About Me:  A recent graduate of University of Toronto, with a Bachelor’s in English, my interest in music and film has extended way back to the beginning of high school.  Being There is a labour of love for me, having always been an avid reader and writer about music and film..

Favourite Album: The Beatles' Rubber Soul. Although most people give Sgt. Pepper or Revolver all the credit for turning The Beatles into a more serious group, Rubber Soul remains my favourite for a variety of reasons. It is the album where the group shifts it's sound into a new, more creative territory without sacrificing too much of their pop sensibility.  Many of the songs are still about love, but are written and performed in a much more effective way. Furthermore, the album showed George Harrison beginning to write some of the best songs of his career. Instrumentally, the album allowed The Beatles to move beyond guitars, bass, and drums, incorporating sitar, organ, and other sounds. Vocally, the album presents harmonies unlike any Beatles albums that preceded it. Just a great, great album! 

Favourite Film: The Big Lebowski by Joel & Ethan Coen. The perfect combination of clever and hysterical dialogue, quirky characters, great music, breathtaking cinematography, and an entertaining story.

Favourite Concert: Bruce Springsteen & The E-Street Band in May of 2000 at Air Canada Centre. Even at 50, Springsteen was still able to rock the house for 3 1/2 hours, playing tons of great songs with a band that hasn't failed him yet.

Favourite Book:  The New York Trilogy by Paul Auster. Three separate novellas set in New York and involving writer-characters who go through strange and bizarre things.

 Top 5 Mockumentaries:

 1. This Is Spinal Tap (dir. Rob Reiner)
 2. The Rutles: All You Need Is Cash (dir. Eric Idle)
 3. Best In Show (dir. Christopher Guest)
 4. A Mighty Wind (dir. Christopher Guest)
 5. Zelig (dir. Woody Allen)


Articles:
November 2004
Access All Areas - Editorial
Chronicles, Volume 1 - Review
Dear Heather - Review
I "Heart" Huckabees - Review
Jolie Holland - Review
Live At Union Chapel - Review
Poor Girl Blues
Ray Soundtrack - Review
Rock 'n' Roll Circus - Review
Whatever Happened To... Shelley Duvall
World Drifts In: Live At The Barbican London - Review

October 2004
America (The Book: A Citizen's Guide To Democracy Inaction)
Been There: Andrew Bird's Bowl Of Fire performing "Eugene"
Brian Wilson - Review
Careless Love Review
Eats, Shoots & Leaves - Review
Globetrotting - Liverpool, England
In Search Of Love and Music: Joni Mitchell's Musical Exploration (1971-1979)
Live in Tokyo - Review
Muswell Hilbillies - Reviews
Please Wait For Cashier Assistance: The New Wave of Supermarkets And Why They Don't Work - Editorial
Real Gone - Review
Sideways - Review
Smile - Review
The Motorcycle Diaries - Review

September 2004
Almost Blue - Review
Dial W For Watkins - Review
Garfield & Friends Volume 1 - Review
Gettin' In Over My Head - Review
Goodbye Cruel World - Review
Kill Bill Volume 2 - Review
Kojak Variety - Review
Magic Christian Music - Review
Not Afraid To Change: David Celia
Rubber Factory - Review
Stop Remaking Sense - Editorial
Watching The Music: "Coffee And TV"
We Don't Live Here Anymore - Review

August 2004
A Ghost Is Born - Review
Battle Of The "Experts" - Rubber Soul vs. Revolver
Coffee And Cigarettes - Review
Joey Who? - Editorial
Made To Love Magic - Review
Retriever - Review
Supersize Me - Review
The Indie's Turn - Nonesuch Records
The Two Headed Director - The Coen Brothers
Van Lear Rose - Review