First and foremost, let me introduce myself by admitting that for every experience I’ve had in my life, there’s been a Sheryl Crow song that sums up said experience quite nicely. Long story short, “All I Wanna Do” is have some fun. Every summer I strip off my shirt, slap on a pair of shorts and bike on over to Third Beach so I can go “Soak Up the Sun.” On a more serious note, though, considering the ups and downs of this crazy, unpredictable life of mine, I’ve come to realize that “Everyday is a Winding Road.” For instance, I can’t say I ever imagined myself penning an editor’s note, let alone one so focused on my love for a certain rock ‘n’ roll cougar.
Playing into this mind-boggling, Top 40-geared analogy I’ve set myself up with, I can’t help but wonder how good old Sheryl would help me define this new chapter of my life. I’d like to think that she’d strut into the Discorder office with her Telecaster slung low and her chestnut locks a-flowin’—we keep the windows open all year long, apparently—singing “A Change Would Do You Good.” Maybe it’d be in reference to me, maybe about our new Under Review editor Sarah Charouf (Hi, Sarah!), or maybe she’d just be talking about Discorder in general.
So here we are with the first new issue of the year and what’s changed? Admittedly, beyond our personnel, not a whole heck of a lot. I can’t say that’s a bad thing, though.
This is, of course, still a music magazine, and one that’s focused on covering some of the best bands Vancouver has to offer. This issue alone has at least four local acts you need to check out. Cover star Teen Daze, for instance, is an enigmatic electronic artist from Abbotsford that has already started to make a splash worldwide through his undeniably catchy string of chillwave records.
This month we’ve also profiled all three winners of last year’s Shindig competition: the Oh Wells, Wizerdz and Crystal Swells. With each up-and-coming act earning studio time, not to mention a little bit of dough, we’re hoping to rock their new tunes in the office sometime soon. Considering the local buzz these guys are getting, chances are you’ll be cranking these records too.
It’s hard to say what the future of Discorder will entail. While I can’t imagine the formula will be changing too drastically, we’ll definitely be tweaking things here and there to make this era our own. And, of course, there will be fresh, exciting new bands to read about every month. Much fresher than, say, Sheryl Crow.
On a personal note, you can expect a lot of truly groan-worthy, Dad-style humour in forthcoming editor’s notes. I hope you’re all “Strong Enough” to stomach the puns.
Discorderly yours,
Gregory Adams
