We NEED to Talk.
In times of darkness look for the light.
Working in media, I find myself consuming a lot of stories. Constantly paying attention to global issues. I become attached to stories that move me.
Sometimes the hardest stories are the ones we wish we never heard but they are the ones we need to hear the most.
Beyond playing your favourite pop music during my radio show or sharing a few laughs about celebrity news or whatever, I’m a human trying to process the state of the world through a sometimes indescribably horrid lens.
Talking allows me to process the tougher stories and harsher realities that come along with absorbing so much.
I feel these stories and I genuinely want to help. It’s the only way I know how.
Neon Dreams @ KiSS
Frank Kadillac and Adrian Morris of Neon Dreams chat with Amy Volume from KiSS Ottawa ahead of their show at the 27 Club, Thursday, November 8th.
We last spoke with Frank Kadillac and Adrian Morris in 2016 when they released their breakaway hit "Marching Bands" ft. Kardinal Offishall. Since then, they've released 2 EPs, 2017's 'Wolf, Princess and Me' and 2016's 'To You' and have been working away on their forthcoming debut LP(rumoured to drop in 2019...they definitely seem to enjoy teasing us with that).
Neon Dreams are featured on Prime Minister Trudeau's Spotify Playlist, so I obviously had to ask how that made them feel. Surprised? Honoured? Intimidated by his fantastic hair? They got to meet Trudeau, aka 'little prince' according to Frank, and he definitely made a stylish impact.
Adrian reveals he once slept through sound check the one and only time Ria Mae asked him to play for her. Obviously things are cool with the boys and Ria as they're out on tour right now. Catch them at the 27 Club, the markets most intimate live music venue, Thursday, November 8. CLICK HERE for more information and to buy tickets.
Neon Dreams have a new single out called 'Guilty'. You can hear it by CLICKING HERE.
For context, there were some irritating tech issues happening in studio during filming.*
Stay in touch with Neon Dreams on social media. Their channel of choice: Instagram.
Instagram Live. Local. Morning Show Crossover.
Watch the video to find out what I have NEVER done that I’ve always wanted to do...
What’s something on your “Never Have I Ever” list??
Oh yeah, here’s what that sounded like on the radio:
Forest Blakk at KiSS: old lives, future hopes and how art brings light to dark places
An excerpt from FOREST BLAKK's official bio:
"He was born in Montreal and his early years were spent with his mother, who had Blakk at 17 and struggled with addiction, and his stepfather, a notorious drug dealer.
Blakk can tell you hair-raising tales of his childhood, including an assassination attempt on his father on the family’s front stoop, rooms full of cash, and moving around constantly... to evade child services when Blakk’s teachers in Canada discovered the physical abuse his father had inflicted on him."
Forest has been musically inclined since childhood, using an old Don Henley tune as a reprieve from the gloomy surroundings he was born into. He ran away from home at 13, and moved in with his grandmother at 15. She bought him his first guitar and will be seeing him play it, all these years later, to an arena crowd later this summer.
In a former life, Forest gained local success in a band but he didn't seem too interested in talking about that...
“Yeah, that’s the past. The past is the past. I think like all things, that was my elementary school [outlet]. Yeah, I had to learn. I paid my dues like I think a lot of artists do... but I hadn’t really found myself... I had to go from the caterpillar to the butterfly.”
Made in Canada Threads, House Update & More!
Spring is almost here... keyword: 'almost'.
Though at minus 13 feeling like minus 21 with the wind chill, it doesn't really feel like it. Does it? It's been a while since my last update and, since I'm about to start my radio show in a couple of minutes, I'll keep it quick!
We've been living in an Air BnB since February 1st. The place itself is totally awesome - but, since we didn't have our schedule set, we've had to move out three (??) separate times to accommodate pre-booked weekend renters. Moving with the kids and living out of five or six rubbermaid bins has been stressful. Very stressful.
I'm beyond happy to announce that we will be moving in to our new house on Sunday! This will be another busy weekend. I work Saturday morning from 9:30A-2P live on location at the new Natural Food Pantry (which I'm actually looking forward to because I can shop while I work).
Ooh, I've also been meaning to give an update RE: finally finding quality kids clothes MADE IN CANADA! I've been looking for years!! Happy to say that Fab Baby Gear carries many Canadian brands now (yay)! Two brands I have just become obsessed with include: Sem Label and Wooly Doodle!
On the GROWN UP front, I was able to spoil myself with some great Canadian made threads thanks to Victoire (Wellington St. location). I wanna give a special shout out to Iris Denim (those Bad Reputation jeans are perfection) and Thief & Bandit for having unique, eye catching designs and for going above and beyond with customer service. <3
We also did a photoshoot at work - I was pretty rushed, so when they told me to sing into this mic I went with the only song I know!! Haha - WARNING: turn your volume DOWN for this.