{"id":53939,"title":"Reflecting on 2025","description":"I have thoughts and feelings.\nSO I thought I'd share them","content":"<p>I feel like I\u2019ve said it more than once, but the fact that I am currently releasing my own music is something that just seems impossible. The fact that people seem to actually like it feels even more baffling and bizarre. Hell, people even have FUN watching me perform live??? I don\u2019t know what happened, but I am deeply glad that it did.<\/p><p>I\u2019ve always been connected to music and the arts in various ways, but making my own music has been the exact thing that I needed. The creative endeavor that seems to be sticking. The outlet for catharsis that is actually allowing me to work out complicated feelings in myself.<\/p><p>2025 saw the release of my second full-length MEGAFAUNA album (<em>I Owe This Land a Body<\/em>), three MEGAFAUNA EPS (<em>Nature Is Healing<\/em> - with Homesick Ghosts, <em>cn\u0281\u0281\u050du\u03dd \u03bb\u050d\u0251\u0281 \u0251\u0281\u10dbnw\u050du\u03dd<\/em>, and <em>haunts: the Ghostin\u2019 OST<\/em>), the debut EP from my side project VNRL (<em>Sick<\/em>), a collaboration with Vancouver metal band Ashen Pall on their new album (<em>False Idol, Hollow Crown<\/em>), a handful of compilation appearances, almost a dozen live shows, and even my first appearances at music festivals. It truly overwhelms me to write it all down like this, to see it laid out.<\/p><div data-youtube-video=\"\"><iframe class=\"youtube\" width=\"640\" height=\"480\" allowfullscreen=\"\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/RfKR00W1_lY\"><\/iframe><\/div><p>The Hollywood Theatre in Vancouver even decided to screen my live-scored version of <em>The Cabinet of Dr Caligari <\/em>- which for those keeping track is the SECOND film I have provided a live-score for (last year being <em>Nosferatu<\/em>). I really do feel extraordinarily privileged to have been able to do the things that I\u2019m doing, and that - at least for now - I\u2019ll get to continue doing them going forward.<\/p><p>While the music biz isn\u2019t making me rich - far from it - the year did present some really unique and cool opportunities to talk about the art that I am making. The folks over at Schaden Collective had me on, I was interviewed by <a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/metalriotnews.blogspot.com\/2025\/02\/interview-brendan-barlow-of-megafauna.html\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Metal Riot<\/a>, hell people even reviewed and seemed to like my music - which will never not surprise me.<\/p><p>RealGone called Nature is Healing \u201c<span style=\"font-family:'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;\">the ultimate slow burn\u201d <\/span><br \/><span style=\"font-family:'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;\">MutantZones called it \u201c<\/span><span style=\"font-family:Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif;\">eerie and mysterious\u201d<\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-family:Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif;\">Sleeping Village said cn\u0281\u0281\u050du\u03dd \u03bb\u050d\u0251\u0281 \u0251\u0281\u10dbnw\u050du\u03dd \u201cmakes the hair stand up on the back of [their] neck\u201d and that I Owe This Land a Body \u201cthe perfect antithesis of easy listening\u201d.<\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-family:Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif;\">On The Fringes of Sound said that the album was \u201cgenuinely unsettling\u201d and that it had \u201c<\/span><span style=\"font-family:Lato, sans-serif;\">some of the most incredible [percussion] work [they] have heard in quite a while\u201d<\/span><\/p><div data-youtube-video=\"\"><iframe class=\"youtube\" width=\"640\" height=\"480\" allowfullscreen=\"\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/_6EzEEMtS74\"><\/iframe><\/div><p>Truly the things that people have had to say about all of the work that I released has been so deeply humbling that it\u2019s hard to really express. I struggle with imposter syndrome pretty frequently, and so its hard to believe that not only do people like what I\u2019m doing - but they also GET it. They understand what I\u2019m trying to say, and there is something so deeply meaningful about that. To feel seen in such a vulnerable way.<\/p><p>It is, of course, also deeply terrifying, but I guess that comes with the territory.<br \/><br \/>At risk of this going from \u201creflecting about\u201d to \u201cbragging about\u201d my year, Syrup Moose Radio one a National Community Radio Award - which is truly incredible and humbling. I had hoped to be there in person but it just didn\u2019t quite come together. That said, here\u2019s hoping for another one in 2026? Maybe?<br \/><\/p><div data-youtube-video=\"\"><iframe class=\"youtube\" width=\"640\" height=\"480\" allowfullscreen=\"\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/8idmLnt0pz0\"><\/iframe><\/div><p><br \/>It would be insane if I didn\u2019t mention that 2025 is also the year that I licensed a song to a video game. The folks over at Clipthrough have used my music in their debut release, <em>ODYSSEY: Starship Pinball <\/em>and its genuinely still kind of surreal. I\u2019ve played the game on my own computer and everything, and its fucking weird to hear your music in someone else\u2019s product. The game is out in early access now, <a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/store.steampowered.com\/app\/3412640\/ODYSSEY_Starship_Pinball\/\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">and you can (and should) buy it for $5<\/a>. The reviews thus far have been good too, so that\u2019s always nice to see. <br \/><\/p><div data-youtube-video=\"\"><iframe class=\"youtube\" width=\"640\" height=\"480\" allowfullscreen=\"\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/IBN-e1amXtE\"><\/iframe><\/div><p><br \/>I really don\u2019t know what\u2019s in store for next year. Based on the world as it seems to be - I imagine it\u2019s not going to be an easy year for any number of reasons and that does make it feel sort of pointless to pontificate on what - in the grand scheme - is pretty meaningless stuff. That said, it has meant a huge amount to me, and I guess I have to let that count for something. Otherwise what\u2019s the point of anything?<\/p><p>2026, in broad strokes, will see the return of Syrup Moose Records and three releases (at least) from yours truly. Plus some other stuff I\u2019m not allowed to talk about yet but I do assume happens in 2026. Maybe sooner though, who knows.<\/p><p>This year, I managed to buy a house with my wife, adopted a 5th cat (because I\u2019m out of my mind) and started using a CPAP machine (which holy fuck has been life changing). I\u2019m still in my advocacy job, doing work that I feel good about doing, and I\u2019m doing my best to \u2018think globally\u2019 and \u2018act locally\u2019. Finding places I can make an impact, instead of getting lost in the behemoth nature of the world around me.<\/p><p>I hope this was at least moderately interesting to read. <br \/><br \/>See you next year. &lt;3<\/p>","urlTitle":"reflecting-on-2025","url":"\/blog\/reflecting-on-2025\/","editListUrl":"\/my-blogs","editUrl":"\/my-blogs\/edit\/reflecting-on-2025\/","fullUrl":"https:\/\/themarsh.ca\/blog\/reflecting-on-2025\/","featured":false,"published":true,"showOnSitemap":true,"hidden":false,"visibility":null,"createdAt":1765317941,"updatedAt":1766087633,"publishedAt":1766087633,"lastReadAt":null,"division":{"id":373295,"name":"The Marsh"},"tags":[],"metaImage":{"original":"https:\/\/images.podos.io\/te60q5kkuusnw4i7mlkc2m5db3hvauvczpwknzvzfy2laalq.jpeg","thumbnail":"https:\/\/images.podos.io\/te60q5kkuusnw4i7mlkc2m5db3hvauvczpwknzvzfy2laalq.jpeg.jpg?w=1140&h=855","banner":"https:\/\/images.podos.io\/te60q5kkuusnw4i7mlkc2m5db3hvauvczpwknzvzfy2laalq.jpeg.jpg?w=1920&h=1440"},"metaTitle":"","metaDescription":"","keyPhraseCampaignId":null,"series":[],"similarReads":[{"id":48504,"title":"MEGAFAUNA's \"Transitional Environment\" Now Available","url":"\/blog\/transit\/","urlTitle":"transit","division":373295,"description":"Originally released June 10, 2024, exclusively on: QUE OS RICOS PAGUEM PELA CRISE CLIM\u00c1TICA.","published":true,"metaImage":{"thumbnail":"https:\/\/images.podos.io\/rwzg5her7xjpxcjkn3kib0ib1ja6dgwxt9tvzk9xli7suo7v.jpeg.jpg?w=1140&h=855","banner":"https:\/\/images.podos.io\/rwzg5her7xjpxcjkn3kib0ib1ja6dgwxt9tvzk9xli7suo7v.jpeg.jpg?w=1920&h=1440"},"hidden":0},{"id":50692,"title":"Syrup Moose Radio Episode 81: Banned Books and Genocide","url":"\/blog\/syrup-moose-radio-episode-81-banned-books-and-genocide\/","urlTitle":"syrup-moose-radio-episode-81-banned-books-and-genocide","division":373295,"description":"Alberta starting on a frightening road and a selection of Palestinian artists.  EPISODE 81 OF SYRUP MOOSE RADIO IS HERE.","published":true,"metaImage":{"thumbnail":"https:\/\/images.podos.io\/6jq9twjzqhm9ffbhdptjg3lkmxbikeksfydxc6ambb9wevfp.jpeg.jpg?w=1140&h=855","banner":"https:\/\/images.podos.io\/6jq9twjzqhm9ffbhdptjg3lkmxbikeksfydxc6ambb9wevfp.jpeg.jpg?w=1920&h=1440"},"hidden":0},{"id":51767,"title":"Syrup Moose Radio Episode 86: A Strike is a Wish Your Heart Makes","url":"\/blog\/syrup-moose-radio-episode-86-a-strike-is-a-wish-your-heart-makes\/","urlTitle":"syrup-moose-radio-episode-86-a-strike-is-a-wish-your-heart-makes","division":373295,"description":"Strikes abound on this day-after-labour-day-episode. Enjoy.","published":true,"metaImage":{"thumbnail":"https:\/\/images.podos.io\/3pcerljbzljpmtfg4csi58h75uc9lauvcrkltvjw7xkmmtlo.jpeg.jpg?w=1140&h=855","banner":"https:\/\/images.podos.io\/3pcerljbzljpmtfg4csi58h75uc9lauvcrkltvjw7xkmmtlo.jpeg.jpg?w=1920&h=1440"},"hidden":0}],"labels":[]}