The Young Winter
2019 • 01 • 31
With the new year, DOMINIONATED welcomed a bevy of new contributors and we are eager to get their thoughts on our pages (and on the podcast perhaps?) very shortly. Michael Beda was first out of the gate with a spirited tribute to Hey Rosetta!, recounting his experiences seeing the band live for the very last time (for now). “What initially inspired me to write the piece was the fact that a full year had passed since their final shows, though there wasn’t any need for despair,” says Michael “To me, Hey Rosetta! should be idolized as proper ambassadors to the Canadian music scene. Though always charming, cheery, and hospitable, their music was never one-dimensional, which is why I felt as though many different fans could resonate with the article in many different ways.”
If you're looking for the perfect winter ambient soundtrack, our favourite Reginian, contributor Jon Neher, recently launched his own record label, called Fernwood Trail. Its inaugural release is a joint project between Jon and Michael Scott Dawson (of Library Voices). Nothing Is On Fire is a collection of songs composed as the two “began sending each other sound files and digitally discussing inspiration and ideas at all hours of the day in their rare spare moments; they never worked on the music in the same room and rarely saw each other in-person save for their sometimes monthly book club.” Congratulations, Jon!
Speaking of records, we recently did a little informal survey and asked our team: What’s your favourite local record store, and why do you love it?
Michael Beda: You could always find me amidst the chaotic aisles of Brian's Record Option in downtown Kingston during the four years I lived in the city. Brian has been there for decades and could pinpoint exactly where to send you if you had any questions about where a particular record might be. There was a bad flood this past summer that forced him to close down for renovations, but from the updates I've seen online, the place will be better than ever once it opens again.
Olivia Pasquarelli: Soundscapes in Toronto! Their vinyl section isn't robust, but they have a great selection of CDs, magazines, books and concert tickets that cover a range of genres. Plus, the staff are very friendly and I never feel out of place when I'm visiting. They turned me on to the Oxford American publication, which has brought me so much joy ever since.
Jim Di Gioia: There used to be a number of great independent places to buy music in the Niagara Region (RIP the Pop Tones in Niagara Falls and Station To Station in St, Catharines), but they pretty much dried up as digital music took over. But downtown St. Catharines is in the midst of a revitalization that’s giving way to great shops and local hangouts, and Mindbomb Records is a must-stop for music lovers. Chris Charkowy has put together a diverse collection of music and is sure to have whatever it is you’re looking for, from punk and hardcore to vinyl re-issues and the classic. If not, he’ll get it for you no problem. Mindbomb has recently started selling online, but you really should come to St. Catharines and check out the cool in-store vibe.
Mac Cameron: If you make your way past the swaths of teenagers trying on 10$ black t-shirts in the Black Market, you'll notice the music start to blend into a strange, competitive, disorienting swirl. That's when you know you've made it to Shortstack Records. The folks who run it are friendly, the prices are fair and there is a constant stream of used new arrivals. The selection isn't as overwhelming (or overpriced) as Sonic Boom and it's vibe is way better than Kops. The perfect downtown Toronto record store.
Jon Neher got really excited about this question and went all out: Until recently in Regina, there has long only been one answer: X-Ray Records. It has been the lone stalwart selling new and independent releases from the “dark days” of vinyl to the present. I came to know it when it was in the basement of our local skate shop the Tiki Room and touring bands would take a second in their banter to acknowledge how rad it was.
Today X-Ray Records has moved out of the basement and into a growing warehouse district but the same great experience is there because of the visionary behind the project, Dave Kuzenko. He has an encyclopedic knowledge of music that lets him know your music tastes better than yourself and a tireless work ethic that sees him releasing weekly newsletters while being the only regular employee. I hope his infamous 3-4-1 record sale continues on indefinitely.
Special mention (because it is too hard to pick between them): T&A Fashion and Vinyl for being a ‘newer’ entrant but one of the most influential forces in the Saskatchewan arts scene that regularly hosts shows, sponsors artists and events, and is one of the founding forces behind local event SwampFest! The cozy atmosphere is second to none.
Some faves from my travels: Fred’s Records, St. John’s, NL; Back Alley Music, Charlottetown, PE; La fin du vinyl, Montreal, QC; Vinyl Diner, Saskatoon, SK; Blackbyrd Myoozik, Edmonton, AB.
The Young Winter
With the new year, DOMINIONATED welcomed a bevy of new contributors and we are eager to get their thoughts on our pages (and on the podcast perhaps?) very shortly. Michael Beda was first out of the gate with a spirited tribute to Hey Rosetta!, recounting his experiences seeing the band live for the very last time (for now). “What initially inspired me to write the piece was the fact that a full year had passed since their final shows, though there wasn’t any need for despair,” says Michael “To me, Hey Rosetta! should be idolized as proper ambassadors to the Canadian music scene. Though always charming, cheery, and hospitable, their music was never one-dimensional, which is why I felt as though many different fans could resonate with the article in many different ways.”
If you're looking for the perfect winter ambient soundtrack, our favourite Reginian, contributor Jon Neher, recently launched his own record label, called Fernwood Trail. Its inaugural release is a joint project between Jon and Michael Scott Dawson (of Library Voices). Nothing Is On Fire is a collection of songs composed as the two “began sending each other sound files and digitally discussing inspiration and ideas at all hours of the day in their rare spare moments; they never worked on the music in the same room and rarely saw each other in-person save for their sometimes monthly book club.” Congratulations, Jon!
Speaking of records, we recently did a little informal survey and asked our team: What’s your favourite local record store, and why do you love it?
Michael Beda: You could always find me amidst the chaotic aisles of Brian's Record Option in downtown Kingston during the four years I lived in the city. Brian has been there for decades and could pinpoint exactly where to send you if you had any questions about where a particular record might be. There was a bad flood this past summer that forced him to close down for renovations, but from the updates I've seen online, the place will be better than ever once it opens again.
Olivia Pasquarelli: Soundscapes in Toronto! Their vinyl section isn't robust, but they have a great selection of CDs, magazines, books and concert tickets that cover a range of genres. Plus, the staff are very friendly and I never feel out of place when I'm visiting. They turned me on to the Oxford American publication, which has brought me so much joy ever since.
Jim Di Gioia: There used to be a number of great independent places to buy music in the Niagara Region (RIP the Pop Tones in Niagara Falls and Station To Station in St, Catharines), but they pretty much dried up as digital music took over. But downtown St. Catharines is in the midst of a revitalization that’s giving way to great shops and local hangouts, and Mindbomb Records is a must-stop for music lovers. Chris Charkowy has put together a diverse collection of music and is sure to have whatever it is you’re looking for, from punk and hardcore to vinyl re-issues and the classic. If not, he’ll get it for you no problem. Mindbomb has recently started selling online, but you really should come to St. Catharines and check out the cool in-store vibe.
Mac Cameron: If you make your way past the swaths of teenagers trying on 10$ black t-shirts in the Black Market, you'll notice the music start to blend into a strange, competitive, disorienting swirl. That's when you know you've made it to Shortstack Records. The folks who run it are friendly, the prices are fair and there is a constant stream of used new arrivals. The selection isn't as overwhelming (or overpriced) as Sonic Boom and it's vibe is way better than Kops. The perfect downtown Toronto record store.
Jon Neher got really excited about this question and went all out: Until recently in Regina, there has long only been one answer: X-Ray Records. It has been the lone stalwart selling new and independent releases from the “dark days” of vinyl to the present. I came to know it when it was in the basement of our local skate shop the Tiki Room and touring bands would take a second in their banter to acknowledge how rad it was.
Today X-Ray Records has moved out of the basement and into a growing warehouse district but the same great experience is there because of the visionary behind the project, Dave Kuzenko. He has an encyclopedic knowledge of music that lets him know your music tastes better than yourself and a tireless work ethic that sees him releasing weekly newsletters while being the only regular employee. I hope his infamous 3-4-1 record sale continues on indefinitely.
Special mention (because it is too hard to pick between them): T&A Fashion and Vinyl for being a ‘newer’ entrant but one of the most influential forces in the Saskatchewan arts scene that regularly hosts shows, sponsors artists and events, and is one of the founding forces behind local event SwampFest! The cozy atmosphere is second to none.
Some faves from my travels: Fred’s Records, St. John’s, NL; Back Alley Music, Charlottetown, PE; La fin du vinyl, Montreal, QC; Vinyl Diner, Saskatoon, SK; Blackbyrd Myoozik, Edmonton, AB.
Catch Up:
- DOMINIONATED Podcast, Episode 13: Recapping our Favourite Fifty of 2018
- Mac Cameron takes on Royal Canoe's Waver
- Josh Weinberg gets into “Yellowstone” by Digawolf
- Jim Di Gioia loses his Neil Young virginity with Trans
- Geoff Parent jumps into “Spring" and “Hidden Worlds” by Teen Daze
Re-Engaging the Nation in Canadian Music Conversations:
DOMINIONATEDredux is a monthly missive of musings and music writing from DOMINIONATED
DOMINIONATEDredux is a monthly missive of musings and music writing from DOMINIONATED
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