The CanCon Catalogue

To read about the 110 Best Things About Canadian Music, click here.

Although I will be the final arbiter of who is on these lists and how they're ranked, I promise to be completely open to any and all suggestions. If I deviate drastically from popular opinion, I will let it be known, and I will present my reasons why. Heck, I'll even post the results of the popular vote alongside my own "official" list. The reason I'm acting as a gatekeeper, as such, is that I don't want this to be a matter of whoever has the most fans gets the top spot-- that's how the Junos work, and we all know what a fiasco that is. So while the popular vote will definitely be a factor, it won't be the only one. A well-presented, well-reasoned argument by one person could well have just as much impact as fifteen votes with just a name-- plus, if I really like something you write and you're willing to let me publish it, I will.

Like I say, I'm completely open in this process. I'm interested in starting a discussion and a debate, and am willing to let the criteria work itself out. I think 110 is a good number, but maybe we'll wind up with fifteen reasons and only fifty artists, or maybe we'll get so many nominations it should be expanded to 200-- who knows? It really depends on what happens over the next few months.

Because there's some explaining to do...

the site

Is a collection of interesting things I come across. In order to provide some focus, I try to limit myself to Canadian culture-- music, magazine articles, blogposts, art, etc. This gives me a theme to work with, and hopefully it provides some more exposure to work and ideas that don't necessarily permeate into the general blogosphere but are just as worthy. Plus, I'm interested in the "invisible lines" people draw around their identities in order to distinguish one group from another, and having a bunch of it on display in a single site seems like a good idea.

the podcasts

Are there any up yet? We'll see if I stick to the plan, but right now the idea is to create a series of podcasts called the "CanCon Catalogue." In each episode, I'll highlight a body of work by an artist or band- sort of a career overview that can act as a quick introduction to groups who I think deserve attention. But it won't just be for newbies-- in addition to the "need to know" stuff, when it's worthwhile I'm going to take a look at side projects, internet exclusives, non-album singles, that sort of thing. It'll be sort of like those old MuchMusic Spotlights, only, you know, better.

the man

I'm from Prince George, BC. I'm a recent graduate of UNBC and have held a variety of jobs in a variety of places. I'm interested in music, politics, culture, and the discussion thereof, and would be happy to find a related career. You can contact me for any reason by clicking here.