Exclusive interview with Emm Gryner

Gryner “ready to rumble” with Jewel

Aaron Hall
Interrobang
email: ahall@fanshawec.ca

Published: Monday, December 04, 2006

If ‘The Bono’ is giving you praise, you must be doing something right.

Emm Gryner, a singer-songwriter from Forest Ontario and 1995 Music Industry Arts (MIA) Fanshawe graduate, came back to her alma mater on Friday, November 24 to speak with current MIA students.

Gryner recently received praise from Paul Hewson, better known as Bono, the front man for world-renowned rock group U2, when he was quoted in Q Magazine as saying Gryner’s song ‘Almighty Love’ was one of the few he wished he had written in the last 20 years.

Gryner said that she was surprised by Bono’s compliment.

“I was really surprised to hear about it,” Gryner said before her lecture with the MIA students. “As an independent artist you don’t really know where your music is going and who it is reaching all the time, so it’s a good indicator that you can make independent music and it can reach far distances even if you don’t have a lot of money behind you or marketing,” she added.

“I just hope he records it, so I can buy a house. So, get back to me Bono.”

Gryner has toured with many other reputable artists, including fellow Canadian artist Sarah McLachlan and British musician David Bowie.

Gryner participated in the Lilith Fair tour in 1997, which was organized by McLachlan, and also she also toured extensively with Bowie from 2000 to 2001 as a backup singer.

“I learned a little something from every experience like that,” Gryner said. “Sarah McLachlan, that was an amazing festival that she put together and it was interesting to see it grow every year.

Gryner said she recalls an incident at Lilith Fair where American musician Jewel did not give her any respect.

“Jewel snubbed me at Lilith Fair,” Gryner said. “So Jewel, if you are reading this, lets take it outside. I’m ready to rumble outside D-block.”

Gryner spoke to the current MIA students about her experiences in her music career including starting her own record label, Dead Daisy Records. Gryner also offered advice to the students.

“I feel it has been an interesting ten years since I’ve been here,” Gryner said. “Everyone has their own path and how they want to approach it, I think a lot of these kids know already what they want to do. I think the best advice is just experience and getting out there and doing it.”

Gryner said her experience in the MIA program was essential in the early years of her career.

“I think the biggest thing that it gave me was the community of friends and people to work with when I got out of College,” Gryner said.

“I’m not sure if I would have known exactly where to start if I would have just moved to Toronto immediately and started doing music. It gave me a glimpse of the Canadian music industry, complete with personalities and problems, ” she added. “Lots of Tim Horton’s coffee in the middle of the night.”

Having recorded several albums, and having made a living off of music, Gryner said she is content with where she is in her career.

“I kind of take things as they come and as long as I can do this and not have to go get a real job, than I’m happy, so off to the races,” Gryner said.
Gryner plays bass in political-rock band called Hot One and will be touring with them on the West coast of Canada in the near future. She also said she will be getting back into her own material in the New Year and will begin working on a new album.

Sports in Seconds: All I want for Christmas...

Aaron Hall
Interrobang
email: ahall@fanshawec.ca

Published: Monday, December 04, 2006

The holiday season is a time to spend quality time with your friends and loved ones, make last minute trips to the shopping centre for Christmas gifts, and indulge in turkey feasts and holiday cocktails.

It is also a time to hear my holiday wish list for professional sports.

I wish my former high school football teammate Shaun Suisham can rise-up the depth charts as the starting kicker with the Washington Redskins, who recently signed him to their practice roster.

I wish that I can finally stop finding excuses for the Indianapolis Colts, and watch them march towards a Super Bowl victory.

I wish the Detroit Tigers could land another big name this MLB off-season, after already revamping their lineup with the addition of Gary Sheffield.

I wish, as I did last year, that the New York Yankees do not add any significant players this MLB off-season.

I wish that if the New York Yankees do add anyone this off-season, that they follow their current trend and grotesquely over pay for mediocre talent.

I wish players like Mike Vick, of the Atlanta Falcons, can start acting like responsible adults and stop flipping off the fans, who ultimately provide him with his pay cheque.

I wish superstar players in the National Basketball Association could start providing me with some type of reason to begin watching NBA games once again, something I can honestly say I haven’t done consistently for a few years.

I wish the young talent on the Pittsburgh Penguins continue to display their brilliance on the ice and prove to me why I jumped ship, left the Toronto Maple Leafs behind, and became a Pen’s fan.

The biggest thing that I will be wishing for this holiday season involves three former MLB players who have recently become eligible to be inducted into MLB’s Hall of Fame this upcoming January when voting takes place.

I wish that baseball writers across North America ignore the easy headline-catching steroid angle of Mark McGwire and take some time to focus on Cal Ripken Jr. and Tony Gwynn.

Ripken and Gwynn were not only completely stand-up guys and well-liked individuals when they played the game, they both put up ‘Hall-worthy’ numbers and accomplished incredible things on the baseball field.

Ripken’s streak of 2632 consecutive games played is not only one of the greatest feats in MLB history, it rivals any record in all of professional sports in terms of displaying endurance, longevity, and strength.

Gwynn retired in 2001 with a total of 3,141 hits and a lifetime batting average of .338, giving him the highest career batting average among players whose careers began after World War II.

So once again, I wish writers don’t pump the headlines with McGwire-steroid-gibberish, and instead focus on the genuine accomplishments of two genuine individuals, in Ripken and Gwynn.

Sports in Seconds: Sporting the connection between the college and athletics

Aaron Hall
Interrobang
email: ahall@fanshawec.ca

Published: Monday, November 27, 2006

Straying away from my usual professional-sports-based weekly column, I decided to provide a local spin.

Having sat down recently with Mike Lindsay, manager of athletics for Fanshawe College, I discussed the co-relation the athletic program has with the overall objectives, and mission of the entire College.

As I viewed the colleges mission statement, it could be summarized as; the College is committed to success, in the personal, economic, and social sense of students through quality education and continuous learning. They try to enrich the lives of individuals by being innovative and responsive, and while continuously promoting opportunity.

When asked how athletics coincides with this statement, Lindsay said that athletics advocates the mission and displays it on a daily basis.

“That is why we put it (Fanshawe’s mission statement) on all of our business cards,” Lindsay said. “We get our mission statement in front of everyone we come in contact with. We proudly display the statement on our walls, and that helps show our commitment to it.”

In terms of enriching the lives of the students, Lindsay said that they do this in three ways, their campus recreation and intramural program, inter-collegiate athletic programs, and student jobs.

Having taken part in intramurals throughout my entire post-secondary career, I definitely agree with Lindsay, who said the campus recreation program is meant to promote sociability, fun, and an active lifestyle.

Let me tell you, it was definitely fun last week when the intramural football team, that many of my co-workers and myself were a part of, won the championship trophy, and more importantly the much prized championship t-shirt.

Regarding student jobs, preparation for the workforce through training and supervision is a primary reason for the student leadership in training program through athletics, according to Lindsay.

“We try to match up the jobs here in athletics with the areas of interest, and programs that they are in at the school,” Lindsay said.

Inter-collegiate athletics is something I wish I had experienced in my university and college career, as I feel the positive attributes gained by participating athletes would be very valuable towards an individuals career, regardless of the field.

Lindsay agreed when he said the skills earned through participation in an elite-level of sport is something employers value.

He added that teamwork, commitment, dedication, fitness, social skills, professional etiquette, increased self-esteem, and the ability to take direction having been coached for years, are essential aspects that athletes can take away from their athletic experience.

“It all adds to their career and their resume. It makes them more of a prime candidate for employers,” Lindsay said.

The College’s Board of Governors have three policies that have particular importance towards students and applicants; The Commitment to Quality Policy, The Student Success Policy, and The Interaction with Students Policy.

Lindsay said that athletics primary focus is producing a quality product and lists having state-of-the-art facilities, having good equipment, and even the best available uniforms all coincides with the Quality Policy.

“Everything here is first class,” Lindsay said. “For example we put a lot of money in our coaching staff, and I feel we have one of the best staffs in Canada.”

In terms of promoting success, Lindsay said athletics provides academic advisors for each individual inter-collegiate team.

“We pride ourselves in the support we give to our athletes,” Lindsay said. “It is always one of our goals to increase graduation rates for our programs, and the programs college-wide.”

Lindsay also mentioned that athletics meets the standards of the Interaction Policy by providing equity with funding for both the men and women’s programs, as well as support to individuals with disabilities.

Being an advocate for athletics, and a firm believer that sport, and competition is a vital aspect of living a high quality healthy life, I could have easily wrote my entire column on what my thoughts were only on this issue. However, I felt that it was important to get the views of Lindsay, the person in charge of athletics, to truly exemplify how this athletic department truly coincides with the objectives of Fanshawe, ultimately proving how positive an athletic department can be to the overall well-being and image of the institution.

Published on the Canadian University Press newswire

Living With Death

Aaron Hall
Interrobang
email: ahall@fanshawec.ca

Published: Monday, November 27, 2006

Continuous anticipation of death, and the regret of past promiscuity leaves Jay Tupholme with a constant agonizing struggle due to AIDS.

Tupholme, 39 of London, has been diagnosed with Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS) and suffers through the daily emotional and physical stress that accompanies a person living with the disease.

Living in Vancouver during his early twenties, Tupholme said he believes he contracted the virus while he was living a typical resort life, having fun and being promiscuous.

“I was young, dumb, and full of cum,” Tupholme said. “My lifestyle included partying, working, and traveling. During that time, I was probably in the same boat as a lot of people, thinking that it wouldn’t happen to me.”

Tupholme said the moment of realization, when he was first diagnosed with HIV, was very grounding and that it really leveled him. Living with AIDS is something that is constantly on his mind.

“It’s my first and last thought every day,” Tupholme said. “I don’t think as much, will I die from it? All the medical breakthroughs really help, but it is a rollercoaster ride.”

When Tupholme was originally diagnosed with HIV, doctors informed him that he probably only had five years to live.

“I went through five years of shit, and didn’t die,” said Tupholme. “I have to accept it, but I do have a lot of anger towards myself. It is really scary.”

Living with AIDS has completely changed himself as a person Tupholme said.

“I’m not the same Jay,” Tupholme said. “I’ve definitely been changed. I feel it right down to my soul.”

According to Tupholme, having a steady and significant relationship is nearly impossible, which has subsequently made him very lonely.

“I don’t have the same confidence or spontaneity that I used to, it’s not like I can do the regular thing and meet women at the grocery store,” Tupholme said. “I’ve experienced some pretty nasty things with people. Lots of girls, when I tell them, say ‘how dare you even talk to me.’ I’ve been called a God damn-fucking-faggot, and especially from chicks you basically just get a bitch slap.”

Medication and treatments for those living with AIDS costs approximately $1400 a month, according to Tupholme, who manages to meet the costs with social assistance pending disability.

“It isn’t even worth me having a job, I just cannot afford the treatments,” Tupholme said.

Tupholme said he is optimistic about all the medical breakthroughs regarding AIDS and the medication that is available in the present day is helping people with the disease.

“The retro-virus drugs are causing less complications and they are prolonging lives,” Tupholme said.

In terms of education and awareness of AIDS, Tupholme said more work could still be done.

“Canada is not doing enough,” Tupholme said. “High school and college students are the age group that are getting infected the most. People are just not clueing in.”

Tupholme said the biggest advice he could give to students at Fanshawe College is to not be ignorant to the facts and protect yourself no matter what.

“You need to protect yourself every time, until you’ve completely settled down, and have been tested, have been educated, and have been tested a second time,” Tupholme said.

“People have to be careful with booze, drugs, and partying. Don’t be stupid. A lot of people hear that there are many medical breakthroughs so they don’t protect themselves, but the fact remains that there is no cure.”

The Radio Broadcasting Program at the Fanshawe will host the Black, White, Red AIDS Awareness Benefit to wrap up their Canadian AIDS Week activities. The event will be held at The Music Hall in London on December 2, starting at 5 p.m.

“The Broadcasting team believes that AIDS is an issue that is affecting youth today and we want to do everything in our power to raise awareness and encourage prevention,” organizer of the event Erica Carr said.