By Will McGuirk

Its time I think for all of us to take a breath. Its been one hell of a year. Although we collectively hit the pause button back in Spring its still been go go go, an incessant propulsive hammering of dread, and with the country opening up, schools back and bubbles enlarged that sense of dread is amplified. I miss festivals. I go annually to rejuvenate my soul. I need it, I need trees and water and dirt and campfires at dusk and sky, so much sky. But there are trees in my yard and sky between the buildings in my city and water a drive away so I have been getting my festival vibes in fragments but still getting them. So do yourself a favour, grab some campfire vibes, go small, go slow, choose time, choose tunes, where ever you can, however you can, find a moment; outside, away from it all, remove the mask and breathe in deeply. As deeply as you can, feel it as deeply as you can, fill your boots. . . , pause. . . , and then strap on the mask and get back in the fight.

“I kept trying to find ways of communicating this illusive feeling that seems to plague my generation. This access to everything, but the need for nothing – it manifests itself in all aspects of our lives, from relationships, to the internet.” - Sameer Cash

“As we took this journey without the noise, the people, and the parties in our warehouse apartment, along with the constant grind outside, I found beauty in the stillness of our block.” - LAL

"Essentially, in my mind, it comes back to the need for some light. A way forward. To shine some kind of bright light on the future, the path that we’re walking and not giving in to despair," - Sam Roberts

By Will McGuirk

Evening sounds like a war zone, a thunderstorm, an overhead jet and an air conditioner on full all at once. It also sounds like peace, safety, security, celebration. At least here. Elsewhere perhaps not so much. The day has moved from quiet to noise but has not strayed from contentment. At least here. Elsewhere maybe not so much.

“I am a first-generation Canadian, born and raised. My father was born in Jamaica, and my mother is Bajan, born in England. I have locks, dark, beautiful skin, and a full nose and lips. As a Canadian, I’ve been told countless times that I don’t know what racism is, that I’ve never experienced racism, and that racism doesn’t exist in Canada. Because of our reputation as a safe haven, Canadians can be quick to separate themselves from Americans when issues of bigotry arise. Racism is alive and well in Canada, it is simply more covert. The 13th Amendment may be specific to the US Constitution, but it is not specific to US ideologies. Racism is worldwide. The perception of Black people has been destroyed globally.” - Haviah Mighty

“Everybody has a story to share, and I think it’s important for First Nations people to shed positive light on our culture and values. That’s what I hope to do with my music.” - Adrian Sutherland

“If you choose to take for yourself and leave nothing for others, sit down. If you intentionally hurt others or the planet for your own gains, sit down.” - Carmanah

“The question we’re asking in the music is, ‘how do we navigate so much bullshit in this world? We're still playing this dumb rock music. But there's always gonna be a little twist of the knife, cutting into something deep to make you feel like you're alive. To say, ‘I know what you’re going through. And I’m hearing you, and I’m with you.’ That’s what the music is supposed to do.” - Murray Lightburn, The Dears

Krief · 01 I Am The Pillar Of Darkness In Your Life

“I was sold a dream, but it wasn’t my dream.” - Krief

“Sometimes you don’t search for a part, you wait for it to arrive.” - Kim Mitchell

Hidden Pony · Kadeema - Beat Up Car

Slowcity.ca Open Mic with Arkells, Sameer Cash, summersets, Krief, Le Couleur, LAL, Sam Roberts Band, METZ, and the Happy Fits

Slowcity.ca Open Mic with Haviah Mighty, Midnight Shine, Carmanah, The Dears, Krief, Kim Mitchell, Kadeema,