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 break with our Afternoon Tea curators. Need an extra lump of sugar? One more sip? If you have five minutes more (or ten), we have one more hit.
Today’s tea + soundtrack + visuals curated by Michael Antelope.
Hamilton, Ontario folk duo Michael Antelope (singers/guitarists Doug McBrien and Lenny McGowan) share their debut single, “Cat Crow,” a mysterious and quietly disarming single that explores curiosity, fear, and the strange comfort found in not fully understanding the world around you. Rooted in traditional folk sensibilities and rich storytelling, the track weaves together memories of childhood and reflections on the present, blurring the line between the natural and the man-made.
Inspired by Lenny’s childhood spent exploring the Hamilton conservation, “Cat Crow” begins with a simple but haunting question: why do we so rarely encounter death in the natural world? Surrounded by wildlife, the absence of visible remains sparked a deeper curiosity; one that evolved into a meditation on perception, fascination, and the human tendency to linger on the unsettling.
Stream + share “Cat Crow” now:
“It’s quite strange that sometimes it’s the worst things that draw our attention,” Lenny reflects. “When something is gross or scary or strange, it’s hard to look away. Similarly, when your expectations of something familiar fall, it’s easier to watch the chaos than look away.”
What sets “Cat Crow” apart is its ability to connect two seemingly distant worlds. Childhood memories of wandering through forests and preparing for imagined danger are mirrored against the more recent experience of navigating crowded city spaces. In both cases, a sense of unease lingers, whether facing the unknown in nature or simply trying to find footing on a packed subway.
The recording process leaned into immediacy and authenticity. Tracked live off the floor, the song features a single, unbroken vocal take from both Lenny and Doug, capturing a raw and intimate performance. The session also brought together a group of standout collaborators, including Ben Whitley (bass), Thomas Hammerton (keys), and Kendal Carson (fiddle), whose contributions add subtle depth and texture to the arrangement.
Balancing a tone that feels both comforting and disillusioned, “Cat Crow” creates an emotional tension that never fully resolves. “It makes me feel confused and a little fearful,” Lenny shares, “but also happy and inquisitive. Somehow that combination feels comforting, even if it leaves me skeptical.”
– one piece of music
Farser – “Nowhere Wind”
This song reminds me of a rainy day driving home, the first lyrics “city rain never tastes the same” is one of my favourite opening lines of a song. Reminding me of the difference between the smell of wet grass and wet pavement. Wet pavement could never bring me the same feeling that wet grass does but It brings a different sense of comfort. This is a perfect rainy day cup of tea song to listen to.
– one visual
Yelena Haritonova, “The Last Angel” or “Последний ангел” (Photograph)
I don’t remember how I was introduced to Yelena’s work but I’ve been a big fan of her since I was in highschool. Her use of movement and contrast is really brutal but also very beautiful. Whenever I look at her black and white photographs I always imagine it’s overcast or humid. It might be the lines of movement or the contrast in the clouds that suggests rain but I think that’s part of why I like her work so much.
– one type of tea to pair with the post
Chamomile
The way I make my chamomile is with a little honey and ginger if you have some (I keep it in my freezer and shred it in). In the winter I made one every morning. It’s the perfect way to start the day with something sweet and gentle.
Tea + Me 