagwagon
36. The Clearing in the Woods – Harry Nilsson (It’s getting strange now!)
37. Oviedo – Blind Pilot
38. Little Nancy – Fionn Regan
39. Junkie Song – The Be Good Tanyas
40. Jimmy Jazz – Clash (Good changeup there!)
41. Chelsea Dagger – Fratellis
42. Free Until They Cut Me Down – Iron and Wine
43. Low Day – Capra
44. Gypsy Boys Reprise – David Francey
45. I Am a Rich Man – Old Man Luedecke
46. Sammy – The One Night Band
47. The First Snow of the Year – Hawksley Workman
48. Run Devil Run – Jenny Lewis with the Watson T
49. On My Way – Ben Kweller
50. I’ve Just Seen a Face – Across the Universe (Go see this movie if you haven’t already, and if you have go watch it again I know I’m going to)
51. Toothpaste Kisses – The Maccabees
52. A Matter of Minutes – Shawn Colvin
53. Black Wave-Bad Vibrations – Arcade Fire
54. We Go -   Thao
55. Story of My Life – Done With Dolls
56. Had Me a Girl – Tom Waits
57. Blake’s View – M. Ward
58. Salt Bean Fumble – The Penguin Cafe Orchestra (Great name for a song if not a little strange)
59. Close to Me – The Cure
60. With or Without You – U2
61. Why Didn’t You Call Me? – Macy Gray
62. To Your Love – Fiona Apple
63. Never Know – Jack Johnson
64. Sold – Dan Mangan (Going to see him next week: can’t wait)
65. Anti-social – Cuff the Duke
66. Satisfied – Bruce Peninsula
67. Cowgirl in the Sand – City and Color
68. No Sleep – Sam Roberts
69. Last Leaf – The Cake Sale
70. Basket – Dan Mangan
71. Happier – A Fine Frenzy
72. Hearts in the Park – Patrick Watson
73. Our Velocity – Maximo Park
74. Midnight Lullaby – Tom Waits (With 3 songs, Tom now dominates, but how could he not?)
75. House in Motion – Talking Heads
76. Hello Seattle – Owl City
77. Oxford Comma – Vampire Weekend
78. Run (I’m a Natural Disaster) – Gnarls Barkley
79. Patience – Take That
80. Hours Last Stand – Elvis Perkins
81. (Past-due) – The Weakerthans
82. State of the Union – David Ford
83. Gomni – Ali Farka Toure
84. A Call to Arms – Beirut
85. The Saga – The Libertines
86. Shelter from the Storm – Bob Dylan
87. Sweet Baby James – James Taylor (some classic cheese, but we all love our cheese, well except for lactose intolerant people)
88. True – The Frames
89. The Dozens – Amelia Curran
90. 1234 – Feist
91. Champion Angel – Low Anthem
92. Try (just a little bit harder) – Janis Joplin
93. Sweet Hallelujah – Hawksley Workman
94. Quiet – Rachael Yamagata
95. All is Love – Karen O and the Kids (if you haven’t seen “Where the Wild Things Are”, go see it NOW)
96. Hannah – Freelance
97. Whales – Personal Stars
98. This Feeling — Danny Michel (just in time)
99. Relax – Frankie Goes to Hollywood (a terrible song! Yet so very good)
100. Brainy – The National

So, that was quite the list. There were some really good things on there, and a few questionable ones. Now is the appropriate time to laugh at that list. I must admit I’m slightly embarrassed by it, especially the Frankie Goes to Hollywood, but oh well I guess. Of course, there was an extremely large amount of Danny, Tom and Hawksley, but there always is. Today though out of all those songs I’m going to go for Michael Franti, because we all need a music pick-me-up every once and a while, and a little reggae never hurt anyone.

I first discovered Michael Franti through his Obama Song. I was really into Obama and all he stood for (and still am) and the song just seemed really cool to me, it also proved to me that I can like hip-hop/rap/reggae music (other than Bob Marley). After the intial discovery I went in and found a few more of his songs. I especially fell in love with Say Hey (I Love You). Sure it’s a little cheesy, but it’s a damn good cheesiness. And there’s just some kind of appeal to Michael Franti, I’m not entirely sure what it is, but he has that “thing”. This song just always makes me especially happy, and it can give you a good outlook on the world, this is especially shown in the video. The video for Say Hey (I Love You) has just made it up pretty high on my list of top videos. It’s pretty fantastic and incredible cute, see for yourself.

I love this video, I especially love that it’s real people and his background looks real, not Hollywood perfect. I think that’s what makes the song not come across totally fake and cheesy. It has a certain real-ness to it not expressed in most things. I really love that the people look like real people of different sizes, cultures, and are allowed to show real emotions. It’s a pretty darn cute video, and I think it can even make all you cynics out there smile (it achieved that for me, and I’m about as cynical as it gets). So, please smile away for the rest night, and if you’re like me you’re going to watch this video about a million times more. For now though I’m out, thanks for putting up with me for this long, it’s greatly appreciated, and feel free to continue, that would also be greatly appreciated.

P.S. Feel free to get up and dance a bit to, it may actually be a requirement. Awkward dancing especially.

Up Above

Okay I’ve been gone for a whole week. And I must say it’s been a pretty awful week. It started off with a bad bout of food poisoning and ended with the awful duty of putting my little dog down. Mixed in with that was a whole lotta’ family stuff. But I’m back and with force. I realize that I never wrapped up Hillside week (boy that feels like a long time ago) or did my double random playlist Monday, but oh well I guess. I’ve been debating how to make my come-back and I’ve decided to stick with the regular plan. Shane Koyczan. It’s now been exactly two weeks. But I think I can still remember the show. And it goes along perfectly with the mood I’m in now.

When you see Shane Koyczan and the Short Story Long your whole life flips. If you listen to his stuff without seeing him, his music seems meaningful. But when you see him live you also see all his emotions. Exactly how he feels and you can tell he’s had a pretty awful life, but he’s made the best of it. I love that. I love how sincere he seems, and I love how honest he seems. I’ve never seen a crowd get that into a show before. Standing ovations, encores. A mile long line for signatures afterwards (which I stood in). And an obvious admiration for him and what he does. People who once scoffed at spoken word (*ahem* me) quickly had a new found respect for it. Instead of spouting tales of love and peace, he says it how it is. There’s no sugar coating, but he also adds enough clever bits to not make it the most depressing thing you’ve ever heard. That’s a talent. And on top of him being fantastic his band really rocks too. The women have incredible voices, making his stuff sound even better.

Today I thought I’d feature a video of him doing his song The Crickets Have Arthritis. This one really got me, and in a way seemed to fit the mood I’m in. There’s a line at the end about feathers that I didn’t understand at first. It took me three listens but finally I understood and the song seemed even more complete. So please listen, and look more into his stuff. For now though I’m exhausted and in desperate need for some sleep. It’s been quite a week.

Hope it touched you as much as it touched me. And please look up more of his stuff, it is so incredibly worth it. And if you ever get the chance to see him live do it, everybody should get a chance to. That’s all for now though, good night until tomorrow.

Rain, Rain Please Stay

So, a good ol’ rainy day, where it just rains and all you want to do is curl up on the couch with a good book, some tea and the perfect music. Well this is a mood I’m often in and have made many a Rainy Day playlist, but there not all great, so here’s another try of mine. The problem with the rainy day playlist is it’s hard to know what the perfect rainy day song is. I’m sitting at my aunts house curled up on the couch awaiting the rain and couldn’t be happier. These are songs that seem pretty good to me at this exact time on this exact rainy day, let me know your perfect rain song.

1. Ticket Taker – Low Anthem (my dad introduced me to this, and I really love it, GO DAD!)

2. Passion Play – William Fitzsimmons

3. City Song – Emmy The Great

4. Low Rising – The Swell Season

5. World Spins Madly On – Weepies (my favourite morning song, or grumpy, bad mood song totally captures the mood)

6. Road Regrets – Dan Mangan

7. All The Way Down – Glen Hansard

8. Song For Your – Alexi Murdoch (pretty little song for any mood)

9. Shore to Shore – Johnny Flynn (just a perfect song)

10. Bright Future – Bowerbirds

11. Insects – Brasstronaut (a creepy title for a pretty, rainy song. Don’t get turned off by the name like I did at first)

12. Safe and Sound – Hawksley Workman (the most perfect song EVER, for anything)

13. Song For The Road – David Ford

14. Eyes Full Of Rose – Horse Feathers

15. Julie Blue – Joe Purdy

16. Weighty Ghost – Wintersleep (another fantastic song that I’ll never get sick of)

17. Beautiful – Danny Michel (because it captures the mood perfectly and who doesn’t love Danny?)

18. Blue Skies – Noah and the Whale (the title may have blue in it but it’s “a song for anyone who can’t get out of bed”, perfect)

19. Dreamer – Jenn Grant

20. Skeletons (Acoustic Version) – Yeah Yeah Yeahs (one of my favourite songs by them)

21. Drinking Games – Library Voices (saw them at Hillside, FANTASTIC)

22. In The Battle of Sun VS. Curtains, Sun Loses and We Sleep Until Noon – Woodpigeon (greatest song title ever and perfect for a rainy day)

22. Lay Me Down – The Frames

23. The Dress Looks Nice On You – Sufjan Stevens

24. Summer Day – Coconut Records (don’t let the name decieve you, it’s all about rain)

I’d say that’s pretty awesome for a rainy day, or any day for that matter. A day you need some good quiet music, which is a lot of days for me. Below is the video for Weighty Ghost, which I’ve been meaning to play for awhile so it’s perfect. This is one of my favourite video’s even though there’s nothing spectacular about it. Maybe it’s just the great song, or the sing-along chorus which I’m a HUGE sucker for. Either way, enjoy.

I hope that put you in the rainy, sleepy mood if you weren’t already.

Time With Consequence

Okay, so it’s Saturday, how exciting, but this Saturday I’m in a slightly melancholy mood so I’m going to go a little quieter today. For my quieter day, I’m thinking Alexi Murdoch (which is what I usually think). I think I’ve mentioned him in a few other posts but today is completely devoted to him. Of all the artists I play Alexi is one of my very favourites.

I disocvered him 2 Christmas’ ago at a really bad time and Alexi Murdoch was the the perfect cure. Although none of his songs are upbeat, something about them just makes me feel right. His one and only CD Time Without Consequence (although in my not so humble opinion I think time always has a consequence, although that may be to deep of a subject for right now) is one of the greatest things in the world. At first the only song I listened to was Orange Sky which my mom fondly calls the “crying song” because like I said that was a bad time. About a year ago I started to listen to the rest of the CD and realized all of it is good. Of all his songs my very favourites have to be Orange Sky, All My Days, and Song For You. The Ragged Sea is probably my favourite song. Sadly it’s not part of the CD but from the movie Away We Go *which is one of my favourite movies, I highly recommend it). He does most of the soundtrack and there couldn’t be a more perfect person for it.

There’s something about his voice and songs that just makes everything seem so simple just while you’re listening to it (of course than it ends and life goes back to the crazy thing it is).What I mean is he provides this simple and calm oasis and sometimes that’s just what everyone needs. You know how some songs just let you take a deep breath and relax for a second, well his beatuiful voice has the power to do that. He also manages to prove my point that most great things come from Scotland. I really must go sometime (of course I’ve already told you my man Scotland fantasies). I find he’s also incredibly soothing to watch. You know how some people just have this came aura around them, well I think Alexi has that (although of course I don’t actually know him).

Did you get the chills from that, because I did. His voice is so undescribly soothing, it really makes me feel like everything is okay (and trust me Alexi that’s quite a feet to accomplish). Plus I’d say he’s also pretty easy to watch, which is always a good thing. Enjoy Alexi today and hopefully everyday. Remember when you need a little soothing he’s your man (I wish he always was).

P.S. his last.fm radio is also fantastic, which is always a good sign.

One Tongue (which is mine)

Okay, so today is a good day. Today my wonderful cyber friends is Friday, yes Friday the most glorious day off all days. The day that let’s everyone know they can finally take a break and relax for awhile. For me it really will be relaxing. I have plans to do nothing this weekend, and although that’s usually my plan it never happens, this time it really will! To kick off my relaxing weekend I have some very good news. I have a new music love and that love is The Swell Season, especially Glen Hansard. It took me a very long time to get The Swell Season, and it may for you too but don’t give up.

I’m sure most of you have now heard of Once and hopefully Falling Slowly (sadly I think due to American Idol, I wonder how Glen and Marketa feel about that…), but if not well, do something about it. Falling Slowly may be the prettiest song in the world and although I’m not completely in love with pretty this song is a different matter. But The Swell Season really isn’t pretty (I mean it is, but in a gruff way). Two Tongues, Low Rising and Feeling the Pull are my favourite songs, of course not to mention Falling Slowly. Something about Glen Hansards really gruff voice mixed with Marketa Irglovas really pretty voice, well it’s “magic”. I can’t quite pinpont what it reminds me of, but defientley something. I’m thinking The Talking Heads meets Alexi Murdoch which in my mind is a magical music baby. I find it well, I don’t know, moving. I found their video for Low Rising and it pretty much captures what I feel.

At first you think, well this is a sad video, but in the end I realized that I don’t think it is, not that it’s happy just once again moving. I highlyrecommend checking them out, you won’t be disappointed. Watch the movie too. Please just listen to the music and watch the video, I wanted to share it with you because I love it but as you can tell I don’t know how to explain my connection with it.

P.S. and it’s Friday and I’m exhausted…

P.P.S. I forgot to mention that you should also check out The Frames especially the song Lay Me Down, it will amaze you even more if you can believe it.

Wacky Monday

Ah, Monday. Ew Monday is more like it. Well eyetuners (your new pet name) it’s Monday and by now you really should know what that means but for all of you new to eyetunes it means random playlist day.

1.  In Search of Tomorrow -Michael Castro

2.  Working Poor – David Francey

3.  I Don’t Feel Like Dancing – Scissor Sisters (my mom loves this song, me not so much, but it does make me laugh)

4.  Brian Wilson – Barenaked Ladies

5.  Lucky Day – Erin Mckeown

6.  Fairytale of New York – KT Tunstall (my favourite christmas song, although the Pogues version is better this one is pretty good)

7.  You Can Always Come Home (feat. Serena Ryder)  – Jason Castro (I guess it’s a Castro brother kinda day)

8.  Banana Split for my Baby – Louis Prima (I have a weird thing for Louis Prima and guys of that generation)

9.  Pslam – Hey Rosetta!

10. The Room – The Twilight Sad

Okay, that was the greatest playlist ever. WOW! I mean David Francey to the Scissor Sisters than Louis Prima to Hey Rosetta! I’m proud of that one to say the least. It may have just made my day a little better (this is why these playlists are so good for Monday, it brigtens my day to see what weird stuff I have on my iPod).

So, I think of all those things I need to talk about Louis Prima. He’s one of those weird music things I have and I know everybody has one. That one thing that doesn’t blend with the rest of your taste, well (except for Miley Cyrus of course) he and guys like that are it for me. I’ve always had a thing for the older italian man (not in a creepy way so just stop thinking what you are) but in a cute little old, pudgy guy way. Of course they don’t have to be italian they can be any culture. My friend and I once talked about making an old huy coffee table book, with tons of pictures of great old men but than we realized we would probably be the only ones to purchase them. But anyways to get back on topic, I’ve always had a thing for that kind of guy. Frank Sinatra sure, Louis Prima sure even Ray Charles although I’m not sure he fits into that category?Wwhen I discovered Louis it was heaven for me. He has everything I like all tied into a cheery little italian bundle of joy, smiles and beer belly (which is what his graveston should say). Not to mention that fantabulous voice and his great song lyrics. I’ve always had a thing for that time period. I love music from that era and clothes from that era and movies from that era. If I could go back to anytime that would be it. Below is video clip of Banana Split for my Baby, which is totally a classic. Enjoy, laugh, sing, dance, whatever you want but enjoy and unwind from a crappy Monday.

I mean that’s one happy guy, kind enough to give is “baby” a banana split and just drink water. I love that in that generation the “bigger figure” is okay. That’s cool by me, we can’t all be models. Louis seems to be one for the larger lady, he shows it in his song The Bigger The Figure and by feeding his baby banana splits, although The Bigger The Figure is slightly degrading to women, I just ignore it.

A Place I Sometimes Like To Die

I’m having a very quiet and melancholy day. I woke up with a headache and puffy eyes (which is always a bad sign) so to match my mood I’ve decided that Dan Mangan is the guy I want to talk about today. My dad actually told me about him and I loved it the minute I heard it. I’ve been in this super quiet indie folk mood and that’s exactly what he is. He also has a duet song which has become something I really love lately. I’ve even made a whole playlist of duet songs, but that will come another time.

In 2007 he released his first CD, Post Cards and Daydreaming which I have to admit I have not listened to as much. In 2009 he released his second CD Nice, Nice, Very Nice which is the CD with my favourite songs. I find something about him is just really quiet and peaceful and I love that.

Today I went to search his video for the song The Indie Queens Are Waiting and fell in love with it. It definitley matches my super quiet mood. I really love the line “Down the road and on the right-hand side there’s a place I sometimes like to dine” For I long time I thought it was “there’s a place I sometimes like to die”. I was slightly disappointed when I found out it wasn’t that, because that line really seemed perfect for me today although the actual line isn’t quite as morbid or depressing which I guess is good. I showed my mom the video and just like me she thought there was something very compelling about the video and the music. It’s hard to look away from it or to stop listening to it.

I think my 3 favourite Dan Mangan songs have to be The Indie Queens Are Waiting, Road Regrets, and Sold, all from his CD Nice, Nice, Very Nice. I hope you enjoy him as much as I do. He’s just another example of great Canadian Indie Music. Below is his video for The Indie Queens Are Waiting.

Their is something about him that seems really familiar, like I just ran into him at the store or something, that must be what makes him so likeable.

Sleepy Tom

It’s been almost a week since my last post. I just didn’t get a chance in between being sick with the flu and being piled with homework. It’s now the weekend, and I have time for a post. I’ve been debating all day what to write about. In the end I decided today was a good day for Tom Waits.

As a kid my parents always played Tom Waits. It used to really freak me out, especially What’s He building In There? from Mule Variations. I remember asking my dad multiple times to switch the song because it freaked me out too much. As a little kid I didn’t really get Tom and his music. That deep, husky voice is enough to scare anyone. One of my friends always says it sounds like he’s singing in the bath tub. I always thought that was pretty funny and kind of true.

When I was around 10 I discovered The Heart Of Saturday Night which became my lullaby for years, literally. For quite a while I fell asleep to that CD every night. I still do sometimes and it never fails (I think sleep therapists need to start using that one). I’ve always had troubles falling asleep and weirdly enough, Tom never failed me.  In this CD his voice is much softer which may be one of the reasons I fall asleep to it. When I was little and falling asleep I used to always picture Tom young, like the picture on the cover of the CD (possibly a scary picture?). When I tell people that I fall asleep to it they think I’m kidding, I mean I guess it’s a little weird, but that’s me. I definitely march to my own drum (is that the saying?).

As I’ve gotten older I’ve started to appreciate Tom Waits even more and not just for the one CD. What’s He Building In There? doesn’t freak me out like it used to and I’ve started to listen to his CD’s not  just to fall asleep (I’m not sure if he would take that as a compliment). Another one of my favourite CD’s is Closing Time. I recently got a new cousin named Rosie and for the Rosie CD I made her I included Tom’s Rosie from that CD (that was a lot of Rosie’s!). On The Heart Of Saturday Night my favourite songs are the Heart Of Saturday Night, San Diego Serenade and Fumblin’ With The Blues. I never got much farther then that song and can’t say I know much of the ending really. I was usually asleep around Diamonds On The Windshield. I mean how could you not want to fall asleep to a song talking about a cold well digger’s ass?

I’m sure I will continue to talk about Tom. Maybe more of him and his not so sleepy music. For now enjoy the song I’ve posted and try falling asleep. Close your eyes and mellow out to that lovely melodic voice.

If you haven’t already purchased The Heart Of Saturday Night I highly recommend you go and check it out and while you’re there pick up his other CD’s too.

Haiti Day

Sorry it’s been so long since I last wrote. It’s been March break and I’ve been busy between cosmic bowling, bubble teas, bakery stops, shopping and birthday parties. It’s now much calmer and to kick that off I thought Canada’s song for Haiti would be good. I’m having trouble getting the video but here’s the link to the site.

This video is pretty cool because it involves a lot of Canada’s great young artists. It’s really fun to play the game of naming all the artists. See how many you can get. There’s pretty much any young Canadian artist you could ask for in this song. Everybody does such a good job. I found it really inspiring to see all these people come together and not just these particualr musicians, but everyone in the world. When you’re feeling like there isn’t much hope in the world, you can look back on this song and everything that’s been done for Haiti. All my life I’ve wanted to go to a third world country and do something. This devastation really motivated me to not forget this dream. So, please, please, please watch the video, buy the song from iTunes (all the money goes to Haiti) and if you haven’t DONATE!! And enjoy Hawksley Workmans very short solo.