Q) If its the former why do you think everyone wants to be famous?
"For the last few years it's become clear that we are socially rewarded by how much of our personal and private life we expose to the public. That’s thenew zeitgeist of popularity and fame within the digital social media landscape. Give up little pieces of yourself for some likes and attention. The deeper and more personal - the better. Stay private and you'll punished by the lack of engagement. Don't blame me, this is how the internet works!
"I do find this extremely problematic. To allow our personalities and characters to be shaped by our audiences is not only dangerous, but restricts our journeys to fully realize our own true identities. Once you notice a spike in liking or disliking something of yours - depending on your self confidence - don’t you think one will most likely bend and appease for the positive validation? Each little ding of a notification sets off reward sensors in our brains. It works in the same way gambling does, but we’re not using chips, we’re using our feelings and emotions. What happens when we run out of funds? Since it's so hard for young people to feel like they have a stake in this new strange world, I feel it's their way of feeling validated and in a way fighting away mortality. Again, I'm not above it."
Q) 'Hexes + Oh’s' has a cool Television vibe and there's the reference to Talking Heads in your album title and track, where does Post-Punk/ New Wave fit into your life as music makers?
"We have some pretty strong roots tied to Toronto's Punk, New Wave and Alternative music scene that kicked off around the late 1970's. I worked with Tony Malone (Drastic Measures/ Dishes) on some of The Nursery recordings and previous projects that he produced. Don Pyle from Shadowy Men on a Shadowy Planet worked on an early Nursery track and Gary Topp was one of the first people to give my band a shot and book our first gigs.
"We played with Carole Pope, Platinum Blonde, The Mods, Johnny and the G Rays and even The Viletones with the Nazi Dog himself! Topp, along with Gary Cormier, were the only local promoters putting on Punk/Alternative shows in Toronto back then. They used to book a club called The Edge which was Toronto's CBGB at the time. They were the only ones bringing in bands like XTC, Talking Heads, Ramones and Siouxsie and the Banshees when no one else would touch them. This was way before I was around making music obviously, but learning about the rich, homegrown, truly independent music culture my hometown had was a huge inspiration for me. It was incredibly exciting to be part of.
"As I learned more and more and started connecting in the scene, suddenly all my heroes, who seemed too far away and untouchable before, were right down the street. So I guess that whole period of independent alternative music really influenced my writing and seeped its way into my musical spirit."
