iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

Dog Island Records @stevnv.bsky.social · 18/04/2026

Now playing: The Spiffing Squires at OnTheRocks

Dog Island Records @stevnv.bsky.social · 22/03/2026

Now playing: The self-titled Temple of the Dog. released April 1991 through A&M Records. The members, minus the conceptor - Chris Cornell, would re-coalesce to reform Pearl Jam in 1998.

The Temple of the Dog CD insert is on some fabric next to a dog.

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Dog Island Records @stevnv.bsky.social · 08/02/2026

Released August 23, 1988, the debut studio album by Jane's Addiction was the first album of the 90s. Predating Nine Inch Nails’ Pretty Hate Machine by a year and some months, and The Pixies’ Doolittle by 8 months, the album was a shift from whatever was happening in mainstream music at the time.

Perry Farrell and Casey Niccoli created the sculpture of the form of nude females melding into each other on a rocking chair with fire erupting from the top of their heads. "The idea came from a dream I had," he recalled. "There were these two women swinging back and forth. They were joined at the hip and shoulder, and their hair was on fire. I just went from there, and Casey assisted me. We had a fellow come and do a plaster body-casting of her, then we made the twins' hair and head gear from pipe cleaners. You'll notice the chair rocks from side to side, as opposed to back and forth, so we had to have that made specially. We also went shopping for fake eyeballs." Niccoli was an essential part of crafting the visuals for the album.
Since 1993, Niccoli has been seeing herself erased from the legacy of Jane’s Addiction. She was “an essential creative force behind one of the most influential rock bands of the ’80s and ’90s.” but she signed away ownership of her art and much compensation as her relationship with Farrell soured.

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Dog Island Records @stevnv.bsky.social · 06/02/2026

Tonight’s concert: The Spiffing Squires, closing the night’s lineup at Bar Loose.

A band photo. Lighting is blue. Decibels were of the chart.

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Dog Island Records @stevnv.bsky.social · 31/01/2026

Now playing: Beastie Boys - Paul’s Boutique. Released July 25, 1989 on Capitol Records.

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Dog Island Records @stevnv.bsky.social · 31/12/2025

This was the last music of the evening. I didn’t get to pairing it with a sample from a bottle. I lost interest in consumption. The record is something else though.

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Dog Island Records @stevnv.bsky.social · 31/12/2025

Rod Stewart’s Atlantic Crossing has no reason to pair with Tequila. It’s just where I’m at. His sixth solo album hit #1 in the UK. My taste buds hit Rock bottom with this. I miss whatever Tequila I had in Canada with the worm in it. Poor worm. It’s only use was to jostle my memory.

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Dog Island Records @stevnv.bsky.social · 31/12/2025

Cointreau and Disco Death. There is no French record in my vinyl collection. So I pair this liqueur with a song from a fake German movie. The shot has been the highlight of the evenings partaking. The song, it’s a joke I think. Same instrumental on both sides. One is labeled “Instrumental.”

The album displayed is for a non-existent German movie. The art may have been created solely for the purpose of exposing a woman’s breast with a fake context of creating a movie narrative.

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Dog Island Records @stevnv.bsky.social · 31/12/2025

Pedro Ximénez is paired with the Doors’ second album. Suggested as one of the first uses of synthesizer in rock music the music surrounds and hides behind Morrison words; never getting in the way of the poetry. Ximénez grapes are forefront in the drink. Not much room for any other flavour

What could be described as a dessert sherry, Ximénez grapes are grown in Andalusia and also in Australia. It is because of Australia that I know this Spanish wine drink. Some guy on Master Chef Australia only knew how to cook if it had Pedro Ximénez. He didn’t make it to the end showdown. His alcohol flavored popcorn might have done him in.
This bottle is 12 years old. Taking the shot might do me in. It’s New Year’s Eve so don’t expect proof of life tomorrow morning.

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Dog Island Records @stevnv.bsky.social · 31/12/2025

Princess Tiny Meat’s “Sloblands” is more palatable than Carillo Herbs & Salmiac. The drink is every other herb liqueur but with 150% more salt. From Turku Finland, I think it’s just made for Shits and Giggles.

There is a sticker over the former Virgin Prunes’ prune. It’s a sticker indicating that an album download code is included inside.
It should be obvious that this vinyl from the mid 80s doesn’t have a legitimate connection to downloads.

I bought the record for 1$ in Winnipeg and it didn’t have a sticker then. While I don’t give a shit about censorship, there are other places to see tiny meat on this here internet than my posts. I was just returning the album concept back to factory settings.

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Dog Island Records @stevnv.bsky.social · 31/12/2025

Carmel’s fifth album, pairs poorly with my flavour choice. Jazz, influenced by Swing and the Blues grew out of improvisation and freedom. Bombay Saphire’s name runs face first into British colonialism. Don’t even improvise your own salt if the Brits are nearby.

This album, released in 1989, is being heard by me for the first time by me , tonight. I consumed Everybody's Got a Little... Soul and The Falling but I guess Nine Inch Nails showing up redirected my ears that year.
Light and airy is the music of this album, so too the gin. Philosophically is where they don’t jibe.
The gin is heavily and meticulously manufactured. Alcohol is brought in premanufactured and then evaporated three times. After it is evaporated through the herbs, welsh water is brought in to dilute that strength down to what normal British regiments can consume.
Jazz is also a fusion of many styles but it values freedom of expression s’more than the British armies would have.

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Dog Island Records @stevnv.bsky.social · 31/12/2025

The second course is a pairing of AC/DC’s kick in the balls album Back in Black. It contains classic hits like the title track, and “You Shook Me All Night Long.” Valhalla contains absinthe.

Back in Black is on the turntable. Valhalla is in the shot glass. It’s a herbal liqueur with a noticeable licorice flavour and notes of small leafy twigs.
The music is supposedly satanic panic fuel. (After Christ Devil Comes, Anti-Christ Devils Child, I dunno. Just pick one already.)
The music may or may not make my eternal soul hellfire fuel, I’m currently not too worried. I have other things to deal with. The liqueur is heartburn fuel. That statement shouldn’t have any weight. I’m old and un-sauced lettuce gives me heartburn.
But I’ve got it bad from the straight shot of grain juice.
AC/DC is from Australia. Valhalla herbal adult juice is from Helsinki.

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Dog Island Records @stevnv.bsky.social · 31/12/2025

The Swedish vodka is smooth like any spirit in the rubbing alcohol family -could use some orange juice. The album and the vodka are throwing me back to 1991. The band very much channels Lou Reed on this recording.

Released in 1987, Force of Habit was a collection of singles and other stuff. The cover was shot by Mick Rick who had been very busy in the seventies photographing Bowie and his contemporaries. The album is the easiest way to get a copy of their version of Gimme, Gimme, Gimme. The band wasn’t oblivious to the implications of a Swedish biker band covering that song.

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Dog Island Records @stevnv.bsky.social · 31/12/2025

New Years Tradition: go through the collection and pair up the alcohol I never drank with a record I didn’t listen to. It’s gonna be a thread and the time limitation is how long a record I picked before the next shot shows up. I probably won’t finish before midnight. Check back for an archive.

Assembled is the contents of my remnants of a liquor cabinet. I don’t drink much so that stuff stays around way too long.

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Dog Island Records @stevnv.bsky.social · 13/09/2025

Now playing : The Spiffing Squires Korjaamo, Kulmasali

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Dog Island Records @stevnv.bsky.social · 28/08/2025

This iPod was the height of portable tech at one point. I’m not sure we’ve progressed. This band crystallized the GenX zeitgeist. I haven’t seen that disruptive focus repeated since.

My old scroll wheel iPod is docked in a speaker. Nirvana’s Smells Like Teen Spirit video is playing.

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Dog Island Records @stevnv.bsky.social · 24/08/2025

Now playing : The Smashing Pumpkins - The Aghori Tour. HELSINGIN JÄÄHALLI, HELSINKI.

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Dog Island Records @stevnv.bsky.social · 23/08/2025

Today’s sounds: Happy Mondays - 𝐵𝑢𝑚𝑚𝑒𝑑 and 𝐺𝑟𝑒𝑎𝑡𝑒𝑠𝑡 𝐻𝑖𝑡𝑠 Bummed was released in ‘88 on Factory Records. Martin Hannett produced the album.

There were a lot of drugs consumed during the making of this album but probably not as much as Fleetwood Mac’s 𝑅𝑢𝑚𝑜𝑢𝑟𝑠. But why should I care? I’m not a narc.
The Greatest hits CD has the “One Armed Boxer” remix as that was released as the second single off 𝐵𝑢𝑚𝑚𝑒𝑑. it features the old man singing from the video.
The CD booklet is open to remind us what art came with the album. The Canadian pressing had a plain white sleeve. Well mine did.

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Dog Island Records @stevnv.bsky.social · 11/08/2025

Now playing: Peaches - 𝑻𝒉𝒆 𝑻𝒆𝒂𝒄𝒉𝒆𝒔 𝒐𝒇 𝑷𝒆𝒂𝒄𝒉𝒆𝒔 Her most recognized song was recorded at The Rivoli, Toronto, Ontario, July 19, 1999. She paid the sound engineer at the venue 5$ for a recording of the show. She mused “what if I didn’t have 5$ in my pocket?” She’s said she won’t record it again.

The cover Photo by Tyler Burke is a photo of the midriff, crotch and upper thighs of Merrill Beth Nisker, wearing pink underwear and top. I’m trusting the Australian Broadcasting Corporation on this one as I’ve never met Merrill. And if I do, I highly doubt she will be in her underwear to confirm.

Nisker, a drama teacher, adopted the stage name of Peaches. The album is considered sex positive and is unapologetic and indifferent to those that might consider it vulgar.
It is in stark contrast to Karen Finley, whose Tales of Taboo takes phrasing and intent of misogynistic language, twists it, owns it, and throws it back in the patriarchy’s face. I can’t help but think Peaches is able to rightfully stand in a cultural clearing that Finley brought gasoline to, along with other arsonists, to slash and burn that clearing

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Dog Island Records @stevnv.bsky.social · 10/08/2025

Now playing: PJ Harvey - 𝑆𝑡𝑜𝑟𝑖𝑒𝑠 𝑓𝑟𝑜𝑚 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝐶𝑖𝑡𝑦, 𝑆𝑡𝑜𝑟𝑖𝑒𝑠 𝑓𝑟𝑜𝑚 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑆𝑒𝑎, the Island Records release from 23 October, 2000 (I think it’s Monday. The evening.)

The cover photo is likely from the video shoot of “Good Fortune.” The purse matches up. The video conveys a girl out on the town in a black outfit highlighted with the gold purse.
In an MTV interview she described the album as wanting to return to 2 and a half minute strong simple songs. She described Is This Desire as layers built up, more of a soundscape of textures and atmosphere.
The Wikipedia entry for that album quoted David Cavanagh’s Q magazine article as saying this was the lushly melodic album. I guess put the album on and decide for yourself.
Whatever you decide, I remember John Peel introduced the song as “Whatever this is, progressive rock it aint.” (Actual quote is subject to BBC confirmation)
I did stop this listening session to listen to “Dress” from her debut album after playing “This is Love”. I don’t usually stop a record to play another one but the songs felt like flip sides to the same experience. I had to go check.

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Dog Island Records @stevnv.bsky.social · 08/08/2025

𝘚𝘩𝘦 𝘏𝘢𝘯𝘨𝘴 𝘉𝘳𝘪𝘨𝘩𝘵𝘭𝘺 is the May 21, 1990 debut album of Mazzy Star. Dreamy pop music sung by Hope Sandoval and free floating sounds composed by David Roback. The band barely stroked the charts. They are however instantly recognizable and as much a part of the 90s soundscape as any from that period.

The cover features a photograph of the interior of the Art Nouveau Hôtel Tassel in Brussels. It is considered one of the first buildings in that style and it is designated a UNESCO world
Heritage site.
In the overexposed photograph of the cover, the usual gracefully curved whiplash lines of Art Nouveau are underrepresented but are present in the structure of the staircase.

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Dog Island Records @stevnv.bsky.social · 05/08/2025

Fotografiska Stockholm - Anton Corbijn photography exhibit and video retrospective.

A collection of close to 200 photographs that are both well known and selected as more personal by Corbijn. The exhibit is concurrent with Corbijn’s 70th year on the planet and 50th year as a photographic artist.
Once the exhibition concludes, it will travel to Fotografiska Berlin and Fotografiska Tallinn in 2026.

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Dog Island Records @stevnv.bsky.social · 24/07/2025

The dog wants to go on a walk on a hot day ONLY if it involves a walk to this oasis. Extra misery brings extra relief.

A dog (the best dog (the other dog knows how I feel)) is soaking in a lily filled pond. She thinks I’ve betrayed her if I take her out in the rain or shower her off after getting in the mud. She thinks I’ve betrayed her because I make the offering of water in the wrong form.

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Dog Island Records @stevnv.bsky.social · 22/07/2025

This is the European version (or import equivalent) of the first energy drink to hit the study crowd that couldn’t afford amphetamines. All the sugar and twice the caffeine. Times were were wild and new. No wonder grunge happened shortly after Jolt Cola came out.

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Dog Island Records @stevnv.bsky.social · 01/07/2025

Now playing: Warsaw I genuinely can’t tell if this album is a bootleg or it is legit. A Factory logo would make everything easier. What I can tell you is I randomly wanted to hear Warsaw and discovered this album. So this is this month’s new vinyl.

One of the things that make me think this isn’t an authorized album is the stylistic borrowings from Joy Division’s later cover designs and a lack of band photos and a lack of copyright date on the back. The album information is laid out like any 1960’s department store record that is quickly trying to convince your mom to buy a record while she is in Woolworth’s shopping for a washing machine. What this album is - legitimate or not - is a hard, raw recording that amplifies Ian Curtis’ voice and words. I’ve been listening to Joy Division since I was 17 and some of these versions (Novelty specifically) hit my ears like as if I had never heard the band before.

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Dog Island Records @stevnv.bsky.social · 10/06/2025

Not playing: SUOMESSA TOIVOTTUA. I was in the Helsinki City Museum doing some sight seeing. There is a room where you can go in and live life like 1976. The record player didnt work so that was the same as back then, but I tried.

This is a record from a series of 9 albums. The cover models are snuggled up on a beach, or are dressed for the beach. It might be a couch. It’s suggestive either way. The Sony radio propped between them is only a minor hinderance to their implied getting jiggy with it.

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Dog Island Records @stevnv.bsky.social · 08/06/2025

I say “Hello.” You tell me who you hear singing. I will tell you how old you are.

What we have here are two albums shown that both contain the song “Hello.” Adele’s 25, and Lionel Ritchie’s Can’t Slow Down. I’m not actually going to tell you how old you are. I’m not a circus folk.

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Dog Island Records @stevnv.bsky.social · 08/06/2025

Released February 22, 1983, 𝐾𝑖𝑙𝑟𝑜𝑦 𝑊𝑎𝑠 𝐻𝑒𝑟𝑒 was a rock opera concept album that was the last to feature the classic Styx lineup.

The cover is a couple of robot faces in the foreground while in the background is a crowd of people burning albums. I just made up that last part about what they were burning because I’ve only ever listened to the album and never watched the accompanying movie. For background, the rock opera focused on a society where rock and roll was outlawed. The Majority for Musical Majority was the oppressive organization in the film while in the real world, it was similar “Moral Majority” groups attacking the freedom of music. While Rolling Stone magazine put this album in the top 50 concept albums of all time, it has had very little cultural impact 40 years later besides imparting “Dōmo arigatō, Mr. Roboto.” into the vernacular of Gen Xers.

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Dog Island Records @stevnv.bsky.social · 23/04/2025

𝑇ℎ𝑒 𝑃𝑒𝑒𝑙 𝑆𝑒𝑠𝑠𝑖𝑜𝑛𝑠 EP (1986) Recorded 31 January, 1979. Broadcast 14 February 1979. Released on Strange Fruit in November 1986.

The spinning EP is shown beneath the cardboard cover of the release. It is a dark photo of dark music for dark times. Printed on the stark cover are the bands that have appeared on the BBC’s Peel sessions.

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Dog Island Records @stevnv.bsky.social · 17/03/2025

This is an 1940 archive photo of Canadian soldiers lining up to eliminate Nazis. If there’s one thing Canadians can get behind, it’s eliminating Nazis. We haven’t had the home court advantage before. Don’t make us use it.

A very long line of soldiers stretches over the horizon. Three ranks, dressed to the left, look like they just did a right turn.
Members of the Connaught's Own Rifles bidding farewell, New Westminster, BC, June 1940.
(Used without permission, Library and Archives Canada/C38723)

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Dog Island Records @stevnv.bsky.social · 10/03/2025

Now playing: The Offspring - 𝘚𝘮𝘢𝘴𝘩. The third album released April 8, 1994.

The photo is a close up of the album sticker for side two. It is a repeat of the back cover of the album reduced in size - an x-ray or posed skeleton in red.

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Dog Island Records @stevnv.bsky.social · 08/03/2025

Guardian of the Northern Ice. 🇨🇦

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Dog Island Records @stevnv.bsky.social · 09/02/2025

Peruvian hat interpreted by Outdoor Research. This Windstopper hat is the main go-to for all winter activities of the last 20 years.

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Dog Island Records @stevnv.bsky.social · 28/01/2025

Now playing: Joy Division - Still. Released 9 October 1981 by Factory Records.

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Dog Island Records @stevnv.bsky.social · 21/01/2025

Dead Kennedys - 𝐵𝑒𝑑𝑡𝑖𝑚𝑒 𝑓𝑜𝑟 𝐷𝑒𝑚𝑜𝑐𝑟𝑎𝑐𝑦 Released November 19, 1986.

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Dog Island Records @stevnv.bsky.social · 19/01/2025

“Watch the band through a bunch of dancers Follow the unknown with something more familiar” The “Band” in this instance is The Tragically Hip. Seen in concert on this date in 2007. World Container was released March 6, 2006.