Blog 1-The Great Lakes Suite

 

Listening to The Great Lakes Suite brought me back to the summers I spent at my aunt's cottage in Muskoka. Every year we would jump into cottage life with no phones, wifi or really any technology. Me and my cousins wou invent our own games, go out on the water all day and stay up late roasting smores. Being outdoors all day felt normal back then, and the album brought that feeling back for me. The drive up to the cottage was always my favourite part of the experience. The Great Lakes Suite reminded me of the kind of music I would hear on those long roadtrips. I linked a playlist below that reminded me of that same feeling and captures the nostalgic road-trip energy. It also made me think how much music can influence a vibe.

I am a very busy person in my everyday life and always on the go. I don't usually have the chance to slow down and actually listen to music. Listening to this album forced me to pause in a way I am not really familiar with. It made me realize how much sound can shape your memories and your mood. It almost brings you back to a specific place and time without the need for images.

It also made me think about how daily life is shaped by screens and constant connection. Those Muskoka weekends felt like we were all fully present and just enjoying each other's company. Hearing the music reminded me what it feels like to be bored in a good way and genuinely connected to people without the distractions. Overall listening to The Great Lakes Suite was a very nostalgic and comforting.

https://open.spotify.com/playlist/1igAhGShFCUwmKikegeR1F?si=30d96fb1ef144f24 

Blog 1: Great Lakes Listening

 While listening to The Great Lakes Suite, I was reminded of my annual hockey team camping trips when I was younger. Every year, the hockey boys and our dads would head north, pick a random campsite, set up our tents, and spend the weekend outside. Listening to the album in one sitting brought those memories back very clearly and made me think about how peaceful those trips felt.

After setting up camp, we would usually split into two groups: the kids and the dads. Looking back now, it is surprising how much fun we had without electricity or technology. The dads had their own way of enjoying the trip, usually involving alcohol, while we kids found our own entertainment. There was always one kid who came up with an idea, whether it was playing hide and seek or planning a prank on the dads. Those simple ideas ended up becoming some of my best memories.

One of my favourite parts of the trip was sharing a large tent with the boys. It took a lot of convincing for the dads to let us all sleep together, but once they agreed, we would stay up for hours laughing for no real reason. I remember one night when the dads heard us awake late and decided to prank us instead. They made small noises around the tent, like stepping on sticks or throwing a rock at a nearby tree. It scared us at first, but it worked, and we eventually quieted down. Later, one of them unzipped the tent and told us we should not be up that late, and we all just laughed. Being surrounded by the woods and only hearing crickets made everything feel calm and peaceful.

In the mornings, the dads would usually be up first, making breakfast before we woke up. After eating eggs, bacon, and pancakes, we would all walk to a nearby lake and spend the day playing around. Listening to this album made me wish I could relive one of those trips again. Life does not feel the same now. We rely so much on phones, computers, and consoles to enjoy ourselves. It feels like my generation was one of the last to experience life before and after technology, and this music brought that contrast to the front of my mind.

Blog 1: Great Lakes Listening

 Listening to Rheostatics - The Great Lakes Suite without distractions felt calm and immersive. Each track created different images and emotions connected to water, and together they made me think about how the Great Lakes shape memory, places, and identity.

"The Moon Dreams" made me picture a quiet lake at night. The sound felt reflective and slow, like watching moonlight on still water. A highlight from my summers is always at my cottage. Hanging out with my buddies at the dock at 2am and chatting while the moonlight reflects off the still lake. 

When "Huron" played, I imagined standing at the shore of Lake Huron with wind moving across the water. The song felt open and expansive, matching how large and powerful the lake feels in real life. 

"Homes" brought more personal images. I thought of my cottage, dock, and family time near the water. It reminded me that lakes aren't just natural spaces but places where people build memories.

"Lake Michigan Triangle" felt mysterious. The title made me think shipwrecks and unknown depths beneath the surface. The music gave the sense that water can hold stories we don't fully understand.

With "Geology" I started thinking about how old the Great Lakes really are. The track made me imagine glaciers, rock, and water shaping the land long before humans were there.

"The Drop Off" felt sudden and deep. I pictured swimming at my cottage where the water off the dock drops and suddenly gets deeper, dark and cold. It made me think about how water can quickly change from safe to unknown.

"Thunder Bay" sounded stronger and more intense. I imagined storms over Lake Superior and the power of waves and wind working together.

"She Walks Forever" felt like movement without an end. I pictures someone walking along a shoreline for hours, with the lake always beside them. It felt timeless. 

"Friday 4:20 am swimming" created a very specific image. Because at my cottage I have swam in the dark. Not right at that time, but the point being the darkness. The music felt quiet and personal, like being alone with the water while the world sleeps.

"Mishipeshu" stood out because of it's connection to Indigenous legend. It made me think about how water holds spiritual meaning and stories that existed long before modern Canada.

"Tasiq" felt inward and reflective. I thought less about a physical lake and more about water as a state of mind. Slow, deep, and thoughtful. 

'Thursday 12pm swimming" felt brighter and more active than the 4am swim. I imagined sunlight on the water, being in the lake at my cottage midday. 

"Erie" made me think about how different each Great Lake is. The song felt more restless, reflecting Lake Erie's shallower water and changing conditions. 

"Mammals" reminded me that water supports all life. I pictured animals near shorelines and how humans are just one part of that ecosystem. 

With " A Wake" I imagined being on my families boat moving across calm water, leaving a whale tail trail behind it. It felt reflective, like thinking about the impact we leave on the environment. 

"Water wisdom" felt peaceful and thoughtful. It made me think about how water teaches patience and change simply by existing.

"Ode to the Great Lakes" felt like appreciation and respect. It highlighted how important these lakes are to Canadian culture and daily life.

"Inland Sea" brought everything together. It left me thinking about the Great Lakes as massive, shared spaces that connect people, history, and nature. 

Overall, listening to this album felt like a journey across water. Calm, mysterious, and meaningful. It made me more aware of how closely water is tied to both personal memory and Canadian identity. 

Mya Murray Blog Post 1 — Reflections on The Great Lakes Suite

I really enjoyed listening to this album because my mind immediately began to travel. The peace from the music made me feel like I could be somewhere else entirely, Newfoundland coast, Portugal, or anywhere near water. It gave me a sense of independence, like I was about to embark on a solo journey. I kept imagining myself biking along a shoreline or just being close to water, because the wind, waves, and shore always give me a feeling of freedom that compares to nothing else. This music made me feel light, free, and calm. It felt like easy listening music, the kind I would play in a beach house with the doors open, the wind flowing through, and the sun warming everything around me.

As the album continued, it reminded me of so many peaceful moments from my life. I thought about early mornings working on the golf course, watching the sunrise with the crisp morning air and moving dew. I also thought about calm beach walks while watching the sunrise, or standing near the water just taking everything in. These moments are some of my most peaceful memories, and the music brought them back so clearly. Being around lakes has always felt grounding to me, especially when I’m standing on land and simply observing the water rather than being in it.

Not every song made me feel calm, though. Some tracks shifted into a rougher, more stressful vibe that made me think about deeper water and uncertainty. One song, in particular, felt chaotic and overwhelming, like water that’s full of algae and too unsettling to jump into. It scratched my brain in a way I didn’t like, and it made me feel anxious rather than relaxed. That contrast really stood out to me: how water can represent peace and freedom, but also fear and discomfort.

Overall, this album gave me very mixed emotions, but in an interesting way. It reminded me how closely music, memory, and water are connected, and how different sounds can bring up completely different feelings tied to similar places. Listening to The Great Lakes Suite felt like moving through calm water, rough currents, and everything in between.

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 Rheostatics's music represents a proud Canadian culture and evokes the majesty of the Great Lakes. The repeated references to water and the lakes stirred a wave of nostalgia in me, bringing back memories of my childhood when I was deeply connected to the water. Swimming in Lake Huron always gave me a sense of comfort and a safe haven, especially when the outside world felt too loud and overwhelming. The water of the lakes has always held a sense of mystery for me—a place where I truly belonged. I remember that as soon as I touched the lake’s surface, my parents would notice my expression change, and my laughter would grow louder and more joyful. The music of Rheostatics helped me reconnect with that time, capturing the serene and spiritual essence of those moments. Their songs seemed to mirror the tranquility and depth of the lakes, giving me a sense of healing and vitality. I would imagine life beneath the water, feeling as though I were part of it, often comparing myself to a fish thriving underwater when I struggled to do the same on land. Inspired by the music, I felt compelled to revisit Lake Huron and relive the sensation of freedom, peace, and imagination that the water once brought me.

Blog 1: Experiencing The Great Lakes Suite

        Before this class I had never listened to the Rheostatics before and I can’t say that I expected it to be the prog rock fusion that we listened to in class. I listen to many genres of music, but prog rock has developed into being one of my very favourites as a genre full of experimental sound and song structure. The essence of prog rock lies in its attempt to capture deeper feelings in its music and I think The Great Lakes Suite really excels at this. The album itself feels like a nostalgic love letter to the land of Canada, perhaps not as it is, but as it was in times now forgotten. Complimenting this feeling is the mysterious spoken word monologues included in songs like Drop Off or either Swimming song, to me they brought back memories from my childhood. Childhood memories like camping in the woods, visiting the lake and drifting in the waves on a hot summer day. The music is like a warm hug mixed with the sounds of home, something you could close your eyes and be taken away to a far off place while listening to.

    And taken away I was, because the real trick in this album wasn’t just to recall memories of my own, I found it also created new ideas memory like moments. In my life I’ve only ever been to two of the Great Lakes, and only sparingly at that. But this album characterizes each one as a unique character, like my personal favourite, Lake Michigan. The song flows with a steady classical guitar and haunting vocalizations, evoking a feeling like we’re examining a vast foggy water expanse, something mysterious and ominously powerful. But the rises in tension and speed are always underset with the soft voices underneath, reminding us of the majesty hidden behind the waves. To me, it felt as if I could come to know each lake as its own unique person hood, somehow finding a way to understand it like another person. But of course it’s not at all possible or true. 

    This album truly feels like it comes from a place of deep understanding of Canadian attitudes and experience. All the time in our courses we discuss what exactly Canadian culture is, how we could possibly define the experience we have all passively consumed through our lives. But part of me with this has started to believe that the best way to express this is with music or art like this. Culture is supposed to be more than something you can just describe after all, it must be understood and felt, listened to and seen. Pieces like this help us to understand better than we could ever hope to through academic work or official descriptions.

Blog 1 - Spencer Gray

Below are many of the meaningful experiences that the music we listened to in class evoked.

A Perfect Summer Day Up North

The first song’s energy reminded me of a classic summer day up north. Waking up early with coffee and

a family breakfast. Boating on the lake, playing golf, and going to the sandbar with friends. As the song

tapers off, the day comes to a calm end. You are tired, and sun-kissed, ready to wind down with games,

movies, or a fire.

Home Is the Water

“Home is the water, and the water is our home.”

Working and living up north every summer makes these lyrics feel so real. I always feel most at home

at my cottage. It is such an inviting place that brings everyone I love together. Everyone is so relaxed

and at peace. The water is so freeing and liberating. 

Early Mornings at the Golf Course

Working early mornings at the golf course meant boating to work in the dark, with the lake barely

illuminated by the moon. It was hard to distinguish between water and land. The lake felt empty, dark,

and lifeless, yet I felt so alive.

Which Way Is Up

“Which way is up?” Not knowing which way is up underwater is genuinely scary.

Kitchen Escape and Canoeing

My friend Jack and I both worked in the kitchen as chefs, and we often had the same schedule.

One afternoon, we got out of the kitchen early and borrowed a friend’s car, along with a canoe from

work. We went canoeing down the Oxtongue River. The weather was perfect, the company was great,

and the vibes were immaculate.

Summer Camp Rule Breaking

At camp with my friend Connor, we sailed to his cottage, which was not allowed. The lifeguards had to

boat out to us and tell us to turn around.

Water Like Gold

The introduction mentions the water as gold, and it truly can feel and look like gold on a perfect day.

Grand Bend Memories

Camping at Grand Bend with my friends created amazing memories. A gorgeous beach, food made

and shared, and plenty of laughs and stories.

Time With My Dad

The fourth song made me think of the time spent up north with my dad. Silly arguments and memories

I will cherish forever. It makes me feel grateful for the life he has provided for me and reminds me

how important it is to cherish the time we have together at the cottage.

Cold Water and Laughter

Going to the cottage in the fall to help my dad winterize the dock. Swimming under the dock in

freezing water while trying to unhook metal chains. My dad could not stop laughing as I struggled to

catch my breath.

Growing Up

All the great memories made from all my summer jobs up north, coming to an end, made it feel like

my childhood was over. But I am so grateful for those memories and truly feel blessed to have had

such amazing summer jobs for so many years.

Storm Chasing

Jed and I went “storm chasing” on our way to a friend’s cottage, but we ended up hitting a huge storm

that completely stopped us in our tracks. We had to pull over at Victoria’s cottage until the storm

passed. It felt like the ultimate mission for two young guys. Everyone at work found out we went out

in the storm and got really mad at us.

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•  The first song sounds like it's background/transitional music that would be playing while I'm doing something in the house. I went to a cottage during the winter break near Burks Falls, and it was like a work/relaxing trip with my friends. We would play a more calm/soothing instrumental like this while we were working during the day. The cottage was right next to a fairly large river, and it was snowing most of the time. The music paired with the environment really set the mood and made everything feel slower and more peaceful.
• I live pretty close to Lake Ontario, every weekend or whenever the weather is nice out, I take a 5 min walk to the cliff near my house, which overlooks Lake Ontario, that's my go-to spot to clear my head and enjoy hearing the water hit the shore. 
• The third instrumental made me think about the past summer when my friends went to another cottage, which was next to a lake in Bancroft, and it brought back memories of all of us out on the water, on our kayaks, paddle boards, and canoes. During this trip, one of my friends and I were on the water during sunset, and we were just hanging out on the water without realizing we drifted pretty far away from our dock. On our way back, I fell off the paddleboard. My friend was in a kayak, so I quickly held onto that as I tried to flip my paddle board over so I could get back on it, but the current was too strong, so I decided I could tie the string attached to the paddle board to the kayak, and I'll just swim along with it. All is well until I look back and see that the paddleboard got unattached, and it was drifting even further away from us. After 30 mins of fighting for my life, we got the paddleboard and made it back to land. (I had my phone, glasses, and watch on...didn't lose or break anything).
• Even though Lake Ontario is not the nicest lake, it has a special place in my heart, I've always had a view of it, from when I lived in an apartment to now living in a house. 
• I have spent a lot of time around lakes but I realized as much as I do enjoy being out in the water, I find myself more connected when I'm standing on land and taking in the view and enjoying the breeze coming in. 
• One of my biggest fears is like deep water, because we know so little about what's actually in the ocean and that kind of carries over to whenever I'm in any sort of natural body of water. 

 Blog Post 1: Reflections on the Rheostatics album, The Great Lakes Suite (2025)

During the first class of the term, we collectively listened to The Great Lakes Suite by the legendary Canadian rock band, The Rheostatics. If you attended that class, please post the reflections that you wrote down in the exam booklet that I handed out to you.

 

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