When I was younger, I used to dial up the Chez 106 nightlife line, which was essentially a phone recording produced by the fine people at this fine Ottawa radio station. It was free to call, and it provided the music fans with a simple rundown of the concert and club listings for that day. I called it all the time, just out of curiosity and also when I wanted to see some live music in the Nation's Capital. I remember when an Iron Maiden concert was announced, and I called the nightlife line many times just to hear the news again.
When I moved to Saskatchewan's capital back in October of 2004, I was disappointed that a similar thing didn't exist here. I had trouble learning about the venues, the clubs and what sort of music was playing where. I had to call over the Pump or the old State and hope that someone answered the phone to see if there was a band slated to perform.
Now that I am veteran Regina resident, I still pine for the old nightlife line, a sort of lifeline to local music. I have come to really, really like Regina, especially as a live music city. Sure, we've enjoyed some great shows in recent years -- Rolling Stones, Iron Maiden and the growing popularity of the Craven jamboree and Regina Folk Festival. But I also like the small clubs where local kids get sweaty on metal nights at the Exchange, or country fans enjoy a few amber beverages and some music at the Pump.
I also felt there was something missing. And I'm still not exactly sure what that is. But this little blog is my attempt at filling this personal void of mine. Since there isn't a suitable link between the Regina fan and this city's music, I figured I'd make one, even if it were just to satisfy - and perhaps even entertain - myself with my own thoughts, advice and criticism.
I work full-time as a copy editor at the Leader-Post, a job that I enjoy a great deal. I also contribute to the newspaper's What's On and Arts&Life sections as a freelance arts writer, usually interviewing and writing about concerts that are coming to Regina. I enjoy that work, too -- it keeps me up-to-date with what's happening in the clubs, but it also helps satisfy the so-called "frustrated writer's syndrome," a term journalists use for editors who are former reporters deemed to be heavy-handed with other writers' material. After more than 15 years as a newspaper reporter, I feel great about keeping my hand in the ink, as it were.
An expert? Not me. I like music, and I feel passionate about what I like, or dislike. I'm a hard rock fan, a metalhead since I was a pre-teen, but I like most music and most genres, as long as it's good. For instance, I'm not a fan of Massachusetts rockers Staind, but I do really like the Dixie Chicks. So, whenever someone suggests that my taste in music sucks, I can at least say that I'm inconsistent.
My latest iPOD addition is Abigail Washburn, my second favourite banjo player after Steve Martin. If you're interested in Washburn's stuff -- check this out....
http://www.canada.com/reginaleaderpost/news/whats_on/story.html?id=0e3ff353-3e2b-48db-a46b-78896e29d65b
I really don't know what this blog will be tomorrow, or the next day, or beyond -- but I hope to update it regularly, and chat about music, most of it about local and all of it stuff that is of interest to me and of interest to others.
I won't ever be mean, or defamatory. I'll just be fair and see what happens.
If you have a comment, question, complaint, idea or criticism, lemme have it. Write me at andrewmmatte@hotmail.com, or visit me on Facebook. The kids really like Facebook.
Rock always,
A.M.
No comments:
Post a Comment