MUSIC
Merch is a great way to support a battered scene
T
by Mike Usinger
he truly smart musicians and music-industry insiders have figured out that there’s no point limiting things to T-shirts and hoodies when it comes to spreading the gospel at the merch table. Remember how, in olden times, Grinderman showed up at the Commodore with branded tea towels, earplugs, and suitable-for-framing posters? Or the way that the Dropkick Murphys would have you standing there for a good 45 minutes after the show wondering what you needed more: the Slap Shot-inspired hockey jersey, the embroidered scally cap, or the three-ounce shot glass? Official merch works in a number of ways. For fans, it’s a way to show the world where one’s musical allegiances lie. For bands, venues, and record labels, it’s invaluable in helping with the bottom line—something that couldn’t be more important when the COVID-19 pandemic has completely upended the music industry. If you’re a musician, you’re not touring—the problem being that’s how musicians make their money in a world where Spotify, Tidal, and Apple streams have replaced album sales. Venues, meanwhile, continue to sit empty in the name of flattening curves by stopping transmission between folks in close quarters. Someone cue up R.E.M’s “Everybody Hurts” because that pretty much describes where the global music community is 13 or so months into lockdown. But there are ways to help. Like earmarking a portion of last week’s LottoMax winnings for your favourite creative. No one is ever sorry to receive an etransfer. Or, for those of us still waiting for that winning ticket, stepping up at an online merch store and dropping a few dollars. Here are some ideas for those who not only prefer to think outside the box, but would also rather shop local and independent. And don’t worry, traditionalists—there are options for you as well, with websites for the below-listed artists also offering standbys like T-shirts, patches, stickers, and vinyl. Now get shopping, because, let’s face it, even if you’re only leaving the house to hit the grocery store these days, you need something to wear while doing your best to keep on rocking in the free world—even if that world seems like an endlessly hellish fucking mess. RARE AMERICANS LUNCHBOX Given where we’re still at these lockdown days, this is kind of a funny one. Essential workers have a reason to wear something outside of the pyjamas and sweatpants rotation, but many of us are spending all day, every day at home. As a result, lunchtime consists of walking from the kitchen
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THE GEORGIA STR AIGHT
The Rickshaw merch store has everything from snapback hats to hoodies, face masks, and bandanas; a Stephen Hamm coffee cup comes in handy when reaching for the absinthe.
Mystical capes would be a complete no-brainer for Stephen Hamm
counter to the kitchen table. Remind yourself of how things used to be by packing your sandwich, thermos, or Pink Lady apple into a Rare Americans lunchbox. The custom-made kit features illustrated halfman and half-horse Alfred, who fans will recognize from the genre-jumping group’s eponymous first album. Should you be anticipating a return to a workplace sooner rather than later, jumping on one of these now is smart as they tend to disappear faster than Lil Uzi Vert when he sees Nardwuar holding a microphone. How can that be? Let’s just say that Rare Americans are most definitely a thing—the group’s punk-jazz-ska-hip-hop-indie-kitchen-sink songs and beautifully animated videos are piling up views in the millions on YouTube. Yes, millions. Now grab that lunch box. ($25 at rareamericans.com) STEPHEN HAMM COFFEE MUG Legend. That’s a big word not to be used lightly, but it fits Stephen Hamm, who’s been one of the Vancouver music scene’s most beloved sons for the better part of five decades.
APRIL 1 – 8 / 2021
And yes, you read that right: from protogrungers Slow and Tankhog, to soul-punks Jungle to karaoke kings Canned Hamm, to Nardwuar wingman in the Evaporators, to chief collaborator with Sunday Morning, Hamm has kept busy—and not just as a bassist. The past couple of years have seen the DIY icon reinvent himself as a Thereminist, with 2019’s full-length Theremin Man mixing space-odyssey disco with blackhearted postrock and gold-dusted glam. Mystical capes would be a no-brainer for Hamm, but until that happens he’s gone functional with coffee cups emblazoned with both his name and majestic visage. Fill with a steaming cup of Continental Dark French (or Odd Society’s Mongrel Unaged Spirit, for days when it’s all too much), cue up the towering “Listen to the Sound of the Sun”, and find yourself instantly in a better place. Mug comes in two sizes for days when you need a little extra go-go juice of your choosing—coffee, tea, absinthe—to get you across the finish line. ($14/11 oz; 19.50/15 oz at stephenhamm.ca) RICKSHAW SNAPBACK HAT Face masks aside, few things have been more indispensable over the past year than hats. It doesn’t matter whether your chapeau of choice has been a Jughead-style whoopee cap, J. Peterman urban sombrero, or Devo-issue Energy Dome—all have been essential items for one simple reason. And that reason is this: as lockdown days, weeks, and months piled up, showering became something done on a need-to basis. Which has been fine except for a hair game that’s been nonexistent thanks to your stylist being understandably AWOL. But that doesn’t matter when you’ve got a hat.
And few things look more styling without trying too hard than a crisp snapback. The Rickshaw’s comes embroidered with the venue’s cooler-than-the-Venom-Mob logo. The major selling point though, besides having something to cover up the fact you haven’t washed your hair since Trump was still president? That would be doing your small part to help keep the lights on at what just might be—thanks to its tireless owner Mo Tarmohamed—the most beloved venue in the city. For reasons that include unbeatable sightlines and budgetfriendly liquor prices, the Rickshaw has established itself as the place you desperately hope Deafheaven, Sharon Van Etten, Idles, and the Horrors play when they roll back into Vancouver. And it’s been an invaluable home for the musicians—think everyone from Bison to the Pack a.d. to all the good folks associated with Keithmas—that continue to make this city’s indie scene one of the most fertile in North America. While you’re online, don’t stop with the snapback. The Rickshaw’s merch store includes everything from beyond reasonably priced hoodies ($35!) to bandanas, Ts, and, of course, face masks. You’re going to need a place to play—whether on-stage, on the dancefloor, or watching in the balcony— when this is all done, so open up that pocketbook. And don’t dare overlook the tote bag. ($24 at rickshawtheatre.com) YUNG HEAZY SOCKS You know what the most underrated part of any person’s wardrobe is? As much as it’s tempting to say a styling hat, custom-made facemask, or Keith Richards–inspired skull rings, the answer is socks. Think about how—any time you run into someone wearing a particularly fantastic pair of socks—you inevitably note the brilliance of them. Especially if they are emblazoned with “Cute but psycho”. Or illustrated dancing bacon and eggs. Or a simple but concise “Fuck Off!”. Help make a statement guaranteed to rake in the compliments with a pair of official Yung Heazy socks. Post-slacker bedroom-pop fans first got to know the Vancouverite for his YouTubepropelled smash “Cuz You’re My Girl”. Flashforward a bit and the man known as Jordan Heaney is building a reputation as one of the most whip-smart songwriters in North America. Last year’s full-length I UR Boy took a deeply insightful look at the hell that is a breakup with titles like “A Genuine Attempt at Not Being a Dick”. Been a dick to someone? Show you’re sorry with Yung Heazy–emblazoned sunflower socks with pink polka dots and a baby blue heel. Because as much as you might be tempted to spring for them, those “Fuck Off!” socks see next page
