The annual Reg the Cat birthday column is hereby postponed until next week. In its place, I present the following.
I have been in an abyss of grief since my Dear Lois passed last month. I would never have believed that such pain as I am feeling was even possible. But in darkness there is Light, in the midst of despair there is Hope.
The overwhelming rush of good wishes and condolences has been, well, overwhelming. Let me just mention some examples.
The weekend of January 30/31 was….in a word….busy. This seems to be my mantra these days….busy, busy, busy….and I’m loving it. Two nights in a row at Cherry Cola’s introduced me to a few new Indie bands while allowing me the pleasure of hearing a few of my favourites. Something tells me “Indie Week” has already started….at least in this column.
Personally it’s been, indubitably, a year of massive, incredible change….a complete turnaround….a 360….that’s two 180’s, and I’m still spinning. It’s been jam packed full of opportunities, challenges, reconnections, new connections, bags of music, loads of dancing, early mornings, late nights, no sleep, G&T’s, club hopping, previews and reviews, outdoor patios, fast food, fine dining, ear-splitting bands, (did I mention dancing), photo shoots, video shoots and writing. Okay, deep breath, plunging in, here we go….the year in review. Really!! ….and WELCOME BACK!
I was overwhelmed with what CMW had to offer. So much to see and do, so many contacts to make, so much to learn and waaaay too many clubs to hit. Impossible in ten days but we all do our very best.
Thanks to the good people at AudioBlood, Bob Segarini, Pat Blythe and myself have spent the last ten days mixing and mingling with musicians, artists, and the people who love them. It’s been simultaneously exhausting and exhilarating. I won’t lie … my feet hurt, I’ve got a desk covered in CDs, business cards, and promotional bumpf of all stripes … and I’m relieved that I don’t have to do anything more strenuous than type this recap of the festivities. Although there are a few more events tonight …
Well…. This was supposed to be Part Five of The Women of Rock. However, I’m going to take a break and fill you in on some of the sights and sounds of this dynamic city I call home….Toronto…. Hogtown… Muddy York…. The Big Smoke…. Tdot…. where I’ve been going, who I’ve been seeing, what I’ve been drinking (G&T w/lemon if you must know. Bombay Sapphire is the chosen one.) AND update you about an exciting event that’s coming to Toronto. Yep….it’s another Toronto Scrapbook!
After five days of independent music and film showcases, along with three days of industry seminars, Indie Week wrapped last night. The event just keeps getting better every year. The bands and fans have a wonderful time, careening from venue to venue, sampling new and new to them music, while rubbing shoulders with like-minded people eager to see and be seen.
As a music journalist/music lovin’ gal about town, I get a lot of music sent my way. And I mean A LOT. Between publicists asking me to review their latest client’s most amazing poppy, shoe-gazey (that term needs to die in a fire), metal, rock, whatever album, to people asking me to listen to their friends’ bands, to bands themselves asking me to give their latest single a listen or video a few, I’m inundated with music coming from every place you can imagine. Don’t get me wrong, I’m not complaining. I adore music and discovering new music is why I got into this non/low paying gig in the first place. But there’s definitely a right way to ask someone in the music business to listen to your life’s work. There’s also a wrong way. Let’s start with the right way.
Bullseye Records of Canada
Segarini: Don't Believe a Word I Say 