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.

Carmel G. took a trip for the first issue of Static Zine, experiencing the Brick Works for the first time and bringing us back many helpful ideas and tips. That was one of the sparks towards the second issue’s theme of first times, so for this one she recounts a purchase that was very meaningful and will bring more memories for her in the future. Carmel studied Shakespeare in the U.K. over the summer and is currently working on an English degree at the University of Toronto.

First house was two blocks away from where I live now.

First favourite neighborhood was Avenue Rd, my ‘hood.

First concert was The Strokes at the Ricoh in the 9th grade. It said somewhere on Ticketmaster that cameras weren’t allowed in the venue, so I discreetly hid mine under my shirt only to discover later that cameras were totally allowed and you could take photos to your heart’s content, what. Oh, and our assigned seats didn’t actually exist. The security guards had to bring in folding chairs to accommodate us. Needless to say, we became buddies with security by the end of the night. The Most Serene Republic opened that show, too. They got a new bassist that day, if I remember correctly. The Strokes came out, and I belted my heart out, obviously. It was cathartic. Among the usual favourites, they played “Hawaii,” a B-side from the Juicebox single, and a really great cover of Lou Reed’s “A Walk On the Wild Side.”

Although, if you really want to be technical about “firsts,” my first concert would probably have been some piano concerto my parents dragged me to. Lang Lang at the Roy Thomson Hall was probably the best nap I’ve ever had.

First bar/club I went to was probably The Drake Underground when Matt from The Elwins snuck me in because I wasn’t legal yet; as for the first club, probably Wetbar during Frosh. NEVER AGAIN. Although I did get to dance with a really cute exchange student from Paris, so I guess that night wasn’t all terrible.

First outdoor concert: stumbled upon Hedley at a Canada Day celebration at some park — it may have been Downsview. Needless to say, it was awful.

First record store was Sam the Record Man – never forget

First in-store was probably at Sonic Boom, can’t remember

First favourite book: Picture of Dorian Gray by Oscar Wilde

First library: Armour Heights, a sad little place in my neighbourhood

First celebrity sighting was Natalie Portman walking around Queen Street like it wasn’t a big deal… or Jackie Chan in a town car, smiling & waving at me while on the highway, but this might not have been in Toronto, so let’s go with Natalie Portman.

First time I went to the islands (sans family) was that time when Rogue Wave were still relevant and played a mini-festival with Death Cab and some other bands.

First trip out of Toronto was somewhere in America. I go there pretty often. Probably too often.

First time I got lost was probably at Sam the Record Man. I have a vague memory of finding myself in the gospel section, terrified. Or at York University for a tennis match. I wandered around the campus for an hour, crying while looking for the Rexall Centre. Needless to say, I didn’t even bother applying there for uni.

If I had a last day in Toronto, I would wake up early in the morning, have breakfast. Take one final walk around the neighbourhood. Hang out at Mount Pleasant. Make a snowman (if this were to happen during the winter). Walk around UofT one last time. Go to Sonic Boom. Have afternoon tea and cake at the Red Tea Box. Or get macarons from Nadege and hang out at Bellwoods. Head over to the Brick Works. Watch the sunset at the Don Valley. Catch a good band for an early show. Then head out to the airport!