The Silhouette - July 3, 2014 by The Silhouette

Thursday, July 3, 2014

Farmstand Pride ttwwrrss: back on around the A mouthful campus world of music Your friendly Mac grocer is back in MUSC and weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve got pictures to prove it.

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How does Hamilton fit into the world dialogue of pride?

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A Hamilton music producer on not making shitty music in the suburbs. PAGE 15

The Silhouette thesil.ca | twitter.com/theSilhouette facebook.com/TheMcMasterSilhouette

SUMMER IS HERE, AND WITH IT,

BECAUSE BEER THE

FESTIVAL

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led brew s.

d every Reviewe pilsner.

Over Twenty-Five Breweries. Two Days. One Mission.

To find the best local beers on tap. - PAGE 9 -

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LOOKING BACK

The Silhouette

Volume 85, Issue 2 Thursday, July 3, 2014 McMaster University’s Student Newspaper

EDITORIAL BOARD executive editor | thesil@thesil.ca Andrew Terefenko @andrewterefenko managing editor | managing@thesil.ca Julia Redmond @juliaeredmond production editor | production@thesil.ca Amanda Watkins @whatthekins section editors

Krista Schwab @kschwabi assistant news editor Patrick Kim @patrickmkim features editor Christina Vietinghoff @cvietinghoff opinions editor Ana Qarri @anaqarri sports editor Scott Hastie @scott1hastie assistant sports editor Laura Sinclair @Lsinkky lifestyle editor Jason Woo @jayjai223 assistant lifestyle editor Tobi Abdul @toe_bee andy editor Tomi Milos @tomimilos assistant andy editor Michael Gallagher @mikeygalgz news editor

online

William Lou @william_lou online reporter Shane Madill

online editor

art

Jonathan White photo reporter Eliza Pope @eliza_pope multimedia editor Catherine Chambers video editor Colin Haskin @colinhaskin photo editor

sales ad manager

Sandro Giordano sgiordan@msu.mcmaster.ca

ABOUT US

LEGAL The Silhouette welcomes letters to the editor in person at MUSC B110, or by email at thesil@thesil.ca. Please include name, address and telephone number for verification only. We reserve the right to edit, condense or reject letters and opinion articles. Opinions and editorials expressed in The Silhouette are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of the editorial board, the publishers, the McMaster Students Union or the University. The Silhouette is an editorially autonomous newspaper published by the McMaster Students Union. The Silhouette Board of Publications acts as an intermediary between the editorial board, the McMaster community and the McMaster Students Union. Grievances regarding The Silhouette may be forwarded in writing to: McMaster Students Union, McMaster University Student Centre, Room 201, L8S 4S4, Attn: The Silhouette Board of Publications. The Board will consider all submissions and make recommendations accordingly.

MUSC, Room B110 McMaster University 1280 Main Street West, Hamilton, ON L8S 4S4 executive

(905) 525-9140, ext 22052 Production Office (905) 525-9140, ext 27117 Advertising (905) 525-9140, ext 27557 5,000 summer circulation Published by the

ouette

@thesilh

er /McMast te t Silhoue

MARCH 2, 1938

The Maroon Glove Squad gears up Five of Mcmaster’s finest pose for a shot before stepping into the ring and “throwing the padded mitts at everything and everyone.” [originally published in The Silhouette as The Maroon Glove Squad]

Do you know a Mac professor, student or athlete that deserves recognition? Send their name and contact info to thesil@thesil.ca and they just might be profiled in our Fall magazine!

Visit twitter to see how we celebrated our 5th Twitterversary Like did you know these two were at one point Silhouette editors?

The Silhouette

Thursday, July 3, 2014

NEWS

www.thesil.ca

If you’re a fan of fresh fruits and vegetables, turn the page to see how Mac’s got your back.

No fees for Street Trees

A group of modern-day Johnny Appleseeds are greenifying Hamilton.

The OPIRG Street Trees troupe hopes to incrementally improve Hamilton air quality by planting trees in areas that are in the most need of them. C/O RANDY KAY

Patrick Kim Assistant News Editor

Krista Kruja couldn’t be happier doing what she’s doing. Having just finished her second year at McMaster, Krista is now focused on continuing the work that began in earnest last summer, when student Jonathan Valencia and volunteer coordinator Randy Kay first started the Hamilton Street Tree Project. One of the main summer initiatives of McMaster’s Ontario Public Interest Research Group (OPIRG), the project’s primary objective is to inform local neighbourhoods about the Street Tree Program that has been funded by the city since 2004. “The way that the city is doing this is by offering free trees on the city line – most people’s front lawn, or at least a portion of it, belong to the city,” Krista explained. “Anywhere that’s city property, [residents] are allowed to request a tree,

and so the city will plant it, and it’s the city’s job to maintain it.” As the project coordinator, Krista’s role has been to oversee efforts in going door-to-door and canvassing specific neighbourhoods in order to inform the public. Launched in part due to a 2011 Clean Air Hamilton study, OPIRG has focused on lower-income neighbourhoods that were measured to have the poorest air quality in the city. Hamilton’s Keith neighbourhood, the focus of last summer’s pilot project, received an average of three tree requests per year prior to OPIRG’s efforts. After last year’s canvassing and door-to-door efforts, 65 new trees were planted. This year, the focus has been on the Crown Point neighbourhood, which is located between Gage and Kenilworth. According to Krista, they’ve received nearly 70 requests for new trees so far, and are hoping to reach 80 by the end. By expanding the urban

canopy, OPIRG hopes to have a real effect on the air quality of these areas. But that’s not all they’re interested in doing with the program, Krista explained. “Another sub goal [for the project] is community building – last year, it was just one student who went door-to-door and got lots of tree requests. This year we’ve been trying to get volunteers from McMaster, as well as the Crown Point community and Hamilton in general.” Krista says that this summer, they’ve had more than 10 volunteers, some of whom aren’t even affiliated with OPIRG. “For example… one of the co-presidents of Engineers Without Borders came out to volunteer, and she got in touch with the community developer for the Crown Point neighbour-

“

hood. She wants to work [with the developer] for some events in the school year,” Krista said with an enthusiastic smile. “It’s a nice partnership.” Although it will be years before the trees have any noticeable effect on the air quality in these neighbourhoods, Krista’s enthusiasm for the project couldn’t be dampened. “Sure, you don’t necessarily see the fruits of your labour in that air quality probably hasn’t changed much in the Keith neighbourhood from last year to this year, but you see the little trees, and you know that they’re going to get bigger, and in a couple of decades, it’s something you’ll definitely be able to see,” she said. “Walking through that neighbourhood, maybe 20 or 30 years from now, I’ll be like: Oh,

After last year’s efforts, 65 new trees were planted.

look at that! That’s something I was involved with,” she laughed. Krista continued, “I think one of the greatest things about it is that it’s just such a big effort on behalf of everyone: McMaster’s done a lot, OPIRG’s done a lot, and Environment Hamilton has been really involved… Without everybody trying to help improve the neighbourhood, it wouldn’t have been possible, so I think it’s really exciting.” With the project winding down in the first week of July, Krista expressed that she’s very interested in continuing the project during the school year. “We were thinking of ways we can expand the Street Tree Project so it’s not just for the summer,” she said. “While I’m only working on it for nine weeks, I’m really enjoying it and I think it’s a really valuable thing.” “I’d love to volunteer and work on it during the school year as well… to whatever capacity I can.”

www.thesil.ca

Thursday, July 3, 2014

PHOTO GALLERY

FARMSTAND KICKS OFF THE SUMMER WITH THE CREAM OF THE CROP You may have missed the strawberry samplers, but don’t fret, as Mac Farmstand will be open all summer. What’s in stock? Andrew Terefenko / EXECUTIVE EDITOR

Mac band Day Drunk serenaded customers as they perused the wares.

Billy Moon appeared later in a tie-dye poncho to encourage Farmstand patronage.

Look for the Farmstand every Wednesday and Thursday in MUSC near Starbucks, until the end of October.

Thursday, July 3, 2014

www.thesil.ca

Book Release

Health Science Research

Mac student enters world of fiction writing Feather Bound, by Mac student Sarah Olutola, aims to bring the contemporary world into classic fairy tales.

Andrew Terefenko Executive Editor

When Sarah Olutola isn’t working on her dissertation here at Mac’s English and Cultural Studies graduate program, she can be found on bookshelves across Canada under the pen name Sarah Raughley. Sarah’s first published book, Feather Bound, is the result of her creative writing efforts done after hours, after being encouraged in some of her English classes. “Mac gave me encouragement in a roundabout way in that I had this class that we had to share our work and get feedback on it every step of the way. It wasn’t something I was used to as I didn’t usually show my creative writing to others,” said Olutola. The book, an entry into the young adult fantasy genre, tells the story of a young girl with a secretive past getting swept up into a world of glitz and glamour, but soon finds that same world has disturbing connotations. “It’s more low-key magical realism which basically means contemporary but with a touch of magic. You know, how some-

times fairy tales are creepier than they let on? It’s like those, but transposed into the modern world.” Though this is Sarah’s first book published, it is not the first work taht she has tried to get bound and sold. “Just because you may have a debut doesn’t mean it’s the first book you try to get published. There are other works I’ve tried but wasn’t able to. This was an outlier for me, a bit experimental, and that’s how it went.” She talks of her influences beyond other books, being that she plays a great deal of video games and wants people to take the medium seriously. “I’m sort of a geek and I found when I was a kid I did read, but I played video games more than I read. A lot of people dismiss video games as a way of storytelling. You see a lot of really creative, out-of-the-box storytelling in games.” To aspiring McMaster authors, she stresses the importance of doing your research and investigating alternative publishing avenues. “There’s the traditional route, which I did. Getting an agent, writing a manuscript, and e-mailing a query to a bunch of

publishers. Nowadays, because of the rise of e-books and e-readers, you don’t really need to go through the traditional route. I’m happy I have an agent and that kind of support, but I’m also open to putting myself out there, for a dollar or two on Kindle,” said Olutola. “Another big tip would be to read, read, and read a lot in your field, and even outside your field. It helps you build your vocabulary and evolve your writing style.” She is not ready to put her passion to bed just yet, as she has already taken steps towards another publication. “I just wrote another manuscript, along the lines of big epic fantasies that I like [such as LOTR and ASOIAF] and I am currently sending that to publishers. I’m hoping that becomes my next book. It’s something completely new.” When asked about the pen name, Olutola responded, “I’m eventually going to have to publish works under my professional name, and I didn’t want to get my academic work mixed up with my fiction writing. Raughley is a nickname for my Nigerian name, just a spelled a little differently.”

A new approach to enhancing heart disease medication Ishan Aditya Meducator Columnist

It is estimated that over 17 million people die of cardiovascular disease (CVD) annually, with one American dying of CVD every 33 seconds on average. In addition to maintaining a healthy diet and active lifestyle, drugs known as “statins” are commonly used to treat heart disease. Statins are hydrophilic (water-soluble), synthetic compounds which work by inhibiting the production of cholesterol, as well as aiding in the reabsorption of cholesterol built up in plaques on artery walls. This improves transport of blood through the arteries, thus reducing strain on the heart. By doing this, the chances of patients with CVD of having cardiac arrest or a stroke decreases. The hydrophilic nature of statins enables them to reach their target regions efficiently, without damaging internal organs or disrupting the central nervous system. However, according to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), statins such as Lipitor have been shown to increase an individual’s blood sugar levels and promote the development of Type 2 Diabetes (T2D). As a result, the FDA has implemented a regulation which requires all statin labels to include a warning about elevated blood sugar levels and T2D. This revelation has influenced many individuals to refuse to take statins, due to the risk of developing T2D and high blood glucose levels. These complications would create insulin resistance in the patient, consequently harming their cardiovascular health and making them prone to other cardiovascular diseases such as atherosclerosis. However, by refusing to take statins, patients will endanger themselves by worsening their cardiovascular health. This conflict has left many consumers unsure of what end of the balance to lean on – whether it’s ceasing to take statins or continue to take them with the risk that they pose. Thankfully, researchers at McMaster University’s Department of Biochemistry and Biomedical Sciences have developed a potential solution. Assistant professor and Canadian Diabetes Association Scholar, Dr. Schertzer, has discovered a pathway that connects statins and diabetes. He and his team “found that statins activated a very specific immune response, which stopped insulin from doing its job properly.” Through persistent research, they discovered that a drug called Glyburide mediated the effect of elevated blood sugar levels. According to Schertzer, this discovery has the potential for development of novel molecules which do not interfere with the benefits of statins in the immune pathway. At this stage of the process, the group aims to determine how statins promote diabetes by understanding how they behave in the pancreas, which is responsible for the secretion of insulin. Dr. Schertzer and his team advocate the therapeutic properties of statins, as they are drugs which elicit positive results. However, in order to improve them they must understand the “immune-metabolism pathway” which statins have been theorized to act on. By introducing statins that do not pose such a risk of insulin resistance, consumers will be able to comfortably take their heart medications, knowing that they are taking their health in the right direction.

The Silhouette

EDITORIAL

www.thesil.ca

Thursday, July 3, 2014

What is The Speculator? It’s more than a joke page (seriously.) So now that I sit in the big chair, I commonly question the various aspects of The Silhouette that often are there “just because” or for ”tradition.” But since this is the big year of transition, from broadsheet to tabloid, from clunky to mobile-responsive, from an office-wide oxford comma ban to a still-uncertainbut-up-for-discussion purgatory on the oxford comma, it’s time to ask about an aspect of the paper that goes back to an era long gone; The Speculator. To those who aren’t dinosaurs in their own right like me, The Speculator used to be called the Misc. alculator and before that didn’t even have a name, it was just the “goof issue.” It is meant for the editors as a sort of stress relief and a way to stretch the satiric muscles of the less serious staffers. But what is it to you, the reader? When I was but a freshmen reader, The Speculator seemed silly to me. A waste of a page that could have been used for more campus coverage, or editorial cartoons, or even a second crossword. Anything but what it was. But that was just my opinion among many others. People tell me it’s the first page they flip to Thursday afternoons. Others tell me (in strongly worded critical e-mails) that the paper should be more sensitive to issues we are in position to be making light of. Even some staff editors seem ambivalent to the page, neither critical of the content or interested in contributing to it. Well having been the primary writer for the page for the past x years, I can tell you what The Speculator is, and what it is not. The Speculator is our B-Side. To readers who haven’t ever used a cassette tape or record, the B-Side is reverse side of a musical recording that traditionally contains the songs that the producers didn’t intend on getting radio time. The songs that the artist enjoyed and was proud of, but might not have hit the right notes as far as marketing or thematic synchronicity were concerned. The Silhouette is our A-Side, our discography that we want you to read, digest, discuss and deliberate. It’s the content we want to get airtime in your conversational circles. The Speculator is the reverse. We don’t mind if it doesn’t get on your Billboard 100 of conversational hits, it’s our way of

giving you something “a little extra,” stuff we are proud enough of to put on the tape, but don’t necessarily intend on getting stuck in your head. Sometimes Andrew Terefenko its crude, Executive Editor sometimes andrewterefenko its dated and more often than not its not even funny, but we would never publish anything at the end of the day that we didn’t think at one point would be funny to someone, somewhere. So check out our greatest hits when they hit the stands every Thursday this year, but when you want to relax and jam out to some of the more underground stuff we’ve done in the studio, flip over the tape and maybe get a chuckle or two. (I like to think that’s why we keep it in the back or inside back of the paper.) That is us in between those lines, pouring our hearts and souls into each and every one of those shitty, shitty jokes. Just for you. -Tiberius Slick

To e-readers, oh how many paper cuts I have suffered through to find you.

To the demise of the best-designed paper anywhere. I hope you return in some form, Grid.

To dragonfruit; you are so much more than just a large neutral kiwi.

To Journey. Please stop appearing at karaoke, it is 2014 and I am just about ready to stop believin’.

To the Jays, you guys better cling to that spot for just a few more weeks. To the return of the Speculator, for as long as it lasts. To our first ever glossy front page. Doesn’t it look snazzy? To finding money I set aside for a rainy day, on a rainy day. Thanks past me. Forget what I said last month; To microwaves, oh how did I ever survive without one. To the return of our very own prodigal euro-trash. He’ll never be the same. To laminating machines. Is there anything they cant do? To walk-offs. Woo!

To chiseling my name into the EE plaque. I don’t think I’m ready yet. To that fly. I feel like a Looney Tunes character chasing it out of my office. To Canada Day falling on my production week. To walks. If it wasn’t intentional then you’re wasting my time. To just an awful, awful fourth Transformers movie. Markie Mark couldn’t save this one. To fireworks on the 30th. You guys couldn’t wait a day? To accidently listening to Sum 41’s discography while making this.

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The Silhouette

Thursday, July 3, 2014

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OPINION

Can our progress at home make waves abroad?

Ana Qarri Opinions Editor

I recently reached out to an Albanian queer activist who has been at the forefront of the fight since its beginning in the late 2000’s. I told her that I’d love to help, however I can, even though I know I can’t. I would help if I could, or at least I think I would. I really don’t know – I’ve never had to do what they do. I left the country at the impressionable age of 13 and just in time. Knowing that I’ve left behind a culture so homophobic it didn’t even acknowledge the existence of queer people until last decade is, for the most part, confusing. My memories of Albania aren’t tainted with homophobia, but my experiences with the Albanian community here are. As someone living in the West, I’m often quick to judge other cultures for their discrimination or abuse of people in the queer community. Yet, my attitude towards this culture in my own country of origin remains ambiguous. There are times when I will call them out on their ignorance and times when I don’t have the heart to label my relatives as homophobic because of all the weight that this word carries for so many people. I don’t imagine that I’m alone in this, and I know that there are people with greater conflicts than my theoretical dilemma. Still, there is a sense of guilt that comes with celebrating World Pride in a country where I feel safe when I know what people are going through in a place so close to me. Even as we celebrate here, I find myself confused about why and what we’re celebrating. Queer issues in Canada have been normalized. The spokespeople for our community, predominantly middle-class people, are no longer treating it as a movement. Spending a few hours at Pride will give you the impression that there is no longer a fight for queer rights and we’re celebrating past victories. The largest queer event of the year is corporate-sponsored and corporate-censored serving mainly those who are financially able to participate. Queer immigrants will often find themselves in these situations, faced with the reality of their home country and the normalized “movements” of their new one. The choice is clear as one comes with safety and the other with fear, but being so connected to the struggles of your community in another country, with Pride comes a great deal of shame. Whether the responsibility of creating an accepting society lies in the hands of the queer individuals is a theoretical question about oppressive societies and the duties of its individuals. But does someone who is no longer a member of this society have a responsibility to the people they’ve left behind? Will shaping the perspective of our immigrant communities in Canada affect the mindset back home or do we as queer diasporas have to abandon the hope that our actions here will have any positive impact on the people back “home”? I’ve went through the last three Pride parades wondering how to reconcile life here and what could have been somewhere else. I don’t have all the answers – or any of them – and once again I’m here at the height of Pride celebrations in Toronto feeling the same uncomfortable sense of guilt. I want to say that when I participate this year, I do it for all those who would never imagine being here, but I know that’s only a self-indulgent attitude and a way to rid myself of this guilt. And faced with it all, I can only hope that if I could help, I would.

Be on the lookout for more Opinions this summer exclusive to the website at www.thesil.ca. Or submit your own to thesil@thesil.ca!

DEAR MAC,

Dear Mac, I’m unemployed right now, and I don’t have any income. Most of my friends are employed. Even if they are just making minimum wage, they at least have some sort of money coming in. My parents give me money when I need it (for rent and stuff) but I hate asking them for money because we are struggling financially as a family as well. I try to mention it to my friends when they want to do things that need money. I mainly try to make it light, saying things like “I’m broke” and “Student life”, but they keep on suggesting things to do that cost money, and I don’t know what to do anymore. I love my friends, we’ve been friends all my life, but I can’t afford to hang out with them anymore! -Broke Dear Broke, That’s a really tough situation to be in. Financial difficulties can be awkward and tough to talk about, but it is important to address this issue, so that it doesn’t cause problems in your relationship with your friends. Since you’ve known them your whole life, it might be a good idea to try to talk to your friends, and be honest with them. Let them know that you are having a tough time financially. Chances are that they will understand. You can also try suggesting cheaper alternatives for hanging out. Instead of going out to dinner, you can try having a potluck, or cooking dinner together. Instead of going to the movies, you can try playing board games or sports, or renting a movie. Most people understand what it’s like to be having money troubles at some point, so trying to communicate honestly with your friends could be a great idea. You don’t have to go into details, but it might be helpful for you to be assertive and say that you would prefer not to spend money when you hang out. Maybe they just don’t realize that you are serious about your financial difficulties. -Mac Dear Mac, I used to be really close with my parents, but now I’m having a really hard time connecting with them. I feel like we don’t have anything to talk about, and I feel like even when we’re spending time together, we’re not really “together”. We’re on our phones, or iPads, or not really spending quality time together. I feel like I’m really different from my parents now, I’ve changed a lot from when I was younger, and I know that we disagree on a

lot of really core values, opinions, and beliefs. I still really miss being close to them, but it’s hard to have a conversation that won’t end in a fight. I really do love them though, and I want to get back to the way it used to be! -Disconnected Dear Disconnected, First of all, it might not go back to exactly how it used to be. You said so yourself that you’ve changed a lot since then, so chances are, your relationship will have changed a lot too. This is not a bad thing. You said your values, opinions and beliefs are different from theirs now, which also might not be a bad thing. Some of the best conversations can be between people with opposing viewpoints. You just need to make sure that you put emotions and frustrations out of the equation so that a debate doesn’t turn into an argument. You can always start small: Ask your parents how their day went, try asking them detailed questions about their day, and try to really listen. Share details about your life too. Tell your parents what’s new with you, what’s new with your friends, how your day was. Starting small like this can build a great rapport, and help you get back into the rhythm of great communication. If you feel like you’re beyond small talk, and are looking for some meaningful conversations, you can do that too. A great way to find interesting and relevant topics is by reading the news. Talk about a municipal election – the pros and cons of each candidate, talk about the World Cup, Talk about the economy, talk about international affairs. You can even google interesting conversation topics and use them as guides during your conversations and debates. This way you can have intellectual or relevant conversations and debates, and maybe even learn something. Something else you can do is to try spending more quality time together. You can even explain to your parents what you are trying to do, and this way you can get the whole family engaged and actively working towards the same goal: reconnecting. You can do this by setting rules, such as “no electronics for an hour”. You can also try out some hobbies or activities together as a family. Don’t be afraid of the art of conversation – try to engage each other in meaningful conversations. You can talk about sports, world issues, your days, anything really. It might sound cheesy, but you can even really connect with each other about reminiscing about old memories, and hopefully building back your family rapport can help you create some new ones! -Mac

“Dear Mac” is a column written by volunteers from the MSU’s Peer Support Line. To email in a question that you want addressed in a column, you can send it in to: psl@msu.mcmaster.ca with the subject line: Dear Mac. The Peer Support Line does not run in the Summer, and will start again in the Fall.

Thursday, July 3, 2014

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Hamilton pride hitting the right notes? The Steel City is now running more LGBTQ+ events than ever before, but are they inclusive enough? Jiya C. Contributor

Happy Pride, Hamilton! You’ve probably seen colourful posters all around the city that read “We Are Here,” and this month in Hamilton, that’s truer than ever. With some 40 or so events that ran on local partnerships and a zero dollar budget, this year’s Pride itinerary was arguably the most diverse and inclusive than it’s ever been. Events ranged from the annual Pride flag raising, a dinner for newcomers and people of colour, to a panel discussion on the (in)visibility of disability. All in all, Hamilton Pride and everyone involved, including co-chairs Poe Liberado and Paul Hawkins, local businesses, and countless volunteers, have accomplished something that is no small feat, but humbling nonetheless as it recognized

and created spaces for LGBTQ+ people from all walks of life. At their surface, many Pride festivities in North America are heavily centered on white gay men, rather than the entire LGBTQ+ acronym. Of course, it goes without saying that for gay communities to be able to exist without any repercussions is extremely important, and we have come such a long way from the Stonewall Riots that started this movement 45 years ago considering we’re able to take our pride to the streets. The importance of all that is completely unchallenged, and I personally love Pride celebrations, but what becomes of people who exist in the sidelines of an already marginalized community? For me and many that I have spoken to, attending events at Hamilton Pride served as a reminder that people have a multitude of intersecting

identities, including their race, gender, age, ability, sexuality, class, and/or religion. Not only do these multidimensional identities need to be recognized, we need to accordingly re-evaluate how our events, initiatives, and spaces are beneficial to some, but also how they are harmful and isolating to others. The festivities evoked thoughtful conversations on anything and everything, including how Pride bar-culture excludes people with alcohol addiction, how Pride marches forget people with disability, or how white-dominance creates racist environments for LGBTQ+ people of colour. This is precisely why we need to also look at the bigger picture rather than ourselves as individuals, and sometimes just listen when

“

someone tells us that our actions are hurting them and their community. Listen to the voices of people who have been here longer than us, or face oppression of a variety that we never have. Until we recognize that, it is impossible to understand each other’s struggles, our determination and achievements, the root of so many ideas and how we can unify through them. One of the most dangerous things is to forget the people who make it possible for us to simply exist today. We need to remember the history of where our communities have come from to understand where we are now. These are not my ideas. There are all things many before me have said and raised concerns over countless times

Pride festivals are fantastic because after so many years, we can finally celebrate who we are.

in the past. These are things that people from marginalized communities, including my own, that aren’t recognized until they’re voiced by someone with power. Pride festivals are fantastic because after so many years of oppression, we can finally celebrate who we are. But we mustn’t forget that being able to fill the streets with rainbows and glitter does not mean that the struggles of all LGBTQ+ people are over. As a minority, Hamilton Pride was able to evoke a sense of community that is integral to being seen for your entire self, whether you are genderqueer and poor, a transwoman with autisim, or Pakistani and pansexual. The festivities this year remind us that Pride is and should be so much more than parties, rainbows, loud sound systems, and an astronomical budget. It is a way to remember where we have come from, but not forget where we still have to go.

Hamilton Pride’s slogan from last month’s event.

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Thursday, July 3, 2014

LIFESTYLE

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Have any recipes or reviews of local restaurants/bars? Send them to thesil@thesil.ca.

BECAUSE BEER IS ALMOST HERE The upcoming Hamilton beer festival answers the quintessential question: Why drink?

Tobi Abdul Assistant Lifestyle Editor

There are few things more satisfying than an ice cold glass of beer after a long day of work. Beer drinkers can range from those who like a casual glass of beer to commence the weekend to beer aficionados who can name the type of beer from a single sip. No matter what side of the spectrum you land on, all journeys towards loving beer start with a single sip. The Because Beer festival that is

Collective Arts Brewing Best beer: Rhyme & Reason

4.75 5

Collective Arts Brewing merges art with beer as each label uses art from local artists. Each bottle is uniquely designed and artists are able to submit their work to the brewery in hopes that it will end up in a beautiful six pack. The fusion of art and beer gives this beer the advantage but does not overshadow the crisp flavour of the beer. Rhyme and Reason is full of hops and has a citrus and pine flavour to it and is on the lighter side. The aftertaste is complimentary and not overwhelming, making this beer the perfect evening beer.

Beau’s All Natural Brewing Company

3 5

2.5 5

coming to Hamilton’s Pier 4 Park on Friday, July 11 and Saturday, 12 aims to provide a means for people to discover some of the good craft beer from over twenty-five breweries that Ontario has to offer. Because of the volume of beer that will be available at the festival, I sampled a few beers from some of the breweries that will be in attendance in hopes of providing you with a cheat sheet of what I thought were the best beers from each of the breweries sampled.

Wellington Brewery Best beer: Special Pale Ale

At first sip, the beer tasted like nothing special but overall drinkable. The more I drank, the more bored I got. The amount of hops make the Special Pale Ale overwhelming and not in the good way. It tastes of malt caramel and is slightly creamy, which sounds like it would make a fantastic beer, however, Wellington’s Special Pale Ale left something to be desired. I would drink this beer if looking for something outside of PBR or Bud Light but for anyone who likes smooth, crisp, beer, this wouldn’t be my first, or even fourth choice. I didn’t even finish it, which says a lot.

Best beer: Lug Tread Lagered Ale Beau’s bottles are slightly smaller than a two-six, coming in at 600ml and have very attractive labels. I was very close to picking The Tom Green Beer simple for the fact that it exists, but one sip of the Lug Tread had me convinced instantly. Lug Tread is flavourful, crisp, and medium bodied, starting with a sweet taste and ending with a pleasantly bitter aftertaste. This beer reminds me of summer, but overall, it’s lacking that bit of specialty that would bring it to the top of micro-brews in the province.

Great Lakes Brewery Best beer: Thrust! An IPA

4 5

With an attractive label that features a rocket ship, Thrust! An IPA quickly caught my attention. Often times the packaging doesn’t live up to the content but unlike that guy from the bar, Thrust! An IPA was as smooth as it was attractive. The India Pale Ale is honey-like in colour with a citrus flavour that compliments the slight grapefruit bitterness to it. Filled with citrus hops, but not in a way that’s overwhelming.

Amsterdam Brewery Best beer: Amsterdam Natural Blonde Lager

4.5 5

This common beer is often in local watering holes, but is still one of my favourites. It is crisp, and unique in flavour. This beer is great for all-year drinking but especially lovely in the summer. Amsterdam Blonde is pleasantly fragrant and has a light fruit flavour. This beer is simple yet satisfying and keeps me coming back for more.

3 5

Grand River Brewing Best beer: Curmudgeon IPA

This copper coloured beer is flavourful, however, it’s maltiness is a little too much for me. There is a bitter aftertaste that I can see as being pleasant, but is just slightly overwhelming for me. The slight caramel taste and hint of fruit flavours are redeeming factors and kept me sipping for longer than I thought I would. Overall, I probably wouldn’t go out of my way to buy this, but I can see the appeal.

3 5

Double Trouble Brewing Co. Best beer: Prison Break Breakout Pilsner

Double Trouble Brewing Co. has cleverly titled beer including, Hops and Robbers and Fire in the Rye but the standout beer for me was the Prison Break Breakout Pilsner. The blue can had entertaining illustrations and the deep but subtle hops give the dark gold beer extra body. Unfortunately, the illustrations on the can is the best part of the beer as it is quite filling making the last half of the beer hard to drink.

I suggest you make your way down to Pier 4 Park on July 11 to make your own conclusions about the best craft beers. For those who are new to the sport of beer drinking, there will also be informative sessions including how to master a perfect pour, how to pair food and beer, and how to tell good beer from bad beer. Additionally, music and food are the perfect compliments to a weekend of great beer, so there will be musical entertainment and over ten Hamilton food trucks at the festival. Entry to the Because Beer festival is forty dollars for the entire weekend or twenty-five dollars per day, which includes a tasting mug and four craft beer samples for one day or ten craft beer samples for the weekend. Drinking beer is an art form, one that I will hope to perfect during Because Beer.

Thursday, July 3, 2014

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RECIPE: Summer Cookie S’mores Sarah O’Connor Staff Reporter

C/O SARAH O’CONNOR

Nothing quite says summer like the gooey deliciousness of s’mores. But sadly, it isn’t possible to go camping every weekend for your favourite summer treat, and your neighbours will most likely call the fire department if you make a bonfire in your backyard. So avoid the fire hazard and still get your favourite summer treat from the comfort of your own home! After all, what’s better than s’mores? Cookie s’mores! What you’ll need: 8-inch baking pan ½ cup butter ¾ cup granulated sugar 1 egg 1 tsp vanilla extract 1 1/3 cups all-purpose flour

¾ cup graham cracker crumbs 1 tsp baking powder ¼ tsp salt ¾ cup chocolate chips 1 cup of marshmallow crème

Directions: 1) Preheat your oven to 350° and grease your baking pan. 2) Beat butter and sugar in a large bowl until the mixture is light and fluffy. Then add the egg and vanilla to the mixture and beat together. Stir in flour with graham cracker crumbs, baking powder and salt into the butter mixture. 3) Split the dough in half, pressing half of the dough into the greased pan. 4) Spread marshmallow crème on top of the dough and scatter the chocolate chips on top of the marshmallow crème and dough. 5) Scatter bits of the remaining hald of the dough over the chocolate chips and carefully press into an even layer. 6) Bake your cookie s’mores for 30 – 35 minutes or until lightly browned. Cool completely on a rack and cut into bars (makes 16 bars). And don’t forget to be creative with this recipe! Instead of buying graham cracker crumbs you can just as easily buy graham crackers to smash to make the crumbs! Same goes with the chocolate chips and marshmallow crème. Instead of chocolate chips try peanut butter chips, mint chips, or whatever your favourite chocolate bar is (Note: the bigger the chocolate bar the longer the baking time, only by a few minutes). Instead of marshmallow crème, buy marshmallow’s (any flavour) and melt them yourself (please don’t microwave the marshmallows, things will get messy fast!).

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SPORTS

Do you have a strong opinion on who should and shouldn’t be a soccer fan? Our Online Editor tackles the futbol frenzy on page 12.

PLAY BALL

c/o YOSEIF HADDAD

all-time high to an all-time low. Injuries were nagging me, and they weren’t even major but they really affected me.” Head coach Amos Connolly aimed to guide Presutti through the tough time. Connolly says athletes at a young age do not always take care of their bodies properly. “You don’t really see kids understand how to take care of themselves until they are 21, 22 years old. You just have to hope the kids are smart enough or humble enough that they will listen to the professionals when they are young,” said Connolly. “Some guys need to do it their own way and figure it out their own way, and that is the best way they learn.” Presutti’s second year was already off to a suboptimal start with the injury, but the difficulty was only compounded with the turmoil following the departure of Victor Raso. The team lost a leader and had to regroup quickly to right the ship. Fifth-year Scott Laws filled that void as the season went on, but nothing could undo the damage done at the start of the year. There was an incredible amount of pressure on Presutti in that second year. Mac had made the OUA Final Four and looked to be ready to take a trip to the CIS Final 8. Presutti was viewed as the precocious point guard that could carry the team to a height not reached in nearly a decade, along with a healthy mix of youth and experience on the roster. his rise. During training over Connolly talked about the the summer, Presutti suffered pressure and his interactions a minor fracture in his ankle. with Presutti during that 2012With the injury happening later 13 campaign. in the summer, his health to be“In some cases, I’ve been gin the sophomore season was really, really hard on him. The in question. Presutti’s minutes expectations plummeted, have been going from very, very 598 minutes high and I’ve played to I was feeling put pressure only 321, and his effectiveamazing, confident, on him and let him ness on the happy, excited... That not settle. I think court was year I felt I proved a sometimes, limited. He could not get lot of people wrong.” when it comes to injuries, I fully healthy, haven’t been and while Adam Presutti as fair as I his ankle had Point Guard, Marauders should have healed, other Men’s Basketball been,” said issues arose. Connolly. “It just And Presutti, admittedly, really sucked. I just don’t know how to describe it any other way was grappling with confidence issues in that season. To help than that,” said Presutti, with a get back to the level he knew he bitterness in his voice. “[After could play at, that his coaches my rookie season], I felt on top and teammates knew he could of the world. I went from an

No. 25 Adam Presutti has bounced back from injuries and a dip in confidence. He’s ready to take Mcmaster to the next level. Scott Hastie Sports Editor

You watch a McMaster men’s basketball game, and you can tell these guys are having fun. The team plays an up-tempo game with dynamic offensive sets that encourages creativity while maximizing individual strengths. From the bleachers, it’s an enthralling product, but the players enjoyment – both on-court and on the bench - is equally interesting. For Adam Presutti, a point guard heading into his fourth year of eligibility, it has not always been this great. Mac is coming off a CIS Final 8 run and returning the majority of the roster. Presutti is not taking things for granted. The 2011-12 campaign saw the rookie year for five new Marauders – Nathan McCarthy, Aaron Redpath, Joe Rocca, Brett Sanders and Adam Presutti. Dubbed the “Fab Five” by the

Marauders athletic department, the group was expected to help revitalize a program that had become stagnant in the late 2000s. McMaster immediately turned around. They went 17-5, including an eight-game winning streak to close out the regular season, and beat the Windsor Lancers in what supporters say is one of the more important victories for the program of the past decade or so. As a rookie, Presutti led the team in minutes and assists per game en route to winning the CIS Rookie of the Year honours. “After that season, I was feeling amazing, confident, happy, excited … That year I felt I proved a lot of people wrong,” said Presutti. The rookie success was vindication for Presutti, or, in his owns words, a way of proving a lot of people wrong. Then, in the following summer, an injury would derail

“

play at, there needed to be changes made in the offseason after his sophomore year. Presutti says that it was the hardest working summer he’s ever had. “I was getting up, going from 8:00 a.m. to 8:45 a.m. at physio, hop in the pool sometimes, do my jumping exercises. Then I’d go in the back, I’d stretch out then I’d go to yoga. By the time I’m finished eating and showered up, it’s 1 o’clock,” explained Presutti. “As a varsity athlete, your body gets so tight and so sore that you have do foam rolls, you have to soft ball. Those things are tedious, they are time-consuming but you have to do it properly and you have to take care of yourself.” And it was time well-spent. McMaster started 2013-14 with a difficult schedule – facing Toronto, Ryerson, Carleton and Ottawa in the first and third weekends of the year. Mac had their point guard back though, and leaned on him heavily. Presutti logged 33 minutes in the win over Ryerson – the most in an OUA regular season game since December 1, 2012. Two weeks later, Mac got 39 minutes out of Presutti in a gruelling and narrow loss to Carleton. They split the four games, but showed that they were in the same tier as the hoops giants from the nation’s capital. That marked the start of what would be a return to form for Presutti. Glancing at the statistics doesn’t lend to what he meant to the team. He brought a steadiness to the team while on the court, limited turnovers and produced good shots. His return to form went largely unnoticed, because it did not include eye-popping box scores or national accolades. Presutti capped off the year with a brilliant performance on the OUA Final Four. After a blowout loss to Ottawa, Mac needed to beat Windsor to earn a spot into the CIS Final 8. While it sounds hyperbolic, it was the most important game McMaster had been in for years. The game went to overtime, where Presutti stepped up. He nailed two threes – one of them a well guarded shot from the wing – and cashed in two free throws to. Presutti scored eight of Mac’s 12 points, and the team moved on to the national tournament. Continued on page 12

Thursday, July 3, 2014

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Another round for Mac’s point guard Continued from page 11

The career arc of Presutti is interesting as is, to see someone reach such highs and lows in the small span of three years. There are very few entire teams that will experience peaks and valleys as severe as his. Presutti is happy now, saying that the gap between last season and next feels like far too long of a wait. But it is more than just being an impact player and contributing to a winning team. Gone are the days where he has to sit back and watch his teammates put in the effort while he nurses injuries. “The toughest thing for me is having to watch your team grind through their strenuous days. These guys work full time, then go lift, then scrimmage for two hours or have an individual workout. The grind of all those things is what brings a team together and it sucks to not be a part of it sometimes,” said Presutti, reflecting on the years past. Changes have been made that cannot be seen from the stands. The maturation is easy to hear in conversation, and he is honest about the struggle. What’s made the biggest difference is getting the mental side of his game in order. “The most important thing I’ve learned about myself is not to say something you can’t back up. I’ve said a lot of

things about my goals in the past and didn’t do what it takes to achieve them. I’ve gotten a lot better at controlling my mind, thinking positively and I’m hoping that will help contribute to our team’s success,” said Presutti. Connolly too has made adjustments in his coaching style after his experience. “With Adam, I’ve learned to be a little more accepting, have a little more faith in the intention of these guys. Adam’s learning curve has been nice to see. Now, there’s a noticeable difference in where his head is at,” said Connolly. “That said, he’s still going to frustrate me, I think that’s the nature of our relationship. But I care about Adam a lot and I think he really cares about the team. I really like him as a person, and I probably don’t show him that enough. I probably don’t show any of these guys that enough.” The end of Adam Presutti’s McMaster story isn’t written yet. Basketball past the CIS level is on his radar, and well within his capabilities. He’s grown up during his time as a Marauder, and is a phenomenal example of sport transcending the confines of the court and helping someone become a better person. Where he goes from here is up to him and Presutti is embracing that, and ready to put in the work.

Futbol is for all of us, not just the die-hards William Lou Online Editor

If you’re a casual soccer fan like myself, you may have encountered this person over the past three weeks: “If you only tune in for the World Cup, you’re not a real futbol fan.” Invariably, I hope your response was to ignore, and move on. There’s not much to do if someone thinks they hold dominion over fandom. It’s a silly thought. It’s true that casual fans, like myself, only tune into soccer for the World Cup. More to the point, we come out of the woodwork in droves donning expensive, hastily purchased jerseys. We pack pubs to the brim and parrot common rhetoric. The handful of players whose name we recognize - the Wayne Rooney’s and Landon Donovan’s of EA sports fame become gods in our eyes. I can see how that could be annoying to a hardcore fan. We dilute the conversation at the bar. No real fan turns to another and asks, “what’s an offside trap?” Throughout the year, soccer fandom is a cozy house gathering. The World Cup, by that analogy, is a free kegger - everyone is really drunk and no one knows anyone. The World Cup will always attract a global audience, and that includes us rubberneckers. If you’re a diehard, you’ll

just have to accept that. It’s the same with any other great sporting spectacle, be it hockey, basketball, football, baseball - if it draws a crowd, we’ll tune in. We’ll watch because professional sports is entertainment that doubles as social currency. The point of it is to be entertained. And hopefully, be enjoyed with company. If people are talking about it, we want to join the conversation. We might not be entirely interested in the chatter itself, but we’re very interested in chatting. It’s a way to connect and escape loneliness. That’s the real value of pro sports it’s a distraction. It’s a campfire at which people of similar interests can convene. A like-colored shirt can band otherwise strangers as brothers, if only for a game. It has the power to bridge the sometimes tenuous gap between father and son. Why do you think it’s branded as a religion? To that point, the World Cup is the Mecca of sports. There’s nothing else like it. Fans in the streets. Pints are consumed. Flags of every color hang proudly from the hoods of cars. An abrasive whirr of vuvuzelas and car horns permanently underscores the sound of a city.. Don’t let anyone take that away from you. Enjoy the finals and cheer to your heart’s content, even if you barely know what’s going on.

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Makthaverskan making waves Tough to pronounce, easy to listen to. Read how these Swedes wooed ANDY with a record that shirked conventional saccharine Swedish music trends in favour of raw, unfiltered emotion.

PAGE 14

Thursday, July 3, 2014

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REVIEW: Makthaverskan’s II Tomi Milos ANDY Editor

The Gothenburg punk outfit is gaining welldeserved traction on this side of the Atlantic after winning over European critics with their excellent second album, II.

Makthaverskan are a punk band hailing from Gothenburg, Sweden. The quintet is composed of Maja Milner, Irma Krook, Andreas Wettmark, Hugo Randulv, and Gustav Andersson. Originally formed in 2009 to combat the daintily cute direction that artists like Lykke Li, Robyn, and Peter Bjorn & John were taking the Swedish music scene, Makthaverskan have impressed critics with two full-length LP’s that carry on the legacy of their heroes and now defunct Broder Daniel. It is their latest effort II that first caught my attention. Released in March of last year, I only caught wind of II when Pitchfork’s Ian Cohen reviewed it this May. I forgot all about the album after downloading it until I saw Kip Berman, lead singer of The Pains of Being Pure At Heart, proudly flaunting his copy on Instagram. The co-sign from a member of one of my favourite bands was all I needed to dive

headfirst into the absolute bliss that is Makthaverskan’s sophomore effort. Opening song ‘Antabus’ sets the bar for the rest of the record high. The track is named after a drug given to alcoholics to discourage them from relapsing through the threat of painful symptoms. The anxious peal of the the violent guitars and drowned out drums competing to be heard, along with Milner’s confession —“I am walking in my room, trying to find out what to do, but I just can’t find a way” — leads us to believe that Milner too is suffering another kind of relapse, heartbreak. Considering her helplessness at the hands of her volatile emotions, Milner’s emphatic refrain of “Fuck you!” becomes all the more liberating. If you were relishing a moment’s reprieve for your racing heart, album standout and personal favourite ‘Asleep’ will sorely disappoint you. Milner’s lyrics seem to have come from a place of crushing dismay we all know, the abyss of unrequited love. The Swedish lead singer’s

grasp on English may seem paltry to some, but her limited vocabulary affords her writing a beautiful sense of brevity here. Milner opts to soften her powerful voice in the buildup as she mournfully reflects that “you’re asleep, you’re dreaming of someone and it’s not me” which makes the ensuing belting of the chorus all the more piercing. The repetition of “it’s not me you’re dreaming of ” may at first seem depressing, but the acknowledgement breeds a pervading feeling of catharsis which is propelled skyward by the ever-buoyant jangly guitars. ‘Asleep’ is fun to belt out on angst-ridden occasions. In my experience, this came as I ran home from a bar in which I had asked for the pretty bartender’s number after Croatia’s 4-0 drubbing of Cameroon and several pitchers of beer had lent me confidence I normally only found through listening to rap music. The rest of II is a rollercoaster ride for your emotions well worth the price of admission.

John Oliver stakes his claim to late night Jon Stewart’s former protegee is poised for wild success

o us radi o camp t e d i u Your g 3.3 FM CFMU 9

Michael Gallagher Assistant ANDY Editor

Plenty is happening in the world of political news satire, as Stephen Colbert recently announced he will be ending his show The Colbert Report in late December in order to succeed David Letterman as the host of The Late Show. Among the competitors vying to take over as satire royalty, it seems former Daily Show correspondent John Oliver is well on his way with his new show Last Week Tonight. So is his show any good? The short answer is yes. Much like Oliver’s work with The Daily Show with Jon Stewart, Last Week Tonight has all the same kind of gags that made it successful, all while pairing brilliantly with Oliver’s smart, intelligent hosting, that guarantees a laugh every time you tune in. Part of this success is due to the fact that by making the show a weekly segment, it Coming up in July: > Because Beer coverage, history of microbreweries, what they could mean to Hamilton etc. Thursday July 10th @ 9:00 a.m. > All month, coverage of the Hamilton Fringe Festival and The Brott Music Festival

allows Oliver and his team to pick through what they deem the most important news events in the week, which means the chance of a slow news day, is significantly less likely. While this may be frustrating to fans wanting more, it helps reduce some of the weaknesses other satire programs have, in that each episode feels more balanced in its relevancy, leaving behind unwanted fluff. Still, for all the laughs Last Week Tonight offers, one can’t help but wonder if we really need another satire show while the The Daily Show, Colbert Report and online publications like The Onion continue so successfully. In fact, another Daily Show alumnus Larry Wilmore is soon to host his own show called The Minority Report with Larry Wilmore leaving the competition all the more crowded. So do we need another fake news satire show? Again, in the case of Last Week Tonight my answer is yes. Like The Daily Show and Colbert Report, Oliver

Search "93.3 CFMU" on Soundcloud to catch up if you missed something: > MSU VP Finance Scott Mallon singing, live on-air after an ill-fated Stanley Cup bet > Interviews of subjects ranging from e-cigarettes, to playgrounds, to politics

has created something that has done more than make people laugh; it is helping change modern political discourse. Despite their roots in humour, latenight comedy programming has a become an integral part of our political process as highlighted by the fact that Arnold Schwarzenegger chose it as a platform to announce his recent run for office. While Oliver has yet to have a major politician as a guest, his coverage on high profile issues like the World Cup and net neutrality have already produced viral levels of attention and have received responses from some of the people they’ve targeted including Tom Wheeler, Chairman of the Federal Communications Commission. So while it’s just the beginning and his style still heavily reflects its roots, it seems Last Week Tonight with John Oliver is well on its way to becoming one of your favourite sources for helping you stay laughing, while staying informed. Quote of the Month: "I'm running for Guelph, to be Ontario's first Green MPP.. I'm very excited about our chances." (Came in 3rd place in his race with 19 % of the vote)

Thursday, July 3, 2014

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Local Spotlight

ttwwrrss reaching lofty heights The burgeoning local producer talks about not letting his humble suburban roots infiltrate his sound.

Who or what is ttwwrrss? Genre: Electronic (think dark synth-pop, cloud rap, and trap)

Similar artists: Evian Christ, Clams Casino, Diplo, Ryan Hemsworth Album standouts: 4. Jungle 5. Sabre

Tomi Milos ANDY Editor

Sean Thompson is a Hamilton native who has made a name for himself as a producer-DJ extraordinaire with the moniker “ttwwrrss” (pronounced “towers”). ttwwrrss’ self-titled debut album was released by Hamilton’s own Maisonneuve Music this past April. The eight-song record is a compelling listen that combines pristine synths with the natural grittiness of hip-hop and more unorthodox electronic elements. In a world where everyone has Fruity Loops on their computer and feels entitled to add “producer” to their Twitter bio, ttwwrrss’ masterful use of sampling is a welcome breath of fresh air. Standout tracks ‘Jungle’ and ‘Sabre’ are fire, whether you let them knock in your car’s speakers or hear them through a club’s more finely tuned sound system. (Full disclosure: Sean and I attended the same shitty high school.) How old are you now and what did you study after high school? I’m 20 years old now, and

while at Sheridan I was in their Media Arts program. It’s a great school and I highly recommend it. What prompted you to adopt the name “ttwwrrss”?

music with machines and computers, but I didn’t want to be pidgeonholed into EDM or anything like that, so I always tried to be like NIN. I never really felt like I had to make a certain type of music based on where I grew up, but looking back I realized everyone else I knew who got into music either “produced” questionable electro-house or trap beats, both essential bro car music genres, so I guess there was a pressure and it just didn’t get to me, thank god.

made me want to make music. DJ Shadow & Daft Punk made me realize how intricate sampling can be. Those are the artists that I would consider myself inspired by, rather than simply a fan.

To be totally honest I can’t remember how I came to towHow valuable has the experiers... but I do know that once ence you gained during your I had it set in my mind that I internship been to you? wanted to be towers, the next task was to get all the necesI am so thankful for my sary social media accounts. internships at Catherine North Obviously “towers” was taken, Studios & Cable 14 Television “twrs” was open but I didn’t Studio. Although I learned a like it because that was right Did any artists influence you lot of technical skills that I use around the time Trust’s album from the get-go? I know you everyday from the internships, “TRST” came out and I felt were a big fan of Justice. I really value the personable like I was stealing. Eventually skills I learned during these I decided to double the letters Justice was huge for me; times. I used to be very shy and here we are. Nine Inch Nails is what really but I quickly realized that trait needed to go if I You grew up in wanted to be suca sleepy suburb cessful. and went to a high school that was Could you walk monocultural in the me through your I wanted to make music with worst way. Bearing normal production machines and computers, that in mind, what process when makbut I didn’t want to be compelled you to ing a new track? begin making music pidgeonholed into EDM that doesn’t sound I used to always or anything like that, so I like anything that start with a sample always tried to be like NIN. you’d hear Stoney and I would craft a Creek bros playing whole idea then start ttwwrrs out of their Honda to build the track Hamilton music producer Civics? around it. I found myself starting with I wanted to make a bass or a lead synth

“

for a lot of my new album. With the new music I’m working on now, almost every song started with a drum kit / beat. What are your thoughts on the current music scene in Hamilton? I love the Hamilton scene; it’s super cool seeing it grow with me. I have started to notice more and more people coming to shows and supporting local acts. I am very excited to see where this all goes. Any acts you want to see at Supercrawl this year? If I’m not a last minute addition opening for Four-Tet, I’ll most likely be in the front row. If you could collaborate with any Canadian artists right now, who would you choose? Grimes! I love her stuff. It might be impossible but I also think a ttwwrrss x MSTRKRFT collab would be rad.

Listen to ttwwrrss this July 11th, next art crawl, live from the roof of Dr. Disc from 8-9 p.m.

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THURSDAY

THE

HAMILTON SPECULATOR BOWING TO THE FIFA FIEFDOM SINCE 1934

NOTSPEC.COM

JULY 1, 2014

Happy Dominion Day Today, the United Colonies of British North America celebrate the 147th anniversary of the joining of these four great lands into one greater confederate.

Local curmudgeon bludgeons Hudgens TIBERIUS SLICK Spry Rye Guy

A Hamilton man has been accused of several counts of vandalism, as he has been sighted around the city, hitting posters and billboards of pop sensation Vanessa Hudgens with an aluminum baseball bat. “I can’t believe people would accuse me, a paragon of Hamilton society, of such an aimless and silly crime,” said Dujinn, local citizen and volunteer crime fighter. “I mean, I can see why someone would do that, as she’s overrated and our town is too good for these so-called ‘Disney stars’ but I insist that it wasn’t me who went around Copps smashing her ridiculous posters six or seven times each.” Dujinn will appear in court later this month to defend his innocence, and insists he had no intention to “mess with Vanessa.”

INSIDE

The UCBNA flag serves as a constant reminder of the struggles we overcame to put aside our differences and join hands in hating the west.

DUKE JONES Confederate Scribe

It is difficult to remember the old days. The days when we were a land divided, scrambling to claim territory for empires of European ghosts. That was then, this is now. In 1867 we decided to band together, form a single greater power that is not predisposed with serving foreign allegiances, other than the one true one, of course. And that was it, that was all we did. Four was enough, we thought, so we stopped confederating, because four is a nice, round number of provinces

and no citizen of sound mind can be bothered to remember far-off places with vastly different lifestyles. Some other colonies stepped forward, wanting to join our union, but we didn’t think it wise at the time, as we didn’t know where they’ve been, or who they were associating with when we weren’t looking. And thank goodness for that. Had to extended our invitation to the western tribes, we would now be bogged down with any number of historical disasters that befell our scattered neighbours, such as riots, floods, shootings and even black-

flies. It just wouldn’t be worth it. So we pressed on, and look at us now! We have the 47th highest GDP in the western hemisphere, our schools rank in the 40th percentile of longest morning announcements, and we haven’t been involved in any foreign conflicts since that whole France thing. Life is good. So this Dominion Day, don’t drink to what could have been, drink to the dark futures that we may have avoided. Who really wants to break bread with the west coast heathens anyways?

"Four was enough, we thought, so we stopped confederating, because four is a nice round number."

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