The cold weather isn’t going away anytime soon, so get cozy, stay home and binge watch new shows from HBO!
If you’re curious about corporate America like me, you’ll love Succession. It’s about a wealthy family in New York that owns a media empire. The show illustrates how they navigate work, power, money and relationships.
Sharp Objects is a limited series about a journalist who investigates a murder in a small town. How could you say no to a show starring Amy Adams?
When iTunes featured Hello, My Name Is Doris as their movie of the week, I immediately removed it from my wish list and rented it. Now that the Gilmore Girls revival is behind us, I had a chance to sit down and enjoy watching the movie this weekend.
Leading lady Sally Field is believable as a kooky data entry clerk in an advertising agency. I’m all about watching movies and TV shows that portray the media industry! As soon as she meets John (Max Greenfield), the new art director, she falls in love with him despite their age difference. I can’t blame her. I mean, have you seen him?
My friends who’ve been nudging me to develop a greater appreciation for house music might be surprised to know how much I enjoyed Royksopp’s opening set. The abrupt ending to their act made me realize I should re-think my attitude towards the genre. Apparently electronic artists deserve a second chance in my music library after all.
Taking the TTC to Bay and Bloor is a lot cheaper than flying to Manhattan, so I’m glad Jennifer Weiner came to Toronto to dish about journalism, relationships and reality TV.
When I went to New York last spring, I carefully planned the trip around Lauren Graham and Jennifer Weiner’s book signings. Many tourists go to the New York Public Library branch where they filmed Sex and the City, but Jennifer’s panel with Sarah Pekkanen and Elizabeth LaBan was at the Yorkville branch, so I ventured north of FAO Schwarz and sat front row centre.
Once the panel ended, I approached Jennifer’s publicist to request a Toronto stop on her next book tour. Thankfully Indigo and Simon & Schuster made it happen!
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.