Static’s second issue, First Times in Toronto, is out October 22nd. So to celebrate, over the month, you’ll get to know the contributors of the issue through some of their first times in Toronto. Let’s start with…

Jessica Lewis doesn’t exactly write for Static just yet, but she runs it. As editor, she works with her co-eds, Melody and Aviva, on everything including the mixtape and events, manages the contributors’ stories and art, edits, runs the websites and much more. She also works at the University of Toronto, blogs and writes for other various music websites such as AUX and Dork Shelf. Here, learn about how the Buffalo, NY-expat settled in, and know that her music taste is much better now.

First time I felt like Toronto was home was in 2005 when I visited the city to see if I wanted to go to Ryerson University. I did. I knew that this is where I belonged. 

First job was a reporter at the school paper, The Eyeopener.

First house was a complete dump in the east end.

First favourite neighbourhood was around school, Yonge and Dundas, as that was the ‘neighbourhood’ I knew best first. I had a lot to learn.

First concert was Islands at the Opera House. Or if we’re getting technical, Hanson at the Molson Amphitheatre many many moons ago when I even made a sign to wave around.

First outdoor concert probably something at Dundas Square, if not, it was when Mobile, The New Pornographers and Tokyo Police Club all played at City Hall one chilly February. (Or, technical answer, Hanson.)

First record store I visited was Criminal Records (RIP!).

First in-store was that same time at Criminal, I went with a friend to see Moneen.

First celebrity sighting was at TIFF, I think Brittany Murphy (RIP!), but I vividly remember Beck, outside the Edge studios another time two months later. Saw a limo, didn’t realize it was him, went to the bank, walked back, a woman yelled “BECK!” and I walked in and watched the entire interview.

First kiss was in a dorm room.

First heartbreak was long, but with that sullen stomach feeling of knowing it was right.

First New Year’s was right before the first time I was to really leave Toronto, London-bound for a semester abroad. It was full of tears, because I knew I’d really miss all these people who ended up not being my friends by the time I was back.

First time I went to the islands was with family and some friends when I went to check out the city for school. It became my favourite place here instantly. The idea of an island right off the city was weird and exciting to me, the city’s own little oasis.

First trip out of Toronto was Ottawa to visit a former roommate, not counting all my trips home to Buffalo.

First time I got lost was probably very early, sometime in Frosh Week. I remember feeling completely disoriented during the city version of capture the flag one night. But I also remember everyone telling me I took to the city quickly.

If I had a last day in Toronto, I would stroll the Annex, Kensington, go to the islands, finally take a trip up the CN tower, sit on my stoop and people-watch, hopefully catch a show at Lee’s. And then pass out from exhaustion.