Marking 20 years
of bold journalism,
reader supported.
Music Picks
Music

Have a Dreary New Year!

Bringing in '09 with the Dutchess and the Duke

Jenny Charlesworth 8 Jan 2009TheTyee.ca

Jenny Charlesworth is a Vancouver-based writer.

image atom
Let's give 'em a big hand.

Lose 15 pounds.

Cut back on those nasty cigarettes.

Find out his name before you sleep with him.

New year's resolutions: we all make them. We can't seem to escape the illusion of rebirth that comes with the dawn of a new era, compelled by some inexplicable force to proclaim with starry-eyed optimism, the moment the clock chimes twelve, "This will be the year I [insert insanely unrealistic goal here]..." Pouring over self-help books, chanting personal mantras and charging along the treadmill at an ungodly hour, the first weeks of January are spent basking in the possibilities of self-improvement.

And then the inevitable happens....

Motivation wanes and suddenly good intention loses out to a What Not To Wear marathon on TLC. Before you know it, that new pair of cross trainers and everything else you invested in for the sake of "personal betterment" is shoved under your bed, relegated to the shadows for at least for another eleven months.

Selecting the inaugural music pick of 2009 was rather like deciding on a new year's resolution -- and this time around, I wanted to choose something with actual staying power. It was clear that a slinky, upbeat party number wouldn't do; I needed a song that would transcend the seasons and retain its poignancy months down the road, like "Living This Life Makes It Hard" by the Dutchess and the Duke.

While a dreary ballad heavy with heartache and excruciating sorrow might seem like a strange choice to usher in the next 12 months, take one listen to the gripping lyricism of Jesse Lortz and his bandmate Kimberly Morrison and you'll be convinced of its merit.

Currently only available via Myspace, "Living This Life Makes It Hard" is a perfect addition to the faux-rustic outfit's growing repertoire as it draws on the same delicate interplay of guitars, sweeping boy-girl harmonies and steady tambourine we heard on the act's remarkable debut, She's the Dutchess, He's the Duke out on Hardly Art Records.

Of all the things you resolve to do in 2009, may I suggest that you make listening to this downbeat duo one of them.

Related Tyee stories:

 [Tyee]

Read more: Music

  • Share:

Facts matter. Get The Tyee's in-depth journalism delivered to your inbox for free

Tyee Commenting Guidelines

Comments that violate guidelines risk being deleted, and violations may result in a temporary or permanent user ban. Maintain the spirit of good conversation to stay in the discussion.
*Please note The Tyee is not a forum for spreading misinformation about COVID-19, denying its existence or minimizing its risk to public health.

Do:

  • Be thoughtful about how your words may affect the communities you are addressing. Language matters
  • Challenge arguments, not commenters
  • Flag trolls and guideline violations
  • Treat all with respect and curiosity, learn from differences of opinion
  • Verify facts, debunk rumours, point out logical fallacies
  • Add context and background
  • Note typos and reporting blind spots
  • Stay on topic

Do not:

  • Use sexist, classist, racist, homophobic or transphobic language
  • Ridicule, misgender, bully, threaten, name call, troll or wish harm on others
  • Personally attack authors or contributors
  • Spread misinformation or perpetuate conspiracies
  • Libel, defame or publish falsehoods
  • Attempt to guess other commenters’ real-life identities
  • Post links without providing context

LATEST STORIES

The Barometer

Do You Think Naheed Nenshi Will Win the Alberta NDP Leadership Race?

Take this week's poll