Lowsound

Marketing Mag just published a great piece on Vice Magazine...

Sun, 12 Feb 2012 11:05:42 -0500

Marketing Mag just published a great piece on Vice Magazine about how their ‘content first’ business model earned the company a valuation of $1 billion from Forbes.

5 years ago I spoke with Eddy Moretti (who is now their Executive Creative Director) about doing the Vice version of 60 Minutes. Turns out that’s exactly what they’re doing, and it’s launching on HBO this Fall.

Check out the archived interview

We’re putting the finishing touches on the web ready...

Sun, 20 Nov 2011 21:05:00 -0500

We’re putting the finishing touches on the web ready version of the micro walk 2011 video, and will post soon.

Stay tuned!

http://www.facebook.com/MicrofinanceTO

From the old to the new, here are the links to some of the most...

Mon, 03 Oct 2011 22:27:00 -0400

From the old to the new, here are the links to some of the most popular content from the old site. Welcome!

J Dilla Tribute
Kenny and Spenny Interview
Madlib Interview

New Site! Official launch coming soon!

Sat, 01 Oct 2011 20:30:14 -0400

LCD Soundsystem - their FINAL interview! “We’re...

Mon, 23 May 2011 00:00:00 -0400

LCD Soundsystem - their FINAL interview!

“We’re gonna do the record in Spanish, and do the Panda market as well…”

“What’s an important band gonna be in 10 years, it’s gonna be more like an important video game programmer…”

Alright, they may have done more interviews since mine, but this is definitely one of their last 5, done inside the Kool Haus in Toronto, May 2010.

Best Parts of Songs:

0080 LCD Soundsystem - Dance Yourself Clean @ 3:00
0059 LCD Soundsystem – Daft Punk is Playing at My House (Soulwax Remix) @ :35

"Have you started your life poem yet?"

Mon, 14 Jan 2008 00:00:00 -0500

““Have you started your life poem yet?””

- Encounters - Tim and Eric Awesome Show

Awesome Minute - Public Speaking 1 min. feature that ran on a...

Sun, 14 Oct 2007 00:00:00 -0400

Awesome Minute - Public Speaking

1 min. feature that ran on a youth online radio station called boomboxbaby.ca

Awesome Minute - Sunscreen 1 min. feature that ran on a youth...

Sun, 14 Oct 2007 00:00:00 -0400

Awesome Minute - Sunscreen

1 min. feature that ran on a youth online radio station called boomboxbaby.ca

Awesome Minute - Dolphins 1 min. feature that ran on a youth...

Sun, 14 Oct 2007 00:00:00 -0400

Awesome Minute - Dolphins

1 min. feature that ran on a youth online radio station called boomboxbaby.ca

An Interview with Eddy Moretti (Head of Vice Films)...

Thu, 08 Feb 2007 00:00:00 -0500

An Interview with Eddy Moretti (Head of Vice Films)

“…what you see is a really raw interpretation of how we would do 20/20, how we would do National Geographic, 60 Minutes etc. because we’re all fascinated by science and culture and technology and the world of politics especially but, too many times all those important things are communicated through this kind of stultifyingly boring format.”

The Vice Guide to Travel DVD has been out for a while now, so check it out to see the Vice crew stomp through locales like Chernobyl, Beirut, The Congo and Pakistan, and film it all. They say it’s a revolution in the business of going places, doing things, and telling people about the places you went and things you did. That’s true, and where global politics meets youth culture, you get this new form of guerilla journalism. It’s interesting stuff and an exciting time for Vice. You’ll hear that through the interview. This week Vice launched their new online TV network: VBS TV which will feature behind the scenes footage, and extras from this DVD and future projects in the DVD Series.

This interview, which was recorded in November 2006, looks at how the magazine is changing from the inside, and from the mind of a top brass official. What makes Vice different than 60 minutes? How will Vice retain it’s original edge? What happened when the cameras went off? How can Lowsound get an invite to the next American Apparel photo shoot?

A 20 minute interview, I couldn’t cut any more. Props to Eddy for taking the time. It’s Lowsound in TO, Vice in BK, here’s your vacation this month peoples.

www.viceland.com
www.vbs.tv

Hal Johnson Interview on Higher Learning - Part...

Tue, 31 Oct 2006 18:38:00 -0500

Hal Johnson Interview on Higher Learning - Part 1

“…your body is about 2/3 fluids so it needs water in there…”

If you don’t know who Hal and Joanne are, you did not watch nearly enough TV growing up. The Penultimate Canadian TV Fitness icons of our time; they worked their butts off to ensure that we knew how to work our butts off. Body Break taught us how to stretch before a workout, how to slide headfirst into 3rd base, and how to get off the chair at a ski resort without falling on your behind.

We really scored with this interview, thank you very much to Hal who I’m sure would have rather been on the golf course that day.

Hal Johnson Interview on Higher Learning - Part...

Tue, 31 Oct 2006 18:38:00 -0500

Hal Johnson Interview on Higher Learning - Part 2

“…your body is about 2/3 fluids so it needs water in there…”

Redeye Interview on Higher Learning “…it’s a...

Tue, 31 Oct 2006 18:36:00 -0500

Redeye Interview on Higher Learning

“…it’s a musical society, we just want people to enjoy the music..if they can take away something from the song, we’ve done our job.”

Redeye are starting to take the Vancouver music scene by storm. Their self titled album is flying off the shelves and they’re playing out to packed houses at BIG events, like the ‘06 NMW showcase at the Commodore. Their blend of SoCal funk, and Jamaican rhythms is keeping the dance floors slammed and heads noddin’ all night.

Look for a new disc in 2007, and maybe even a remix or two. This is pure West Coast Music from a dope new Funkrock upstart crew. Expect big things. We talk to lead vocalist, Mike Redmond about the whirlwind. Cheers Red!

www.myspace.com/redeye29records
www.29productions.ca

Kenny and Spenny Interview (hosted by: Brian Crosby) Kenny:...

Tue, 31 Oct 2006 18:35:00 -0500

Kenny and Spenny Interview (hosted by: Brian Crosby)

Kenny: “…and I really like the shows where I intentionally lose, but make Spenny think that he’s lost. That’s how I get off, that’s my X-box baby “
Spenny: “…that’s called delusional insecurity”

From the very beginning of the interview, they’re at each other. Best friends and mortal enemies at the same time. At TFW, we caught them at the beginning of their press tour for their latest season of Kenny vs. Spenny on Showcase (Thursdays: 9:30pm) With Spenny on the line from L.A. and Kenny in studio, these 2 man-children were skillfully handled by our Brian Crosby.

If you have any interest in self absorption, juventile antics, humiliation, and boundary pushing forms of self expression (consider where you are), you’re going to dig this interview. A Lowsound Stomper that is one for the books. Thanks to the fellas and B, click this shit.

Nuit Blanche Documentary The Weekend Jumpoff on The First...

Mon, 02 Oct 2006 18:10:00 -0400

Nuit Blanche Documentary

The Weekend Jumpoff on The First Word

“…I’m just building a stage for nature to perform.”

September 30th saw the inaugural nuit blanche come to Toronto. This Parisian night festival was the first of its kind in Canada and we’re already waiting for it to come back next year. 7p - 7a and the city became a canvas for art exhibits, video installations, ballroom dancing, outdoor video projections and much more. The pool at Trinity Bellwoods had installed speakers underwater, and brought in Sound producers to soundtrack the nightswimming.

Yes, the lineups were a pain but the city had a sparkle in its eye all night. Everything so new, so creative, so bubbling. Events like this bring people together for their curiousity and appreciation of beauty. We were there, and if you were too, this mini-doc will take you back. If you weren’t there, now you can go.

Thanks to Fujiko Nakaya, a nameless producer, Melanie, Alex, and Natalie for sharing their time with us.

Higher Learning presents….Lowspace Radio #3“would...

Sat, 02 Sep 2006 00:00:00 -0400

Higher Learning presents….Lowspace Radio #3

“would you go along with someone like me?”

Higher, lower, here, there, and everywhere. Dr. Mike works hard. This is number 3 in lowsound’s most popular feature. Who’s burning up Myspace right now, listen and find out!

www.myspace.com/peterbjornandjohn
www.myspace.com/theconcretes

Amy Millan Interview - Part 1 “yeah, I check my...

Sat, 19 Aug 2006 00:00:00 -0400

Amy Millan Interview - Part 1

“yeah, I check my email…”

Everyone was asking me whether or not Amy and I were dating after this aired, and I think that’s because I’m flirting with her throughout the whole interview. Her flirting is a bit more subtle, but trust me it’s there. She also thought this was for CFNY…so the interview is not without some interesting back and forth between me and the Stars songstress. The best part though, at one point she refers to me as Dr. Mike.
Ha, I’m not even an M.D.!

Amy has her first solo record out now, it’s called Honey from the Tombs. This is the music she was making before starting up with Stars, and you can tell, because her heart is in it all the way. It’s amazing to hear. The music is haunting, and sombre, and wistful. Perfect for reminiscing over a long lost love, or listening to live at an outdoor festival.

She’s quite something so you won’t blame me for hoping she’d tell me, don’t go, say you’ll stay, spend a lazy Sunday…Our Interview, in two parts covers quite a lot, but mostly just how much she loves hanging out with her friends and making music. Thanks Amy!

www.amymillan.com
www.arts-crafts.ca

Higher Learning presents….Lowspace Radio #2 My record...

Sat, 19 Aug 2006 00:00:00 -0400

Higher Learning presents….Lowspace Radio #2

My record crate is full of French house joints, including one of my faves - Cassius’ La Mouche. There’s a DJ Falcon mix on there that is an insane roof raiser. Their new record “15 again” is dropping soon, so we hit up their Myspace page to take a listen. It sounds different, that’s for sure, but so does each record that they put out. No doubt a Cassius record though, their signature sound comes through everything they release.

www.myspace.com/cassius15again

Amy Millan Interview - Part 2 “yeah, I check my...

Sat, 19 Aug 2006 00:00:00 -0400

Amy Millan Interview - Part 2

“yeah, I check my email…”

www.amymillan.com
www.arts-crafts.ca

Blog This Torontoist! Interview “…every time the...

Tue, 13 Jun 2006 00:00:00 -0400

Blog This Torontoist! Interview

“…every time the media picks up a story that we ran first, or quotes ‘this was said on Torontoist.com’… it warms my heart a tiny little bit.”

We just launched our newest segment on The First Word, and it’s called Blog This! I got the call for Week 1 and looked no further than the go-to for local happenings in our fine city - www.torontoist.com

Editor Ron Nurwisah joined me for a conversation about Toronto, blogs vs. print, some of his favourite posts, and general blog nerdiness!

If you’re a reader of Torontoist, then you’re going to start hearing more about The First Word. We’ll be posting there each week about who we’ve got coming up on the show, so check that out. And this week, it’s part 2 of Blog This Torontoist! ie. more nerdiness from me and Ron, mostly me though.

Big thanks to Ron for the dope interview, and the hook up with TOist!