By Will McGuirk

“an observation on community. Of how flashy lights and opportunities flush vibrant people from their humble homes. It’s about the death of the small town and the call to join the city mass.” - Adam Sturgeon, Status / Non-Status

“Once music becomes your job, you can lose the purity of music fandom. I spent the last two years trying to reconnect with that. I didn’t play much, I just listened” - Julia Jacklin

“the meaning of the title generally refers to all that we are and who we see is a reflection of the light.” - Lukka

"‘Level up’ is about celebrating life, family and natural medicine. Inspiration comes easy when working with this team, I’m blessed!” - Drezus, David Strickland

Julia Jacklin performs Sept 21 Phoenix Concert Theatre in Toronto

David Strickland · LVL Up (feat. Aspects & Prognosis)

By Will McGuirk

The vocabulary around electronic media is drawn from water - waves, streams, surfing, navigating, and the fuel for electronic media growth has been music. Music is as ubiquitous and necessary as water. Music is utility.

“Thirteen speaks factually and candidly, to the painful journey of Black people in North America. And it speaks to how that journey has morphed into continued racial prejudice, using the media and using the law. To get rid of white supremacy is to identify it at its root. I hope when people watch Thirteen, they feel moved to do their part in reversing white supremacy. I hope we can begin to see one another as equal – a dream I've always hoped could one day be a reality. And I hope people realize that it's going to take WORK! Who is willing to work, to make change?” - Haviah Mighty

“Much of my time is spent trying to reassure myself through rationalizing and acceptance, heard in the song’s verses, coupled with outbursts of inward frustration that I express in the choruses. I think it’s a pattern we have all been through throughout lockdown. We are trying with all our hearts to make the most of this gift of time and be ‘grateful for the day’ but then realizing that we are sipping coffee and trying to create (or just get on with work) while ambulances are filing past.” - Grace Gillespie

Mike Block · Expression of Concern (feat. KINAN ADNAWI)

“As dancers, we express ourselves through movement. We tried to capture what it was like for us in that moment and empathize with those who were going through the same thing. It’s easy to forget we don’t fight this by ourselves, and this video is our way of reaching out to say we are there with you.” - Liam Caines, Royal Winnipeg Ballet

Slowcity.ca Open Mic: Status / Non-Status, Julian Taylor, Julia Jacklin, Tedeschi Trucks Band, Basset, Lukka, The Sweet Kill, and David Strickland

Slowcity.ca Open Mic with Haviah Mighty, David Strickland, Le Couleur, Grace Gillespie, the OBGMs, Alex Izenberg, Mike Block, Bros Landreth, Owen Barney, Chris Grey,