by Miné Salkin | Nov 18, 2010 | interviews
FOR THE BLOCK MAGAZINE. CHECK OUT THE ORIGINAL STORY HERE
If I wasn’t getting called a faggot I honestly don’t think I’d be pushing the envelope far enough.
Acid washed denim. Rainbow coloured war paint. Anthematic new wave. These are the things that Special Affections are made of. Hailing from Oshawa, Ontario, John O’Regan has made a name for himself as the shimmering, gender-bending artist and epicentre of Diamond Rings. With a strong penchant for retro basketball attire and a love of David Bowie, Regan seamlessly weaves together all the best artifacts of the 1980s. Although he’s probably best known as the bespectacled guitarist in techno rock outfit The D’Ubervilles, Regan’s solo work shines as vividly as his bejwelled name implies. The 25-year-old gave us some time to talk about his debut, which was released October 26th.
You’ve been described before as a gender-bending glam rocker in the same style as David Bowie. How have you been received in the hipster-heavy music scene in Toronto?
I don’t really think about Toronto being a hipster hotbed as much as a great place where my friends and I live and work on our art and music. The whole concept of something being hipster is fraught with so many contradictions that I try to avoid thinking about it altogether. The ultimate in cool is being yourself and not giving a second thought to whether or not you’re going to end up as a “Do” or a “Don’t” in the Sunday style section. Toronto, of course, is one of my favourite places to be myself.
A lot of musicians who wield an original, unusual genre often get stereotyped. Have you had to break though any particular stereotypes, or felt misunderstood?
My entire life, really. I think everyone feels as though they can’t relate at some point in their lives, and expressing those feelings openly is what Diamond Rings is all about. I cut a fairly striking figure when I’m all dressed up so obviously I have to deal with homophobes and jerks all the time. That’s part of the process though, challenging others by first challenging myself. If I wasn’t getting called a faggot I honestly don’t think I’d be pushing the envelope far enough.
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by Miné Salkin | Nov 16, 2010 | news, technology
A tale of woe and betrayal.
It was the middle of September, and I was preparing to move to the United Kingdom. Everything had been taken care of. I was finishing up my contract at the Beaty Museum, packing up to move my stuff into storage, terminating utilities and mentally preparing myself for the big move.
At the same time, it had long been my plan to get a new camera. Not just any camera, but a Canon 550D, also known as the Rebel T2i. Sure, I already had a really nice camera, one that I had carried to all my newspaper internships, my concert photography gigs and also my personal life events. It was time to move on though; I needed/ wanted something that could also film. IN HD.
After doing a few weeks of research online and in local photography stores in the Vancouver area, I managed to find the camera I wanted at a sweet, sweet deal. It was too sweet to be true. Too saccharine and ambrosial to be reality, and I certainly paid for that purchase of virginal innocence. (By saccharine I mean $200 less than any other retailer was offering).
I did it. On September 15, 2010, I bought the camera from Daily Deal Digital, the worst online retailer known to the history of civilization.
Six days later, when I hadn’t received my camera, nor a tracking number for the shipment, I called the head office in Boca Raton, Florida. After being put on hold and listening to the most irritating classical muzak for several moments, I was directed to someone who sounded like they were taking my call in a bar. It was noisy, and I strained my ears to understand as the guy explained that they RAN OUT OF THE product I had ordered but were giving me the next package deal at a $300 discount.
Suffice it to say, that was my mistake numero deux. Why did I agree to that? Again, it was the temptation of such a sweet camera, with a 50 mm light-sensitive lens, tripod and carry bag for a ridiculously good deal. It was too good to believe. DDD also offered to pay for the expedited shipping costs, as I explained to them that I would be leaving the country in less than 10 days.
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by Miné Salkin | Nov 7, 2010 | film stripped
November is the month where my introspection tends to get the most unshakable. It literally burns holes in my brain thinking about what feats of artistic greatness and gestures of failure were made that year. It doesn’t help that I tend to listen to Guns ‘N Roses‘ classic tune “November Rain” on repeat to comfortably usher me into the thought of another winter.
When it comes to selecting the top five films of 2010, it is never an easy task for someone who essentially lives off this stuff. Last year, after I read the script of Synechdoche, New York (a moderately disappointing film), I began to think of life unfolding much like a screenplay. There’s nothing like an omnipotent narrator reading out stage directions while you do them. Salkin sits down on a park bench, pulls out a brown paper bag and drinks from it. Sighs. Watches the children play.
Enough of that. Here’s my list of the best films of 2010.
5. Get Him to the Greek
Have I mentioned that I generally hate mainstream comedies? Especially those spawned from the filmic loins of Judd Apatow (40 Year Old Virgin, Knocked Up)? Starring chubby and charming Jonah Hill, British comedian Russell Brand and superstar musician P. Diddy, this film was absolutely hilarious in a Jeffrey-kind of way. For those who don’t know what a Jeffrey is, you’re going to have to watch this one. Hill plays a music record employee who’s been assigned to accompany Brand, a former rock god turned washed up junkie, to the Greek to play an epic comeback show. Things get zany.
See the art of mindfucking here:
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lpMmU7AkDvM&feature=related]
4. The Runaways
Joan Jett is fucking dope. Nobody can deny that fact. Starring Twilight tweenie Kristen Stewart, Dakota Fanning and Michael Shannon, this film chronicles the challenges and drug abuse that riddled the all-girl rock band from the 1970’s. Tight pants, lesbian overtones and the everlasting promise of good old rock ‘n’ roll, this film is a must-see for anybody interested in the history of this vicious musical genre.
Ever wondered what it’s like to be a teenaged guitar player trying to make it in a man’s world?
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by Miné Salkin | Oct 22, 2010 | film stripped, news
As part of my lazy unemployed self required, I recently underwent a Harry Potter marathon with my better half. I reveled in the magical world of Hogwarts and the incredible, fantastical life of sorcery for more than 10 hours in one day, and know what? I’m not really that ashamed. In retrospect, I probably should have taken a shower at some point. But hindsight is always 20/20.
I read the first book, Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone in 1997 when I was 11 years old, the same age that Harry discovered that he was a wizard. I never really identified with Harry, nor his red-haired best mate Ron and the bushy haired know-it-all Hermione. At the same time though, the Harry Potter brand—the books and the films—have been a definite cornerstone of my life and probably most of my generation’s. Every year I looked forward to a new book coming out. Sometimes JK Rowling took more time in her writing process, delaying the next installment for months, and frustrating the hell out of me. Aside from Tolkien’s epic works and the occasional Sci-Fi film (think Soylent Green!), I never much enjoyed the fantastical, whimsical side of fiction.
Now at 24 years old, my usually stiff upper lip tremors at the thought that it’s all coming to a close very soon. Daniel Radcliffe had nipple hair two films ago, which was the first sign I was in trouble. The next installment of the book, named Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, has been designated to be released as two films. I’m particularly excited by the fact that they’re both being directed by David Yates (who also did The Order of the Phoenix and The Half-Blood Prince).
Part one will be in theatres this November 19, 2010. The second part won’t be until 2011.
In the meantime, watch this spine-tingling trailer.
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YzfEH0UPEBo&feature=channel]
I couldn’t resist but mention this: don’t ever forget Radcliffe used to dance with horses.
by Miné Salkin | Oct 19, 2010 | film stripped, interviews
Kevan Funk’s short film toys with faith, the Free World and a matchbox budget
FOR METRO VANCOUVER NEWSPAPER
A Fine Young Man, directed by Kevan Funk, is a dark comedy that has garnered critical acclaim at this year’s Vancouver International Film Festival (VIFF), winning the award for Best Short Film in Calgary.
Director Kevin Funk (second from left) talks with actors on the set of A Fine Young Man.
Set during the Cold War era, the film flirts with the fine line between faith and the danger of personal convictions.
My intention with the film was to start a conversation, rather than giving an answer,” Funk said in a video Skype interview. “Most importantly, it’s about belief. When you have blind faith in something, it can be very dangerous.”
Funk, 24, is a fourth-year student of Film, Video and Integrated Media at Emily Carr University of Art & Design. He was born in Vancouver and raised in Banff, Alberta.
With an early interest in the performing arts, Funk later developed a talent in photography which lead him to pursue a career in film. Since 2002, Funk has been involved in numerous independent film projects.
Funk is currently seeking an international opening for A Fine Young Man to showcase his talents.
There’s a lot of humour and unexpected things in life,” said Funk. “It seems more of an appropriate fit, dark comedy, in terms of telling authentic stories.”
