Tag: Gord Downie

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Ep. #294: Don Kerr of Communism

Communism is a remarkable three-piece pop-rock band from Toronto, Ontario. Featuring Paul Linklater and Kevin Lacroix, the band’s the brainchild of well-respected producer, drummer, singer, songwriter, and multi-instrumentalist Don Kerr, who has worked with Ron Sexsmith, Rheostatics, Gord Downie, Leslie Feist, and many, many other people. Communism’s new record, Get Down Get Together came out this past fall and I visited Don and his son Austin, who was home sick from school, for a pancake breakfast to discuss Lego Ninjago characters and Austin, Don makes us blueberry pancakes, a gluten free pioneer, the walking, talking inspiration behind the song “Pocket Sunrise,” Queen’s “We Will Rock You” and Freddie Mercury, authentic dad rock, empathy and hope and inspiration in the world, a time to be blunt, the mockery of righteousness, embracing communism, feminism and communism, capitalism feeds on divisiveness, sharing is caring, The CBC Radio 3 Breakfast Club podcast and more pancakes, keeping up with our elders, producing records by others, collaborators and influencers, what to say, Ron Sexsmith, when time gets more valuable, we’re boring, sick kids have more fun, playing hooky, traumatic grade school events, Ferris Bueller, partying instead of lecturing, substance and style, musical balancing acts, punk rock, Claudia Dey at a farm, back to school, a tour with Bahamas filling in for Jason Tait on drums, a drummer’s good fortune, communal feelings in music, how he got in Rheostatics for being a cool guy, giving, Paul Linklater and Kevin Lacroix, the future of Communism, the Rooster and Revolution, real hippies, one of a kind vinyl sleeves, “Pocket Sunrise,” and then it was time for lunch.

Related links: communism.band vishkhanna.com

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News Podcast

Ep. #291: Long Night Reviews 2016 with Aliya Pabani, Freddie Rivas, Jill Krajewski, John Semley, & Laura Hermiston

This episode of Long Night with Vish Khanna was recorded at the Polish Combatants Hall in Toronto, Ontario, as part of the Long Winter festival on Friday December 2, 2016. It was a thoughtful, funny, and fascinating year in review discussion about 2016, featuring some very wise panelists. Aliya Pabani is the host of The Imposter, Canadaland’s arts & culture podcast, and also an artist in her own right. Freddie Rivas is a talented comedian and puppeteer and is well-respected for hosting Rap Battlez in Toronto. Jill Krajewski is a social media producer at Vice and a contributor to Noisey where she’s written notable pieces, including “The Noisey Guide to Making Your Damn Venue Inclusive.” John Semley is a books columnist at the Globe & Mail and the author of This Is A Book About The Kids In The Hall. And Laura Hermiston is the driving force behind the Toronto band Twist whose new album, Spectral, is out now on Buzz Records. Recorded by Dave MacKinnon. Photos by Rick Clifford. Produced by Long Winter and Vish Khanna.

Related links: torontolongwinter.com vishkhanna.com

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News Podcast

Ep. #272: Gord Downie [Archival; May 2010]

Gord Downie is a genuine hero of mine who has redefined rock ‘n’ roll music in Canada. Over the past 30 years, he’s led Kingston, Ontario’s the Tragically Hip, who write and perform songs that are uncommonly challenging and great, improbably becoming one of Canada’s most popular and influential bands as a result. The band kicks off their Man Machine Poem tour on July 22 in Victoria, which may well be the last time they cross the country together. Away from the Hip, Downie has written poetry, acted in films, collaborated with people like the Sadies, and formed another band called the Country of Miracles whose notable membership includes Julie Doiron, Dave Clark, Dale Morningstar, Josh Finlayson, and John Press. During an interview conducted on May 20, 2010, Gord and I discuss The Grand Bounce liner notes, foxiness and beans, pie makers and connectivity, revelations, desertion, Evan S. Connell and Son of the Morning Star and “the grand bounce,” things and people we desert and fight or flight, the sound of the Country of Miracles, relationships with music, his dedicated bandmates, his role as a player and musician, the shift in production from Coke Machine Glow to Battle of the Nudes to The Grand Bounce, using words up, “The Drowning Machine” collaboration with Buck 65, the water and God, Rich can’t swim, getting the Country of Miracles back together from time to time, a David Bowie ringtone, working with Chris Walla, missing the band, summer lovin’, a collaboration with the Sadies, Hip plans, calling on the songs, the song “The Dance and its Disappearance,” Crystal Pite and Kid Pivot, and then we danced.

Related links: thehip.com vishkhanna.com

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