Static’s second issue, First Times in Toronto, is out October 20th. So to celebrate, over the month, you’ll get to know the contributors of the issue through some of their first times in Toronto.

Tom Lowery will make his debut in issue 2 in the form of a comic and cut-out-your-own bookmarks. Tom’s also designed other bookmarks and buttons we’ll have at Canzine (and maybe if you catch one of us on the street). Tom’s from a small northern town called Temagami where the people think Sonic Youth is something you’re cooking for dinner. Tom went to school for journalism in North Bay and forgot his diploma in a gas station bathroom, so now he’s studying English and Film at the University of Toronto. In his spare time, Tom makes forts out of his bed and stays up late reading comics with a flashlight. His more productive hobbies include taking apart cardboard boxes and drawing cartoons for his blog, tomloweryisdumb. He eats at least one peanut butter sandwich each day.

First time I felt like Toronto was home was when I was five and looked out the window of my grandparents’ 19th floor condo at 1am and the streetlights were still on.

First job was: Editorial intern for music and stuff. (Remember when that lesbian glam rock band called me a misogynist?)

First house was: I lived in a house on the beach for a few months. At night, I’d sit on the lawn with a box of ginger biscuits and watch the raccoons duke it out Mortal Kombat style.

First favourite neighborhood was: I’m like a goldfish, so it’s hard to play favourites—but it might have been Mirvish Village, because that’s where The Beguiling is.

First concert was The Black Halos (“Somethings Never Fall” still kills)

First bar/club I went to was The Warehouse (now Kool Haus)

First outdoor concert was Warped Tour or the first V-Fest.

First record store was Sam The Record Man.

First in-store was The Weakerthans, I think.

First favorite book: After the J.D. Salinger oeuvre, it’s a tie between “Lullabies For Little Criminals” by Heather O’Neill and “The Curious Incident Of The Dog In The Night-time” by Mark Haddon.

First library was The MF Reference Library.

First celebrity sighting was: Never. I stare at my shoes a lot.

First kiss was nothing special, which might be get me slapped. Whatever. Bitch.

First heartbreak was: This is getting emo…

First New Year’s was *scene missing, no refunds*

First Valentine’s Day was *scene missing, loser*

First time I stayed up all night: Somehow I got dragged along to one of those “A Taste Of Chaos” shows. Stupid story short, the people who attend ATOC like to lace their weed.

First time I went to the islands: V-Fest…for The Strokes.

First time I got lost was near What A Bagel. I also got locked in a Future Shop one night…I got out.

If I had a last day in Toronto, I would pee off the CN Tower.