I love when I can expand my “Saint John circle” with people I respect. Judith Mackin always told me to surround myself with people that make me a better person. With pleasure.

I hope you enjoy this interview with Kate!

{ Kate talking to the cast during a dress rehearsal at the Imperial Theatre  }

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

My name’s Kate, I was born in the 70’s, I live on the westside of the city with my team of Mike, Elijah, Sophie, and Dan. I’m a playwright, director, teacher, artist, consultant, arts promoter and fighter for youth culture. I also juggle and can skateboard, but not at the same time.

When did you realize your talent?

A talent is just a creative passion that you are good at, right? I grew up in a renaissance family that nurtured a quest for knowledge and the arts. My parents were very good friends with musicians and visual artists in the region, so we were surrounded by people who were passionate about the arts and allowed the us the opportunities to be part of the “crowd”. When I was 12, my mother was flabbergasted that the neighborhood kids were spending the first day of summer vacation complaining that there was nothing to do, so she brought us in the house and hauled out her books on Greek theatre. From there we began working on a play, and that summer The Children’s Drama Workshop was created, allowing me to experience the fun of live theatre. When I was 15, I stood on stage along with other very passionate actors and realized that I was far more interested in how the story of the play was being told and the means of presenting it to the audience. I realized then that my role wasn’t on stage, but in the directing and playwriting world. I went off to study applied theatre at Dalhousie, and after graduating I was invited to teach Acting at Dal, as well as running Youth Theatre programs in professional theatres across Nova Scotia.

Explain what community means to you.

Tell me about your community in Saint John.

My community is a team of teaching artists who have created an environment where young people feel safe, empowered, and artistic. It also extends to a team of volunteers who come together to allow us the opportunities to do this, because they believe in the power of the arts in the world of children, as well as the effects it has on the city we live in.

The Awards for the Originals 2012 are based on the past two years.

Tell me about your greatest accomplishment from 2010/2011.

In 2010, when the Saint John 225 events were taking place, I had the opportunity to reach beyond the work I do everyday and collaborate with other artists in the city. I met Chuck Teed through the event at harbour Station I directed, as well as Clinton Charlton and other great musicians. Marcia Dysart and Sarah Johnson-Power worked with me on the event and Connections Dance Works evolved from that. Prior to SJ225, most of us worked on our own projects and occasionally collaborated, but for the most part we stuck to our own disciplines. But I knew that we had created some wonderful connections and I didn’t want to lose them, so Sarah, Chuck, and I, along with my board of directors, decided to open a performing arts school. There’s so many great artists in this area, and it would be easy to lose them to a bigger city. We are giving the artists an opportunity to stay here and do their art, while working for InterAction. We now have over 15 artists teaching dance, music, theatre, and film. We work out of the former Germain Street Baptist Church, we have opened The Sanctuary Theatre, and we work in schools as well.

What makes you an “Original”?

I think being an Original means you can take what’s imagined and make it real. My favourite quote is People who say it cannot be done should not interrupt those who are doing it.

What’s next?

A full summer of camps and workshops, intensives for older youth, I’m writing a project on the War of 1812 for parks canada, planning next season, and Chuck and I are going to write a musical. We also have an artist in residency grant with Zuppa Theatre from Halifax which I’m extremely excited about. They’re good friends and they are going to bring so many opportunities to the kids in the region. We’ll be creating a show with them in the New Year.

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Thanks, Kate!

Since our first meeting, I can say that I have truly met a great (read: BFF) friend.

Among the perks of being BFF with the most plugged in person in the City (well, except for maybe Jeff Roach) is being invited to attend “stuff” that’s happening all over the City that’s pertinent to my interests.

Because of Judith and the things she’s doing with The Originals, I’ve gotten to know Steve (and Nathan… you’ll meet him next week) quite well. Imagine hanging out on a film set… I did that. *brushes off shoulders*

I hope you enjoy the interview!

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{ Steve and his beautiful daughter, Sydney. }

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

I have a six month old daughter, so my favourite thing to say now is I’m a father. I’m a passionate follower of Jesus. I’m a husband, a good friend, a lover not a fighter. I’m a storyteller.

When did you realize your talent?

I guess it came about slowly. Like a lot of independent filmmakers, I began by running around with my friends and a camcorder. People enjoyed my videos because I was naturally shooting in a sequence which told a story. I began reading as many screenplays as possible and writing whenever I had free time from university.
One day my mother brought me a newspaper clip of a local filmmaker (Michael McDonald) who received funding to produce his first short film. I cold called him and got myself a role in the film, as well as a job doing behind the scenes video. After being on that set I realized I was already using the same processes in my videos and just needed to organize and step out. My first short film came shortly after.

Community is defined as “an interacting population of like-minded individuals”.

Explain what community means to you. Tell me about your community in Saint John.

I definitely feel like I belong to a few different communities in SJ. The filmmaking community is small here. Very small. We all work together on each others projects to help tell our stories. It’s a good thing cause you gain experience in many different technical roles, but you also share the same financial and creative struggles. My film community also stretches throughout New Brunswick and the maritimes via the NB Film Coop. They have been a huge support on pretty much every project since I joined over six years ago.

The Awards for the Originals 2012 are based on the past two years.

Tell me about your accomplishments from 2010/2011.

I love music, and Saint John has some great original artists that are wildly talented. Over the past two years I have focused my creative energy on music videos for what I feel are some of Saint John’s most talented entertainers. This past year I have helped Mike Biggar promote his Christmas album with a video for his track “Fare Thee Well This Christmas“, as well as local hip hop beast Kyle Wills for the track “Ghost“. Currently I’m in post-production on another video for Kyle and in pre-production on another awesome track for Mr. Biggar.

What makes you an “Original”?

I hope I’m original. Sometimes it’s nice to blend in though. I try to put others ahead of myself, so I’m always trying to get peoples stories out of them. I’m amazed at some of the lives people in this city have lived and the things they have overcome. That being said, I try to focus more on story or script before shots ideas or effects. I’m currently working on some long term projects that follow this idea. I guess thats quite different from the majority of the films and especially music videos you see these days.

What are your top 3 favourite films?

This list definitely changes at different points of my life…but in no particular order…

1.  Fish Tank
2.  Gone Baby Gone
3.  Ferris Bueller’s Day Off

What’s next?

My focus is on writing right now. I’m still constantly doing videos for friends and churches as I love being on set, but my focus is on a bigger project that has been in the works for awhile now. I’m just letting it come out in it’s own time.

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Thanks, Steve! I can’t wait for The Originals!

Do you have you ticket yet? Get on it, they’re selling fast!

Scott and I enjoyed a piece of chocolate pecan pie and it was awesome. I’ll call that one of the perks of meeting at Magnolia Cafe – some of the best desserts in Town.

Enjoy!

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{ Scott in The Producers }
{ Photo by Brian Goodwin }

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

I am an entertainer and long time resident of the Greater Saint John area. When Im not working on performance pieces, I live with my wife and son in Rothesay. I mow my lawn – and no one knows its really me!

When did you realize your talent?

I think pretty early. I consumed comedy as a young man like some young people consume sugary cereal. SCTV, Monty Python, SNL, Mel Brooks, Abbott and Costello – if it was funny, I wanted to watch it. When I first tried out for a stage show – I really had no idea what it meant. But as we rehearsed and I got my shot under the lights and felt that connection with an audience – I knew this would be something I would want to do again and again. Thats been over 20 years now.

Community is defined as “An interacting population of like-minded individuals”

Explain what community means to you. Tell me about your community in Saint John.

I’m a part of the ever growing and expanding theatre community in SJ. I’m so proud of the work my colleagues put forward locally. I’ve had my moments of attempting to look at a career in theatre – and I found that the further I went, the more glum the experience became. Not so with participation in our local scene. People are contributing new art all the time and I am developing more friendships than I can count. There is always a spirit of energy and excitement around the projects we work on. Are there challenges? Of course – but the community has broken through so many walls – I believe things are only getting better and better as our local audiences evolve with us.

The Awards for the Originals 2012 are based on the past two years.

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Thanks, Scott!

Stay tuned… there are quite a few interviews left!

Meeting with Georgia and Andrea was really special. They have such a passion for what they do (a common theme among the finalists).

Even though I “interviewed” the girls together, I’ll be posting their responses separately.

I think these interview responses rival Mike Landry’s.

Enjoy!

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{ That’s Andrea hiding in the pink wig }

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

Hi Barb! I’m Andrea Scott, Artistic Director and teacher for Port City Dance Academy & Felicità, as well as receptionist and janitor. My alter ego, Lady Baila, has better hair and is much more fun, but not nearly as funny.

When did you realize your talent? How long have you been dancing?

I don’t think I’ve ever really given my talent(s) much thought to be honest, although occasionally I stop to reflect on the amount of work and passion that I put into the things that I do. When you say ‘realize’ do you mean ‘realize’ as in ‘fulfil’, or ‘realize’ as in ‘recognize’? I think I am still doing both. Looking back, it was probably while I was at the National Ballet School that I started to feel really good about the potential talents I might bring to the dance world, and I started to realize the great things that people can do in dance and with dance other than ‘dancing’. That would have been in the early 90’s. I had a truly amazing dance history teacher, Beverly Miller, who showed us the interconnectedness of so many people, things, and times, and she so passionately led us to look at dance, and art, and the world in general in a whole new way.

Regarding the second part of this question, I have been dancing since my sister was about five! I used to want to do everything she did, and there are many days when I wish I had continued that trend; she’s a successful lawyer and mediator (which is its own song and dance, but with a much better income), and she is still one of my superheroes. Do you really want me to say how old she is? How about if we just leaves it at “about four decades”?

What is a typical day like for you?

I feel like I’m not doing a very good job at these questions! I don’t think I have had a ‘typical day’ since my days at NBS or U of W. If I have, I guess I don’t remember the recent past clearly enough to identify any repetition or routine. Each day is its own unique adventure! I can tell you about some current recurring themes & variations, though. The most beautiful and most important are the welcomed obligations and privileges of being a mother, wife, daughter, sister, friend, etc. (sheesh that sounds corny). I am currently working on Port City Dance Academy’s upcoming spring recital (Sat May 19), as well as my regular teaching/rehearsing duties and the planning that entails. I try to stay more or less on top of phone calls & emails & other messages, and I work on my four priority projects; PCDA’s summer schedule & curriculum, the BLACK BOX summer series, an exciting after school program we’re developing called Accordance, PCDA’s fall programs, and our 2012 Nutcracker & The Girl With The Shell. (Oops, that’s five isn’t it?) Several of those projects involve collaborating and consulting, and multiple grant applications and other pleas for funding. I think I may have just changed your question, maybe I should be running for council?!

What is your dream day?

Hmmmm, dream day huh? Am I supposed to say that I am already living the dream and therefore wouldn’t do anything differently?! Sorry to disappoint… My dream day begins with waking up late. Tim Gunn helps me to dress, and I go to the spa for some sort of hot seaweed massage while the nanny looks after the children. Then I go to the banks to visit my money. Yes, plural, bank with an ‘S’ because I have more money than Donald Trump so it won’t all fit in just one bank! I write cheques to all of my favourite charities and then I go home to my chef-prepared lunch. I think maybe Michelle Hooton is my chef (you did say dream day, right?!) and the lunch ends with an earl grey almond yogurt cake. I loaf with my small group of friends (real, actual friends, not the Facebook kind) through the afternoon. We talk about the books we’ve read, and we listen to music, probably with a glass of wine or a fruity daiquiri (or both). I take a conference call from Bernie, David, and Michael, they want me to help them decide on the best way to deal with the surplus of funds in the municipal arts budget. Then I try to help them determine why Saint John is receiving such a disproportionately large amount of the provincial arts budget. Pippa joins me after piano lessons finish (incidentally everyone has practiced twice a day all week) and we have some cool laughs. Karen, Pippa, Georgia, Tall Tara, and Liam do most of the teaching at PCDA (and are handsomely overpaid for their time and talent) but I teach one class a day to twelve amazing students (four of them are Seth Buckley). They are all eager to apply every correction I give them. So ‘Driver’ (don’t worry, in my real dream day I know his name) takes me (not in a beat up Trailblazer) to the PCDA studios. They are housed in the beautiful state of the art facility at the Gothic Arches, an integral part of The Saint John Arts Block (SJAB), which includes the five city blocks between Princess & Leinster Streets from The Gothic Arches to Trinity Galleries. It is a thriving neighbourhood, characterized by vitality, excellence, energy, and creativity, and it is rich with investment from industries, businesses and foundations with artists and arts students working and studying side by side, harmoniously and collaboratively. The SJAB has caused such an international buzz that UNESCO has named our city the Cultural Capital of The World, a biennial designation, for the fourth consecutive time, and even with the new hotels it is difficult for tourists to find accommodations within city limits. When I get home I am greeted by the most enchantingly delicious aromas, and Michelle’s dinner is even more divine than her lunch. I am surprised because I didn’t think that was possible. The nanny does not tuck the girls into their beds at the end of this dream day, though, I do that myself (she is busy putting away toys, folding laundry, and wiping up bath bubbles). After we jump on the beds, I read three stories (one is by Dr Seuss), and sing three songs, we laugh, we cry, it’s better than Cats, and then they go right to sleep. On my way to the world premiere of a new Rondos Out of Proportion show (it is at the beautiful, historic, and fully restored Lyric Theatre because our BLACK BOX Warehouse Theatre is undergoing some serious renovations) I stop off at the (Peter) Buckland Gallery. Sheila is there (because this is a dream), and we chat about all kinds of things and people. Sheila wraps my purchases (one of them is Girl With Shell) in brown paper so I can take them with me. My husband can’t be there because he’s at the Air Canada Centre watching the Leafs win the Stanley Cup (hey, I might as well make this his dream day too) so my father comes with me instead. The ROoP show, of course, is amazing, and the respected critics from the Telegraph Journal and the Globe and Mail will, undoubtedly, rave about it the next day. They’ll comment on Georgia’s interesting ideas and fascinating choreography, the innovative staging & lighting, and the brilliant dancing by our homegrown talents; Liam, Syreeta, Jane Alison, Natayu, Karen, Victoria, and Stephanie, as well as Lucy, Hannah, Clare, Mandy, and the rest of the company and apprentices. After Driver takes me home I walk in the door and am overwhelmed by the fabulous, completely finished kitchen renos that Judith has overseen for me. I ask my Chief of Staff to give her a big raise. I eat dark chocolate, the really good kind, while I watch Big Bang Theory and then some really trashy TV like The Real Housewives of New York City. I don’t even blink when Bobby drops $16,000 on a new hand bag for Jill. My last objective for the day is to use my money and power to have the Ministry of Thought and Words change the definition of ‘day’ to mean the same thing as ‘eternity’ so that after 24 hours my dream ‘day’ will still not be over!

Wow, that was way too much fun.

{ I took this pic last week at the PCDA… it looks cool because of PicFX and Instagram }

Describe your community in Saint John.

I feel like a member of several communities in Saint John, not just one. I’m part of a huge online ‘community’ of sorts, but first and foremost I am part of a small community of family, close friends, and neighbours. Additionally, each of my children is developing their own little communities in which I participate. I am also part of a remarkable community that I think of as the Port City Dance Academy family. It includes wonderful staff members, Board, students, former students, families, collaborators, supporters, and friends. Because a community is defined by common values and social cohesion I’m not really sure if Saint John has a dance ‘community’. If it does I suppose I’m a member of that too. The SJ dance scene as a whole is, well, let’s just say a little messed up and a lot complicated. Maybe that’s true of other ‘scenes’ too? Having said that, together with my friend and colleague, Georgia Rondos, I have built great relationships with dance professionals from several segments of the SJ dance scene, that are based on mutual respect, openness, and willingness to cooperate – in spite of our differences. On another positive note, in an effort to offset the complicatedness, Georgia and I have welcomed into our professional community some outstanding dance artists from the rest of the province and region, as well as the rest of Canada. The cohesive dance community with which we align ourselves also includes musicians and artists from Saint John and beyond. Lastly, I’m very proud to consider myself an active member of the larger arts community in Saint John, which contributes in so many ways to the quality of life of our city as a whole.

What’s next?

I made reference to the priority projects in a previous question. And since there’s information about the summer class schedule, summer performance series, and fall programs on our website (www.PortCityDanceAcademy.org) maybe I‘ll just tell you a little bit about the other two… I/we have been working on developing an amazing intensive afterschool dance/arts program, called the Accordance Program. Our aim is to have 18 underprivileged children attend the program five days a week for 32 weeks. Although we are still meeting with stakeholders and gathering advice and input, our biggest challenge right now is, of course, raising the funds we need to make it happen. The other project I mentioned is our 2012 The Nutcracker & The Girl With The Shell. Over several years, PCDA has been developing a very unique Nutcracker, inspired by the work of our city’s wonderful visual artists. Last year was the first year that we partnered with the Saint John Regional Hospital Foundation to support TheFog, a Saint John based medical research foundation that was founded by another one of my superheroes, Dr. Duncan Webster. Please check out www.TheFog.ca! This year’s Nutcracker will be no less spectacular, and will, hopefully, raise even more money!

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Thanks, Andrea!

Sitting down with Stephen on Tuesday was a lovely experience. You can tell that Theatre really is a passion of his, from the way he speaks about the past shows, the current performances and the future opportunities.

I hope you enjoy this little snapshot of Stephen. The next performance put on by the theatre company is Romeo and Juliet. Click for a description of the show and an invite via Facebook.

Enjoy!

Introducing a show at Imperial Theatre.

Photo by Brian Goodwin

Hello Stephen! Tell me about yourselves and what you do.

I have been actively involved in theatre since I was a kid. After four years of study at the Dalhousie University Theatre Department, I spent time as a professional working actor travelling around the Maritimes. Eventually I moved back to Saint John to join my father’s business and settle down somewhat. In 1990, I worked with a group of other local theatre practitioners to form what became the Saint John Theatre Company. Now – 22 years later – I’m the executive director of the Saint John Theatre Company. I also own and manage commercial and residential real-estate as well as owning and managing the Somerset Pub in the city’s north end. I am married to Sandra Donnelly and have two great boys: William 8 and Alexander 5.

When did you realize your talent?

Talent? That’s a tough one. I’m not sure that I have figured out what my talent is. In terms of ‘affinity’ however, my affinity towards theatre was established by the time I was in high-school.
To this day, it is the one aspect of my life where I feel like I know what I am doing and feel confident in my judgement.

Community is defined as an interacting population of like-minded individuals.

Explain what community means to you. Tell me about your community in Saint John.

I feel like I have no community in the normal sense of the word. Or, to put it another way, I often feel that I am my own community. The cohesiveness of my personal community is me. The nature of the work that I do is such that I travel regularly in various sectors of our community. In the run of a normal week, I may spend quality time with artists, senior business people, policy makers and politicians, blue-collar tradesman, IT Professionals, people from various cultural groups and people from all income brackets. I enjoy having that large mix of people to relate to. While I feel welcome and appreciated in all of these worlds, I never actually feel like I ‘belong’ to any of them. That feeling keeps me very grounded. I also feel that it informs my creative work tremendously. It would be impossible for me to be creative if I only ever dealt with artists – I need to be part of a much bigger world than that.

The Awards for the Originals 2012 are based on the past two years.

Tell me about your accomplishments from 2010/2011.

Creatively – I’m proud of a number of accomplishments:
Marco Polo The Musical is that largest theatre project ever created in our area. 225 singers, dancers, actors, and musicians on the same stage at Harbour Station telling a story that celebrates significant events in the history of our community.
Cat on a Hot Tin Roof – I was proud of our staging of this great classic play that featured members of our own creative community with two amazing guest artists who got their start in our community and are now working as theatre professionals elsewhere.
The Rocky Horror Show – this was a project that I had considered for many years and I was so impressed at how it was embraced by our community
I take great pride in the new SJTC Studio Series that has featured such works as Copenhagen Autobahn and The Drowning Girls
I take great pride in the new SJTC Presentation Series that allows the company to play host to some amazing and unique theatre from across the country
More than anything – I guess that I am proud of our entire SJTC organization. The staff. The board. The huge volunteer base. I’m proud that we are still standing after 22 years and are still continuing to grow and evolve.

What makes you an “Original”?

I’ve recently come to the realization that I am a quilt: a patchwork that includes pieces of my family; pieces that have come from decades of friendships and decades of conflicts; pieces that have come from dozens of mentors and collaborators who took me under their wing at critical points in my life; pieces that have come from many past successes and failures. It is still very much a work in progress, but it is unique. I’m not sure how ‘Original’ – but certainly unique.

What’s next?

Just watch me.

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Thanks, Stephen!

Take a few seconds and like the Saint John Theatre Company on Facebook and Follow Stephen on Twitter.

Follow @DirectorSteve

See you tomorrow with another ORIGINAL nominee!

Do you have your tickets to the gala yet?

“from afar” means that traveling to Saint john to meet me for a coffee wasn’t really doable.

Enjoy the interview!

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

I am a professional opera singer, a tenor.

Explain what community means to you.

Tell me about your community in your current City and the community (as you know it) in Saint John.

Community is an interesting thing as as singer. We lead pretty transient working lives compared to most folks and so we tend to build a community at each stop along the way. When you consider that a typical opera job lasts from 4-7 weeks, and that most of the singers are away from “home base” it is a pretty important thing to do. Not only do we work together all day, but a lot of times we end up eating most lunches and dinners together, taking turns cooking, going out socially to relax and stuff like that. Then, when we go off to the next gig, we do it all over again.

The criteria for the “Precious Export”: An individual or group, and a Saint Johner at heart, who has made a significant contribution to the arts community from afar.

Tell me about your greatest accomplishment from 2010/2011 and how your time in Saint John has shaped that.

This is difficult, because it is not something I would ever self assess, unless asked. I began 2011 in the middle of a teaching job at a Canadian university, where I was busy with a full voice studio and as a director of the opera class. It was pretty amazing. That opportunity inspired me to go back out on the road performing, which I also did in the last year – but in a totally different way. Without going in to the myriad of details, I have ended up focusing on a pretty narrow part of operatic repertoire – that only a few other guys in the world can sing. I sought out a lot of really smart people to help me figure this out and it was really rewarding. It’s pretty cool to realize that I can now join that very tiny group who can actually stand up and sing this really difficult stuff. In both ways, I’ve had a pretty pivotal year in this business.

What makes you an “Original”?

I’m not!!

What’s next?

Gigs, auditions, new roles and of course, my job as a Dad keeps me pretty busy too.

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Thanks, Stuart!

Stay tuned, there are more interviews to come!

In 2010 I attended The Originals with my good friend Candice MacLean. Our boyfriends play in Hospital Grade, who was doing a performance with some of the kids from the InterAction School of Performing Arts (click for a 1:40 clip of the performance). It was so fabulous to see the arts & cultural community collaborating in….. ways they don’t often do.

During the awards I remember thinking… “hmm… I don’t know that person” (Judith Mackin being one of them!) or “OH! That’s who that is!” (I’m thinking specifically of Tim Turnell). I hope that when you attend the Originals this year you will nudge the person beside you and say “I read a great interview with them on Barb’s blog“. Here’s hoping!

Enjoy!

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

I retired in April of 2011 after 34 years as an Engineer with Bell Aliant. Now most of my free time is spent volunteering with the Saint John Theatre Company. My “job” title with the theatre company is Technical Director. I was drawn into the local arts scene in 1994 when the Imperial Theatre was set to open and my children had reached an age where I could get more involved in the community.

When did you realize your talent?

I am not really sure what my talent is. I do a lot of different things (some things better than others).

Explain what community means to you.

Tell me about your community in Saint John.

I guess my community is Theatre. I try to support this community as much as I can and in return I have found a great many friends who make living here in Saint John a real pleasure.

The Awards for the Originals 2012 are based on the past two years.

Tell me about your greatest accomplishment from 2010/2011.

The most visible work that I do is my set designs. There were three sets in that period that I was particularly proud of; “Marco Polo, the Musical”, “Cat on a Hot Tin Roof” and “The Rocky Horror Show”.

What makes you an “Original”?

I have a desire to help our performers (the real Originals) do their best when they get on stage. If I can help make their rehearsal process easier or give them a good looking set, then I am satisfied.

What’s next?

I have said this many times… if the Saint John Theatre Company were just doing the same old three plays a year, I probably would have moved on by now. Stephen Tobias keeps changing things up and challenging everyone with something new every year. For now I am happy to keep helping Saint John’s theatre community.

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You should take some time today and look through Brian’s photo galleries on Facebook.

Take a few seconds and like the Saint John Theatre Company on Faceook and Follow them on Twitter.

Follow @SJTheatre

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Thanks, Brian!

I’ve been meeting with each nominee at their convenience. It’s is amazing to sit down, drink coffee and talk with some of the City’s Arts & Culture elite. It’s been such a pleasure. The staff at Magnolia Cafe is getting used to handing me an americano on my way in the door.

*The trailer for the Originals. Video work done by Hemmings House Pictures.

A bit of background on the interview/feature process:

I’ve asked each of the nominees the same set of questions. They get to respond to them at their leisure, so their responses are thoughtful and from the heart. It’s up to the nominee as to how they interpret each question.

I hope you enjoy the interviews! They’ll be posted sporadically over the next three weeks. Please, please, PLEASE pick up your tickets to the event. It will be fantastic.

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

Hi Barb, thanks a lot for featuring me.

Well, I’m both a fan and active member of the local music scene. I live on the west side with my wife, daughter, two cats and a beagle named Molly. I love vintage guitars and old British made bicycles. I’ve been writing and performing my own music in Saint John for a long time and am just starting to figure out what kind of artist I want to be, which is both frustrating and liberating.

When did you realize your talent?

I don’t know that I ever did really. I started playing music in my early teens more as a way of spending time with friends than trying to be noticed. I’ve always been musical, and I think it’s an inherent part of who I am rather than something I recognized and cultivated. I really don’t think I am exceptionally good at any one thing I do musically, but I have been smart enough to surround myself with some of the best players you will find in the region.

Explain what community means to you. Tell me about your community in Saint John.

The arts community in Saint John has been both a mystery and a best friend to me. At times I have found comfort and a sense of belonging in it, while at others I have felt like I don’t hold a place beyond my circle of friends. I think for me, like many others I am sure, the music scene here helped to define who I am as a person. Some life-long friendships have been formed at shows and I’ve learned a lot about myself on the stages of the city.

The Awards for the Originals 2012 are based on the past two years.

Tell me about your greatest accomplishment from 2010/2011.

I think the greatest, or at least most satisfying, thing I’ve done in the past few years is to take responsibility for my career. I have wasted a fair bit of time trying to find a spot in a very small light and have suffered the deepest depressions when it did not shine on me. Last year I decided to take a different, more independent approach to my music and haven’t looked back. The culmination of this was probably my songwriting project ‘January Through December‘. Not only was this a way to get new music released, but it was a new way of thinking about my music. I was not scouring up money for a studio, nor was I searching for someone to release it. No, I made my music at home, released it to my subscribers and was still able to pay my mortgage. Don’t get me wrong, I still certainly intend to search for funding for my next recording, and I will still apply for industry showcases and the like but the difference is how I approach them. I’ve come to realize that the important thing is to keep making music and get it out however I can.

What makes you an “Original”?

I’m not really sure how to answer that question. The music I make is certainly not ground-breaking or adventurous. The topics I sing about are not off-the-wall or over complicated. I do think it’s honest music though, and while I may not be the most capable musician, I am the only one I know who plays like me. My friend Adam Kierstead (I think you know him, right?) commented once that it doesn’t matter what drum kit I sit down to play, it always ends up sounding like me. I took that as a compliment of the highest regard and I’d like to think it spills over to my music in general.

What’s next?

Well I have lots of plans. My immediate goal is to release physical copies of January Through December. I’ll be putting them out in hand-numbered boxes that will contain the CD, a 1″ button and the lyrics. I’ve got the boxes and the artwork done, now I just need to order the CDs.

I also have an entire new record written. I’ve been working on it for over a year now and I think it’s the best material I’ve ever written. The plan is to record it with Dale Murray at his studio in Nova Scotia once I get the funds together. It’s been a dream of mine for ages to work with Dale in some capacity and I’m excited of the prospect of making that a reality. He and his fiance Christina have been extremely kind to me. They’re great people.

I intend to keep making music for as long as people will listen. I get excited with each passing year and I hope that I am getting better as both as a writer and performer. I want to still be a student of this when I am an old, old man. It’s what I do.

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Clinton is nominated in the “Popular Music” category. You can Follow Clinton on Twitter and “like” him on Facebook.

Do that below!

Follow @ClintonCharlton

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Stay tuned for more interviews from the finalists from The Originals!

It was the perfect mix of social and serious.

The weekend started out Friday with an informal meeting at Jess’s place. Jess is half of the team behind Haute Halifax and the fab jewelry designer behind Run Free, Run Wild.

Saturday was spent indulging… desserts and mimosas at The Middle Spoon, lunch and then dinner downtown. The lovely Kate from O My Heart! and Meg and Krista from Fashion East spoke Saturday morning at The Middle Spoon about blogging, photography, sponsorship and compensation. The conversation was perfection. I was so great to be around girls that “get it”.

Sunday morning, the girls went to Two if by Sea Cafe for croissants and coffee. I heard that the butter in the mouthwatering croissants will be on a few hips for a lifetime.

Here are a few instagram snaps from the weekend. Feel free to follow my (very active) Instagram account at @barbbarbbarb.

{ Me and Candice, complimentary nails // Erin from Haute Halifax // Meg from Fashion East }

{ Curly hair & Ray-Bans // Heart Smart Vegetarian pizza // Spike the Punch, naturally }

{ The fab organizers… Sorren, Erin, Jess & Kayla }

{ Kayla from Short Presents // Mimosas from the Middle Spoon // HUGS! }

{ Cake pops at 10 am? Sure! // Danna from Youlookfiiine // Beautiful lamps from Attica }

{ Morning must have // Driving home somewhere around Hampton // Krista from Fashion East }

I am really excited for ECFB Unleashed Part 2, hopefully happening in Saint John or Fredericton this Fall.

Take a peek at the graphic below (done by the lovely Sorren of Classic Noise) of the bloggers and sponsors.

xo!

P.S. Be sure to follow the blogs that participated in the event… here’s a list!

Kate, Chelsea, Kristin, Candice, Meg & Krista from Fashion East, Jess & Erin from Haute Halifax, Danna, Mo, Sorren, Tosan, Kayla, Libby, and Ashley!

Chelsea, Candice and I are headed to Halifax where 4 lovely ladies (Sorren, Kayla, Jess and Erin)  are hosting a meetup of “Fashion Bloggers” from the Maritimes.

OF COURSE – my anxiety levels are running on overdrive as I try and pack a bag for the event. I’ve never been in a room with 20 other bloggers who take photos of their outfits (on purpose) before!

I’ve decided to go casual and confortable, but to dress up my outfit with a few key pieces.

A girl can never have to many basic t-shirts, can she?

{Clockwise from the top left.. }
Spike the Punch // Old Navy Vintage tees in Charcoal and Pink
Black Skinny Jeans, Nails painted Chanel’s Orange Fizz // Black Aldo Wedges
Neon purse for running around downtown // Classic Ray Ban Wayfarer’s // More skinny jeans

If for some reason you are not familiar with local bloggers – get clicking!

NEW BRUNSWICK
Kate- O My Heart!
Chelsea- Atlantic Style Diaries
Kristin- Doll Parade
Candice- Brilliant Sugar
Barb- barbbarbbarb

NOVA SCOTIA
Krista, Meghan, Melissa, Christina, and Bianca- Fashion East
Jessica & Erin- Haute Halifax
Danna- You Look Fiiine
Mo- Curvy Geekery
Sorren- Classic Noise
Tosan- For the Love of Prints
Kayla- Short Presents
Libby - House of Winchester
Megan- The Fashionable Bureaucrat
Ashley- Fashion Roadkill

I’ll be sure to take lots of photos!

Anything I should be sure to do while in Halifax? Do tell!

xo!

P.S.

The Saint John Music Awards are SATURDAY NIGHT! See you there!