Creativity: Issue #1 | Collective Arts

C R E ATIV IT Y

ISSUE #1 19+ MUS T BE LEGAL DRINKING AGE

T W O T I M E S A Y E A R , C O L L E C T I V E A R T S A N N O U N C E S A N E W G L O B A L C A L L F O R A R T. THE CALL IS OPEN TO ANY ARTIST WHO IS OF DRINKING AGE. ALL SELECTED ARTISTS ARE PAID AND KEEP OWNERSHIP OF THEIR WORK .

IF CHOSEN, YOUR ART COULD APPE AR ON CANS, BOT TLE S, APPAREL, M E R C H A N D I S E A N D M O R E . S U B M I T Y O U R W O R K A T:

C O L L E C T I V E C A L L F O R A R T. C O M A R T B Y D AV I D C A M I S A

F E AT U R E S

4

EDITOR’S LET TER

C O C K TA IL S W I T H . . .

PA G E 6

PA G E 4 0

SPOTLIGHT

CHECK OUT

PA G E 10

PA G E 4 2

FOUND SOUNDS

C U R AT E D

PA G E 1 4

PA G E 4 4

D IN E A L O N E S T O R E

ART GALLERY

PA G E 2 6

PA G E 4 6

OUR BEVER AGES

R A P ID F IR E

PA G E 3 0

PA G E 5 6

FROM A TO DTH

F R IE N D S O F C O L L E C T I V E

PA G E 3 8

PA G E 5 8

C R E AT I V I T Y ISSUE #1

BY COLLECTIVE ARTS

C O N T R IB U T O R S C R E A T I V E D I R E C T I O N : S T E V E S T. J E A N D E S I G N : S T E V E S T. J E A N , M E A G H A N K E N D A L L P H O T O G R A P H Y : S T E V E S T. J E A N , M I K E H I G H F I E L D , K E V I N C H AV E Z W R I T I N G : A LY S S A L E C L A I R , R YA N B R I S T L O N , J U S T I N F A U T E U X MARKETING: L AURYN MCL AREN COPY EDITOR: K ARLIE HOPF

C O V E R P H O T O : B R U N O S M O K Y A T C O L L E C T I V E A R T S T O R O N T O B Y S T E V E S T. J E A N

5

EDITOR’S LET TER

Collective Arts was founded ten years ago with the idea that creativity makes the world a better place. This belief remains

CREATIVITY OR BUST

true to this day. If we’re not living, breathing and delivering creativity with our beers, spirits, non-alc drinks, parties, taprooms, beer halls and beyond, then what the hell is the point?

We’ve seen a lot come and go ten years in, but let me take a second to paint a picture for you. It’s the summer of 2023, we’re filling our days consuming TikTok dance moves, news articles about artificial intelligence taking over the world, planning to pre-order Vision Pro headsets (why!?), and I

ART BY LOST COLONY

decided we should make a print publication. Am I losing my mind?

Some might say print is dead, but it seems to me what’s old is new again, and it’s back with a vengeance. Hell, I bought a cassette on Record Store Day (Alexisonfire x Moneen’s Switcheroo, to be exact). Nineties fashion is in. Lil Uzi Vert covered System of Down’s “Chop Suey” on their latest record.

There are no rules anymore, and if there is ever a good time to justify making a print publication, it’s right now.

Call me old-fashioned (or new school, depending on your outlook), but holding something in your hands feels good, and if you’re reading this, you know what I’m talking about.

There is something magical and satisfying about flipping through records at a local shop, browsing physical magazines, and sketching or writing with an actual pen and paper. In a world of NFTs and doom-scrolling, we wanted to create an opportunity for you to slow things down, put your phone away and get inspired.

“IT MAY BE THE WRONG DECISION, BUT FUCK IT: IT’S MINE.” - MARK Z. DANIELEWSKI

Was it the wrong decision to start a publication? Fuck it.

Here I am, introducing Creativity Issue #1. This first edition features Emily May Rose (the artist behind Toronto’s favourite raccoon murals and owner of Northern Contemporary Art Gallery), emerging bands Zuto and Loviet, GoopDude’s skateboard art show and so much more. And best of all, we’re just getting started.

S T E V E S T. J E A N HE A D OF BR A ND CR E ATIV E

6

7

AV R IL W U

JIE UN K IM

D R I N K C R E ATIV E LY A T C O L L E C T I V E A R T S , W E C E L E B R A T E T H O S E W H O L I V E A N D B R E A T H E C R E A T I V I T Y. WE’ V E PART NERED WIT H ARTIS T S WHO CHALLENGE CON V EN TIONS AND INSPIRE US WIT H T HEIR E NDL E S S CR E AT IV IT Y A ND UNIQUE S T ORIE S .

B RUNO S MOK Y

PA C K S

WAT C H T H E IR S T O R IE S F E A T U R E D A R T I S T S : E M I LY M AY R O S E , B R U N O S M O K Y, J I E U N K I M , AV R I L W U , B R I A N N E B U R N E L L , P A C K S A N D M I X O L O G Y M A T T

SPOTLIGHT

EMILY MAY ROSE I N T E R V I E W B Y C O L L E C T I V E A R T S | P H O T O S B Y S T E V E S T. J E A N

We recently sat down with Emily May Rose (the artist

What inspires you?

behind Toronto’s favourite graffiti-tagging raccoons and

I’m inspired by cities and the wildlife that lives there, so I like

owner of Northern Contemporary Art Gallery) to chat

taking those scenarios and exaggerating them and making up

about being an artist, what inspires her and more.

new narratives. Like, “those raccoons are always up to no good but maybe it was them that stole your bike or maybe it was

Who are you? What do you do?

them that tagged the laneway.”

My name is Emily May Rose, and I am an artist.

How long have you been creating?

How do you express your creativity?

How did you get your start?

I express my creativity in many ways. I create paintings,

I’ve been creating art my whole life. I can’t think of a time

sculptures, animations. I paint murals. I design apparel.

that I wasn’t. I’ve been creating professionally for about eight

I illustrate for clients. I’m always doing something different.

or nine years now.

Describe your art form — do you have a signature style

If you weren’t creating art, where would you be?

or technique?

What would you be doing?

My work is very graphic — kind of cartoony. I like to use medi-

If I wasn’t creating art, I don’t know what I’d be

ums that can appear very flat and clean but still hand-painted

doing. I can’t even picture myself doing anything else.

so you can still see the little human imperfections and I like that.

I used to want to be a movie star or an astronaut, so maybe that.

My signature is my raccoons. I just think raccoons are funny.

They’re always up to no good. I like making art that makes

What does creativity mean to you?

people smile and laugh.

To me, creativity is thinking outside the box. It doesn’t have to be painting or making art. It can just be your approach to things. Seeing things differently and doing things differently.

10

EMILY M AY RO SE DRINKS CR E ATIV ELY S C A N T O WAT CH T HE V IDEO

11

12

Emily May Rose is an award-winning artist and illustrator based in Toronto, Ontario. Based on her own experiences, Emily’s work features a cast of recurring characters (most notably her weed-smoking, pizza-eating raccoons) to depict humorous situations that are relatable to many of us trying to survive in an urban environment.

You can find her murals all over the world, but you don’t have to travel far to see one. As part of our latest Mural Project at Collective Arts Toronto, Emily collaborated with graffiti artist Hungr.

See what her posse of raccoons are getting up to while you enjoy a fresh pint and tasty eats.

E M I LY M AY R O S E . C O M | @ E M I LY M AY R O S E

13

FOUND SOUNDS

14

ŽUTO

I N T E R V I E W B Y A LY S S A L E C L A I R PHOTOS BY MIKE HIGHFIELD

15

L E F T T O R I G H T: AUSTIN RUFFO, UNA DI GALLO, B E N D Y M E N T, J E F F R E Y P IN C O M B E

“ I THINK SO MUCH OF CREATIVITY, FOR ME, IS JUST GIVING IN TO THAT IMPULSE AND LETTING IT GUIDE ME. AND SOMETIMES I MAKE STUPID STUFF, AND SOMETIMES I MAKE COOL STUFF, BUT ALMOST EVERY SINGLE TIME IT’S LED TO MAKING NEW FRIENDS AND TAKEN ME FURTHER INTO THE TUNNELS OF COOL SCENES.”

ilton and we sort of just started writing music. Again, with no

- UNA DI GALLO, LEAD SINGER & GUITAR

Were you all friends before this? Were you all just

real expectation on where it would go and ended up playing our first show in March 2020 just before the pandemic hit.

And when that hit, things just went kind of dormant. There was really nothing we could do. We had friends saying, “Žuto will never play a show again!” and things like that. So it sort of felt like it lost traction.

But then, right around 2021, I threw a Halloween house show and decided it would be cool to resurrect Žuto and try to release this EP of songs we had written. From there, we asked Ben [guitarist] if he would play the show with us and he just fit really well and joined the band permanently. Since then, it’s just… been history.

jamming and vibing? Or did this group come to be To start, I would love a brief history of the band.

in another fashion?

UNA: I guess my take on the history of the band — or how

AUSTIN: I think so, yeah. We were friends. And when Una

it started — was kind of organic with no expectations. It was

initially asked me to join the band, it was one of those things

like this thing where it started out with me writing songs

where it was like, “What do you want it to sound like?” and

with our former guitarist, which eventually turned into,

there was a lot of overlap in the bands…we both liked and the

“We need a bassist or drummer” to kind of expand on these

music we wanted to kind of make together. Which is a part of

ideas so we asked Austin [drummer] and Jeffrey [bassist]

why, I think, it works so well. But before that, yeah, we were

respectively if they wanted to play. And so… that is where we

just buds hanging out.

started writing. We were jamming in our jam space in Ham-

16

UNA: I think having been in musical projects in the past,

Usually Una or Ben will come in and — I still don’t really

where it was fun but it didn’t lead to a lot of shows, sort of

know how Una counts music, which is nice because it

felt like this… instant click of chemistry with the bunch of

challenges you creatively to say “How are we all going

us and that was a really cool feeling. It was something I had

to play this together?” It’s kind of a slow process, I think

never really felt before. It sort of felt effortless, which was

for the most part.

really cool.

What is ‘slow’? How are you measuring that?

How did you find your sound?

AUSTIN: I don’t know. It’s not really any set time, but a lot UNA: It’s really weird to think about because I don’t think

of it is just based on no rush... We can play and jam it out

we had any sort of idea for the sound in mind. It’s what

for a whole practice and then say, “Maybe next time I’m

Austin said: we had these overlapping influences. I remember

going to come with something additional.” Sometimes we

wanting to write something that just didn’t feel derivative

just need to sit on it for a little bit, so it’ll take a couple times

and tired, but at the same time that’s what everybody wants.

until it feels right.

So, I can’t say I’m unique in that desire… but I do remember each one of us having a really different song writing process

How do each of you define creativity?

and the way that those processes melded together kind of felt like we were in a room solving a rubix cube together. A thing

UNA: I don’t know if this is just some type of weird word

I’ll say a lot at practice is, “Austin, make the drums weirder.”

association, but the first thing that comes to my mind is

And I know that I write riffs in a really weird, dumb and

impulse… It’s the corniest shit in the world, but I feel like

chaotic way that challenges him to write drums in a nutty

I just have an impulse and drive that feels like a bodily func-

way. And then that makes Jeffrey write the basslines and

tion sometimes. To be like, I need to make something! or

so on and so forth.

I need to climb to the top of my Maslow’s hierarchy of needs and like, hit the self-actualization thing so I can feel good.

Does the creative process start with a specific person

I think so much of creativity, for me, is just giving in to that

every time or is it different? Are you creating it

impulse and letting it guide me. And sometimes I make

harmoniously and then saying, “Okay, I want that

stupid stuff, and sometimes I make cool stuff, but almost

to be weirder!”? How does that process usually work?

every single time it’s led to making new friends and taken me further into the tunnels of cool scenes. So I think at the end

UNA: It’s different every time. I would say, from my perspec-

of the day it really just comes down to… letting the spark in

tive, sometimes it’s one person writing a riff… For example,

the brain have some more oxygen.

on our latest single “Sluice,” I wrote this chord progression that I sent to the group chat and then Ben took it and was

AUSTIN: Ditto. Creativity and inspiration are pretty tied for

like, “this is so… I don’t know how to write a riff around this

me. Creating stuff or listening to stuff and then trying to — I

but I’m going to stretch my brain around it and do my best.”

don’t know — not inspire people but, thinking that something

So he did and it ended up making this really weird-sounding

new could be created because of something you made or

lead part. Then we brought that to the bigger practice where

being inspired to make something because you’ve listened

Austin wrote the drums and then we added this weird bridge

to something cool.

at the end that came out of jamming together.

Outside of your music, how do you try to stay creative?

But then for other songs… we’ll just go into practice and be

Do you work in any other mediums?

there for three-hours playing fuck all. Then at 90-minutes something cool happens and we just feed off of that and

UNA: I’m an animator by trade and so I feel like that’s a

each other’s excitement. Someone will be like, “Put it

really big, creatively fulfilling thing. The 9-to-5 aspect isn’t

in time” and then that’ll make it more exciting.

it, but… aside from that the creative potential is huge. I also like to publish zines. I’m working on a film right now so I feel

AUSTIN: I definitely think the best, most fun songs

like I really get a lot of my creative juices flowing out of that.

we have are the ones where we’ve kind of built on stuff.

And honestly, I feel like it informs the music too. Like, the

17

18

main hobbies inform the side hobbies and vice-versa.

influences, I think, for all of us. For me for sure. Also, proggy stuff. But I think it’s nice to try and challenge yourself

AUSTIN: I’m in school right now for film. That works the

to listen to music you normally wouldn’t, especially when

muscle a little bit differently. It’s nice to be kind of stuck

you’re trying to be creative. It’s like listening to the drums

in a thing for so long and then come to band rehearsal and

in a prog song from the ‘70s: like, what are they doing and

switch over. Then you approach things differently and that’s

why did they make those decisions? It just helps you think

where the cool stuff comes out.

in a different way.

What drives your creativity?

UNA: We’re really big Ween fans.

UNA: I think, for me, it’s the idea. I actually got this because

AUSTIN: Love the Ween.

one time I was lamenting in my car while driving Austin home, saying, “I hate making music right now” or this or

UNA: Love the Ween!

that. He just reminded me that the point of it is for it to be fun. And of course, that comes with the disclaimer that not

Any final words on creativity and the passion behind

everybody has that privilege. Some people are doing creative

being a creative?

stuff for their career and it can’t always be fun. But that has always stuck with me. If it’s not feeling fun, it’s fine to take

AUSTIN: It’s different for everyone. There’s no one right way

a step back and not feel guilty about that. Loosen yourself

to do something when you’re trying to do something creative.

from the timelines that you have given yourself. I also find

Everyone’s process is different and you just have to embrace

that when I do that, creativity always automatically flows

whatever feels good. For us, it’s definitely a low-pressure

a little more freely. I’m no stranger to burn out so I’m aware

kind of thing where we thrive but it could be different for

of that — kind of how gym bros always talk about that rest

others so — whatever works.

period — it’s just as important as the working out period.

I feel like that’s genuinely true for art as well. It’s the

UNA: I would agree with that and also that it’s not a thing

not-doing that also informs the doing.

that doesn’t take hard work. It definitely takes a lot of effort — especially playing shows. It’s a lot of logistics and physical

Are there any specific influences that inspire your art?

labour and, you know, practicing. But I will say, sometimes when you stop trying to make it work in this way you’re imag-

UNA: I’m a really big fan of a lot of silly ‘90s bands. I really

ining it to, it’ll come to you sooner. I know that for a long time

like Pavement. I really like this band called Polvo. We’re big

I felt like I didn’t know how to interact with music. Music

fans, I think at least a few of us are, of this band called Spirit

was the first thing I loved but I found my way in visual arts

of the Beehive who’s like a more contemporary, kind of noisy

sooner than I did in music. I never even really thought I’d be

psychedelic band. I think they were a really big influence in

in a band. But I think it’s when I just gave up the dream and I

terms of feeling like I want to make something that sounds

was like, “ah, whatever! We’ll see what happens!” that it just…

like this. There have been a lot of bands that have been really

it happened. It felt easier to be creative once it felt like I got

huge for that. The Toronto band, Slurry — sometimes I get

surprised by the circumstances of life and that’s been kind of

embarrassed to admit how much I like a local band because

fun. So, sometimes just dropping the resistance, I think, and

it kind of feels like I’m stalking them or something — but

letting things happen organically. And making friends.

I really did love them. It kind of woke me up to how cool local music could be. It didn’t just have to be, I’m going to this show to see this band. It was, I know these people and I’m kind of friends with these people. They inspire me and

SC AN TO E XPERIENCE THE

they’re not just some random band. I can talk to them about

P O S T- P U N K P A R A D I S E O F Ž U T O ,

their process.

A N E M E R G I N G H A M I LT O N B A N D .

AUSTIN: Yeah, like Black Baron and… Love Serum and The

@ZUTOBAND

Drips are a couple Hamilton bands that were definitely big

19

“ CRE ATIVIT Y IS THINKING OUTSIDE THE BOX.

IT DOESN’T HAVE TO BE PAINTING OR MAKING ART, IT CAN JUST BE YOUR APPROACH TO THINGS. IT’S SEEING THINGS DIFFERENTLY AND DOING THINGS DIFFERENTLY. ” - E MILY M AY R O S E SERIES 25 ARTIST

20

21

P H O T O : S T E V E S T. J E A N

FOUND SOUNDS

LOVIET W O R D S B Y A LY S S A L E C L A I R | P H O T O S B Y M I K E H I G H F I E L D

22

Draped in ’90s nostalgia, Loviet’s catchy hooks and emotional

She self-identifies as “Nirvana-meets-Coyote-Ugly,” which

lyrics may leave you crying in the club. With pop influences

goes beyond the shared long blond hair connection and

mixed with indie-rock and enough pep to keep you groov-

comes to life in her performances. Her music has a story-tell-

ing — there’s a reason Loviet’s star is shining bright. Loviet

ing aspect that allows for an ultimate zoom-out, allowing

is making a name for herself, opening for impressive acts

listeners to realize the deeper meaning she’s singing about.

including Milky Chance, JP Cooper and Morcheeba

This music is about more than just the melody and lyrics, it’s

and performing this summer at major festivals, including

an exploration and an understanding, all encapsulated into a

Lollapalooza and the Ottawa Blues Fest.

fulfilling sound that makes you want to just scream (in a good way. We know you know what we mean).

The Toronto artist’s music combines an addictive pop beat with an emotional intelligence that makes her music mean

Next on the horizon, Loviet will release her latest conceptual

so much more, and people can’t help but connect with it.

EP called Little Heaven, produced by Matt Tomasi, who has

Her cinematic EP, The Nighttime Is All In The Timing

worked with the likes of Ethel Cain, Nicole Dollanger and

(produced by Now, Now band members Cacie Dalager and

9Million. The EP tells the story of a desolate, rundown indus-

Bradley Hale), is a five-track banger that Loviet describes as

trial town called Little Heaven. Loviet plays the main charac-

“lots of guitars, energy, power and mess.” And you feel that

ter as the audience’s eyes and ears — a lost girl in her mid-20s

mess with relatable and cutting with lyrics like, “Always pick

who is trying to navigate life on her own. Tackling the big

me up, take me home/I become the person I swore I’m not/

feelings — as is canon for Loviet — this next EP promises to

And it’s killing us” from her single, “Broken Lips.”

explore a woman’s second coming-of-age, the one where you find yourself surrounded by an emotional landscape. Songs

Relishing in the dichotomy between a powerful beat and

from Little Heaven are continually dropping throughout the

an emotional lyric, Loviet’s creativity expands. Her EP

summer, designed as her very own “sad girl summer sam-

is primarily concept-based and paints pictures of people we

pler,” showing off a new sound that edges her into the rock

know, the people we are and the people we are afraid to be.

world.

Taking on subjects like ambition, heartbreak and self-destruction, her music incorporates a vulnerability that allows

If you jive with bands like Weyes Blood, Lykke Li and Ethel

her fans to see the real her and feel seen themselves.

Cain, you’ll dig Loviet.

Having pulled inspiration from artists like The 1975, Sam Fender and Hole, Loviet makes a mark in a self-realized way.

23

24

25

SPONSORED

FEELS LIKE HOME AT DINE ALONE W O R D S B Y R YA N B R I S T L O N | P H O T O S B Y S T E V E S T. J E A N

To describe myself as an ‘elder emo’ would be an understate-

City and Colour as well as other artists such as The Dirty Nil

ment.

and Bedouin Soundclash, the Dine Alone Store has a plethora of creatively curated pieces that you will not find anywhere

I was 15-years-old in the year 2000; when the post-hard-

else.

core ‘emo’ scene was in its infancy. I didn’t have snakebite piercings or wear eyeliner, but I was so into the music of that

Justin Ellsworth, Director of Graphic Design and Production,

time that I could recite lyrics, list off discographies and their

says the Dine Alone team “prides itself on creating creative,

release dates and name the members of any band — past or

limited, fan-geared exclusives.”

present.

These aren’t just limited-edition graphic tees we’re talking So needless to say, when I first walked into the Dine Alone

about. The Store has so many original, exclusive items that

Store located at 864 Eastern Avenue in Toronto, my eyes

they succeeded in mustering up all of my nostalgic feels.

lit up like Charlie Bucket’s the first time he walked into

Custom pins, patches and even a cassette tape of Alexisonfire

Willy Wonka’s Chocolate Factory (I guess you could say

and Moneen’s classic Switcheroo album were at my finger-

I had Bright Eyes.)

tips. It was like being at a concert merch table in my youth — but with more flair and style!

For those who don’t know the story, Dine Alone Records started as a way to give City and Colour (the solo project

“Whether it’s limited-edition cassettes, hand-cut vinyl lathes

of Alexisonfire’s Dallas Green) a separate home from AOF,

or traditional vinyl… we look at a few factors including physi-

who — at the time — were signed elsewhere.

cal sales history for an artist and see if their fan base supports physical media over digital,” says Ellsworth when asked how

As Dine Alone President and Owner Joel Carriere tells it,

the team decides on what exclusive items to create and for

“We wanted to build up City and Colour as its own brand

which artist. “From there we come up with a creative piece

and not a side-project.”

that would drive people to the space as their only place to ever get that exclusive.”

That goal of turning artists into their own individual brands,

26

and the work behind it, is evident within the Dine Alone

I was curious how much input the artists themselves had

Store. Packed with exclusive items boasting the branding of

when it came to creating these pieces, and that curiosity

was put to rest by Dine Alone Graphic Designer Bree Rawn

this record store is not exclusive to Dine Alone artists only.

as they explained that everything is “a very collaborative

Beyond the items you can find revolving around the artists

process.”

signed to the label, the Dine Alone Store also offers up albums of all sorts. Including chart-toppers such as

As it turns out, the bands themselves aren’t left in

The Weeknd, Florence + the Machine and Shawn Mendes.

The Middle when it comes to the creative process.

Browsing through their vinyl selection, I was also able to find classic favourites from Neil Young, Joni Mitchell,

“We work closely with artists to execute their vision for

the Rolling Stones and more.

creative assets — in particular album art (and packaging), merch and social media assets. Building a close creative

Having wanted to open his own record store since his

relationship with an artist has become a crucial step in

days working for Sam the Record Man in St. Catharines,

maintaining a cohesive and effective design.”

Joel Carriere wanted to bring his past experiences of connecting with people through their personal stories

The quality in everything permeated off the walls as it was

about music to Dine Alone Records.

easy to see how much thought, care and creativity went into not only the space itself, but each individual piece of

Once he amalgamated his offices in Nashville, Germany,

merchandise offered. Once a design is ready for print, the

Los Angeles and Australia into one central location in

Dine Alone Store solely commits to choosing Canadian/local

Toronto in 2015, Carriere set forth on achieving his goal.

print production companies, always looking for the quality in the details.

864 Eastern Avenue houses the Dine Alone Records office, a full commercial kitchen, rooftop patio, live-recording facil-

“That is what sets us apart,” says Rawn.

ity and, of course, la piece de resistance: the Dine Alone Store — complete with its own event and performance space.

But don’t let the Dine Alone Store exclusives fool you;

27

“ ONCE, IAN ASTBURY OF THE CULT SPENT A DAY HERE JUST BECAUSE HE LOVED THE ATMOSPHERE. IT’S JUST A RAD SPOT, ROOTED IN MUSIC AND GOOD VIBES.” - JOEL CARRIERE, DINE ALONE PRESIDENT & OWNER

Within the Store’s first year, although only open for special events to start, it was named the Independent Record Store of the Year at the Canadian Music and Broadcast Industry Awards.

What does the future have in store for the Dine Alone, well, Store?

“We are always trying to connect the Toronto community and music and we do this through hosting a variety of events

“In 2022, we hosted the CBC Juno Fest, which was incredible

and contests out of our store,” says Kerslake. “We are in the

to bring artists and the music community together after being

midst of planning a community initiative for August, where

away for so long due to the pandemic. This past April we

customers can come in and shop our store but also explore

hosted our Big Rip with Indie88 featuring the Interrupters

locally made products from local vendors. And, as always,

ahead of their sold out show at History,” says Marketing and

we will participate in Record Store Day Black Friday this

Events Manager Stacey Kerslake.

November.”

Big Rip is a marketing property created by Dine Alone

The team behind the Dine Alone Store seem like they are

that will continue into the future, with several events already

just getting started when it comes to creative initiatives and,

planned for the Store’s event space in the coming months.

with time, more opportunities arise — not just for the brand but for the artists and the community.

“We really try to bring events into the space that give fans a unique experience that they cannot get anywhere else.”

“We are always looking to collaborate with other artists and brands to create cool and unique experiences. You never

The intimate setting, cleverly located behind an old,

know what events could pop-up at our space!” Kerslake says.

repurposed vintage freezer door (which I admit I forgot to close), has a full stage and beautiful lighting that left me

With my hands full of gear — hats, tees and vinyl — I drove

in awe. It took me back to 2002, when I would watch

home with that feeling from my youth; ironically a feeling

Dashboard Confessional’s MTV Unplugged DVD over

that never gets old, like I had just left a concert that I knew

and over again (Dine Alone released Dashboard’s Crooked

I would never forget.

Shadows’album — what fate!)

Trust me when I say that after one visit to the Dine Alone Flexibility is the name of the game at the Store. Artists

Store, you will want to Tell All Your Friends.

have been able to use the inspiring space for everything: from hosting the Pixies for a live radio show to being the

“We’re proud of what we have been able to build here,”

locale of choice where Alexisonfire wrote their most recent

says Carriere.

album, Otherness.

To get the latest updates on all Store activities, you can follow Thus far, the Toronto community — both general and within

them @dinealonestore on Instagram or visit their website

the music and arts community — have been loving it.

at dinealonestore.com and sign up for their mailing list.

“Music fans, industry colleagues and artists alike have

You can find the Dine Alone Store at 864 Eastern Avenue

appreciated the attention to detail — our love of creating

in the east-end of Toronto. They are open Monday to Friday

a welcoming environment and the uniqueness of the space,”

from 10 a.m.–6 p.m. Music lovers can shop in-store and

says Carriere.

online, with in-store pick-up available. Be sure to check out some of the latest record releases from Dine Alone Records

“Once, Ian Astbury of The Cult spent a day here just because

artists City and Colour, Dirty Nil, Black Lungs, AVIV and

he loved the atmosphere,” says Carriere. “It’s just a rad spot,

Bedouin Soundclash.

rooted in music and good vibes.”

28

C O D E : C R E AT I V I T Y 10 GE T 10% OFF YOUR NE X T OR DER .

E XCLUDES PRE-ORDERS & NEW RELE ASES. CODE E XPIRE S NOVEMBER 30, 2023 DINE ALONE S TORE.COM

29

OUR BEVERAGES

30

31

COLLECTIVE ARTS

COLLECTIVE LAGER L AGE R 4 .9% Say hello to our new Collective Lager. We kept this one simple: clean and super easy drinking with a crisp, dry finish. Brewed using high quality, premium malt and hops, this crushable lager is the ultimate crowd pleaser.

Bring to your band practice, a backyard hang or wherever you enjoy the simple things in life.

CR AF T BEER

A R T: R A U L 3 3

32

R ANSACK THE UNIVERSE

LIFE IN THE CLOUDS

G U AVA G O S E

BEYOND REASON

I PA 6 . 8 %

N E I PA 6 .1 %

GOSE 4.9%

M I C R O PA L E A L E 2 . 9 %

A R T: A L E X A N D R E B R A K A

A R T: C H L O É B E A U L I E U

A R T: D AV I D O K U

A R T: N I E L S D E J O N G

D A I LY F O R E C A S T: M I M O S A

H A Z Y S TAT E

JAM UP THE MASH

GOOD MONSTER

MIMO S A S T Y LE BEER 4 .5%

S E S S I O N N E I PA 4 .1 %

DRY HOPPED SOUR 5.2%

N E D I PA 8 . 0 %

A R T: C A I S E P U L I S

A R T: E M I LY M AY R O S E

A R T: J E N N A F R E I M U T H

A R T: M A R C E L A D E B E T T I O T O R R E S

COLLECTIVE ARTS

GALA X Y 2 WAYS NE IPA 6.6% For this IPA, Cudi said it best: Up Up & Away. We predominantly made use of Galaxy Hops while keeping the body smooth and crushable. We added some Galaxy Spectrum for a well-rounded intergalactic experience, bringing delicious hits of fruit into the dry hop. Perfect for sipping and contemplating life’s big questions.

A R T: R O D R I G O Q U I N T A N A

COLLECTIVE ARTS

GOSE 4 . 5% Bonjourno! Sicilian Lemon Gose — have you heard of a more beautiful thing?

Refreshing and balanced tartness are the hallmarks of this beer. With a hint of coriander, which brings out the citrus character of the Sicilian lemon, this

LIMITED RELE ASE BEER

SICILIAN LEMON GOSE

beer is a bit more aromatic and less tart than a regular lemon. Think sipping limoncello with a spritz — sign us up!

A R T: A M B E R V I T T O R I A

UPCOMING LIMITED RELEASES Fuzz Face, a full-on headbanger with distortion cranked up to 11! This Citra-packed Triple NEIPA is not for the faint of heart.

Blood Orange and Cranberry with Vanilla, a decadent sour with a cornucopia of flavours. Citrusy tartness and fruity sweetness will leave everyone asking for seconds.

CO M I N G SOO N

F U Z Z FA C E T R I P L E N E I PA 10 . 2 % A R T: J A M E S C A R E Y

BLOOD OR ANGE AND C R A N B E R R Y W I T H VA N I L L A SOUR 5.6% A R T: D A N I E L K A P I T A N

33

COLLECTIVE ARTS

ARTISANAL DRY Crisp and vivid, our Artisanal Dry Gin has been crafted in small batches with juniper berries and our unique, house-made botanical blend.

Fresh notes of lemon, lime and orange peel keep the gin bright, while our spice blend adds complexity and depth.

A R T: M O R G A N S O R E N S E N

CR AF T SPIRIT S

COLLECTIVE ARTS

LAVENDER AND JUNIPER Beautifully blue, our Lavender & Juniper Gin is blended with unique herbs like heather, lavender and chamomile. With just a touch of bergamot and sweet almond, this gin finishes dry on the palate.

A R T: L U C A S B E A U F O R T

COLLECTIVE ARTS

RHUBARB AND HIBISCUS Delightfully bright, our Rhubarb & Hibiscus Gin was created with a whimsical blend of botanicals. Like the first bite of an orange, it’s juicy and floral, complemented by fresh citrus and botanicals that leave a tart, warm ginger finish on the palate.

A R T: M A R I O C A R P E

34

COLLECTIVE ARTS

MAPLE SYRUP BARREL-AGED RUM We finish our four-year-old Venezuelan dark rum in the same bourbon barrels we use to age our maple syrup. And it delivers. Fall into the warm embrace of vanilla and maple with a hint of oaky, sweet character.

This rum, designed with a spicy finish and smooth balance, makes for the perfect companion to a cocktail or can be sipped neat.

A R T: D A R E N T H O M A S M A G E E

COLLECTIVE ARTS

Our White Port Barrel-Aged Rye glows with a rich amber colour and emits warming notes of peppered spice, oak and candied apple. This three-yearold rye has been aged for an additional year in white port barrels, which helped round out its sweet and warm features, adding hints of orange peel and dates on the finish.

A R T: J E S S M U D G E T T

CO M I N G SOO N

LIMITED RELE ASE SPIRIT S

WHITE PORT BARREL-AGED RYE

CHERRY WHISKE Y SOUR

CITRUS GIN COLLINS

PA S S I O N M O J I T O

W I T H C H E R R Y, M A P L E S Y R U P & L I M E

W I T H G R A P E F R U I T, L E M O N & T H Y M E

W I T H P I N E A P P L E , PA S S I O N F R U I T

A R T: C H A R L O T T E M O F F A T

A R T: S H E L I N A P A C H A I

& MIN T

COCK TAILS

A R T: C O C O S P E N C E R

T E Q U I L A PA L O M A

LEMON SQUEEZY

SANGRIA SPRITZ

WITH OR ANGE & GR APEFRUIT

S PA R K L I N G V O D K A L E M O N A D E

WIT H RED WINE

A R T: S O F I A B O N E L L I

A R T: D A N I E L A R O C H A

A R T: H E I D I B E R T O N

V ISIT A ND E X PL OR E OUR L AT E S T MUR A L PROJEC T FE AT URING E M I LY M AY R O S E , B R U N O S M O K Y, J I E U N K I M X A N D Y F R I E S E N , B R I A N N E B U R N E L L , R O B E R T P A T T E R S O N , AV R I L W U & M O R E .

COLLECTIVE ARTS TORONTO 7 7 7 D U N D A S S T W. T O R O N T O PG 36

A R T I S T: J I E U N K I M

MELLOW MOJITO

P E R P E T U A L PA L O M A

Z E R O P R O O F C O C K TA I L 0 %

Z E R O P R O O F C O C K TA I L 0 %

Z E R O P R O O F C O C K TA I L 0 %

A R T: H E LV E T I C A B L A N C

A R T: S H A L A C K P O K E Y

A R T: S E B N I A R K

H A Z Y PA L E A L E

I PA

EMER ALD STOUT

NON-ALCOHOLIC BEER 0.4%

NON-ALCOHOLIC BEER 0.4%

NON-ALCOHOLIC BEER 0.4%

A R T: G I G O E L M O S E L H I

A R T: G I G O E L M O S E L H I

A R T: G I G O E L M O S E L H I

NON-ALCOHOLIC BEER & COCK TAILS

M I D D AY M U L E

FROM A TO DTH

CREATIVITY DELIVERED W O R D S B Y J U S T I N FA U T E U X | P H O T O B Y S T E V E S T. J E A N

Over the past three years, we’ve built one of the fastest, most

popular, nearly every person on our team was helping to

reliable, most badass craft beverage delivery services. Beer,

collect orders and make deliveries.

cocktails, spirits, non-alc drinks, merch and more are brought right to your door, usually in mere hours (depending on

We didn’t stop there, and our delivery program continued

where you live). We deliver everywhere in Ontario, with ex-

to grow. Nowadays, when you place an order, you’ll get

press service — including same-day delivery — to Hamilton,

text-message updates every step of the way until one of our

the GTA, Niagara, Kitchener-Waterloo, Cambridge, Guelph

art-wrapped vans pulls up to your place and one of our driv-

and London. Just shop online, and we’ll take it from there.

ers steps out with your order, carefully packed in our unmistakable boxes featuring art by Italy’s Raul33.

Now, of course, we’ve had an online store for years. But we’d be willing to bet that until March of 2020, you never even

As you’d expect, you can order our entire lineup of beer, spir-

thought about having beer delivered to your door (unless you

its, canned cocktails, sparkling botanical waters, non-alcohol-

go WAY back to the dial-a-bottle days). What could have hap-

ic beers and cocktails and merch right to your door. But have

pened in March 2020 to suddenly make home delivery such

you ever been sipping one of our beers and thought, “damn,

a big part of our lives? Tiger King, sourdough starters, happy

the art on this can would look great on my wall”? Well, good

hours over Zoom, any of this ringing a bell?

news! You can also order high-quality prints of your favourite pieces from our art series, which arrive in just a few days.

Yeah, you’ve probably guessed; our Doorstep Delivery program was born when the pandemic hit, and we had to find

Next time you’re having friends over and forgot to hit the

new, creative ways to get our beverages into people’s fridges.

LCBO, or you don’t feel like lugging a bunch of cans home,

Our team worked incredibly quickly to build the service from

take out your phone and hit up our online store; all the craft

scratch in mere days, and on March 18, 2020, we made our

bevies you need are just a few taps away.

first home deliveries.

Shop now at collectiveartscreativity.com and use the code Our sales reps, who could no longer go from bar to bar,

DRINKCREATIVELY for free shipping on your next order.

became delivery drivers (or “Beer Santas,” as our CEO Matt liked to call them). Our Hamilton taproom staff packed up online orders. And, as the service became increasingly

38

One use per customer. Expires December 31, 2023.

C O D E : D R IN K C R E AT I V E LY USE CODE FOR FREE SHIPPING ON YOUR NE X T ORDER .

O N E U S E P E R C U S T O M E R , E X P I R E S D E C 3 1, 2 0 2 3 .

C O L L E C T I V E A R T S C R E A T I V I T Y. C O M

39

C OCK TAIL S WITH

MIXOLOGY MATT

P H O T O S B Y S T E V E S T. J E A N | A R T B Y T I M M Y D R I F T

40

GIN & GERMAIN SOUR

INGREDIENTS 1.5oz C OLLEC TIV E A R T S R HUB A R B HIBIS CU S GIN 1oz S T.GER M AIN 1oz LEMON JUICE 0.5oz SIMPLE S Y RUP 2 DROP S OF C OLLEC TIV E A R T S LEMON RO SEM A RY BIT T ER S

C OMBINE A L L OF T HE INGR E DIE N T S IN T O A C O C K TA IL S H A K E R .

DR Y S H A K E FIR S T, A DD IC E , T HE N W E T S H A K E F OR 10 -15 S E C OND S .

D OUB L E S T R A IN IN T O A C HIL L E D C OUP GL A S S A ND A DD 3 DR OP S OF A NG O S T UR A BI T T E R S .

WI T H A C O C K TA IL PIC K , RUN T HR OU GH T HE DR OP S T O C R E AT E HE A R T S .

2 DROP S OF MS.BE T T ER C OCK TAIL FOA MER

41

CHECK OUT

COLLECTIVE ARTS SPACES W O R D S B Y A LY S S A L E C L A I R | P H O T O S B Y M I K E H I G H F I E L D

42

HAMILTON

TORONTO

207 BURLINGTON S T E HAMILTON, ON

7 7 7 DUNDAS S T W TORONTO, ON

Your ride to Collective Arts Hamilton may seem like a

In the neighbourhood of Dundas West, Collective Arts

trip through an industrial area of the city, but amongst the

Toronto’s Ola Volo mural is an immediate draw to the eye.

residential North End and the abrupt beginning of factories

The best part? What happens inside is even better.

nestles our Mothership.

If the mural-filled walls, and graffiti-tagged stairwell don’t Covered in art from artists who live all over the world

tell you how wicked the space is, just wait until you see our

(Cone The Weird, Ola Volo, Werc, Bruno Smoky and Shalak

events calendar. Head into the Taproom and see Toronto’s

Attack), its an immediate draw to Craft Beer lovers who love

favourite raccoons by Emily May Rose and a floral dream by

a good time and who want to see where the magic happens.

Gosia Komorski. From EP release parties, to your favourite Toronto cover bands, there is always some music keeping

Inside the walls of our brewery, where the brewers are hard

the building buzzing.

at work and the can line is buzzing, you’ll find a Taproom full of even more art, good times and a gallery wall with bottles

As you head down the stairs with graffiti tags from all our

from our first ever Art Series! Grab a pint and enjoy the vibes

artists, you are greeted by a room full of kick ass art — a mural

or a 6-pack to go, the choice is yours.

project we did with local Toronto artists. With art from Bruno Smoky, Avril Wu, Andy Friesen, Jieun Kim, Dave Setrakian,

Then, head to the Beergarden & Beer Hall boasting an event

Aiden Riddell, Timmy Drift, Robert John Patterson and

space with a huge capacity, wicked acoustics and a badass

Brianne Burnell. This versatile space allows for every genre

patio covered in even MORE art by Brianne Burnell and a

of art. So, whether Northern Contemporary is hanging their

mural amongst the barrels inside by Jordan War.

latest pieces on the walls or we’re having a punk show downstairs, you can’t stop the creativity from flowing.

Concerts, Art shows, Launch Parties, Dance Parties… you name it, Collective Arts Hamilton has probably hosted it.

Pair your favourite CA pint with a comfort-food-inspired

Whether its collaborating with Wavelength Music or hosting

menu by Dundas West’s very own Heartbreak Chef — it’s like

Fruit Salad Queer dance parties — there’s an event for every-

we know how to give you the best night of your life or some-

one. Plus, exciting weekly events that keep people coming

thing. Hot eats, chilled pints and some art from the coolest

back for more.

Toronto artists around. We aren’t kidding around here.

SCAN TO LE ARN MORE ABOUT OUR

SCAN TO LE ARN MORE ABOUT OUR

BEERG ARDEN, FOOD & DRINK MENU,

T O R O N T O T A P R O O M & B O T T L E S H O P,

W E E K LY E V E N T S , R E T A I L S T O R E ,

W E E K LY E V E N T S , F O O D & D R I N K M E N U ,

BREWERY TOURS AND MORE.

E VENT BOOKING S AND MORE.

@COLLECTIVEARTSON

OTTAWA 9 BY WARD MARKE T SQUARE, OT TAWA, ON Check out our latest Collective Arts Pop Up Shops.

UNION STATION TORONTO

Each features a bottleshop, taproom and murals

65 FRONT S T W, TORONTO, ON

by Joel MacKenzie and Kayla Marok.

(L O W E R C ONC OUR S E , A R OUND T HE C OR NE R F R OM T HE F O ODIE A IS L E)

43

“GOOFY” A SK ATE DECK ART SHOW

44

F R A N Z S T E FA N I K

JOSH EMTER

KURT BARTLETT

L AUR A KEELING

@FR A NZ S T EFA NIK

@ JO S HE M T E R TAT T OO

@AGARDENOFGHOULS

@ L A U R A K AY K E E L I N G

SUGARBONES

M E TA L P L U S H

JAMES MICHAEL CHIANG

GORD BOND

@SUGARBONES

@ME TA L P LU S HM A DE

@MIKE YGOODTIME

@GORDBONDARTIST

CUR ATED BY ANDREW FRIESEN

CHRIS PEREZ

G E N E V I E V E L AT O U R

CAROLINE FRIESEN

D AV I D O ’ C O N N O R

@CHRISPPEREZ

@GNARRRENE VIE VE

@THEGOODFUNCLUB

@ S W E E E T D AV E

ANDREW FRIESEN (GOOPDUDE) Andrew Friesen’s art exhibit “Goofy” showcases a collection of hand-painted skate decks featuring the creative works of fellow local artists and friends.

Check out the gallery at our Collective Arts Union Station Pop-up in Toronto. Best of all, if you like what you see, this exhibit is also for sale! Cop one of these limited-edition skate decks before they’re gone.

P E T R A M ATA R

B A S K A S Z O S TA K

@BONPETR A

@B A SK A _ S ZO S TA K

ANDREWFRIESEN.COM @GOOPDUDE

45

Submit your art at collectivecallforart.com

Summerbluess, Famous When Dead, Vidam, Blumoo and Avril Wu.

Feast your eyes on some of our favourite pieces of art featuring Mario Carpe,

ART GALLERY

A R T: M A R IO C A R P E

A R T: S U M M E R B L U E S S

A R T: FA MOU S W HE N DE A D

A R T: V ID A M

A R T: B L UMO O

A R T: AV R IL W U

R APID FIRE

JIEUN KIM I N T E R V I E W B Y A LY S S A L E C L A I R | P H O T O B Y S T E V E S T. J E A N

Who are you?

Favourite place to find inspiration?

I’m June. [Laughs]

I guess just from nature. I like to get out sometimes, like go camping or to a cottage. We live in a really busy city,

Where are you from?

so sometimes I need some quiet time to think about my art.

I’m from Seoul, South Korea but I live in Toronto now.

Why is art important?

What do you do?

It gives freedom… Like, with art you can make anything.

I’m a Street Artist, Tattoo Artist, I do design, sometimes

It doesn’t have to make sense, it doesn’t have to be logical.

make logos… sometimes, ceramic works. I love creating.

You can just create something that you feel. And not everybody feels the same about art so it’s a fun thing.

How do you classify your style?

Oooh, my style? Bold and colourful.

What’s your favourite Collective Arts drink?

I really like Saint of Circumstance. It was actually one

What are your favourite projects to work on?

of the first cans I worked on with Collective Arts!

Sometimes I really enjoy doing street art, mostly because I love spray paint and I love the vibe of being outdoors

What’s your dream project?

doing it with other people. But, sometimes I really enjoy

I always wanted to be an International artist. I’m, like,

tattooing because it’s more personal and you get to have

halfway there because I’m from Korea! But, I want to

more of a deeper conversation with your clients because

do more work outside of Canada. This summer I’m going

it’s a more one-on-one thing.

to Germany for the Hands Off The Wall Festival.

What is creativity to you?

Where’s your favourite mural by another artist?

Creativity is fuel for me to move forward because my life

I really, really like Okuda’s mural that’s on Jarvis and Carlton.

is about art. I make my living by making art. So, without

It’s a huge, huge mural… It’s really, really cool.

creativity there won’t be anything. So, yeah — it’s my food.

It’s my fuel.

Where’s your favourite place you’ve ever done a mural?

I really liked painting in Halifax. Not only was it a good vibe

Who are your favourite artists?

with the people around, but we also had one of the best

I really like Henri Rousseau. He’s a French artist — I also

oysters there. [Laughs]

have a tattoo of one of his paintings.

What do you do to stay inspired?

56

For more contemporary artists… I really like all the spray

I think collaboration with other artists. Whenever you work

artists all over Toronto. I really admire how people use the

with other people you always learn something from them no

same medium that I do and create such different art.

matter how experienced you are.

JIEUN KIM DRINKS CR E ATIV ELY S C A N T O WAT CH T HE V IDEO

57

FRIENDS OF COLLECTIVE

ART GALLERY OF HAMILTON

THE HEARTBREAK CHEF

WITLY

Step into history and creativity at the Art

Searching for Toronto’s most decadent

Witly is the go-to agency for makers.

Gallery of Hamilton. Their permanent

comfort food? The Heartbreak Chef is

They are a trusted partner of Collective

collection is one of Canada’s finest collec-

where it’s at. Jerome, the restaurant’s

Arts, making physical products and digital

tions, boasting artists like Colville, Haring

creative culinary mastermind, has brought

marketing tools that matter (and look fire).

and Carr. Embrace inspiration with studio

to life everything from Big-Ass Chicken

From merchandise and apparel to on-site

classes, festivals, performances and artist

Sandwiches to dreamy Deep-fried Brus-

creative activations, Witly has you covered.

talks. Discover art that challenges,

sels. Try these tasty eats at Collective Arts

@byWitly is their house, and @WitlySupply.

engages and excites—perfect for creative

Toronto or the Heartbreak Chef

Co is their housebrand. Make it matter!

souls seeking unique experiences.

restaurant (823 Dundas St W, Toronto.)

ARTGALLERYOFHAMILTON.COM

THEHEARTBREAKCHEF.COM

BYWITLY.COM

@THEHEARTBREAKCHEF

@BYWITLY

@AT_THEAGH

DINE ALONE STORE

NORTHERN CONTEMPOR ARY

ALL SORTS PRESS

Located at 864 Eastern Avenue in Toronto,

Northern Contemporary is a creative hub

All Sorts Press is a letterpress printing

the Dine Alone Store was built for music

consisting of an art gallery, creative work

and design studio in Hamilton. They

lovers. Featuring exclusive items from their

spaces and digital print production studio

specialize in handcrafted luxury printed

stacked artist roster, the shop also carries a

owned by Emily May Rose.

matter using early mid-century printing

wide range of vinyl, apparel and more.

presses.

In the heart of Toronto’s Roncesvalles

58

With its beautiful decor and live event

neighbourhood in the west-end,

Custom creative work includes wedding

space, the Dine Alone Store is where

Northern Contemporary showcases work

invitations, posters, typesetting and design,

modern and nostalgia converge.

from both local and international artists.

stationery, prints and illustration.

DINEALONESTORE.COM

NORTHERNCONTEMPORARYGALLERY.COM

ALLSORTSPRESS.COM

@DINEALONESTORE

@NORTHERNCONTEMPORARY

@ALLSORTSPRESS

PG 59

C O L L E C T I V E A R T S C R E A T I V I T Y. C O M @COLLEC TIVEBRE W | @COLLEC TIVEDIS TILLING