the afterpost

Ok, ok I promise my last mention of The Hills here, (at least until next season goes to air...). Why so much fuss about some vapid faux-reality show? Well quite simply, it's MTV's #1 show, ratings-wise, and as such gives it a potentially disproportionate share of influencing the psyche of young America (and by America I also mean Canada, of course).

It's also interesting because like its predecessor Laguna Beach, The Hils has courted controversy by claiming to be a reality show when clearly it contains way too many setups and complicated technical factors, never mind major plot holes and the like to ever even come close to approximating 'reality'. But who cares? The Hills succeeds in providing a sort of young adult fantasy life, with all the trimmings (beautiful clothes, condos, cars, and boys) and none of the pitfalls. Hell, even LA has been scrubbed clean in post-production and is startlingly smog-free.

All of this would be moot except for 1) the aforementioned ratings and 2) apparently massive turnout to the Canadian finale and aftershow. The show's influence is clearly making an impact. Is this a negative thing? Not necessarily, but one hopes MTV's glittery version of 'reality' doesn't lull us all into a Hills-ian overstated sense of self-worth.

things that are amazing vol. IV

- the Texas flag'd SUV is pretty cool
- their steaks are pretty huge
- their chicken fried bacon looks to die for! (though, apparently needs more salt!)

conspicuous consumption

I swear I don't watch a lot of TV, but lately the following seem to be constantly on:











+














and of course:

THE HILLS!

what makes The Hills such a fabulous show? it gives youngsters hope that they too can make it in LA, as interns at Teen Vogue living in a fabulous condo and driving $100,000.00 Benz's. you too can do it! life will be tough, but nothing some saké at the Geisha House can't take care of.

integration

a lot has been said in the past year about the relative island-like nature of this city's independent music scene, namely, that it seems to be indie rock or bust, generally, and few other genres (and as such, other artists) get integrated into shows. both wavelength, and zoilus and I'm sure quite a few others have gone on about this, so I'm not going to waste much more breath on it.

wavelength seems sort of alone right now in at least attempting to go beyond the usual borders of what could stand to be a more diverse scene, but there are problems even within said scene where there is an apparent, dare I say, fear of risk-taking in both booking and attendance (perhaps the latter reinforces the former, and if so how do we stop this vicious cycle?).

as much as we trumpet the depths of talent in Toronto, aren't most of us just taking in the same old things? I worry about the culture of friends supporting friends, and sometimes wonder how any new music gets found at all. I can't complain about the events I've been involved with over the past few months, but how much of the audiences were new? should I even care?

promotional activity II

there's no better way to bring in a solemn long religious weekend than getting you crunk on! ghettosocks was added to this bill at my request-he's from Halifax and very amazing and you should come. also might see bonde do role at the Social down the block after.

promotional activity I

one day when you see these ladies as comedic superstars on film and TV you'll thank me for being the first on your block to tell you about them. I'll be at this either working the door and/or lurking by the bar. say hello!