interviews i love things i love #SaintJohnCut Song of the Week 30in30

Interview with: Trent Seely

I think that the coolest thing that can happen to you, is when cool things happen to your friends.

Examples: Adam and his band Penny Blacks went on tour to Ontario. Awesome! My best friend Tara is pregnant. Right? So great! I just picked up a CD by my favourite local band, Little You Little Me. My friends are basically rock stars.

Trent has written a book and as of today, you can buy it. (You can buy it in person at local Indigo and Coles stores next Friday).

Please enjoy this interview.

Trent: Just prior to being removed from Coles

Hi Trent! Tell me about yourself and what you do.

Hi Barb! Hmm…well, I suppose the most high-level way to describe me is dorky. I’m a full-time human resources professional and part-time pedantic writer whose main focus is nerd culture. The occupational split is kind of neat as it allows me to focus on business during the day and talk about geeky things at night. Best of both worlds, really.

To clarify, when I say that I focus on “nerd culture” I mostly mean that I analyze entertainment media that appeals to those of us with pale skin and a predisposition towards social inhibition (cartoons, comics, video games, science fiction, and feature film). It’s not everyone’s interest, but I dig it.

You are pretty active on the internet. Tell me about some of the places you write for online.

I suppose you could say that I get around. Outside of pouring myself into my tremendously adorkable personal blog, puctualdork.com, I write for three websites on a weekly basis.

I’m an Editor at RPGamer.com, which is the largest RPG website on the internet. RPGs, or “role-playing games,” are exactly what they sound like: games that allow you to take on a role other than your own and participate in a narrative. There are pen and paper RPGs like Dungeons & Dragons, massively multiplayer online role-playing games such as World of Warcraft, and video game RPGs like Final Fantasy or Dragon Quest. I’m only well-versed on that last one. However, my role on the site is less about releases and reviews and more about video game industry coverage and the production of genre-cenric editorials.

I’m also MissionGeek.com‘s Entertainment Writer. Mission:Geek is kinda neat because it’s a website owned and operated out of Atlantic Canada. Over the past year and a half, I’ve contributed numerous film reviews, Oscar predictions, television and film recommendation articles, a series dedicated to entertainment tropes and idioms, and more than a handful of top ten lists (because people love lists).

Finally, I’m a Podcaster and Columnist for NerdsOnTheRocks.com. Nerds On The Rocks covers all elements of nerd culture and members of their community submit questions related to comics, film, TV, or video gaming to have answered by me on a weekly basis in their “Ask a Dork” column. I am the dork to which they ask. For their podcast, I join a group of outspoken nerds to discuss entertainment media.

Outside of contributing to those outlets, I mostly spend my online time watching hilarious videos of cats and tweeting about peanut butter. So yeah, I basically live life to the fullest.

How does one go from not being an author, to being one?

I’m stubborn. Possibly stupid.

At one point I realized how much I had been contributing to the various sites I write for. It didn’t feel as challenging to me anymore to fulfil those commitments and I began to wonder what more I could do. Eventually, an idea swelled up in my head and I was foolish enough to take a stab at it. I’ve never been the type to not finish what I’ve started, so, nine months later, it’s now complete.

What is your book about? Would you say you’ve based the story on real life people, places, events?

In Stitches is a dorky dark comedy aimed at young adults. It takes the gothic concept of bringing someone back to life through scientific methods and allows events to play out under a comedic filter. Hence the title. The most comprehensive way to understand it would be as a modern-day Frankenstein with socially inept characters and Kevin Smith dialogue. It’s unorthodox as all hell, but it’s pretty much me on paper.

The official statement within the book’s cover is that it is a work of fiction and that all allusions to real persons, places, or things are coincidental and don’t apply an opinion, negative or positive. However, I’d be lying if I were to say their weren’t some shout outs to real people, places, and events.

There are three main characters: Scott the neurobiologist, Tom the trauma surgeon, and Adam the monster they create. Their personalities are all representative of my own to a certain extent. Scott is funny and loud, but socially rude and lazy. Tom is intelligent and kind, but bashful around women and overly worrisome. Adam is friendly and openminded, but tried to cling to the past. He also serves to enable positive change for his creators, which, in turn, ultimately helps him. Those are the only characters which are directly “based on” people, however, a number of characters, places, and things are named after friends and family of mine from the Saint John, NB region. Those are in-name-only references.

In terms of setting, the book takes place in small town Maine. I chose this location as a subtle allusion to one of my favourite authors, Stephen King.

In terms of events, I’ve never attempted to raise the dead. That should be a given. But they way a character get’s dumped may or may not have happened to me before and I may or may not have channeled Taylor Swift in rebuttal.

You’ve spent the greater part of the last 9 months writing a book. Any “lessons learned” for the next one?

Don’t underestimate the process. I’ve met a lot of writers who’ve been under the impression that all you need to do is sit down and write. In their heads, like I once did, they calculate how many words per week they write now and estimate how long it will take to produce something. It’s not that easy for most people. It certainly wasn’t for me. Before a single word hits the page, you need a solid concept. Without a unique idea, you’ll be seen as a hack by critics and contemporaries alike. From there, you’ll need an engaging or realistic setting. If people can’t imagine your environment in their heads as they read, you’ve failed at your job. You then have to create characters with dimension and flaws. Without an arc or personality to those characters, there’s no point to them existing. All of this requires a lot of thought and planning. To that effect, a 5,000 word chapter can take five hours or five days.

Otherwise, I’d say I’ve learned that playing god with the people and places you create totally goes to your head. One day I woke up and said to myself, “I’m going to kill someone today.” I had a cold character just a few paragraphs later. The power to create and tear down is intoxicating.

What’s a Typical day like for you?

When I was in the heat of final rewrites I would wake up, drive into uptown Saint John, sift through labour market statistics and engage with local companies for roughly eight and a half hours, come home, complete commitments one of the sites (dependant on the day), play maybe a half-hour of video games, go out running or to boxing (dependant on the day), return home to crank out a couple thousand words on the book, and pass out to start it all again the next day. Occasionally, I’d make pitstops at Feel Good Store for loose tea or hit the internet to look up pictures and videos of red pandas, but that was mostly to maintain my sanity.

My schedule has since changed. Now that I’m back to writing just for the other sites, I have what feels like a ton of time to take it easy and hang out with friends and family. I definitely need the break to catch up on my reading and video games backlog, but I’m already starting to get a bit antsy for more. I’m thinking about doing some new stuff in the future. I’ve been meaning to brush up on my culinary skills and I’m not the best swimmer, so though are the next mountains for me to cross.

What about your dream day?

It starts with a call from bank, saying that they’ve lost all record of my student loans and as such consider them paid in full. Does that sound boring? I hope not — dreams can be responsible, folks.

Seriously though, outside of waking up to find an army of corgi pups ready play with me in my newly minted peanut butter factory, where Daft Punk plays live around the clock, I can’t say that I don’t already have a lot of what I’ve dreamt about.

Questions to prove you’re human:

 

What are your three favourite movies?

Yeooowza. That’s a doozy. You realize they pay me to hate movies right? Well, of the many I do love here are three that I can watch on good days and bad:

1. Star Wars: Episode IV: A New Hope — Did I mention that I’m a dork? I can’t say that I’m huge into science fiction, but Star Wars isn’t just a simple movie about antics in space. Under a minuscule budget, Lucas created an entire universe full of fantastical characters and places, a new style of cinema, and a space opera which has been imitated numerous times but never bettered.

2. Wristcutters — Dark sounding title, but this flick harkens back to my love of quirky humour. It’s a romantic comedy of two people who fall in love after already dying. The atmosphere is morose and a little depressing, but the characters and the way they feel towards one and other really sincere and sweet.

3. The Iron Giant — Quite literally the only movie to ever make my eyes water (and its a kids movie of all things). In concept, it’s just a movie about a boy and his giant robot, but the intrigue comes out of the atmosphere. The film is set in the days where American socialist propaganda was commonplace and paranoia was rampant. No one likes the robot because he’s different and their ignorant hatred is almost their undoing.

What CD is currently on repeat?

A Different Kind of Fix by Bombay Bicycle Club

You could say that I’m a pretty big fan of the band, and this is my favourite of their albums. Shuffle is what I listen to as I get ready every morning and Bad Timing is my jam every night.

Favourite thing to do on a Saturday?

Waking up to watch cartoons. I may not by five years old anymore, but I clearly still kind of have that mentality.

Marital status?

I am single. Currently looking for someone awesome to fall into mutual weirdness with.

 

What’s Next?

Well, the next big thing for me is just going after new and different things. Maybe skydiving or punching a bear in the face. I haven’t quite figured out what I want to do this summer.

However, I know that I’ll be returning to authorship. In the fall I’m starting work on a new book called “Bloody Mary Makes Friends.” It’s about exactly what it sounds like and is in no way a sequel to In Stitches. It will, however, be another dark comedy.

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Thanks Trent!

His book is available for purchase at Amazon (for Kindle) Here.

The book is also available for purchase in softcover Here.

As of next Friday, you can purchase his book locally at Indigo and Coles.

Follow Trent on Twitter:


Interview with: Leo Lafleur

Hey friends!

My friend Leo is putting his faith in his friends, his family and the arts loving community in Saint John to help him fund his project “Manic Courtly Love”.

I’m excited for this project. I love that I can have a hand in supporting Leo BEFORE the record comes out – to show that I believe in his project and am excited to see it off the ground. It doesn’t hurt that with my $25 contribution – I get a copy of the album.

Enjoy the interview!

Photo: Steve Doiron

Hi Leo! Tell me about yourself and what you do.

Well, I currently work at the new Abbey apartments uptown -the brand new building on the corner of Charlotte and Duke. But, as you know, in my spare time, I’ve been writing and preparing to record an album at Ripple Effect Studios in the South End.

When did you start playing/loving music?

I started writing songs as soon as I started fumbling on the guitar (I still fumble), around the age of 13, I think. But I was a huge music fan for as long as I can remember.. the radio and my walkmen were my life as a child whenever I had a free moment.

How long has this album been in the works?

My whole life. But specifically with a genre and a style that accurately feels altogether me? About 2 years.

Why the sudden serge in the genre of love songs? You say you’ve found your niche in love songs: why do you think that is?

I wrote a couple of what I thought were really good love songs around the same time I was taking a Geoffrey Chaucer course in University. He’s the king of romance oriented stuff from the Middle Ages, and so I thought I’d try and piece a little bit of themes together from his work. I’m not a Chaucer expert by any stretch, but I like the unique angles he tells each story from, and I like the general themes of light, dark, lustful, pure, ambiguity, certainty, fortune, fate, Reason, and Chaos that he plays with. Standard love song themes, but it finally felt like me: What I could do, and do really well.

Art: Pamela Marie Pierce

Saint John is a collaborative community. Tell me about your band and how it’s evolved over time?

Well , I pretty much met everyone in town on the music scene through Chris Braydon. He’s a local musician and (great) songwriter, who introduced me to a lot of different and talented people. For example, I met Adam Keirstead (I believe you’ve met him) through Chris, and he’s one of the cornerstones of the SJ music scene. And also Ali Leonard, who plays strings beautifully (Penny Blacks), Alex Keleher on some drums (Wooden Wives), Ben Morgan plans to play a little bit of guitar (Naked Baron), Amy Stewart (Tuned in Tokyo) will sing some back ups and play some keys, and the potential for a few others. Technically, I suppose you wouldn’t call this a band, as we haven’t played any shows together. But these are some of the ridiculously talented people I’m recording the album with.

Explain the kickstarter campaign, for those new to the concept.

Kickstarter is a website where a variety of different kinds of artists can put their specific artwork online and people can make financial pledges, often in exchange for rewards, in order to see that artwork get made, published, or, in my case, produced. What’s unique about Kickstarter compared with other websites of this nature, is that if you don’t raise the amount you’ve set out to raise, when the campaign’s over, you don’t get a dime. Not a penny. I had to find a business partner in the States (who will remain anonymous) to create the Kickstarter page, as you have to be a US resident. Through them, I was able to create the site. I chose Kickstarter as opposed to the other sites, because it currently has the most reach. People, for the time being, I think, seem to be gravitating more towards it in supporting art then maybe some of the other sites. Anyways, Nienke Izurieta, Steve Dorion, and Tim Davidson did a really great job of putting my Kickstarter video together. Amazing. I can’t sing their praises enough.

What is a typical day like for you?

I’m a writer, so I’m often alone. I work around people at the apartment building, but when I’m not doing that, I’m usually writing something down with my pen, or watching The Wire (fourth time through?), or hanging out at my sister’s place or parents’ place. I need a lot of down time with music or the woods to refresh, so after work I usually try and go and find an interesting new spot I’ve never seen before. Ever been to dead man’s cove in Milfird? Well I have as of last week!

What is your dream day?

Reaching my Kickstarter goal would be a pretty great day.

What’s next?

Umm, well, I’m not currently playing shows, and so I’ll be thinking about the possibility of doing that after the album comes out. But right now I’m busy creating a comic with the artist Pamela Pierce, who is doing the art work for the album. We seem to work well together, so we’re branching out into a variety of creative projects. The comic’s really good and I’m really excited about it. Pam’s a remarkably gifted visual artist, and hopefully we’ll have something to show to the public sooner than later. It’s called ‘The Errand,’ and it’s beautiful and terrifying and fun!

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Thanks, Leo!

Here’s a sample from the proposed album…

You can support the project by clicking here.

In Their Natural Habitat – Corey Bonnevie

Supporting local is so important.

Backstreet Records has been a fixture in Uptown Saint John for longer than I’ve been around. It’s my favourite place to grab a CD (yes – I still buy those) and to chat about the events happening in the music community.

I dropped in to the store last week to visit Corey. Keeping with the theme of creatives living and working in Saint John – Here’s Case No. 6. Corey Bonnevie in his Natural Habitat.

Hi Corey! Tell me about yourself and what you do.

My name is Corey, and I surround myself with anything to do with music (playing it, recording it, seeing it, selling it). At Backstreet Records I deal with buying And selling compact discs and vinyl records.

What is the main function of your business?

The main function at Backstreet is ordering new albums on CD and LP. I also buy used merchandise from anyone who brings their collection to the shop. On top of dealing with new and used, I work with local and independent artists to help improve the music scene of the city. Small record stores often act as a hub for folks of the music scene.

Who is your typical client?

Typical costumers are music fans. People that come through the shop aren’t looking for top 40. They are often searching for something new and interesting. sometimes costumers will go off of my recommendations or trust that i know their musical tastes. Since I sell vinyl, I often see hardcore record enthusiasts. Folks that are looking for rare and unusual album.

What is the coolest thing to have happened to you in the past year?

The coolest thing that happen to me this year was Record Store Day. It’s an international event that occurs at independent record stores everywhere. Record companies always release titles that are exclusive to that day and at Backstreet we always have local acts play in the shop. It’s usually an overwhelming but fun day.

What’s a typical day like for you?

Typical day is turning on the lights then throwing a record on the turntable. Once I’m settled in, I check the Backstreet email for any messages from distributors. I usually spend a good portion of the day checking up and coming artists or rediscovering old ones. I’m also always talking to regular costumers about music and sometimes personal topics. The last thing I can think of for a typical day is reorganizing merchandise. I’m constantly thinking of how can can make the shop easier to get around.

How can people stay in touch?

People can stay in touch by visiting me at the shop, calling the shop, or sending me a message on the Backstreet Records Facebook page.

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Thanks, Corey!

Here are a few links and buttons:

In Their Natural Habitat – Peter Buckland

I arrived at Peter’s Gallery on Duke Street on a Thursday, just before lunch. What better time to catch him at work?

I arrived to see two Suzanne Hill pieces (larger than life) unrolled on the floor. Waiting to be seen by a potential buyer. I loved it.

Keeping with the theme of creatives living and working in Saint John – Here’s Case No. 5. Peter Buckland in his Natural Habitat.

Hi Peter! Tell me about yourself and what you do.

First, the pertinent facts. I live in the uptown area of Saint John with my wife Judy Halassy. This was a choice we made a few years ago, and are very pleased that we did. We both walk to work as much as possible, something that provides exercise and keeps us in touch with neighbourhood changes. I have two children and Judy has one. My son, Elliott, is in Ottawa, my daughter, Adrienne, is in Halifax and Judy’s son, Joshua, is in Toronto. Joshua and his wife just had a baby girl, something that makes us very happy.

I suppose I’m a typical Saint Johner. I was born here, educated here, taught school here and have run my businesses here. I made a decision to remain in Saint John.

My current business is the Peter Buckland Gallery, which I established in 1998. A little over one year ago I moved the gallery from Prince William St. to its current location on Duke St. I really like the new gallery. It’s a space that takes one by surprise upon first visit. I like the idea of taking unusual and somewhat ignored spaces and creating something that really shines. The room is bathed in white, and shows artwork very well.

What is the main function of your business? 

The main function of my business is to promote and sell fine art. In doing so I assume the representation of certain artists, the majority from New Brunswick, and work to promote them and their work. Operating an art gallery and representing artists involves making a lot of choices. I was quite clear from the start that I wanted to run a serious gallery, exhibiting some of the best artists in the region. Sometimes you take on a particular artist that you believe in, even though the initial marketability is not apparent, however, if you stick to high quality work, this policy usually pays off in the long run. I have chosen not to represent some artists whose work was remarkably salable, but felt that the quality of work was just not there. That can be a tough decision to make, yet, in the end, I believe one’s artists and clients respect that. Of course, a balance between the aesthetic and the marketable is a must, or one simply does not stay in business.

Who is your typical client? 

I don’t think there is a typical client. My clients run the range: individual collectors, large corporations and small businesses, public collections such as the Beaverbrook Art Gallery or the federal department of Foreign Affairs. The public collections generally have specific mandates and are looking for particular works. For instance, I mention the Foreign Affairs collection. They buy works by top Canadian artists for display in embassies and consulates around the world. Many of my artists have works hanging in these venues. As for the individual buyers, they do vary, but perhaps have one unifying characteristic. They love good art and they love what it adds to their lives.

What is the coolest thing to have happened to you in the past year? 

That’s a really interesting question. Two things come quickly to mind, one that was planned and one that was not planned. Last fall I was awarded a Queens Diamond Jubilee Medal for my work in the arts. That was unplanned and quite unexpected. It really blew me away. The awards ceremony was held at the University in September where 30 medals were awarded. I was so pleased that five of these were given to people from the arts. A good community has a good balance. I think Saint John has that, and this was reflected in these awards. The second thing was definitely planned. We spent six weeks in India this winter. It was one of the best trips I have undertaken: great people, a fantastic history and wonderful colour. We took away fine memories, some terrific stories, along with a stronger sense of the world we live in. We also brought home over 1600 images, something that has been challenging as Judy and I have narrowed it to 150 and have planned the layout for a personal book. Travel, if you are open to it, can really change you. I loved India. We plan to return some day.

What’s a typical day like for you? 

I like to think my days are not so typical, although they likely do have certain common features. As I stated previously, I like to walk to work when I can, arriving by 9 am at the latest. I work 6 days a week, so I guess it is a good thing I really like my work. Unless I have an early morning meeting there is one thing that usually starts my day, and that is checking and answering emails. After that there are often calls to be made and sometimes appointments with clients or artists. I try to schedule these for Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday. I like working with clients who have spotted one or more works, but are uncertain how they will work in their space. I enjoy taking work to people’s homes or offices, always very good when it’s a real fit and they love it. It’s also good to know when something doesn’t work. My job is to keep going back until they are happy. It’s interesting that my own space is so important for exhibiting work, and yet it is equally important for me to take the work to the client’s space.

The job of running a gallery is multi-facetted. One plans exhibits, installs exhibits, works on special projects, prepares marketing material, manages the website, the mailing list etc. For the more technical aspects I have really great people I can call on, but I have to keep in touch with it all.

How can people stay in touch? 

Keeping in touch with me is easy. Check out the website, send me an email, call the gallery, call my cell (for art emergencies 721-9053) or simply drop by the gallery on Thursday, Friday or Saturday. Also, I have just written my first newsletter, which will become a regular feature from the gallery. I will be writing about art, artists, the gallery, special projects and sending these out every 2 to 3 weeks. The first one is almost ready to go, except for a couple of technical glitches, so I’m waiting for Sam Blue to return from the bar in San Francisco.

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Thanks, Peter!

You can also stay in touch on Twitter and on Facebook:


An event you should be attending: Connection Danceworks PERSPECTIVES

Tomorrow night, Connection Dance Works and Motion Ensemble are pleased to announce PERSPECTIVE New Music and New Dance.

8pm @ The Sanctuary Theatre
228 Germain St
$15

Choreographers Sarah Johnson Power, Meagan O’Shea (Toronto) and Julie Duguay (Moncton) are teaming up with musicians Andrew Reed Miller, Chris Gilles and Paul Stefflar and will be creating new work-in-progress pieces for the show. Their emerging choreographer Gabrielle Pelletier is pairing up with Katherine Kennedy and we will be holding an improvisation with local participants and will be accompanied with cellist Katie Bestvater.

I was lucky enough to meet up with a few of the girls from Connextion Dance Works (including Sarah Johnson Power) when they were nominated for an Original in 2012. They are lovely ladies.

#SaintJohnCut4 – Social Media Connections

Hey friends!

I encourage you to “get social” and follow these creative team players on Twitter. A lot of people have been tweeting under the hashtags #SaintJohnCut and #SaintJohnCut4 – search em!

Here are a few pertinent links and buttons to click…

Photographers:

*Note: I couldn’t find an account for Glen MacLean

Models:

*Note: I couldn’t find an account for Amanda Morrison and for Amy Doucet

Hair & Makeup:

Clothing & Shoes:

Helpers:

Me:

#SaintJohnCut4 – “Real”

#SaintJohnCut4 exceeded all expectations. The one week format seemed to go over well. It definitely made it easier for teams to collaborate more with multiple businesses – which is what these collaborations are all about.

Here are the “Real” shots from #SJC4. “Follow” and “Like” buttons for all involved coming up this weekend. Thanks again!

Team 1
Photographer: Mark Hemmings
Model: Courtney Silas
Clothing: Monni by Monique Theriault
Makeup: Made You Blush
Hair: Element5
Shoes: Manchester Shoe Salon
Laptop: Morgan Lanigan

Team 2
Photographer: Topher Seguin
Model: Matthew Bingley & Alice Fudge
Makeup: Made You Blush
Helpers (on this shot, models on the other shots): Otiena Ellwand
Clothing: Je Suis Prest

Team 3
Photographer: Mike Capson
Model: Maryanne Delaney, John Quinn
Clothing: Exchange on Germain
Makeup: Perfumes Plus
Hair: Element5

Team 4
Photographer: Glen MacLean
Model: Apryll Stansfield
Clothing: Colwell’s
Makeup: Perfumes Plus
Hair: Adam Donnelly (Hairacy’s)

Team 5
Photographer: Kelly Lawson
Model: Jasmine Grimes
Hair & Makeup: Made You Blush
Helper: Gillian Goldie
Cupcake: Piece O’ Cake

Team 6
Photographer: Audreyrose McBay
Model: Erin Caines
Clothing: Silver Daisy Designs
Makeup: Perfumes Plus
Shoes: the Urban Shoe Myth

Team 7
Photographer: Amy Stewart
Model: Amy Doucet
Clothing: Silver Daisy Designs
Hair & Makeup: Element5

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Thanks again, everyone. Really, really happy with how things turned out. I love Saint John.

#SaintJohnCut4 – “Drive”

Here’s Part 2 – “Drive” – from #SaintJohnCut4.

This was the best yet… a perfect example of collaboration in our Renaissance City.

All photos are great. So, so impressed.

Team 1
Photographer: Mark Hemmings
Model: Courtney Silas
Clothing: Monni by Monique Theriault
Makeup: Made You Blush
Hair: Element5
Shoes: Manchester Shoe Salon
Laptop Holder: Morgan Lanigan

Team 2
Photographer: Topher Seguin
Model: Otiena Ellwand
Clothing: Colwell’s

Team 3
Photographer: Mike Capson
Model: John Quinn
Clothing: Exchange on Germain
Makeup: Perfumes Plus
Hair: Element5

Team 4
Photographer: Glen MacLean
Model: Apryll Stansfield
Clothing: Colwell’s
Makeup: Perfumes Plus
Hair: Adam Donnelly (Hairacy’s)

Team 5
Photographer: Kelly Lawson
Model: Amanda Rushton
Hair & Makeup: Made You Blush
Helper: Gillian Goldie

Team 6
Photographer: Audreyrose McBay
Model: Erin Caines
Clothing: Silver Daisy Designs
Makeup: Perfumes Plus
Shoes: the Urban Shoe Myth

Team 7
Photographer: Amy Stewart
Model: Amy Doucet
Clothing: Silver Daisy Designs
Hair & Makeup: Element5
Shoes: the Urban Shoe Myth

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Stay tuned – “Real” coming up next!

#SaintJohnCut4 – “Grit”

Still coming down from #SaintJohnCut4. What a great example of collaboration in our Renaissance City.

After we chose the teams last week,each team was given 3 themes and instructions to create 3 photos.

This is the first of three posts. Post 1 features the “Grit” theme. Some teams took this quite literally … others took it in more of a “Gritty” or “Piss Alley” direction. :)

All photos are great. So, so impressed.

Team 1
Photographer: Mark Hemmings
Model: Courtney Silas
Clothing: Monni by Monique Theriault
Makeup: Made You Blush
Hair: Element5
Shoes: Manchester Shoe Salon
Laptop: Morgan Lanigan

Team 2
Photographer: Topher Seguin
Model: Matthew Bingley
Helpers (on this shot, models on the other shots): Alice Fudge, Otiena Ellwand
Clothing: Colwell’s

Team 3
Photographer: Mike Capson
Model: Maryanne Delaney, John Quinn
Clothing: Exchange on Germain
Makeup: Perfumes Plus
Hair: Element5

Team 4
Photographer: Glen MacLean
Model: Apryll Stansfield
Clothing: Colwell’s
Makeup: Perfumes Plus
Hair: Adam Donnelly (Hairacy’s)

Team 5
Photographer: Kelly Lawson
Model: Jasmine Grimes
Clothing: Je Suis Prest
Hair & Makeup: Made You Blush
Helper: Gillian Goldie

Team 6
Photographer: Audreyrose McBay
Model: Erin Caines
Jewels: ESquared
Clothing: Silver Daisy Designs
Makeup: Perfumes Plus
Shoes: the Urban Shoe Myth

Team 7
Photographer: Amy Stewart
Model: Amy Doucet
Clothing: Silver Daisy Designs
Hair & Makeup: Element5
Shoes: the Urban Shoe Myth

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Stay tuned – “Drive” and “Real” on Friday!

In Their Natural Habitat – Hance Colburne

I was so excited when Hance said that I was able to come visit him in the CBC studios at Brunswick Square. I arrived bright and early – for me – arriving just before 7:30am. The Information Morning crew arrives at the studio for 4:30am.

I am a CBC listener… so to see Hance, Elke and Sarah (who I am very good friends with IRL) in their natural habitat was so surreal! You wonder while driving in your car (or still in bed waking up)… “Who are they talking to?” .. “How many others are listening right now?” (a lot, I never win anything!)… “Are there bright lights and people standing outside with bristol board?” (no, and actually the lights were off when I arrived).

I’ve always thought that being the host of a morning radio program was a sweet job.

Keeping with the theme of creatives living and working in Saint John – Here’s Case No. 4. Hance Colburne in his Natural Habitat.

Hi Hance! Tell me about yourself and what you do.

I’m the host of CBC Radio’s Information Morning for Saint John and our surrounding communities in South Western New Brunswick. I’ve worked early mornings on private radio stations and the CBC off and on for the past 15 years… and being a night owl, I often try and figure out how it all came to be. I, with the support of the morning team; Elke, Sarah, Steven and Megan, share New Brunswick stories, survival information, and sometimes a little of ourselves each morning. I moved to Saint John 5 years ago, but having grown up on the other side of the Bay of Fundy, the only TV and radio signals we could get were from Saint John. I spent a lot of my childhood in front of CHSJ television. Since my wife and I moved here, we’ve had 2 children. They have certainly defined our lives here more than anything! They, along with the early morning hours, have kept us from participating in some of the more social aspects of the city, but we’re loving the family oriented activities and nature Saint John has to offer.

What is the main function of your job?

I guess my main job is to be your proxy. I try and ask the questions you want answers to, as well as ask the questions you didn’t know you wanted answers too. Sometimes there are fun, exciting interviews. Sometimes there are tougher, more serious conversations. They call the job “Host” because the person on the other side of my questions is my guest, and no matter how uncomfortable the discussion, it always, hopefully, starts with a level of respect.

Who is your audience?

That’s a question we constantly ask ourselves. We want to be relevant to as many New Brunswickers as we can. There’s a difference between relevance and popularity, and although we would love everyone to listen to us, we know it’s not everyone’s cup of tea. But our audience is a real cross section of folks, so we try and represent a wide range of stories, and that hopefully speaks to a wide range of people.

What is the coolest thing to have happened to you in the past year?

The coolest thing in the past year would have to be being named as the host of the show. It really is a dream come true to be working for the CBC in what I feel is one of the most important roles in the Corporation. To be trusted to speak to, and for, New Brunswickers is an honour. That trust is still being earned, but I hope I’m proving myself a little each morning. Radio is a very personal, intimate and imaginative medium. When we touch on all of those, its the best job in the world. Was that too earnest? Well, a couple of other cool things: Talking to Stevedore Steve (all too briefly) about the friendship between him and Stompin’ Tom. Those are the types of interviews I really love. I learned something, I think the listener learned something, and we got to hear a little bit about the life of a fellow Saint Johner. And, I was also able to host two shows at the Imperial. To see the theatre from that stage is a pretty amazing view.

What’s a typical day like for you?

OK, when I said it’s the best job in the world, there is a caveat. The hours are kind of horrific. I mean, I’m not doing hard, manual labour, so it’s all relative, but humans are not supposed to be awake at that awful hour.
The typical day starts at 3:30 am with morning prep to be out the door by 4:30. The whole family leaves at that time, so we do most of the “thinking” work the night before.
Into the station at about 4:45 to read over scripts, write certain elements of the show, and try and get my head around some of the interviews coming up later in the morning.
We go to air at 5:55, and it really is a whirlwind until the end of our show at 8:37. That’s the great thing about our job. Half the workday’s over before we even realize it! Now, that says as much about the nature of the job as it does my co-workers Elke and Sarah. They’re great to work with and that helps the time fly. After the show, reporters and producers arrive, and begin piecing together the next day’s show. Sometimes breaking news dictates a show, and that is a scramble for the 3 of us in the office between 5 and 8, but generally we have a show pretty well mapped out the day before.
Pretapes of interviews happen in the remaining hours (not everyone likes to get up at 6 am) as well as “chases”, where I will try and find interviews for either the next day or a later date.
Between 12:30 and 1 o’clock it’s off to lunch, and a wrap on the work day.
And it’s all fueled by far too much coffee.
A nap, then errands and then pick up the kids!

How can people stay in touch?

We encourage feedback and have so many ways of reaching out. The best is email, hance.colburne@cbc.ca or infoamsaintjohn@cbc.ca. We are sometimes asked about why we didn’t cover a certain event or a certain story… and 99 percent of the time, we simply didn’t know about it. If you don’t share it with us, we can’t share it with listeners. The show isn’t me nor Elke nor Sarah, nor our reporters. It’s New Brunswickers from Sussex to St. Stephen. We have a handful of dedicated folks working to cover a big area, and we rely on you to keep us in the loop.

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Thanks, Hance!

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