Stuff I wrote in 2022…
This was the year that I tried to keep writing, even though work and life was pretty darned busy. I write a whole lot of reports and random documents for my day jobs, so writing about art, music and culture is such a pleasure. This year I got back into writing about live music and I’m happy to be contributing to the lovely site that is Northern Transmissions. I also was thrilled to be able to write for CBC Music and Montreal Review of Books too…about the always excellent Hubert Lenoir. Finally, I was on the jury for the Sleight Family Polaris Heritage Prize. Having multiple discussions that ended up with two excellent winners — Four the Moment and SNFU —was also a highlight.
First up in 2023, I’ve got a essay on the topic of my favourite TV show that I’m pretty damn proud of coming out soon and an academic essay I wrote with the lovely Dr. Nicole Plummer coming out in March.
Anyhow — here we go:
Subtitles and the Two Solitudes: Could this be the Watershed for Quebecois Television?
Wrote this for the Globe and Mail after another publication commissioned but didn’t care for what I produced (yeah, that happened). I know this was published in the waning hours of 2021, but I want to list it here. In the year that Bill 96 became law, I’d like to underline an opportunity for connection between the solitudes.
Telling and Facing History: The Fire That Time
Montreal Review of Books asked me to write about the amazing collection of work commemorating the 1969 Sir George Williams occupation against anti-Black racism. Edited by Ronald Cummings and Nalini Mohabir, the book offers not only a historical narrative, but also commentary that demonstrates the current relevance of what happened in February over a half-century ago. I read the book and interviewed the editors. I learned a great deal about this city’s history and can’t recommend The Fire That Time more (get a copy!).
Meet Hill Kourkoutis, the 1st woman nominated for a recording engineer Juno
Talking with the awesome Hill Kourkoutis was so much fun, not only because she is delightful, but she was so generous with me, someone who loves music but has little idea how it’s actually made. She explained exactly what she does, and I was so excited when she was recognized for being great and became first woman to not only nominated but win the Juno for Recording Engineer of the Year.
Osheaga Fest Recap: Day One, Day Two and Day Three
I felt like a real music journalist for the first time in a long time when I covered Montreal’s Osheaga Festival. I got to see some of my favourite acts and found new ones to love. I hope I get to do this again this coming year!
Shortlist shortcut to Hubert Lenoir’s Pictura de Ipse: Musique directe
In the runup to the Polaris, I had the opportunity to interview the excellent Hubert Lenoir. This is one of my favourite albums of the year. If you haven’t heard it yet, don’t wait!
Review: The Smile Live in Montreal
2022 was the year I realized that I had missed out on Radiohead. But no longer. Better late than never, and this show was as excellent as The Smile’s album.
Looking Forward To New Records In 2023
Ended off 2022 looking forward to 2023…
In 2023, I’d love to do more reading, writing and listening. Thanks to everyone who has told me they like my stuff. It’s really, really wonderful to hear.
