Canadian artists share their favourite high school memory, plus we get an exclusive then & now look at them
In this segment of Firsts, Favourites & Facts, we are trying something new and fun! I asked five Canadian artists and one band about their favourite high school memory, but also to provide a photo from back then and a photo from now!
Josh Alexander
So back in my high school days, I was working in a toy store and made some money. When I was a teenager, I used to love to use that money to make sure I always ate top-quality food for lunch. By quality food, I mean the best fried chicken that was available within walking distance from the grocery store’s ready-to-eat counter. That chicken was a classic if you attended my high school! One day, my best friend and I decided to go all out, and we bought fried chicken, french baguette, Franks Red Hot Sauce, and sliced cheddar. We made ourselves fried buffalo chicken sandwiches, and they were sooooo good! Life had no obstacles back then. Ah, to be young and worry-free. We wanted a fried chicken sandwich, so we made it happen and all before the third period.
Check out Josh’s newest single, “Hurricane,” here.
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Kaeley Jade
This might be cheesy, but honestly, watching one of my best friends win an award for his performance in a play that I had co-written and co-directed was one of my biggest high school highlights!
As a multidisciplinary artist, the creative process that led up to that festival was incredibly formative in my creative journey, as I was involved heavily in performing, direction, and design and had had my hands on several productions at that festival. While we had won awards in other categories, hearing his name being called “Best Actor” absolutely sent me over the edge, and I just remember literally weeping with pride and joy. That particular play had been a grueling process, with a lot of setbacks and twists and turns, so it just made the blood, sweat, and tears that we had poured into that production all the sweeter!
Listen to Kaeley’s album, Turpentine, here!
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Lucy Morgan
Like many, high school for me was a time of extreme awkwardness and confusion. That being said, I moved schools in grade 12 to attend a musical theatre program they offered at H.B. Beal Secondary. I would say getting into that program was my favourite memory from those days. I ended up doing grade 13 because the program and the people there felt like home. It was a safe space to be myself and begin to let go of my teenage insecurities. Plus, it was just plain fun! I was able to do other classes that didn’t exist at my old school, like recording and film. I actually wrote and recorded my first song at Beal! Without those final two years there, I don’t know if I would have had the confidence to pursue performing. I am thankful for the space I was given to grow, and I will always look back on that time fondly.
Listen to Lucy’s EP, Firelight, here!
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The Vidos
The Vidos played Springsteen’s version of “Santa Claus is Comin’ to Town” at our school’s Christmas concert one year. None of the acts at the show had really coordinated with one another, so by the time we got up there, this was the third rendition of “Santa” that the poor audience had to endure. After an ill-advised (albeit well-timed) Xmas-themed wisecrack (“I know what you’re thinking with this song: ‘Jesus Christ, enough already!’”), we ripped into a scorching interpretation of the holiday classic, complete with a smashed bass on the gym floor and overturned drum set. Needless to say, the audience was not impressed. We felt like three kings, though.
Check out The Vidos newest single, “Boomshackalacka,” here!
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MOONBEAN
My favourite memory from high school was when I played in the senior band in grade 11. We traveled to NYC to record an album at a beautiful wooden interior music studio, play some shows for the Girls and Boys Club, and also at the BB King Blues Club & Grill. It was my first time traveling that far from home, and I loved it! We got to walk all around SOHO, attend a comedy show at the Apollo, and see Feist and Timber Timber play at Radio City Music Hall. It was definitely a very inspiring trip overall.
Listen to MOONBEAN’s new EP, MOONTUNES, here!
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Clark Graham
My favourite memory from high school? That’s an easy one. The band I had started in my friend’s parent’s garage had been signed up to play the school’s variety night. By that point, I think people knew I played guitar or was into music, but that was the extent of my identity. When we took the stage that evening, we made ourselves known and blasted through a set of guitar-driven, aggressive-sounding alternative rock that showcased some of my first original songs. The next day everyone (including the teachers) were coming up to us and saying we were the best part of the evening. From that point on, everyone knew who the top band in school was, and looking back, it was the beginning of a lifelong obsession to chase that feeling. The feeling of musical freedom and artistic expression.
Check out Clark’s latest single, “The Girl With Mountains In Her Eyes,” here!
Connect with Clark Graham:
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