Sunday, January 4, 2009

Movies to see: Slumdog Millionaire


After seeing nothing but glowing comments everywhere about Slumdog Millionaire I decided to take advantage of a Sunday afternoon of running around to do errands to go see a movie. I cannot tell you how inspiring it was to see such a great story after a constant barrage of big effects movies and holiday dribble.

The movie directed by Danny Boyle and adapted from a book called Q and A follows Jamal Milik, a child who grew up on the streets of Mumbai finds his way onto the Indian version of Who Wants to Be a Millionaire. He defies all expectations of the producers and the host and continues to answer the questions correctly. The explanation as to how he knows the answers leads us through the past, as we learn about Jamal's childhood, his brother, his small triumphs and his heart-wrenching losses.

To say anymore would be giving it away, but I will say that it is one of the most inspiring movies I have seen in a long time, and I would recommend that everyone skip the recent Tom Cruise, Adam Sandler, Spirit choices and take in this movie. You're going to end up seeing it sometime in the future anyways, and you'll wonder why you didn't go to see it before.

And the music rocks, too! Stay for the dance number during the end credits...

A cold Saturday in Port Credit




Saturday, January 3, 2009

Who is the ultimate voice of Modern Rock?


I was reading the NME site today and saw the story that Robert Planet had been voted the 'Voice of Rock' by the readers of Planet Rock. I have to agree with most of the choices on the list, but... it didn't include any women (Janis Joplin or Grace Slick for example) and the representation of anyone in Modern Rock was non-existent. Now, Planet Rock is a Classic Rock site - so the choices would be limited to the definition of classic rock.

So, my question is... Who are the Voices of Modern Rock? Let's define Modern Rock as artists who have gained popularity since 1977. Over the next week I'll be asking this question amongst my friends on Facebook, Twitter, Blip.fm and of course 'real' life.

Who is the ultimate voice of Modern Rock?

Some early suggestions include...
  • Kurt Cobain (Nirvana)
  • Debbie Harry
  • Caleb Followill (Kings of Leon)
  • Karen O (Yeah Yeah Yeahs)
  • Bjork
  • Sting
  • Elvis Costello
  • Dave Grohl (Foo Fighters)
  • Eddie Vedder (Pearl Jam)
  • PJ Harvey
  • Patti Smith
  • Chrissie Hynde (Pretenders)
  • Dave Gahan (Depeche Mode)
  • Alison Moyet
  • Julian Casablancas (Strokes)
  • Joan Jett

Thursday, January 1, 2009

My past life as a tshirt illustrator

The first fulltime job I had as a designer was at a company outside of Halifax named Golden Screen Print. My job was to create the working files used to create the 'screens'. This would involve a combination of illustration (by hand), create lettering (by hand or with Letraset) and then combine all of these onto a film for each colour to be used for the actual screen printing. This was all done prior to having Macs in the studio, and any adjustments to sizing had to be done by using the process camera and darkroom. Below are a few examples of the original designs that I created.

Tom Cats


Surfin' Bird - NS Puffin


The Maui Moose


Prehistoric Party Animal


Punk Flamingos

Toronto Concert Calendar of Interest

The Virgins - Feb 5, El Mocambo
Lykke Li - Feb 6, The Phoenix
Antony & the Johnsons - Feb 17, Queen Elizabeth Theatre
Eagles of Death Metal - Feb 20, The Phoenix
The Airborne Toxic Event - Mar 4, El Mocambo
Bloc Party - Mar 14, Kool Haus
Cut Copy - Mar 20, CiRCA
Andrew Bird - Apr 3, Queen Elizabeth Theatre

Wednesday, December 31, 2008

Who I Saw in 2008 - Kaiser Chiefs


The Mod Club, November 18

I arrived at the Mod Club from the CNMAs just in time to get a beverage and squeeze myself into a small place in the capacity crowd near the back. I still haven't got a clue who was, or if there was an opening act. The Mod Club was sold out and ready to roll when the Kaiser Chiefs took to the stage opening with Spanish Metal. I hadn't had much time to absorb their new album, Off With Their Heads so like everyone else I was waiting for the big hits.

High energy, lead singer Ricky Wilson ruled the stage and seemed to be everywhere all at once, including an early run through the crowd - somehow coming within about 10 feet of where I was standing and then getting back through the crowd to the stage in record time. The hits kept coming - Never Miss a Beat, Every Day I Love You Less and Less, Ruby and Modern Way.

Near the end, Wilson crowdsurfed his way through I Predict a Riot - and ended up running the length of the Mod Club bar and helping himself to a drink during Take My Temperature. By the time the show closed with rousing sing-a-long Oh My God the crowd and the Chiefs were spent. Definitely one of the best shows I've seen.

Tuesday, December 30, 2008

Smithistory


The Smiths were one of the most influential bands of the 80s and onward. With Morrissey's new album Years of Refusal due for release in February, I (naturally) started making a list of my favorite Smiths songs in my head. So, here they are... agree? Disagree? What are your favorite Smiths songs?

1. How Soon Is Now
2. Girlfriend In a Coma
3. Is It Really So Strange
4. This Charming Man
5. Panic
6. Sheila Takes a Bow
7. The Queen Is Dead
8. William It Was Really Nothing
9. Please, Please Let me Get What I Want
10. Heaven Knows I'm Miserable Now