Ryan Bolton's Notes
In Defence of Dads
Here’s a sneak peek at an article that’s coming out in the new issue of Chill magazine. On stands at a Beer Store near you on May 15th. by RYAN BOLTON When my Dad laughs, you laugh. Every. Damn. Time. As soon as his head goes back, his eyes close in bliss, and his whole body shakes. Pure schoolboy chuckling. And as soon as…
Ryan Gosling and the Hollywood Beards
by RYAN BOLTON, originally published in Chill Magazine Gentleman, facial hair is here to stay. Why? Well, in part, because celebrities made them cool again. (Read: George Clooney and his salt-and-pepper moneymaker and even Brad Pitt and that odd billy goat thing he was rocking). And, let’s admit it, we can be a little lazy at times, shaving every day sucks and it’s cold…
My Favourite Concerts of 2012
It’s been another great year for live shows. Especially in Toronto. Outside of Toronto, Osheaga this year was easily the best festival I’ve ever been to. Black Keys, Bloc Party, Sigur Ros, Florence and the Machine, Santigold, MGMT, Passion Pit, and, of course, Snoop Lion. It was beautiful. Anyway, back in Toronto, here are my top 5 shows that I saw with blogTO. FLAMING…
Hank & I
I haven’t been able to write a lot lately because I’ve put myself into a sort of self-perpetuated writer’s block. I feel that I would be writer’s blocked if I’d attempt to write, so I don’t attempt. Odd and foolish? Agreed. So, I’ve decided to write about Hank, my dog. He’s cute. I can’t write. Why not? Hank is a year and a half. He’s…
In The Review Mirror: Diamond Rings’ ‘Free Dimensional’
After only two albums, Diamond Rings (John O’Regan) has carved out a distinctive sound: melodic, catchy as all hell, emotive throwback ’80s electro-pop. And O’Regan owns it with his follow-up to 2010′s breakthrough, Special Affections. Having recently dropped Free Dimensional, his latest effort away from the homestead with the still-active D’Urbervilles, the gauzy synths, earworm guitar riffs, and that unmistakable angular baritone and oft-used handclaps are back. Releasing almost…
Speaking at TEDx: Giving a shit
About a month ago, I was invited to speak at Mississauga’s TEDx conference. That was humbling for obvious reasons. Hell, to have my name on the TEDx website in the first place was sobering enough. The theme of the conference, amusingly, was Rebel. I could dig that. So I took advantage of the opportunity and chatted in front of some 500 youth about, er,…
Excuse me, I give a shit
Now, let’s not get upset by my unwieldy title. But I got your attention, didn’t I? Let me lay it out. I’m constantly struck by our—as in, Western society’s—bullshit apathy. I say bullshit, because it’s acceptable to not give a shit. There’s no weight put behind an iota of caring. Read the news? Fuck that. Care about what’s happening to the environment as oil is spilling…
