If you have something to say...
Say it on the Huffington Post
If you have something to say...
Say it on the Huffington Post
She recently headlined a show at the Phoenix where she blew the audience away with her inspired performance. Though some folks say it's hard to define her style, there's one thing that couldn't be clearer: she was born to sing and she is fulfilling her destiny.
Lavigne is like the prom queen who peaked in high school, looking back on her glory days. While other pop stars who hit it big in their teens have made efforts to be taken more seriously, like her attitude, Lavigne's music hasn't matured at all in her more than decade-long career.
So, I wrote a rap song with my mom. Before we even set pen to paper, my mom began expressing some doubts about the whole endeavor. She was fearful that, never having done such a thing, she wouldn't be able to write a rap song.
This was my big dream -- to work with Sting. I experienced first-hand his brilliance and his unique ability to draw out the best in those around him. He took care of his body and his instrument. No matter what the situation, he was always prepared, and he expected the same of us.
His songs are funny without being cruel. Proud but not prejudiced. Honest but gentle. They are what Canada wishes it could be (they assign Stompin' Tom songs at school). But, above all, they are great travel writing from a great traveller.
Music is an undeniably powerful thing. It's something I've been striving to learn how to use since childhood days when my dad's acoustic ramblings would put me to sleep in comfort. My new album Siberia Acoustic started out as just acoustic version of Siberia but turned into an entirely separate album. I hope this is what I'll get to play at the end of the world.
When summer finally hits in the Great White North, it blooms into a music festival paradise. From Osheaga in Montreal to NXNE in Toronto to the folk festivals out West, this land was made for music fans. Here are some of the best fests happening this summer.
I don't want to have to compromise my morals in order to make a living. I don't want my words to be taken out of context. I don't want to be infantilized because I refuse to be sexualized. I don't want to be molested at shows or on the street by people who perceive me as an object that exists for their personal satisfaction. I'm tired of men who aren't professional or even accomplished musicians continually offering to "help me out" (without being asked), as if I did this by accident and I'm gonna flounder without them. I'm sad that my desire to be treated as an equal and as a human being is interpreted as hatred of men.
Sadly, neither Drake nor Director X was there to accept the award. They robbed me of probably my best moment to run on stage and "Pull a Kanye." I think that's what sent me into the downward spiral. I ordered another drink. Then a double. Then a triple. And a Regina triple is pretty stiff, let me tell you
It never occurred to me that my music and sexuality could be helpful in this way. I have just always written what I write. But never as a political act. But today I sang in front of several hundred queer high school students. My lyrics suddenly took on new meaning. I can't stop thinking how this conference could have completely changed my youth.
SXSW has such a palpable hedonism. It is a parade of acts, a carnival of different kinds of food, sunshine, and music heard in every street. Though I guess I am 'here to work,' I would love to experience this festival, as a performer, responsibility free (am I a diva?).
I was asked to explain how it felt to go back to the Commodore Ballroom in Vancouver this past November and maybe list some of the highlights over the last 25 years in a page or so. This was tough to do but, here it goes.
The Luv-A-Fair was a giant warehouse at the intersection where the red light and gay districts met. The bouncers were tough and mean. There was one incident where a bouncer had not only barred a yahoo from entering the club, but also chased him around the block wielding a bicycle chain.
To me, there are only two types of music in the world -- good and bad. I like to listen to the good kind. Music is surely relative, but when one looks at the music that gets continually lauded over, be it critically or at a mainstream level, there's usually a complete dismissal of anything remotely hard or heavy. There is for people like me, however, an oasis called The Roadburn Festival.
I got the job with MuchMusic. It's a 24 hour music station that plays videos, sort of like radio on your TV. Do you have such a channel over there in the U.K.? My role is rock and roll newsman for "the nation's music station." It's exciting, intense, aggravating, and glitzy all at once.
Just three years ago I was like many other people my age -- I had respect for the environment but had no idea of the dire straits our planet was in and just how much was at stake. My time was divided between working a day job to pay bills and pursuing my passion for music on my days off. This was the formative period of "Mindil Beach Markets."
