Staff Profiles

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Michael Thomas

Hello, I’m Michael, the founder of Grayowl Point.

I really fell in love with the Canadian independent music scene when I began listening to CBC Radio 3 in February of 2009. Suddenly I was immersed in a world of bands I would never have heard of and I loved it. I have far too many favourite acts to name at this point, but some all-time favourites would be Chad VanGaalen, Owen Pallett, Ghostkeeper and Christian Hansen.

Aside from music I am currently the editor and producer of the Fed Podcast, based on the column by Corey Mintz of the Toronto Star. I enjoy crossword puzzles, collecting awesome TV shows on DVD, reading trying to get lost in the city on a mountain bike.

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Laura Stanley
Hey everybody I’m Laura, a recent graduate from York University, Glendon College. When not quoting various movies and tv shows, or under a pile of books, I’m here writing about the mellower side of Canadian music. In the Fall, I’m planning on pursuing my Master’s degree in Canadian Studies at Trent University.

Long live physical media!
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Jeff

My name’s Jeff McAllister and I’m a lifestyle journalist, chemistry student and avid backpacker from Victoria, BC. As Grayowl Point’s west coast connection, I’m hyped to play ambassador to all the great bands coming out of BC.

Outside of Grayowl Point, I can be read regularly at www.wearemosaic.ca.

I also freelance regularly for a series of other independent Canadian publications.

Keep updated by following me on tumblr (www.jeffmcallister.tumblr.com)

or twitter (mcallisterjeff)

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Eleni Armenakis
After graduating from the University of Ottawa, I took off to the UK to get another degree in English Lit–staving off homesickness with the help of CBC Radio 3 and all the Canadian bands that filled up my iTunes. I hosted an all-new and mostly Canadian music show on CHUO in Ottawa, and I’m now studying radio at Humber College—doing time on air at our all-Canadian music station. I’ve edited an arts magazine and write arts and lifestyle pieces for blogs and papers.
You can find me on Twitter @EleniArmenakis.

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Michael Veenstra

My name is Michael Veenstra. I wouldn’t consider myself a folk music expert, but i did write a term paper on protest music once. I’m an English student at McMaster University in Hamilton, ON. I also live in Hamilton. I also play folk music in and around Hamilton and jam out on the guitar, bass, piano, brass, and sometimes  I love a lot of music. The Canadian highlights would be The Good Hunters, Andy Shauf, Sam Roberts, Arcade Fire, and Hey Rosetta!, but I’m not particularly xenophobic when it comes to music. I like to write music reviews because i like to write. You can check out my music on Soundcloud (http://soundcloud.com/michaelveenstra), and you can read my best work right here on Grayowl. See you on the internets!

Former/Status-Unknown writers

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Allyssia

Hey there.

My name’s Allyssia. What’s yours?

I’m currently working towards my Bachelor of Journalism at Ryerson University, so you can imagine how thrilled I am to be honing by writing skills on a site as fabulous as Grayowl Point. I also maintain a blog called Ironic Smirk (http://ironicsmirk.wordpress.com), which, aside from being my watered-down journal, gives me an outlet through which to share news and opinions on fashion, music, and cinema among other things.

As a rapacious collector of CDS and fan of good music in general, I’m open to all genres of music, from art rock to yé-yé. I do, however, have a tender spot for talented independent musicians, especially those from our home and native land. My favourite Canadian indie acts currently include Arcade Fire, Julie Doiron, The Carps, Feist, and Moderngirls Modernboys.

When I’m not at the computer blogging or scouring the Internet for new music, I enjoy singing, writing fiction, exploring, and working away at daily crossword puzzles.

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Backdrifter

For starters, no, I will not reveal my actual identity. I’m quite happy with the way it is, therefore it shall stay this way. It’s fun to have people guessing :D

Anyway, I am currently responsible for Grayowl’s Concert Alerts for Toronto and am probably the staff member who is the newest to the Canadian independent scene, although well on my way in gaining ‘indie cred’. My favourite local indie artists are Metric, Tokyo Police Club, Arcade Fire, Mother Mother and Winhara. Also, I’m not going to Ryerson for journalism either :p

When not immersed in academics, my hobbies include playing guitar (I play a Squier Telecaster Custom II. It is possibly my most prized possession.), singing, trying to write songs, listening for good sounds that I don’t know of on Radio 3 and ranting about the English Premier League.

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Erin D

Hi, my name is Erin and I’m an English major at UofT St. George. Because I go to school downtown, I’m literally surrounded by Toronto’s indie scene. There are more clubs, bars and venues that host indie shows almost nightly and are all within walking distance of campus than I can count on my fingers. Not to mention the fact that half of the people in my classes are in bands, so I’m constantly being asked to shows and stuff like that.

I first got into the indie scene because of my best friend. She’s a huge indie fan, and I mean HUGE. She used to be my only source of the latest buzz, but then I got really into the scene and have my OWN sources now. I just love being able to tell her something she doesn’t know.

When I’m not at school or working (which isn’t much of the time), I enjoy reading, going to shows (both music and comedy – I’m huge into Toronto’s comedy scene as well), going for walks, and playing Plants vs Zombies on my computer. My favourite Canadian indie bands are Hot Hot Heat, Spiral Beach, Woodhands, and Stop Drop (formerly known as Stop Drop N Skank).

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Daniel

Oh, hello.

Allow me to introduce myself, my name is Daniel.

I started out by writing a few “guest writer” pieces for Grayowl, which in turn lit a fire in my belly to start writing more.  Soon enough I was asked to join the team, and I couldn’t be more enthused.

Some facts about me:

-I like music.

-I love music.

-My obsession with the Beatles is borderline creepy.

-I spent about 5 years of my life working in a now defunct record store.

-Some of my favourite Canadian indie-rock artists are Broken Social Scene, The Wooden Sky, The Handsome Furs and the Arcade Fire.

-I’m constantly inspired by my talented friends (everyone should check out Matt Henderson, Fitness Club Fiasco, The Elwins and The Cavaliers right now)

I look forward to communicating more with you, I’ll try not to be too much of a snob

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Madeleine

Hey I’m Madeleine and I’m a McGill student but I grew up in Toronto. I play the piano, cello, and violin but I can’t see myself taking a stage anytime soon (or ever). I have more success in athletic pursuits, mainly as a distance runner on McGill’s Track and Cross Country teams, but I used to be big on field hockey too.