ISSUE ZERO: KERMODE: Mosh Ben-Ari

Can't offer a thorough reflection upon Mosh Ben-Ari's music because I don't understand Hebrew, but I did see him in concert on Wed. June 18th at Club Opera in Montréal and definitely enjoyed his performance; I'm not sure if I've ever seen a musician more at peace on stage. He conducted his band, played the occasional sweetly flowing solo, stretched his voice from a tenor to an alto, and maintained a solid stage presence, at all times, while looking as if he was barely moving or lifting a finger, like a graceful lead dancer who peacefully controls each and every one of his partner's dynamic movements without taking a step.

His music was deep and multi-layered with each participant having an opportunity to display their particular talents, notably the trombonist and trumpeter who were pleasantly positioned in the music's forefront, both melodiously and theatrically. The tunes themselves make me think of Paul Simon playing reggae with Bruce Hornsby and Tito Puento under the Arabian Sea, and each time I listen to his album Derech I feel like I'm caught up in a Chamsin, while my intuition guides me towards a swirling river, refreshingly surrounded by swaying palms, dates, and desert riddles.

My partner tells me that Mosh is quite active in both promoting peaceful relations and breaking down barriers between Israelis and Palestinians. I wonder if his calm and commanding stage presence is the product of his devotion to peace, free of apprehension, free of the considerations of the military industrial complex, free.

ISSUE ZERO: LONDON: CONNECT THE DOT(S) AT A SLAMMIN' LAUNCH PARTY

As if I don't have enough "side projects," I've recently joined the editorial staff of a new online magazine, called Connect the Dot, focusing on the Toronto urban theme. The website will include news blogs, interviews with media figures, writers, producers, directors, and artists alike, feature articles, profiles, and eventually, podcasts.

Tomorrow night, Wednesday June 25, marks the magazine's launch party at Revival, located on 783 College Street West (at Shaw), Toronto. It's a FREE event, complete with media schmoozing, special host, T. Rexx, and amazing performances by Kim Davis, Obie, Charlie Black, Rochester-- aka Juice, and Richie Sosa.

Networking opps begin at 9 p.m. with the party following at 10 p.m.

Hope to see you all there!
~ London

ISSUE ZERO:ChemicalRobotiks: The internet is a strange place

Howdy Partner. I just noticed something this morning that really tripped me out and made me laugh for a second, so here goes.

I started a YouTube account 3 months back for the purpose of hosting videos that could be posted on this site. recently something happened with my account that I could have never imagined, I am actually one of the more viewed channels in Canada. Currently I am the #42 most viewed channel, which doesn't sound like much but I actually rank higher than CityTV which blew me away for a second.

CityTV is one of the largest broadcasters in Canada and their programming reaches millions of people everyday. I am not saying that my videos reach that many people but on the internet there is actually more of a buzz surrounding what I am doing than CityTV. Thinking about it made me laugh for a second and think about the internet. I think it's great that people now have a place where they can, as an individual, connect to and influence so many people without the help of big companies. In the past you would need the support and the finical backing of a larger group to get heard, but now a regular person can get just as much attention on their own without compromising their integrity.

People keep saying that the internet will ruin the music and film industry but I don't think thats totally true. I think in some ways it could make them both much better. Small bands or indie film makers who would have, in the past, had a hard run to ever get their work seen or heard, now have a medium where they can address millions of people, and on their own. I also feel the public gets a better run from it too. There is a lot of music and film that will never see the light of day but in this environment it can still reach the public where it can be enjoyed.

ISSUE ZERO: WORKING CLASS ROCKSTAR

This Monday, which, if you ask me, is great day to go see a movie about heavy metal, and then go see some metal shows, I'm gonna go see a movie about some heavy metal, and holymotherfuck am I gonna see some heavy metal shows. The basic agenda is this. Show up, produce press passes, enter, watch movie while drinking through a case of cheep, domestic, gut-rotting beer smuggled in and drank loudly, pause/reflect/purge, and while maintaining steel-spine composure, interview director Justin McConnell (esteamed director,) interview BLOODSHOT EYE, POLKADOT CADAVER, NO ASSEMBLY REQURIED, and 3 MILE SCREAM, then, put my trusted cameraman, Mr. Robitiks, (the man that no poison can corrupt) in such a location at the ANNEX WRECK ROOM that will be condusive to his feverish drinking problem as well as fasilitating a sturdy base for the camera (the bar) to take some hellawicked footage of some GOD DAMNED HARDCORE CANADIAN HEAVY METAL.

Will a certain recently-added-to-the-clergy, mildly explosive man in a bearface make an appearence crowd-surfing, bathing in liquor, and making out with the stacks of speakers?

You can bet your whole fuckin torso I will.
On that wager, you can tack your house, soul, and everything the good King Midas ever put his greedy little fingers on, and his fingers.

STAY TUNED ZEROITES,
THIS IS NOT A TEST.

ISSUE ZERO:ChemicalRobotiks:2012