Gord Downie in his last concert by Alison Garwood-Jones When I was a student at Queen’s University in the late 1980s and early nineties, my tape collection alternated between love anthems (Whitney Houston and Mariah Carey), girl bands with matte lips and cool hair cuts (Wilson Phillips) and duos with no hair cuts (Indigo Girls). […]
Worst Enemy
Originally published in January 2016 in Blog
Two weeks, ago, a parade of friends made their way through singer Emma Lee’s Toronto apartment, one of those over-a-shop spaces that surprisingly cavernous when you step inside. We were responding to a call: “I’m shooting a lyric video for my upcoming single ‘Worst Enemy,’” she announced via email, “and am in need of your fabulous […]
She loves me
Originally published in June 2015 in Blog
There’s a reason why guitar strummers always get the girl. Even base players have been taken aback over how easily the hugs and propositions flow after a show. We’ve been saying it since the 1970s: some guys are just more “sensitive.” Women notice men who can emote — or who, at least, convince us they […]
Spotlight: vanishing accents
Originally published in April 2013 in Blog
SPOTLIGHT is Society Pages’ newest column focusing on questionable occurrences I’ve been covering music, and especially music and the internet, a fair bit lately. Here’s a piece I published last year that tackles the mystery of singing and accents. Enjoy! In 1981, Sheena Easton was a 22-year old club kid with a glossy pout and a Lady Di shag […]
Update on Emma-Lee
Originally published in April 2013 in Blog
Riding the tube
Originally published in November 2012 in Blog
Photography by Emma-Lee UPDATE: In June 2013, Emma-Lee’s album “Backseat Heroine” was the winner of Best Adult Contemporary album at the 2013 Independent Music Awards. [I] was propositioned by a guitar picker this summer. Or, rather, the writer in me was. And that’s “ghitaahr pick’r,” if you say it like you’re June Carter Cash, as I’m wont […]
Spotlight: Vanishing accents
Originally published in April 2012 in Blog
I’ve been covering music, and especially music and the internet, a fair bit lately. Here’s a piece I published last year that tackles the mystery of singing and accents. Enjoy! SPOTLIGHT is Society Pages’ newest column focusing on questionable occurrences In 1981, Sheena Easton was a 22-year old club kid with a glossy pout and […]
