Toronto Mike'd: The Official Toronto Mike Podcast - James Clark: Toronto Mike'd #1443

Episode Date: March 4, 2024

In this 1443rd episode of Toronto Mike'd, Mike chats with musician James Clark from The James Clark Institute about growing up in Alderwood, working with Moe Berg and his incredible new music. Toronto Mike'd is proudly brought to you by Great Lakes Brewery, Palma Pasta, Ridley Funeral Home, The Advantaged Investor podcast from Raymond James Canada, The Toronto Maple Leafs Baseball Team and RecycleMyElectronics.ca. If you would like to support the show, we do have partner opportunities available. Please email Toronto Mike at [e-mail]

Welcome to episode 1443 of Toronto Mite! Proudly brought to you by Great Lakes Brewery, a fiercely independent craft brewery who believes in supporting communities, good times and brewing amazing beer. Order online for free local home delivery in the GTA. Palma Pasta Enjoy the taste of fresh, homemade Italian pasta and entrees from Palma Pasta in Mississauga and Oakville. Toronto Maple Leafs Baseball The best baseball in the city outside the Dome with 8 championships since 1967. RecycleMyElectronics.ca, committing to our planet's future means properly recycling

our electronics of the past. The Advantage Investor podcast from Raymond James Canada, valuable perspective for Canadian investors who want to remain knowledgeable, informed and focused on long-term success and Ridley Funeral Home, pillars of the community since 1921. Today, making his Toronto Mike debut is James Clark. Welcome James. Thanks Mike, lovely to be here. Where's the Institute? Okay, I've been hearing about James Clark Institute. Where is the Institute? Where is it? Well, the Institute is pretty much me.

So I'm right here. Okay, you're one of those guys. Like, so to make you seem bigger, you've got a consortium of sorts. It's the Institute, not just James Clark. No, that's right. It's a band. It's a rock band.

Been playing around Toronto forever. It's a combo. It's a rock and roll combo. Exactly. Well, actually now it's six people. So what's that? That's a... Oh, sex, tough. Sex. I don't, that's a good question. What it is. It's sexy something. Yeah. Okay, James. Well, thirdly, I'm really excited to meet you. Cam Carpenter tells me you live in my backyard. So without being Uber specific, are you like in Long Branch? Where are you coming from?

No, I am coming just a little bit east of you. So I am down near- Mimico. Roy York. So Mimico, so Dwight is the border. So once you cross to the east- So I'm officially in Mimico. Yeah, cause New Toronto is the numbered streets.

So once you leave the numbered streets, you're in Mimico. Okay. I had no idea. Okay. You know a lot of people think when they visit me they think they're in Mimico and I have to correct them. Because you're in what are you in? New Toronto. New Toronto right.

But this is not Mimico but you live in Mimico. I was at Mimico Arena for a hockey game yesterday. Okay. Love me. So do you frequent for example San Remo Bakery? Would you go there? I have been there, yes. Love it.

Okay. We're going to touch on all the Mimico institutions. Did you know, it's funny I called your outfit the James Clark Institute, I called it a combo because there was a roller rink in Mimico on Lakeshore called the Mimicombo. That's right. I remember it well. And there's a great poster that you can find sometimes about the first Canadian appearance of The hardest working man in showbiz James Brown. No way. He played the Mima combo. Did he play or he just roller skate?

That's you know, here's my question James. Did he play while on roller skates? That's a good question because he could do that I'd love to see some some video. Well, I bet you you could do that too. So we're gonna get to know you better I've pulled some great jams. Long, long ride for you here from, from Imico. And thank you for the coffee. Not every guest brings me a coffee. Well, of course I need coffee. So I figured you'd probably do too.

I just got up like 20 minutes ago. Cause you're a rock and roll star. Exactly. And I just lived 20 minutes away. Well, now I feel bad. I feel like we could have done this in the afternoon, but I'm glad you're a rock and roll star. Exactly and I just live 20 minutes away. Well now I feel bad. I feel like we could have done this in the afternoon but I'm glad you're here man. Yeah. And yeah so let's shout out the great Cam Carpenter because he's a great FOTM friend of Toronto Mike but he introduced me to

you. Yes he is a great guy. Yes. How do you know just give me a little 101 on how you know Cam Carpenter. Okay well I I've heard of Cam for many, many, many years. Never quite knew him until I was releasing the second latest album. Mo Berg produced the album and I said to Mo, hey Mo, you probably know someone I could contact about publicity. He said, yeah, of course, Cam Carpenter, he's your man.

So I reached out to Cam and luckily split, he was my publicist. And he has been ever since. Okay, so Cam Carpenter, great FOTM, you just name dropped another great FOTM we're gonna talk more about soon, Mo Berg. So basically, were you a fan of The Pursuit of Happiness? How did you know Mo Berg?

Yeah, way, way back, way, way back. Even before, when he first started playing in Toronto, like mid 80s. Right, when he came from Edmonton. Yeah, yeah, I think probably 86, I saw them for the first time, something like that. And yeah, I fell in love with the band right away. In fact, at the time I was thinking

I wanted to do something similar to that. So when I saw that on stage, I thought, damn it, this guy grabbed my idea. But anyways, I was a big fan of Moe's, and then I got to meet him probably 25 years ago or something, I was playing drums in a surf band in Toronto, and the guitarist knew him, and he was gonna bring Moe on board

to produce our second record, and I got very excited. Sadly, that didn't happen, but we kept in touch ever since and we started working together probably ten years ago or so. What was the name of the surf band? We were called the Synthones. Okay and it didn't work out for the Synthones? Did it? We did two records and yeah it was kind of happening there for a while. Okay no I wish I I wish I'd pulled some Synthones songs here, but okay, so we're gonna learn about everything. So let me just, before we get to know the ongoing history of James Clark, and I want to find out all about your career, I pulled some again, some choice James

Clark Institute jams. We'll talk more about, you know, working with Mo Berg, who I just saw at the Horseshoe Tavern when he was with the Trans-Canada Highwaymen. I was there too. Okay, so I put myself in first row of the stake of right in front of the stage, nothing between me and the stage, right in front of Mo. So it's like I was, he was spitting on me the whole night, you know? Did he know he was spitting on you?

You know, he can't help it. He's an adult now, but he still spits a little bit a little bit here but you were there too okay that was a great show. It was a fantastic show. Just prior to that show Stephen Page and Chris Murphy were down here to chat it up and... In these seats. Yeah like you're sitting on the Chris Murphy seat. Oh jeez. Are you as funny as Chris Murphy? I'm as good a drummer as Chris Murphy. I don't care what Cam Carpenter says. Yeah, he's a good drummer. He's a great drummer. Let's get him back there. All four of them, I think they all take turns behind the kit there in Trans-Canada Highway. Because even Stephen Page, who I think might be the least comfy back there,

he's playing drums for something or other. Yeah, I was even so excited to see Mo go back there for one tune. Yeah, it's wild. Okay, so a lot of Mo go back there for one tune. Yeah, it's wild, okay. So a lot of ground we're gonna cover. Again, and this is Toronto Mike, so don't be shy of the tangent, okay? This isn't CBC radio, you don't have to keep your, and CBC, they like you to stay focused, right?

They don't want you to go off and then, but here, I like to go off, maybe a little journey, pick some flowers over here, and then we'll come back, right? All right, sure. Tangents are welcome. And here's our first tangent, because I'm going to play a little music from an artist

and then just talk to you about this artist before we get back to James Clark. Okay. Here we go. The title is the first lady of Canadian jazz singers. Our next guest would definitely be a contender. First, because her style and sensitivity are reminiscent of the legend singers like Billie Holiday and Lena Horne and of course Ella. And

secondly because as a first-ranked jazz singer she chose to remain in this country and break new ground as the first jazz singer ever to have her own CBC series. And thirdly because she's such a beautiful and dedicated lady, Miss Eleanor Collins. V-v-v-v-v-v-v-v-v-v-v-v-v-v-v-v-v-v-v-v-v-v-v-v-v-v-v-v-v-v-v-v-v-v-v-v-v-v-v-v-v-v-v-v-v-v-v-v-v-v-v-v-v-v-v-v-v-v-v-v-v-v-v-v-v-v-v-v-v-v-v-v-v-v-v-v-v-v-v-v-v-v-v-v-v-v-v-v-v-v-v-v-v-v-v-v-v-v-v-v-v-v-v-v-v-v-v-v-v-v-v-v-v-v-v-v-v-v-v-v-v-v-v-v-v-v-v-v-v-v-v-v-v-v-v-v-v-v-v-v-v-v-v-v-v-v-v-v-v-v-v-v-v-v-v-v-v-v-v-v-v-v-v-v-v-v-v-v-v-v-v-v-v-v-v-v-v-v-v-v-v-v-v-v-v-v-v-v-v-v-v-v-v-v-v-v-v-v-v-v-v-v-v-v-v-v-v-v-v-v-v-v-v-v-v-v-v-v-v-v-v-v- The other leiligens legacy just waiting for you There's a rhyme for your lips And a song for your heart to say it whenever the world falls apart Look, look, look, look this down, but this is okay. So James, this is Eleanor Collins. I'm going to reveal something kind of embarrassing.

I was unfamiliar with Eleanor Collins. Am I the only one? How? No, no, I'm not familiar either. You know, that's a great try. Now I feel better. Yeah. Isn't it amazing?

Amazing. Yes. So this so I learned I'm listening to CBC radio yesterday and they're talking about Canada's what's her term? Godmother of jazz or something. She's got a good. Yeah. The late first lady of jazz, I think. Canada's first lady of jazz.

And then there's talk about, oh, she passed away this week. Oh, gosh. 104 years old. And I don't know her. I've never heard of her. I don't think. What's wrong with us? Like, okay, what, no, seriously, what is wrong with us?

Cause so I'm listening to this. And then I dive into more Eleanor Collins. Amazing, like absolutely amazing. Like did, and then I dive into more Eleanor Collins. Amazing, like absolutely amazing. Like did and then I found out, yeah, sure. A couple of years ago, the issue to stamp to commemorate her. So she wasn't completely ignored or anything of that nature, but completely. I can I who consider myself a guy who's kind of trying to keep track of what's going on, the zeitgeist, I completely missed her for a hundred.

Like, you know, she was alive for 104 years. I completely missed her. She's, like, you know, she was alive for 104 years. I completely missed her. She's amazing. She's so accomplished. She was in Edmonton, Alberta, but just I'm wondering how the heck this can happen. Is that a Canadian thing? What are your thoughts?

Like how the hell, what's wrong with us? I, you know, I think you're right. I think that is a bit of a Canadian thing. Of course, I mean, you think I would have heard of her, even though I'm not a giant jazz fan. You think I would have heard of her, at least. But I haven't bought a stamp in years either. What show is that from?

This is a 1980 show called... Well, the song is called Look to the Rainbow and this is the, she's playing with the Tommy Banks Orchestra and it was a series called Jazz Canada that aired on CBC, so you know nationwide in 1980. Now I will tell you James, I think we're similar vintage, but I can tell you in 1980, I was more of a Sesame Street guy, like I wasn't really dialed into what, like you know, I wouldn't be watching a show like Jazz Canada in 1980. So I did miss a lot of Eleanor Collins, but I mean she just passed away this week. Right, yeah. No, you know, I wouldn't be watching a show like Jazz Canada in 1980. So I did miss a lot of Eleanor Collins.

But she lived, she just passed away this week. Right? Yeah. No, you're right. You're right. We are probably the same vintage. And yeah, back then, CBC, yeah, probably Sesame Street was the only show I was watching on CBC at the time. Right. But well, I don't know. Now I have to get a catch up now. That's what this is for. I figured, okay, you're the first episode since I learned about Eleanor Collins. And I'm here to say, everybody, go listen

to some Eleanor Collins. And don't be embarrassed or shy, even if you're five decades old and you're like, I don't know this name, Eleanor Collins, because you're not alone. But absolutely accomplished. I think she was the first black woman to host a national television show in this country And you know what? I'm assuming she recorded and made records

Yeah, and I work I work in a record shop I have never seen one of her records come through better late than ever we're gonna scream from the rafters Eleanor Collins This song was looked to the rainbow and it was beautiful and And I'm listening to this and I'm like, this is as good as any, you know, American jazz legend that we would all like, we will praise and worship and completely, I think under the radar and. Sadly, she was Canadian. Whoever decided to pick Edmonton, I guess that was it. But maybe it's because she's not Toronto, she's Edmonton.

Maybe that works against her too. But Moberg, see Moberg had to come here to be a star. That's right, yeah. You're right. That's it. So I thought I have a great musician in the studio. Let's remember Eleanor Collins and find out if I'm the only one who didn't know about her.

I know what I'm doing today after I leave here. And it's even a great name, right? Eleanor Collins, jazz vocalist, Canadian legend dead at 104 and what a great life. I always think like imagine and I don't know what the last years of her life were like but imagine you make it to 104 can you imagine? No I cannot imagine that at all. No. Okay. I can't even imagine 64 actually. There's a song about that I think. Will you still let me?

Okay, I'm going to ask, when did you realize James, like first of all, you a Toronto guy, did you? I am, I grew up not far from here, just a little further west. So did you grow up in Long Branch? I'm trying to work Long Branch into the convol. Okay. How far west do we have to go?

You know what, I grew up in a little community called, I'm sure you'll be familiar with this, Alderwood. Of course. Alderwood. They got a swimming pool, I vote there sometimes in advanced voting. Okay, okay. You know, is there Il Paisano's this time? Oh, yes.

I still buy pizza from Il Paisano. I don't blame you, it's amazing. It is, it's fantastic. It's the institution, speaking, wow, there's a tie-in. Yeah, so well, the James Clarke Institution. See what we're doing there. Yeah. All right, so you're an Alderwood guy. That's very close. Mm-hmm. And, you know, I've moved out of this part of the city. I mean, I've stayed in Toronto

all my life, but I've moved to various parts. But I always get sucked back into this area. South Etobicoke? Yes. Mm-hmm. What's bringing you back? Like, is it that you're drawn to the lake? You know, funny you should say that because I've lived near the lake for so many years now.

I can't imagine not living. I'm a hundred percent with you. I had this chat with my wife this last weekend. I can't accept, I can't, we were talking about moving to the other side of Lake shore and I'm like, I can't be that far from the lake anymore. Like I can't be on that side of Lake Shore. And I'm like, I can't be that far from the lake anymore. I can't be on that side of Lake Shore. I absolutely feel like now I need to live the rest of my life as close to the lake as possible.

Yes, I spend as much time as I can because there's something that just refreshes me. If I'm feeling a little low that day, just take a walk to the lake. If it doesn't smell too bad, it's wonderful. There's some, yeah, better, some patches are better than others, but I bike along every single day.

I'll be there after you say goodbye. I'm gonna go for a ride on the waterfront trail and see the lake. Okay, so you're growing up in Alderwood. At what point, James, do you realize that you would like to be a musician? When does that itch? Probably,

probably I was eight years old and, uh, banging on pots and pans. Excuse me. I wanted to be a drummer. I had an older brother who was about three or four years older than me. And, uh, he, he had seen the Beatles on Ed Sullivan. And so like every other kid in the world, wanted to be a Beatle so he got the bug and then he encouraged me to come along and be part of it. Amazing. It happened early on.

What high school did you go to? Alderwood Collegiate. There you go. When I decided to go. That's the school I went to. Where is the case, it was a Lakeshore Collegiate I know, it's like Kipling and Birmingham or whatever, but where's Alderwood Collegiate?

It's off of Brown's line. A little further up between, say between Lakeshore and Evans Avenue. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. It's on Valermo Drive. You're on my hood here. You're in my hood here. Okay. So what happens? What instrument? Like, give me the bio. At some point, I'm going to introduce some of your music and we'll talk about it. There's one song I was listening to last night and I was thinking the perfect song for one of our sponsors, Ridley Funeral Home, but we'll get to that song later. You can always guess which song that is, I bet.

But like give me a little bit more about like your first bands when you started playing. Well, I mean, like I said, I had a brother and we played in basement bands growing up. We never made it out of the basement. We made it into the backyard once and then the police were called. Is that true? Yeah, yeah, it's true. So Saturday night, I think I was 12 years old.

We were, it was the summertime, early Saturday evening, playing and then all of a sudden, you know, Adam and 12 shows up at the door and shuts us down. Yeah. So, yeah, so from there, I mean, I'd always played drums, but I always loved writing songs too. And even before I could play guitar, I was writing lyrics and melodies and stuff like that.

And so I always knew that I'd probably eventually like to pick up guitar and do my own thing And that happened when I was probably In my late 20s started doing that Feel okay. That sounds almost late. Like did you perspire? Yeah, like okay, so I had tried in the past my brother tried to you don't give me lessons But you know making that f chord. It's just, oh my gosh, the pain I suffered. So I'd pick it up, I'd put it down,

I'd pick it up, put it down. And then what happened was, and I'm sure there's probably a connection here, but in my mid-20s, my father passed away. Oh, I'm sorry. And it was a long time ago, but thank you. But he passed away, and as soon as that happened, I picked up guitar, and I did not put it down.

And all of my lyrics became very personal. You know, I wrote songs about my father. Yeah. I think I was carrying around a lot of guilt because we didn't really have a great relationship. So I had to get- I'm sorry, I'm sorry, Morrisson. So I was, because you made the comment,

you know, it was a long time ago and I do co-host this show with Brad Jones from Ridley funeral home and we talk a lot about like I know Brad So I've met how do you know Brad? I've attended some funerals Your local guy you're a Lakeshore Village man, that's right. Brad's a sweetheart. He is a very nice guy He's a very nice guy But we'll talk a lot about does time heal that wound like sure time time goes on and you're like, you know It's a long time guy. He's a very nice guy. But we'll talk a lot about does time heal that wound? Like, sure, time goes on and you're like, you know, it was a long time ago, it's okay.

But you know, you don't really, you know, time's not this magic wand that suddenly you don't miss somebody or have regrets. Like it sounds like maybe you, I'm not gonna, I don't know if you even wanna go there, but maybe there's regret that things, you know, he passed away before you could amend your relationship? Absolutely, we weren't close at all.

There was so many, looking back, so many questions I should have just asked. He had this career before we were born, he was a fighter. A boxer. A boxer, yeah. And I know nothing about that career really. He didn't talk about it much,

he'd say a few things here and there. In fact, he used to tell us stories where he said, he told us many times that he'd fought Sugar Ray. Wow. Robinson. Yeah, I was gonna say it again. Yeah. I thought, wow, wow.

And then he passed in the late 80s before the internet or anything. So once the internet was born, I started trying to research stuff and I found some stuff not long ago and I'm kind of regretting that I tried to research his career because I did find a list of sugar race fights.

And I found one where he fought this fighter named Dave Clark and that was the name my father was fighting under, Dave Clark. I thought, wow, I found this fight amazing, it exists. And then I researched it further and I found a newspaper from the night of the fight, the night after the fight when Sugar Ray had knocked out my father supposedly. And I found this photo on the front page of the sports section of this paper. And it's this giant photo.

So I'm scrolling around to see it. And I see Sugar Ray giving the final punch. Oh my God. I scroll down a little further and there's Dave Clark just falling to the mat. But Dave Clark was a black man. Right, interesting. I didn't know my father for a while,

but I knew he wasn't a black man. Right. Right. That much he knew was true. Yeah. So I'm thinking, well, is my father lying to us? Who's he trying, what? So I don't know.

I don't know. Well, I only just met you, but now I'm very kind of invested in this whole, like, it's good. You know, you can't have that chat with your dad now but what like did he kind of like build himself out out to be bigger than he was by assuming because he had the same name and he's like okay there's a coincidence maybe forgetting that it was not knowing that at some point people would be able to do what you did and actually see a photo of that fight and that Dave Clark and then realize that it wasn't him it's very interesting very

interesting and I also found out which I found very strange, was at that time there were a number of fighters named Dave Clark. It's crazy. I don't know why. I mean. Well, it sounds like it would be a common name. A lot of Dave's at that age and Clark's a very common

last name, so it's sort of like, go count the Mike Smiths out there. My father's name was actually Don. And why he chose to fight after Dave. I don't know. Tribute to the Dave Clark five. Possibly. Plot thickens here, but you know,

and I knew, I know he did fight and he did fight in the States cause I found other literature that says, yes, he did. He might just have been bellished maybe to seem like a bigger deal in front of his kids. I could see that. and there's a whole, you know You could dig into that but I feel like there is a mini dog here. Maybe it's not I know Any doc here about this? Unfortunately, a lot of people that maybe could Know or tell me things probably also passed on but that's sort of part of the dog like to to see who's still left Who can you know who okay saw your dad fight?

Like you almost I feel like you need to do this. You need to at least make an attempt to, you know what it's like, you get a lead and you follow up on somebody, find out somebody passed, but maybe their kid will talk to you and then you start to pull out these threads. Who can tell you about your dad and what was true and what was not so you can separate mythology from reality?

Well, you must, you know a lot of people, you must know some documentary makers. Well, you must, you know, a lot of people, you must have some documentary makers. Well, I know Brad Jones. He didn't, he didn't do your dad's funeral, did he? Well, it was there. Okay. It was at Ridley funeral home. It was. There's a tie in here.

It might, yeah. It's all depends when Brad took ownership. Cause it was Arthur Ridley who owned it. Oh, that's right. Arthur Ridley sold it to Brad and Brad's, Brad owns it, but he's not the Ridley in the name, uh, really funeral. Right. He bought it from the Ridley, but you know what? Interesting. I'll find out from Brad when exactly. I think it's a little later than the late eighties actually.

So it's probably Arthur Ridley who buried, but you know what? I will say this, that, uh, all the records are there. I talked to Brad all the time, like everyone who was buried at Ridley funeral. Even before Arthur Ridley owned this thing, it's all these records are kept. Let's make this, let's find out what's going on. I feel like we need some closure here. Yes, I do. Please. So I'll play a little music so we can drink our coffee for a bit. And then again, we're gonna talk quite a bit about this new album that has come up. What's the name of the new album? It is called under the lampshade.

And is this the first album that Mo Bird produces? No, this is the third album. You know, go to the best, leave the rest, go to the best. Okay. So these, I'm going to play a couple of songs here, kind of as we cook with your career and everything, and I learned more about you.

Now I'm totally fascinated about James Clark, my Mimico neighbor here from Alderwood, but you've never lived in New Toronto. That's first to 23rd. No, but my doctor is in New Toronto and his father delivered me. So, you know, that's almost... Look, it's too close for comfort here. Holy smokes here. So I teased a song that would tie back to Ridley Funeral. Maybe I'll do that one right now, actually, because we don't need to go in order. This is my show. I can jump at her.

Okay, so let me play. Sweeping up my dreams sir, Finding bits of never coulds and always wishes The villains down on 14th street, suffocating the concrete And their faces look so complete, on the ashes I need someone to help me Break this family curse Before I'm fixed for the company hurts The factory up on Jodlin Road Where we'd go once the dolls exploded Now houses a different load Behind the bricks and mortar The Colonel's villa is on release All the dolls have sympathy wreath From all the ones who had the sense to leave

And left this weight on my shoulders I need someone to help me Break this family curse Before I'm fixed on the company hurts I really thought it was gonna be you It's all gonna tie together here, James. My mind is blown right now. This is called Company Hearse. So how old is this song?

Ten years? Yeah, ten years. This is the first track that Mo produced for me. In fact, in fact, that's Mo and myself playing on that track. Yeah, there's a Mo quality to this song, actually. And I love this song. And it ties in in many, many, many ways. First of all, I took notes here. Okay, so you reference off the top you mentioned Alderwood.

Yes correct. You mentioned 14th Street. Correct. What was going on on 14th Street? That was a street where my sister used to hang out and I thought she's hanging out with the wrong crowd on 14th Street. Interesting okay and that is New Toronto for those who don't know. You mentioned Jlands mentioned. I know Jotland you do Yes, that's my father actually one of her kids. He worked in a toy factory and it was which was located on Jotland And what exactly so you're talking about like a family curse and getting a oh, yeah. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah family curse I just meant I'd always wanted to leave

Topico all the way New Toronto, Mimico. I'd had enough of it. All my friends, everyone I grew up with, moved away from here, and I didn't. And it really bothered me for a long, long, long, long time. And also, my cousins, my uncles, my aunts, we all grew up in this little area. And so I just felt it's a curse. We'rets, we all grew up in this little area and so I just felt it's a curse. We're here. We can't leave. Right. That's where that comes from.

Yeah. All right. Then I wrote those lyrics long long long time before we actually recorded that song. Well here, let me blow your mind here. So I've mentioned Ridley Funeral Home a couple of times already. By the way, James Clerk, I have a measuring tape from Ridley Funeral Home for you. Wow, thanks. A little memento from your visit here. Wow. So I can tell you, so Brad Jones at Ridley Funeral Home just bought a new hearse, like

a brand new 2023, no, 2024. What year is this, James? Okay. A brand new hearse. 2024. 2024. A brand new. 20 years. 24. 2024. Right. Yeah. I guess Cadillac makes these hearses, they bought a new one, but he has a

2010 hearse that's in very good condition that he's now selling. So I can tell just that's just for fun. I only know this because I produce a Brad's podcast, life's undertaking, but if anyone out there is interested in a 2010 hearse in very good condition, Brad's selling, it's's like he said he's looking for about $25,000 for this thing, but if you're looking for a yeah, sounds like a reasonable price to me for a good condition

Hearse that's a good band I know there's a guy Jesse hurts you has a farm and he's thinking it would be a fantastic farm Automobile like there's so many purposes outside of you know, you know, you know carrying Absolutely or the mob, maybe the mob needs, uh, I'm just wondering what they measure with these. Well, what would you like to measure with that James? I'm not really sure. You'll know when you get there, like when there's a moment you need to measure something, you'll be like, Oh, thank goodness. Toronto might gave me this. Thank you. Yes. And thank you. Ridley funeral exactly. Thank you. Shout out to Ridley funeral home. And real quick here, before we get back to the music, uh, I have a big question.

I ask all musicians that I'm very curious about this coming up right next, but do you like Italian food? I love Italian food. Yes. I'm going to send you back to Mimico with a large lasagna. It's frozen and it's in my freezer right now. And it's courtesy of Palma pasta. Oh, I'm assuming you don't like pasta I love pasta oh why giving up you know you're giving it away don't worry I keep some for myself but I get

they sent one over specifically for you really yeah really not for the whole Institute because that's too many but for you James Clark you're absolutely worried I'm not even gonna tell them you know what though there's a lot like you said there's six members there are no six members okay name the six members let's see if you can even remember their name she's you knew this was gonna happen I wrote them down so I wouldn't forget well there's me James Clark yes and then there's Tom Gibson lead guitar player okay Tim Gall bass player Greg Condi on keys who has been

with me since day one pretty much in fact he actually plays on that company here's the track as well amazing and who also oh Dean Dean Glover who plays drums and we've just added the sixth member her name is Marizia Gonzalez okay nice yeah our new harmony singer well I think there's enough lasagna you can invite them all over. I'm not. Forget it. No way. I will, this is all gonna tie in nicely so not far from where you live is Great Lakes Brewery. Correct yeah great. They sent over some fresh craft beer for you. Really? Yeah you're bringing home some beer with you some from Great Lakes. I love your show. Delicious right? Like I know it's in our backyard so we're kind of like partial to Great Lakes but I've tried many a beer and I'm telling

you Great Lakes is the the delicious and it's an independent family-run operation. Absolutely. Wow. Now they're gonna host us. This is important James. I don't know what you're doing on June 27th. Maybe you don't know yet but it's a Thursday night from 6 to 9 p.m. We're all collecting when I say we I mean FOTMs across the globe which means friends of Toronto Mike So people like yourself will all collect at Great Lakes Brewery 6 p.m. To 9 p.m. On June 27 2024 and Great Lakes will buy you your first beer and Palma pasta will feed you and we're just gonna have a good time like. Like just, just come out. Like seriously, get that in the calendar. June 27th, six to nine PM.

Okay. I mean, what, what day of the week is it? Thursday. Okay. I'm there. Okay. James Clark will be there. Everybody.

I mean, it's a short jaunt for you to get to, uh, to great lakes, uh, brewery. Yes. I can walk there. You ever been to a, you can can you can stumble home. Absolutely. Have you ever been to a Toronto Maple Leafs baseball game at Christie Pitts? I never have okay, we're gonna end that this summer I'll talk to you more about that later But I do have an amazing book for you to take home check it out Seriously, this is an amazing book on the history of Toronto Maple Leafs baseball. They play at Christie Pitts

First game is May 12th uh, in the afternoon. It's a wonderful tradition. I'll be talking more about this and I'll have some like exciting announcements to make about how I'll be involved with some of these games, but that's a kickass book on the history and you're going to love it. Okay. Cool. James, you got lots going on here. Okay. Who are your musical? Yeah, no problem, man. Toronto Maple Leafs baseball everybody. And I will tease that coming up on the show is Rob Butler. Rob Butler played for our blue Jays, of course in the early nineties and Rob Butler manages that Toronto Maple Leafs baseball team. So he's going to come on and we're going to talk about his

career, the world series, of course. And we'll talk about Toronto Maple Leafs baseball. Tell me, yeah, I just want to measure this book. Yeah, measure the book. Cause you gotta get some work into that measuring tape there. Hey, who are your musical influences? Like growing up, what were you listening to? Oh, well, Beatles, of course. My brother got me into that. I was thinking about having an older brother

who was in the music. He just, you know, turned me on to all kinds of stuff. So he was bringing it home. You know, we lived on this street where we all have, there was kids and all of, roughly around the same age. So he was bringing it home. We lived on the street where we all have, there was kids roughly around the same age, so we'd all share records. So he's bringing home records like Beatles and Bob Dylan and The Who.

The first time I heard The Who, I thought, oh my gosh, wow. So it's all really, mostly my main influences would be from that British, first British invasion, The Kinks, I love the Kinks, I love Ray Davis, one of my favorite songwriters, one of my big influences for sure. And then, you know, I mean, I went off as I grew up,

I went off different directions, of course, but I find my songwriting is coming back to where I started originally, what influenced me originally. Amazing, now what radio station would you be tuned into when you were a teenager? Oh, I was CFNY for sure. Toronto's Rock, Q107 occasionally, I'd tune in.

I'd listen to Scruff Connors in the morning. The listenership. Man, you know Scruff, who I loved from Qube, but also he was on HITS 97.7, loves Scruff Connors. I had a son on and his son does TJ Connors and TJ does an amazing Scruff impression. Like this is the closest I'm going to get to getting Scruff Connors on Toronto Mic'd. Wow. Shout out to Ridley Funeral Home. But absolutely love Scruff.

Okay. And did you listen to Brother Jake? Oh, I remember Brother Jake, yes. Brother Jake, he did the champ, remember? Yes, that's right. Licensed from McLean and McLean. Yes. And CFY, here's a little tidbit.

So until this morning, so in my calendar for tomorrow morning, what's that tomorrow? It doesn't matter. Tomorrow at 2 p.m., I uh, was the return of the, basically the man behind the spirit of radio, David Marsden returning tomorrow. But I will, I won't drop the news right now, except, uh, tomorrow in the Toronto might feed, there'll be a big update on

this David Marsden, his return to Toronto might he's been on the program about nine years ago, but he's been in the basement, but it's been a while and anyways so update on this tomorrow so check your Toronto Mike podcast feed for the next episode which will be episode 1,444 so 1444 about a David Marsden update but did you have any radio personalities at CFNY that you gravitated towards? Pete and Geets Geets Pete and Geets. Yeah, I love those guys. Yeah, they were my heroes for a long time Yeah, Pete and Geets and these so the these news so Geets so Pete's passed away a while ago

But Geets has been on the program. He's still with us and the news guy and the sports guy So the news guy on that show was Mike Stafford. Do you know this name, Mike Stafford? Mike Stafford. So he was the news guy on the Pete and Keith show and the sports guy, Freddie P from Humble and Fred. Right, right, exactly. And Humble and Fred, although Freddie doesn't leave

his Brampton home anymore, but since the COVID hit and he realized he doesn't have to, but their headquarters are at Queensway and Islington, which is not far from us at all. Actually that the company, her song, uh, when that came out, I did a little, uh, guest spot on their show. And that time they were broadcasting from an office on 30th street. Yeah, absolutely. The part of town where shit's going down. Yeah.

They were at 30th street. Absolutely for many years before they moved to Queens, Queens isn't it? Ready for me to blow your mind right now? I produced the Humble and Fred Show. No way. You did. I do. You do?

I still do. Oh you do? I did and I do, yeah. So it all comes full circle here. Wow, good for you. Okay, I wanna sip more coffee, so I'm gonna play one more song here before we get to the new stuff.

["Curtains Sick with Cigarettes"] get to the new stuff. We can try to hide it all, behind friends and at the hall But our vows, and our know-how have yellowed with time Yellow used to be the color of happy, while we're facing the facts We've become so yellow-bellied While we're fading to black Fading to black Fading to black Picture frames of kitchen stains are layered with dust And the private investigator, implored by mistrust

Away to this camera roll, an envelope's full The findings he's found, between dawn and dusk and dusk And yellow used to be the color of happy Now we're facing the facts We've become so young, badly While we're fading to black Fading to black Fading to black I'm digging it, James. Thanks, man. Thanks. So this is Yellow.

So again, how far back do we go with when you released Yellow? That was 2021. We recorded that just before the pandemic hit. In fact, we had one more session, one more recording session booked when the pandemic hit and everything was closed down. We had to wait about six months before we could actually finish it off. And then I released it during the pandemic, which is a dumb time to release a record, but I did. What were you going to do? I feel like now we can all look back and say, oh, this was weird. And that was weird. And there's a lot of fucked up stuff going on,

but it was like, fucked up for everybody for a lot of fucked up stuff going on, but it was like fucked up for everybody for a variety of fairly decent reasons. Like, you know, like, so what are you gonna do? You might as well release some stuff. Exactly, I had to get it out there. I'm gonna get out of my head. What's bugging me now, I watched a short, there's a, I like to see the Oscar nominated

short documentaries that, so they're like, you know, 15, 20 minutes long, I've been kind of going through these. And then I was watching one yesterday, which was very interesting, except that, uh, you know, people are wearing masks and you can say, oh yeah, this was filmed. And it's like, for some reason it bugs me now when I'm watching a show and I see the masks and I know why they're there. Cause it was filmed during a time when it was like a mandated yet to wear masks. But it's like, I don't really feel like revisiting that.

Like I don't like how it makes me feel. Yeah. And forever and ever and ever. You're going to know exactly when that was recorded. It's like, oh, that was the pandemic. And then we'll be telling her, do you have any kids? Myself? Yeah, I don't think so. OK, that's a good answer. Only because when I when I was talking to Cam about James Clark, that's you, by the

way, and we'll talk about you like you're not here. But I was instantly like excited to talk to James Clark simply because your name was James. And I find I have this reaction to all the James around the world because my firstborn son's name is James. So I have this really warm thing towards the name James. And I'm like, yeah, I do wanna talk to a James. Even if James, not that you are, but even if James was an asshole,

I would say I'd like that he can come over and I'll talk to him because I like James. Well, you know, even the biggest assholes, somewhere inside them, there is a nice guy, right? Not all of them, though. Like some assholes are just sociopathic assholes. Like some of them, there isn't any warm. You don't think so?

I think there are some people who are just bad people. You think even the biggest asshole couldn't like bake delicious chocolate chip cookies Well, I didn't say that but if that's all it takes to you know, I love myself I like and I've been cutting back because it's really bad for you But like I really do like a fresh homemade chocolate cookies dunked in milk Cuz I've always liked it and I have Dramatically reduced my like cow milk intake you're right, right? Definitely because I used to drink a lot of cow milk Okay, and as my buddy Mark Carrie would always say are you a baby cow and I'd be like no

I'm not a baby cow and you go then why are you drinking cow milk? Right? But I still love that dunking chocolate chip cookies in milk. Yeah. Yeah I don't drink milk anymore, but you know, I will dunk a cookie into a glass of milk. What kind of milk? Like an oat milk? What kind of milk are you dunking it into? Well, probably, I'm ashamed to say, but cow milk.

Oh, okay, I thought you were off the cow milk. I was thinking, wait, what's your alternative milk? No, no, no, I've tried the alternatives, and they're all very good. But you know, if I'm going to dunk a cookie, I'm going to dunk it into cow milk. Go big or go home on that one. Yeah, exactly. I'm with you here. You got to get it. You got to get a chocolate chip Baker sponsorship or something for this show. Yeah, absolutely. And have me on again.

I would do that. I'll bring the milk. It's a short road. Yeah. Okay. So that's another yellow is another Mo Berg Berg produced song. It is, yeah. In fact, it's funny that the two songs you've played and you've faded them out during the guitar solo and those are both Moe's brilliant guitar solos. Well, they're so brilliant, it's too much, right? It's too much for a Monday morning, Moe Berg's brilliant guitar solo.

You gotta fade somewhere. You're true. When Moe comes over, I'll fade you down and I'll just play the guitar. Bring out the guitar solo, True. When Moe comes over, I'll fade you down and I'll just play the guitar. Bring out the guitar solo. Right. When Moe comes back. All right.

We're going to get to under the lamp shade. Maybe right now. But first, I would just like to let you know, James. Yes. Whether you already have a trusted financial advisor or if you manage your own financial investments, I have the podcast for you. It's called the advantaged investor. It's from Raymond James, Canada. It's hosted by Chris Cooksey. Much love to Chris Cooksey and it provides the engaging wealth management information you value as you pursue your most important goals.

So you're gonna subscribe to the advant. Investor of course, right away. Yeah, right away. Why don't see it whipping out that phone yet. What's going on here? And this is, I think your musician, I know your musician, but I think you probably have like a drawer full of old tech, like old, maybe old cables, old. Oh yeah. Sure.

And like, you never gonna, you know, that stuff's been there probably for 15 years now and it's like that, that technology is like antiquated. No, don't throw that stuff in the garbage. Okay, James, you're going to go to recycle my electronics dot CA. You stick in your MIMICO postal code and it spits out, Hey, you know, they're right by you. There's this Depot we accredited where you can drop that off and they will properly recycle that.

So it doesn't end up in our landfill. What's that website again? Recycle myelectronics.ca Okay got it. Thank you. You're learning a lot from this. This is an educational show I gotta tell you. We learned about Eleanor, you know we learned about Eleanor Collins, you're learning about where you already knew where to get your good beer but now

you're learning where to get your good pasta you're learning about we're going to get you to Christie Pitts this summer for a Toronto Maple Leafs game. It's been wonderful. Wow. And the show isn't even over yet. No, we're just right now we're just getting to Under the Lampshade. So it is available now everybody. Under the Lampshade. It's available now on all streaming services. And tell me you can get the gatefold vinyl? You can. Where would you go to get the gatefold vinyl under the lampshade?

Well, you could come over to your house because I have one in my bag right now. Well, give it to me right now. I'm going to. Come on, you gave me a coffee. But you could also pick it up. It's available at all fine and record stores in Toronto. Sonic Boom, Dead Dog, Village Vinyl,

which is just down the street. I wanted to shout them out because they're right down the street. There is Islington and Lakeshore there. Or if you're in the beautiful city of Oakville, PCV Records in Oakville, Revolution Records in Hamilton. Thank you. There you go.

Everybody, James has just given me, oh, I love it, vinyl, because even though I have no way in this house to play it, but it goes on display here and you know, I mixed them up and they're becoming like conversation because the James B there's a Maestro, Fresh West. Look, you ever even brought you the last one. And this is called the color of happy, which includes,

which includes the hit single yellow, which we just listened to. Yeah. And it's good. It's not a cover of cold plates. It's a whole original. And it's about cigarettes making things yellow, right? And my absolutely. Yes. And it fades the black. Yes. Just like, uh, like my parents marriage. Which is what that song was written about yeah, we got to make that mini doc I feel like that we get this will be therapeutic for you. I think so I think I need it What side of 50 are you on the other side? Okay, just feel that better late than ever I feel like this is important for you And if I can help in any way, we're gonna get that done.

And I wanna find out more about- That's very sweet, thank you. Yeah, I think it's important. I'm dying, Mike. Well, we're all dying. I know, but I mean, you know, you know what I mean? Do you have a diagnosis? Yes, I wanna announce it here on your show today.

Well, that would be a real talk moment here. And again, I do have the funeral home sponsor. That's true. So we're sort of well equipped for that if you wanted to. We got Brad on the phone right now. Brad takes my calls, okay. Which one do I wanna start with? Let's start with, again, we're now going to talk.

This is now the under the lampshade segment and we're gonna dive deep into this. Available now. I pulled a couple of cuts from it. Let's start with this one. So much for looks being deceiving You're an open book that requires no repeated readings The shutters are all closed, you shudder to yourself You showed her to yourself She's not coming back this time

The glow paints heads along the ceiling In your pathetic world You're a majestic fool Known to the ladies as pretty lovin' And it's whatever o'clock in the morning And you are literally all alone It's whatever o'clock in the morning. It's time to take stock at whatever o'clock in the morning. Whatever o'clock in the morning. That's what it is right now. Yeah, yeah Whatever o'clock in the morning, that's what it is right now. Mm-hmm. Just checking my watch.

I'm digging it. What's this jam about? I really don't know. It's actually funny. I would say 99% of my songs are written from personal experiences. This one isn't really. Yeah. I just realized as I was listening to the song, I looked down. I have a big stain on my sweater.

You weren't going to tell me James, I got tomato sauce. I think that's called a pasta tomato sauce all over my sweater. Sorry, I was looking in your eyes. I get lost in your eyes. Okay, I'm digging it. Whatever o'clock in the morning. So between, you know, your realization you wanted to make music and like, like, can you name-check all the bands that you were in that were not the James Clark Institute? Wow, right now? Well, yeah, you live this life. Yeah, yeah, okay, well we were the

authority. We mentioned the synth-tones. I also played in a couple similar bands. Actually, I'm in a, actually I'm in another band at the moment. Okay. A new band where I play drums. We're called Flashbangs and we just, we made our debut last, a week ago Friday at the Dakota. What's the name, who's in this band with you, the Flashbangs? Flashbangs? It's not the, just there's no the. No the.

That's important to you, right? Yeah. Just Flashbangs. It's myself on drums. It is George Westerholm on guitar and vocals. He also has a surf rockabilly band, which I used to play drums in called George Western Home and the Wild Wildcats.

So yeah, I used to play with them. I got fired, I don't know why. He never told me, but I guess he likes me because I'm drumming in this new band with him. Well, you didn't ask him? No, I just, I- Like are you afraid to find out like what it was? Well, you know, I found out, I found out

because they had a gig and- You't invited I wasn't I was I was invited to the gig but I wasn't told about the gig wait a minute you're not playing in that gig no I say hey George what's going on and he just laughed so and then there's sorry the bass player in flashbangs it's Sean Ryan amazing bass player he also has a connection to the James Clark Institute. He directs all the videos. Oh. Yes. If you've seen any of your videos, that's all Sean's work.

Yeah. I mean, I've been looking at a lot of James Clark Institute videos this past week preparing for your visit. Okay. Yeah. So he's a brilliant video maker. But back, so this George guy, you're in a band and then there's a gig for this band and George doesn't, like he doesn't tell you, oh, you're playing a gig.

Can you play a gig with us this day or whatever? But did you attend this as like a spectator? You kidding me? But you're in, but here's the thing. You didn't, you're in the, you're in a band with him now. Yeah, I know. The flashbang, sorry. There's no no duh.

I mentioned this earlier. Okay, I know you did. But you know, spoons, the spoons, this is a common discussion point on Toronto Mike. Gore Depp tells me he doesn't care, but you do care. This is important. It's just flashbangs.

Well, this is coming down from George. That's not me. You know, I called a certain band tragically hip, and Jake Gold was not happy with that. He told me, no, it is not tragically hip. It is band tragically hip and Jake Gold was not happy with that. He told me no, it is not tragically hip. It is the tragically hip. It's very important. The, either you want it or you don't want it

and people get very passionate about it. Okay, flash bangs. So the fact that George has you in flash, you're in flash bangs with George. No awkwardness there? Like you don't resent George at all? Well, of course I do. No, of course you do.

You're only human. I joined the band just so I could play shitty and f' up songs. That's very passive aggressive of you. That's like the most passive aggressive thing I've ever heard. See, I am a bit of an asshole, see? Yeah, but you know what? I don't like people who are purely sweet. Like I need a little assholery in there.

No, no, I, of course I jest. George is a great guy. He's a great friend of mine. And yeah, you know, if truth be told, I'm happy I don't play in that stupid band anymore. That was a shitty band, right? Yeah, it was a shitty band. They sucked.

Yeah, in fact, his current drummer came out to the, oh sorry, Flashbang's debut. I almost said the Flashbangs. You almost did. And he came out and he just stood there and tried to psych me out all night. Yeah, just staring at you with an armed cross like that. Okay, well, I love to hear about what's going on in this great Toronto music scene here, okay.

So obviously Mo Berg, he's playing some guitar. I hear harmony vocals from Mo. Like that's Mo on harmony, right? I hear Mo. In that track, yes. Yeah, I hear Mo. And it's got, I mean, Mo is like the master of the pop rock thing. Like he's just a, okay. So what does he bring to the table? Cause you're writing these songs and he just makes them more moish? He, at times he can make them more moish, yes. But I think he really,

well, he brings out the best of the song for sure. And he gets, I think what it is is he gets where I'm coming from and just knows what to do with the tune. Really. Amazing. So we're live streaming at live.torontomike.com and just knows what to do with the tune. Really. Amazing. So we're live streaming at live.torontomike.com and there is a question for you on the live stream. Are you doing anything for Record Store Day in April?

Me personally? Yeah. Will I be attending or performing? I don't know. Will James Clark Institute, I don't know. You doing anything for Record Store Day? It's okay if the answer is no, I think. Jeremy's curious.

The answer is no, and the reason is because I work in a record shop, and so I have to be there. Which record store do you work at? PCB Records in Oakville, Ontario. Well, that's why you shouted them out earlier. Okay, very cool. Ben Rayner works in a record store now in the Danforth. Oh, which one?

I wish I could tell you the name of the, I wish I could tell you the name of Ben Rayner works in a record store now on the Danforth. Oh, which one? I wish I could tell you the name of the, I wish I could tell you the name of Ben Rayner's, because I never, it's still Far East. It's like, that's a whole, you know, it's like East York or something. On Danforth. Yeah, it was a record, so that's where you'll find Ben Rayner these days,

and he's a good friend of the program, but we got to get Ben Rayner some James Clerk Institute. Yes. But that's a good question. Is it the James Clark Institute? It is. It's right there on the graphic there. And you're consistent, right?

I won't find any instances where it's just JCI. Although some people, I do play this music festival every year and he always introduces us as James Clark Institute. Right. There's never a the in his introductions. Never. And you've been holding that for a while here.

Okay, what festival is this? This is the International Pop Overthrow Festival Yeah, are they back in 2024? They'll be back. They'll be back They're gonna be at the Painted Lady Okay in November. Shout out to Ian Thomas. Okay, very nice. Mm-hmm Now, where did you record this new album, Under the Lampshade? This was recorded at Union Sound Company in the East End of Toronto. Incredible studio. Darren Miguel engineered the whole thing and he's fabulous. In fact, he's strange. He's an ex, I don't know if

you know this, but Mo Berg, of course, teaches a production course in London, Fanshawe College and Darren is a past student of Mo's. So, so they get along famously and Darren is just a very, very, very talented guy. Awesome. Any relation to Bob McGill from our Toronto Mate beliefs? I don't believe so. I never, uh, McGill's a common name, but okay. Yeah. All right

No, it's common as Clark though. No. Well any relation to Wendell? I'm literally I got a picture of Wendell in the in the studio. I'll have to mention this. Yes, Kelvington Saskatchewan zone a kind of blue tune. I had some troubles to wash away Refused by your wedding kiss I bruised my duffle I had some troubles to wash away Refused by your wedding kiss, I bruised my tough body listening I found a couple of mainstays Now today is the kind of day To listen to blue And a kind of blue tune

The rain on my parade calls the floats to wash away The wind won't inflate a kind of you Number 3 line with your telegram writing Black and white, it was over When the radio turned on, and the piano played blue and green And these two standards became our saviors Now today is the kind of day You said it's better when you're traveling Miles and miles of meandering Meanwhile my sweater is unraveling

Metaphorically, don't you know what you're doing? It's the kind of day to listen to blue And a kind of blue too Parade on my parade Cause the flowers to wash away The wind won't inflate a kind of you No, the wind won't inflate a kind to you No, the wind won't inflate a kind to you No, the wind won't inflate a kind to you When you're listening to that song, A Kinder You, I hope you're proud of yourself.

That's an amazing song. It's hooky, it's happy, it's catchy. I'm digging every note there. That's a great song. Thanks, Mike, very much. Are you proud of yourself? I am. I am very proud.

I'm very proud of this whole album, actually. You think this is your best work? I do, definitely. Yeah. So far, yes. Yeah. You don't want to peek. You just want to keep climbing the mountain mountain. Exactly. Under the lampshade. Okay. Honestly, I'm listening to it. I'm like, yeah, like in 2024, how does an artist like you get radio exposure? Is there a radio station that will be in Canada that will be playing James Clark Institute? Sorry. The James Clark Institute. in Canada that will be playing James Clark Institute, sorry, the James Clark Institute.

Well, you know, possibly college radio, possibly. They're actually, this record's been getting a lot of play on stations in the US and in the UK, which has been amazing. Yeah, and we've, we're actually releasing a new single from the record Friday March 22nd song called Phantom Girl So it'll be a brand new Sean Ryan directed music video for that as well So what is it if people are gonna go to YouTube and watch and subscribe just search James Clark Institute on YouTube They'll find you that's what I did and it worked out quite well Yeah, all right couple of notes here easy peasy if you can't do that and get off the internet and it worked out quite well. All right, couple of notes here. Easy peasy, if you can't do that,

you can get off the internet. You're not ready for it yet, okay. Did you know if they remade Back to the Future, like if they did a 2024 reboot of Back to the Future, that McFly there would be going all the way back to 1994. Isn't that a mind blow? Like, I mean, that's obvious. You went back 30 years in 1985.

So that's 30 years ago was 1994, but I just think that's kind of wild that is wild I know that's wow I know I just somebody pointed that out on the week I saw I think I'm red it just I'm pointed it out and I was like is that true and I do a little math and I'm like oh my god yes it is true because 30 years ago well I keep hearing about you know these these records that were released 30 years ago celebrating their 30th anniversary this year, and what? What? What really gets me personally, as a guy who's turning,

I'm turning 50 this year, but like, like an album I bought at the record store in love is turning like, and then I'll be hearing, oh, it's about to turn 40 or something. And I'm like, that doesn't really work because the Beatles were 40 years ago, right? Like I'm doing this math in my head. And I'm like, something in my head and I'm like

Something like I lost like 25 years somewhere in the mix that I don't get it weird thing about time, right? Yeah, it just speeds up as you get older doesn't it? Okay, a couple of nice quotes here before we uh mop up and say goodbye and uh glad we Made this happen because James you're now a valued FOTM. I really enjoyed this compliment. And right back at you. But there are a couple that I thought we'd go, let's get a couple of nice quotes. So we've talked quite a bit about Mo Berg. He is a sweetheart. And here's a quote from Mo Berg about you. Okay. So we'll get it, you know, pump your tires a bit on the way out here as if you need any more, you know, tire pump in here. James takes the power pop traditions of the Beatles, jellyfish and split ends

and combines them. I'm all choked up reading this and combines them with the high IQ lyrics of Elvis Costello and Joe Jackson. The result makes him one of Canada's greatest unsung songwriters. Like think about that quote.. You should just get that tattooed on your chest. It's on my ass already. Well that's where it belongs. But that's an amazing quote from a great musician. But yeah that's not a quote because you cut a check for him right? No no no no no. We did the record

and I said hey Mo could you say a few words? He's comparing you to The Beatles and Elvis Costello. I know, I know. You're not gonna get out of this basement of a head that big after this. I'm definitely gonna pop my head on the ceiling. Yeah, I know, it's wonderful. When I read that, I thought, oh my gosh Mo, you're a wonderful person.

But he does, this is an interesting line I just wanna pick at before I read one more quote from another valued FOTM, but unsung that word unsung. Okay. So he, he throws in a qualifier because he's not putting you there with Neil Young and Joni Mitchell because they're not unsung. Nope. Definitely not.

You're Canada's greatest, one of Canada's greatest unsung songwriters, but we opened this conversation by remembering somebody I just learned existed and she was here for a century. Eleanor Collins. Again, we come back to, you know, you're a South Etobicoke guy that, you know, that you're, you're Canadian. You're stuck around. Like you said, you wanted to get out. You never got out. You're still here. You didn't go to LA. I did not. No, you're still here. I'm right here. Did you walk here? I did walk here. Okay.

Two cups of coffee in my hand. You got lots of stuff to walk, I gotta figure out, you gotta get you a bag or something. You got stuff to walk back with you. That book is heavy by the way, cause I carry books. I know. It's, you know, you got a lasagna

and it's gonna be full. Okay, but unsung, why are there so many unsung, talented unsung musicians in this country? Why is it they there a sentiment I have or why we respect Neil and Joni so much because Americans told us they were good. They left Canada. So tragically hip aside,

which is sort of his own like anomaly, like outliers. That tragically. Jake's online too here. Jake, what is it? Yes, I'm sorry. Okay. But what the fuck?

Like, why are what the fuck? Like why are there so many, uh, it's been a head scratcher forever. You know, I don't get it. I don't know. We just take you for granted because if you were any good, you'd be, uh, I don't know, you'd be on the billboard hot one. Right. That's what it is. That's, that's how people think too. It's like, Oh, you can't be that good. No hits. You're here in the Tobacco. You can't be very good. You're here in the Tobacco. You can't be very good. And they're gonna be like,

what's your hit that I heard on Kiss 92.5? It's funny you say that because like I mentioned, I work at this record shop, PCV Records. And of course I sell the records in the shop, which is a great bonus for working there. And you know, customers will buy it. But I almost feel like sometimes they're, they're doing it out of pity or something. Oh, this guy works at a record story. He's a record. Okay. I'll buy it. And then they come back in and say, wow,

it was good. Yeah. Well, okay. So cams like, Hey, like I, I wasn't sure who James Clark was, but cam carpenters like, if this guy's good and he's in your backyard, he's talked to him. I'm like, okay, let me go listen to his stuff. Okay. So I go and I start listening and I'm like, yeah, I'll talk to James Clark Not because he's in my fucking backyard, but because it's good like it's it's I wouldn't you know, and and I I always wonder with a moberg Moberg obviously that's it. That's his uh, his hustle. He's it's a he's a professional But yes, if moberg heard your stuff and it sounded like my stuff

Would he take your money and I've never heard your stuff? So let's assume it's not very good. OK, would he take your money and produce it regardless? I feel like Moeberg has as a standard where you need to be good. He's not going to put his name on, you know, on your stuff. Right. I mean, your stuff, personally, but you know, I mean, no, you could use me as a good example. My stuff would suck. Well, Moe's not touching it.

But your stuff is my point is your stuff is good. Well, thank you. But he's got to qualify it by unsung. And I always think about who had this... Okay, so Ron Sexsmith just had his 60th anniversary show. Were you there at Massey Hall? I was not, no. Okay, I wasn't there either. No. But I love this guy, Ron Sexsmith. And he's a guy that, he's a guy who can go play in Europe and you can, you know, people... Oh, he's a guy because, of course, because people like Elvis Costello and Paul McCartney and Ray Davises have

Said he's good. Yeah. Yeah, but he's got no he can't point to the American hit right? No, no, no so Therefore he's sort of another I think he's another unsung Unsung absolutely a singer- songwriter in this country. Well, I think it's about time we stopped learning about these people when they die. This is my message on the way out here is okay. Why? And again, I'm sure I missed it all.

I'm sure Eleanor Collins was given her flowers while she was alive. I did read about a stamp, again, you and I aren't seeing many stamps these days, but they did commemorate a stamp to her a couple years ago. I'm sure there were attempts along the way to commemorate this great jazz vocalist who walks amongst us in this country, Eleanor Collins. But I think it's strange that you and I, both in the last 48 hours, learned about Eleanor Collins. And I think it's time we sort of celebrate these great musicians and artists while they're with us.

And we don't wait till they pass to say, hey, this James Clark guy who just died, he was fucking good. Go listen to these songs. Yeah. He's currently lying in Ridley's funeral home right now. I just want to mention also one thing. Somebody had asked if I was doing anything for Record Store Day. And we actually were gonna play Rivoli

on Record Store Day, but we're not. But now it's the week after, April 27th. Where can we see you? So April 27th at the Rivoli. Yes. Okay. Where Neil Young recently

performed and recorded the, uh, the night I was at, uh, where was I? Oh yeah. I was at the horseshoe to see Tom Wilson and junk house. Okay. Which was amazing. Yeah. Love that guy. Yeah. And then I'm biking home and I'm biking by the Rivoli and there's a huge camera. Like it looks like they're filming a movie outside. Like I'm like, what's going on here? And I'm like, I don't know. They're filming something here at the Rivoli and I go home and then I find by the Rivoli and there's a huge camera. Like it looks like they're filming a movie outside. Like I'm like, what's going on here? And I'm like, I don't know. They're filming something here at the Rivoli and I go home and then I find out the next day

that Neil Young played like a private gig or something. He's warmed up the stage for us. But he's not unsung like you. Nope, never will be. Is there a website where we can learn more about the James Clark Institute? You certainly can. You could go to clInstitute.com. Tell

you everything. And no Ian Clark by the way. A lot of people do this. I don't get it. I get it with my last name too. Some last names can be with Ian without Ian. Yeah, but I don't understand why do you go to the extra effort to put on an extra letter? Why? Hey, we put an extra you in color. I'm looking at the color of happy right now. So we shouldn't judge that. Okay. All right Adding that extra you forever here Fun fact Larry fedorik who was a radio superstar? He was on 680 CFTR for goodness sakes But I produced his podcast and he won't use Canadian spelling like he won't spell check with the QUE

Like we do he won't put a you in color Like he's adamant. So in our correspondence, he will not use Canadian spelling. He only spells things American way, even though he's born and raised in Canada. Why is that? Do you know? I know I gotta get more specific as to what he just on principle. He's the other way. I refuse to spell things the American way. I'm with you. Yeah. We're proud South Lake Shore villagers. Exactly. James, amazing to meet you.

Amazing to meet you, my friend. I can call you my friend now, right? Yeah, we're friends. The F and F-O-T-M is friend, actually. Nice to meet you, my neighbor. We can hang out. Are you kidding me? And I hope I do get to see you at Great Lakes Brewery on June 27th for TMLX 15 that would be amazing. I hope to see you at the Rivoli on April 27th. Yeah, April 27th. Oh yeah, I was gonna read one more quote which I'll do here before I sign this out. Steven Stanley! Oh yes. Love this guy. Another unsung hero, but at least he was with this band. He's on this track actually as I play it, Lowest of the Low. He's on this album. I wonder what the connection was, but okay, here we are.

If you tell me there's a finer songwriter than James Clark out there today, I'm gonna come looking for you. That's a great quote. It is. It is. Yep. So that's game recognizing game. Yeah, it's wonderful to be recognized by people that I admire. And that brings us to the end of our 1443rd show. You can follow me on Twitter and BlueSky, I'm at Toronto Mike. Much love to all who made this possible. That's Great Lakes Brewery, Pelma Pasta, Recycle My Electronics.ca, Raymond James Canada,

Toronto Maple Leafs Baseball, and Ridley Funeral Home. See you all tomorrow! It'll be clearer tomorrow when I drop episode 1444, but in the calendar is David Marsden. I'll explain more tomorrow. See you all then. I'd better not name And I've seen the sun go down on Shakla Khor But I like it much better going down on you Yeah, you know that's true because Everything is coming up Rosie and Grey Yeah, the wind is cold

But the smell of snow warms us today And your smile is fine and it's just like mine and it won't go away Cause everything is rosy now, everything is rosy Everything is ros rose and gray