Erica Deutschman and I met when we were 14 years old at Centauri Summer Arts Camp. Since then, Erica Deutschman landed roles in movies and TV shows, including the lead in Hallmark’s A Cheerful Christmas. It wouldn’t feel like the holidays without Christmas movies! It was great to catch up and learn about Erica’s acting career.
After studying at different Canadian universities, Ryan Peters, Josh Gladstone and Daniel Draper are reuniting to perform old favourites at an acoustic show. To call Sunday night a reunion would be an understatement because some of their high school friends haven’t seen each other in over four years. The low-key concert (promoted through a Facebook event) will offer a chance for Familiar Strangers’ fans to reconnect over drinks at an uptown bar in Toronto.
In honour of #FlashbackFriday, here are some exclusive insights about Familiar Strangers’ music and the band’s aspirations. Consider this a commercial-free digital spin-off of E! True Hollywood Story and enjoy.
Ryan (piano and vocals) plans to become a teacher, so he’s studying education at U of T and Daniel (guitar) is travelling for eight months before moving to Calgary for a consulting job. Meanwhile, Josh (guitar, cello, recorder and oboe) is a Project Specialist in Bell’s rotational program for new graduates.
Ryan Peters (2011)
Daniel Draper (2011)
Daniel Draper & Josh Gladstone (2006)
Growing up, they enjoyed playing music at summer camp. “We wrote a couple Familiar Strangers songs by the campfire,” explains Josh. Likewise, Daniel’s counsellors influenced his taste in music and they introduced him to some of the tracks he plays on repeat today.
In high school, they liked listening to Billy Joel, Dave Matthews Band and John Mayer. Back in the day, Daniel sent Ryan music via MSN Messenger, but now that’s merely something they’re nostalgic about. Ryan mainly listens to Top 40 and show tunes, “as nerdy as that makes me.” Josh discovers new music through streaming apps like 8tracks, as well as satellite radio. If you subscribe to SiriusXM, Josh recommends listening to The Pulse and The Blend. He’s also a huge fan of Mumford and Sons. “Opening for Mumford and Sons in front of a big crowd at the Molson Amphitheatre is the dream.”
If their dreams come true, then Familiar Strangers’ music will be featured on primetime TV. Ryan believes their “music would take any HBO show to the next level.” If a Game of Thrones producer includes their music in an upcoming episode, “it would be the greatest thing ever,” adds Josh.
Photo: Terry Fallis
On Tuesday I had a chance to connect with some industry peers and see not just any Canadian marketer, but one who’s so influential that he’s verified on Twitter! Mitch Joel, bestselling author of Six Pixels of Separation and president of Twist Image, was the featured speaker at the Third Tuesday meetup and he was awesome.
Surprisingly, the highlight of my evening was not the opportunity to meet people from Twitter in real life. It wasn’t Mitch’s jokes either (and there were a few). The best part of the event was the feeling I had when left. For the first time, spending two hours in a bar inspired me to be that girl sitting in the TTC’s red seats typing away. That’s why I like going to book signings – you always leave feeling inspired and last night was no exception.
Mitch made an interesting comment: “Writer’s block doesn’t exist. It’s bullshit.” From there, he went on to talk about how he likes to embrace the chance to write wherever and whenever he can, even if that means sitting on the floor at a conference.
It’s one thing to shop at Fossil and follow them on on Facebook or Twitter.
It’s quite another to learn more about the accessories brand from an insider.
Name: Lori Petteplace
Position: PR & Marketing Manager
Employer: Fossil
Education: Psychology, McMaster University
In 140 characters or less, describe your role at Fossil:
Out-of-box promoting and event planning to increase brand awareness, sales & desire of the brand while crediting 1 of our wholesale partners
How does Fossil foster creativity at the office?
Fossil has their finger on the creative pulse for their employees. We have an open and engaged idea environment, where ‘answers are in the room’ round-table discussions are common. We sincerely and actively pursue placing people in roles that suit their personality, creativity, talents, desires and ambitions.
Fossil works with many brands, but its partnership with Michael Kors seems to be the most well known. Why do you think Michael Kors watches are so highly coveted in particular?
Michael Kors has taken aspirational ‘Jet Set’ lifestyle and presented it to the fashion-conscious individual at attainable price points. Further, he provides a head-to-toe look emphasizing not only his apparel but also his finishing accessories – the statement watch, stacked jewellery, a handbag and footwear.
Toronto’s Harbourfront Centre and theatre seem inseparable because TheatreKids was my first foray into arts camps, where I played one of ‘The Women in Blue’, among other roles. I loved doing activities on the waterfront and I daydreamed about larger events happening on their multiple outdoor stages.
Today marks the first day of the ninth biennial Ashkenaz Festival celebrating local talent while engaging Toronto’s Jewish community. The event ultimately caters to anyone open to learning about multiculturalism, especially artsy premiere-hungry folk anxiously counting down to TIFF.
If you’re heading out-of-town for Labour Day weekend, then stop by Indigo Manulife on Bloor to hear and see the North American premiere of OPA! on Thursday. Any event at Indigo is a fabulous way to spend your lunch break, especially one filled with lively music!
I suspect a major Festival highlight will be Sharon and Bram performing such hits as ‘Skinnamarink’. You can catch them at Harbourfront’s Redpath Stage on September 2 in front of a huge nostalgic crowd. And people wonder why I still love elephants…
Also, if hype surrounding snacks at The Ex is making you hungry, you may want to hear about food from award-winning author Michael Wex on September 3. The talk is free, so you can save your cash for a treat at Aroma afterwards.
Check out the Ashkenaz Festival’s full schedule to decide where and when you’ll be playing Jewish geography this weekend.