Arkell Street, Hamilton

Hamilton's own: The Arkells.

I remember a time last year when I was torn between seeing Arkells at the London Music Hall or reporting on a London Knights game. Fortunately (or unfortunately at that time), I'd volunteered for the Knights game even before I knew what Arkells was. And then I began regretting my decision. For what it's worth, the Knights game was pretty insane and I got to speak to Austin Watson and Greg McKegg, so in truth, I'm not all that displeased.

I don't think I've been drawn towards a Canadian artist since living in the country as much as I've been drawn towards Arkells. I elucidate the difference as knowing some artists from back home (Nickelback, Simple Plan and Drake, to name a few). So what does someone like me do? Well get my hands on both Arkells albums, no doubt: Jackson Square and Michigan Left, for those who are unaware.

I don't know what I love about Arkells. Admittedly, they're no Coldplay or Green Day but they still have that unexplainable draw that causes me to fanboy over them. And by fanboy, I don't mean the way some people gush over an 'artist Canada should attempt to hide forever.' Yes, I'm talking about that teenager: Justin Bieber.

If you recall the April 9 issue of the Interrobang, where I elaborated on 10 things that Canada taught me, I did mention the Arkells performing in London, the show that I missed and the fact that my iPod would have to work overtime. Well, all that was all forgotten on September 13. If you were in London then, you'll probably know that the Western Fair was on. Arkells performed as part of the Western Fair's free concert series. Naturally, I got all excited and ecstatic and made sure to clear my schedule. I had already missed one Arkells show in London and I sure wasn't going to miss another one.

And there I was, amidst hundreds more, singing out loudly to songs I didn't know the words to. And this was probably the second-best concert I'd ever been to. (Four in my entire life isn't a whole lot, I know.) The only reason this isn't number one is simple – Chris Martin dancing on stage – but that's a different story.

Another thing I like about Arkells: the band was named after a street in Hamilton. That is beyond cool simply because you name streets after famous things, and not vice versa.

I've distracted myself long enough. For now, I need to get back to my iPod, Arkells beckon. And for the record, I've yet to pick a Canadian Football League team to follow. "Ticats Are Hummin" might just sell me on the Hamilton Tiger- Cats. But that's a decision for the future. Right now, I'll stick to learning every Arkells lyric.

Originally Written for the Interrobang: http://www.fsu.ca/interrobang_article.php?storyID=8976&sectionID=3&issueID=215
Image Credit::http://vancouverisawesome.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/10/arkells.jpg

Canadian Castle's

Stana Katic and Nathan Fillion: Hamilton meets Edmonton...

I loathe myself for two reasons. One for letting my workload get to me and not being able to write anything for last week. And two, and I can't stress this enough, for not realizing what this week is all about. I've recently gone on a Castle-watching spree. The ABC series is something different from all the sitcoms I usually watch, and it only just struck me that both the lead actors (Nathan Fillion and Stana Katic) are Canadian. This is something I should have written about ages ago!

I've noticed that Nathan Fillion has been around for a while. He was cast in Joss Whedon's Firefly (which, coincidentally links, Fillion to one of my other favourite shows, The Big Bang Theory). On digging further, I noticed that Fillion went to school in Alberta, where he is from: The Concordia University College in Alberta and then the University of Alberta. I often chat with friends back home about Castle, and the one thing that comes up – especially if they're female – is his looks, his charm and his personality, especially portraying the role of Richard Castle. It's an area I don't have any comment, naturally.

But then I move on to Kate Beckett, or rather Stana Katic. For starters, she's from Ontario; Hamilton, to be exact, although she did live and grow up in Chicago, Illinois. This time when I chat with people from back home, they usually have no comment. For starters, if they're female, they're usually too busy ogling Nathan Fillion, or if they're male, they think they have other, more important shows to watch. So usually, it's just me against the world. I'm actually excited about both these characters to be honest; I'd say they're a perfect match.

Anyway, I thought I'd finally move on to the show itself. I was skeptical at first when I saw the ads on TV back in India; I wasn't so sure how the show would pan out, much like Burn Notice, although I was insanely excited for Burn Notice when I saw the first trailers. I'm more of a sitcom kind of guy; anything that makes me laugh usually has priority when it comes to watching TV, so Castle is a welcome change at times, something different (though it still makes me laugh). I'd say the show is well supported, especially by Jon Huertas and Seamus Dever in the roles of Esposito and Ryan, respectively.

While I haven't been able to watch the new season of Castle yet, owing to my lack of a cable connection, I'm sure the show is moving forward well. I'm eagerly waiting for the day I'll get to watch season five. Until then, I have the first four seasons on DVD to keep me company. Canada has outdone herself once again, this time through two quirky actors that know how to work together well on screen. Kudos, Canada, Kudos!

Originally Written for the Interrobang:http://www.fsu.ca/interrobang_article.php?storyID=8896&sectionID=3&issueID=213
Image Credit: http://fandomania.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/11/castle-206-1-7.jpg