Experience

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  Montreal Gazette

  • Canada
  • Newspaper Publishing
  • 100 - 200 Employee

  • Film critic, music journalist

    • Sep 1998 - Present

    I have been The Gazette film critic since January, 2011. Duties include movie reviews, interviews with directors and actors, and features on a wide range of film-related themes. Focus on Quebec cinema, independent and foreign films, but not averse to the occasional megawatt blockbuster. Stories picked up across Postmedia newspaper chain. I was The Gazette music critic from 1998 to 2011. Involved seeking out stories on local and international acts, writing album reviews, concert reviews, interviews and features, with emphasis on Montreal's thriving indie music scene. I continue to contribute music pieces to the paper alongside my film writing.

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  Polaris Music Prize

  • Canada

  • Jurist

    • Jan 2007 - Present
    • Canada

    Annual prize for best Canadian album regardless of genre or sales. I served on the 11-member grand jury in 2007, and since then have been part of the larger jury of music journalists and industry representatives. Involves listening to anything and everything released in Canada over the course of the year, debating with fellow jurors on the respective merits of standout releases, and voting with extreme prejudice.

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  National Media Awards Foundation

  • Canada
  • Non-profit Organizations
  • 1 - 100 Employee

  • Judge

    • 2007 - Present

    Reviewing and rating submissions in various categories.

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  RIDM, PHI Centre, Polaris Music Prize, Cine Gael

  • Panelist/Speaker

    • Nov 2013 - Present

    Moderating public talks, appearing on panels on various cultural topics, guest speaker to introduce films.

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  Concordia University

  • Canada
  • Higher Education
  • 700 & Above Employee

  • Guest Lecturer

    • 2000 - Present

    Talking to students about the world of arts journalism, film and music criticism, writing tips, interviewing techniques, how to break into the industry, and changes in media.

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  MusiquePlus

  • Montreal, Canada Area

  • Panelist - Débat critique

    • Oct 2010 - Dec 2012
    • Montreal, Canada Area

    Weekly TV show debating various music-related topics. I was part of a rotating four-person panel that would butt heads about everything from hair bands to Beyoncé's status as R&B royalty.

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  Radio-canada

  • Canada
  • Broadcast Media Production and Distribution
  • 700 & Above Employee

  • Freelance Columnist, Médium-Large morning show

    • Aug 2012 - Nov 2012
    • Montreal, Canada Area

    Weekly radio segment (en français) on new music releases. We would discuss three new albums - one English-language release, one French, and one classical. Let's just say I fared better on the first two, though for the latter I quite enjoyed tossing in left-field observations to confound my concert-violinist co-panelist. (Segment was discontinued.)

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  DJ T'Cha

  • Various lofts and clubs, all over Montreal

  • DJ, promoter

    • 1991 - 2007
    • Various lofts and clubs, all over Montreal

    DJ and shameless (self-)promoter for overflowing house parties, epic loft parties, weekly club nights. Including annual New Year's loft parties, 1995-2005; weeklies at Jello Bar, Blizzarts; appearances at the Montreal International Jazz Festival, Francofolies festival. Style: classic funk, hip-hop, funky breaks, electro, body-moving beats of all kinds.

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  Hour Magazine

  • Music journalist

    • Jul 1995 - Sep 1998

    Fresh out of Comm Studies, I gladly accepted the paltry paychecks in exchange for free CDs, concert tickets, the modest notoriety of having my byline in a respected weekly culture mag, and the opportunity to interview some of my favourite music acts.