For Issue 3, Static’s roster of contributors got even bigger. 26 people were involved in the making of the zine and telling stories about their lives. So naturally, once you’re hooked to their stories, you’re going to want to know more about them.
So for this issue, each person got a web page right on this here site.
The first wave of pages are ready, so here’s who you can get to know and then read more of their work:
I’ll shamelessly admit that I thought this year in music, much like the NBA draft class, was particularly weak. By my estimation, there were no standout songs. There were certainly good tracks, heck, there were some great tracks but the ultimate question one has to ask themselves when determining just how good a song is this one:
Will I listen to this song regularly five years from now? Ten years from now?
The “test of time” question is certainly one that is hard to answer but it’s really the only one you need to think about in your own personal search for your favorite songs for 2011.
Instead of boring you with a list of songs that everyone might have potential posted for their favorite tracks of 2011, I will instead bore you with some non 2011 songs I listened to this year and will continue to listen to.
Belle and Sebastian – Sleep The Clock Around
My favorite song from one of my favorite bands, Belle and the Sebastian’s Sleep The Clock Around has slowly climbed up my favorite songs chart to the point where I think it might be #2. This dreamy twee number has a magnificent trumpet solo that is complimented by bagpipes (of all things) as the song reaches its triumphant climax. This track got some prominent plays this year since I saw B&S twice in a short period of time (October in Toronto, May in Barcelona). At some point, I also decided that I would end off any DJ sets I do with this track. And I played it when I reached the top of a mountain in Peru at 4200 m after a grueling 3-4 hour hike.
Erasure – Victim of Love
While I’ve always heard of Erasure and knew of their existence, I had never thought to look too deeply into their discography. This all changed when I was invited to go see the band at the Sound Academy in September. Thinking that I would probably need to familiarize myself with their music to truly enjoy myself at this show, I took a dive into their songs and discovered that their music is quite exceptional. Behind Vince Clark (he of Depeche Mode fame)’s legendary trademark beat and Andy Bell’s endlessly catchy hooks, it’s no wonder Erasure had so much success for such a long period of time. That show was one of my favorite Toronto shows this year and the band has been in steady rotation since.
2Pac – Hit’em Up
This song makes me laugh every time. A diss song targeting Biggie Smalls released in the middle of the East Coast West Coast rap wars, it’s a great representation on the state of hip hop back in the day and the easiest target for any media outlet trying to paint rap/hip hop as a negative influence at the time. It’s so angry and simultaneously funny at the same time. It might have the best opening line to any song ever (“First off, fuck your bitch”). 90′s hip hop, they sure don’t make them like they used to.
Faithless – Insomnia
Faithless’ hit track Insomnia is the perfect example of why you should never compromise with the record company and release a ‘single version’ of your song. The real version of Insomnia is a 8 minute masterpiece that builds up slowly and sets the tone and mood of the song nicely while the single version is a mess of random pieces of the original track thrown together. While this track is not for everyone but at the right time, in the right place it makes perfect sense.
OMD – If You Leave
As chronicled in my article dedicated to this song / The OC on my own blog, I was first introduced to this song via a cover by Nada Surf, who up until that point, was known for the late 90′s semi-hit/one hit wonder track Popular. My fondness for this track can be directly attributed to the fact that I saw OMD twice this year, in a span of two days. This delightful pop track is as catchy as they come.
Imaginary Cities – Hummingbird
This CanCon track would have made my best of 2011 list if it wasn’t released in 2010, which kind of blows since I really liked it. Anyways, the Manitoban group made great strides this year with their debut album Temporary Resident which is actually not an album about illegal immigrants. One of the tracks off this album is Hummingbird, an infectious pop track that features lead singer Marti Sarbit’s bluesy nasaly voice at it’s best. Not many bands can say they opened for the Pixies in 2011, but this group from a little humdrum country town called Winnipeg can.
For me, 2011 will always be the year I saw Pulp. I know I sound like a broken record, but when you pay over two grand to fly to Barcelona, rent an apartment and go to a music festival primarily to see one band, you should probably waste a few words on it. Clever lyrics, memorable story, great use of a Gloria sample and hook that snatches you and never lets go, it’s pretty much the perfect pop song.
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.
Ricky Lam, the ninth tallest Asian on earth, will make his Static debut in issue 2 in a real meta way. Before we let him infiltrate our world, he was just a senior software developer, founder/editor of The Panic Manual, concert festival world traveler, slick DJ with funky dance moves and lover of world peace. But now, his life is going to be that much more full of static cling. Good luck, Lam!
First concert in Toronto was Echo and the Bunnymen, 2003, Palais Royale. Ventured to The Palais Royale on a weeknight for this show despite the fact that I lived at Yonge and Finch at the time. I think it took me four or seven hours to get home by TTC from there, but it was completely worth it. Also, the last time I have been to Palais Royale.
First job was found using my friend’s U of T account to access their career site. When I was asked during the interview how I found the job since it was only posted on the U of T site, I told them I used my friends account. I think they liked that. Cheat to win baby, (but it’s not really cheating).
First outdoor concert in Toronto was Curiosa – The Cure, Muse, Interpol, Rapture @ Molson Amphitheatre, It’s always interesting to see the Cure play an outdoor show in August just because of the inevitable goth makeup meltdown from some of the Cure fans who decided dressing up for a Cure show in the middle of summer was a good idea. Muse was certainly a highlight, and played in front of maybe 200 people. That, as we know, would soon change.
First trip out of Toronto (after moving here, besides going to Edmonton) was Coachella 2004! Radiohead, The Cure, Belle and Sebastian, kraftwerk, Flaming Lips, Basement Jaxx, Pixies, Beck, Air, Muse..pretty much the best Coachella lineup ever. The first trip I paid for with my own hard earned money would be a good indicator of my musical tourist type of vacations in the years to come.
First time I felt like Toronto was home was when I flew back to Edmonton and realized that I was more Toronto and less Edmonton, by that, I mean, I cut off people when I walk and jay walked relentlessly.
First in-store was Gruff Rhys of Super Furry Animals in Soundscapes. It was absolutely packed in there and two of my friends left because of the heat, I also learned how to take the streetcar for the first time that day.
If I had a last day in Toronto, I would eat multiple meals, go to the island, chill in kensington, go to dance cave, go to chinatown, base jump off the CN tower..in that order.
