Ten minute tea with Afternoon Tea. Spend ten minutes with Afternoon Tea. In the time it takes to boil one kettle, and let one cup of tea steep, we will have your daily art + music fix covered. Take your afternoon tea break with our Afternoon Tea curators.
Today’s tea + soundtrack + visuals curated by Michel Neray.
As a singer-songwriter, Michel Neray combines the lyrical sensibilities of Leonard Cohen, the musical styling of Jason Isbell, and the vocal versatility of Billy Joel. His songs are musical journeys that dig deep into the human experience, with earworm worthy melodies and quirky, intelligent lyrics. As a professional motivational speaker, Michel also peppers his live shows with stories and conversation that keep the audience engaged beyond the music.
Thought provoking debut album, Kiss The Rock, comes from an at first contradictory kayaking method. When you are in white water and approaching a jutting rock your instinct is to paddle away from the impediment, in reality the safest method is to lean into contact with the rock and let the current push you to its side. The metaphor of kissing the rock to life is all about embracing our challenges.
The collection of songs is a dynamic blend of Americana and singer-songwriter, where Michel‘s unique artistic voice and inspirations meld. Focus single, “The Road,” is a reflective and vulnerable track, whilst being driving in tone and cathartic in meaning. An allegory to our personal journey as we travel through existence often in an uncertain space.
Tea: 3 kinds
I love drinking tea, not only for the tea itself but also for the entire experience. It’s an opportunity to reflect if I’m on my own, maybe let some lyrics come out if they’re ready, maybe just chill and short-circuit the feedback loop of the daily stressors. If I’m with a friend, it’s an opportunity to let the conversation go where it wants, ‘with no direction home’.
I tend to alternate between three kids of tea. One is English breakfast — no milk, no lemon, no nothing that gets in the way of the tea leaf. Two is Throat Coat by Traditional Medicinals. Plain. Not the lemon echinacea flavoured one. Once I developed a taste for it, I didn’t want anything to get in the way of the vanilla. Three is bourbon. OK, so it’s not quite tea, but it serves the same purpose for me. Straight up. Neat. No ice or anything that might get in the way of the, well, bourbon. (Hmmmm, do you see a pattern here?) Goes great with lemon squares, chocolate, or anything chocolatey for that matter. Also goes great with nothing.
Visual Art:
Local artist Martin Russocki did a live painting performance at our album release concert for ‘Kiss the Rock’. See it here. I love how his expressive brushstrokes convey a sense of movement without trying to be photographic. It does what art is supposed to do; help their viewer see the world in a different way. Watch him in action in the highlight video:
Music:
This city really is overflowing with talent. When Shawn Brady isn’t performing with his internationally acclaimed U2 tribute band, Elevation, or bringing down the house with his 90’s dance party show, Neon Nostalgic, you might be lucky enough to hear him perform his originals. This is one of my many favourites. ‘Pretty Painted Poet’ is itself a nod to Gord Downey, and the positive impact he’s had on all of us. I love this song for the sensitive lyrics and driving rhythm. It’s a masterfully crafted song from an exceptional human being about an exceptional human being.
Tea + Me 