the End of the Republic

Yet another tragedy for Toronto music: Republic of Safety has announced that January 26th at Sneaky Dees will be their last show ever. Reprinted here is the text of their announcement from their Myspace Blog. I hope they don't have a problem with me reprinting it in full (links added for emphasis), but it's worth preserving in the event their Myspace goes away.

EVACUATION ORDERS! BORDER CLOSING!- Last Show Ever: January 26!!

ATTENTION TRAVELERS:

BORDER CLOSING AND EVACUATION IMMINENT

Saturday Jan. 26 Sneaky Dee's, 431 College St., $8 cover/$15 with CD+PrintArt. Evacuation proceedings will be assisted by the musical and comedic armies of:

ELBOW BEACH SURF CLUB, THE BLANKKET, LEX VAUGHN

In accordance with official evacuation orders, the borders of The Republic of Safety will be closed as of January 26th 2008. Since 2007, a covert operation known only as "other interests" has plagued the small guitar-shaped island off the coast of Toronto, zapping the nation's defences. The Republic of Safety was thus left without the resources to contain a recent viral outbreak of "full-time jobs," which has further decimated the Republic. Casualty rates of 100% were reported from the Ministry of Time and Energy.

Travel to the Republic of Safety will no longer be permitted after Jan. 26, 2008. Our borders, open since 2004, will be closed to visitors and potential emigrés for the foreseeable future. Do not panic, contact with RoS ministers or citizens remains (ahem) safe. In the spirit of international co-operation, we wish to share our final recorded document, with the international community. Entitled "Succession," this highly limited edition, four-song document was recorded, mixed and mastered by Andrew McAllister (Soft Copy).

The release is accompanied by artwork created by RoS PM Maggie MacDonald, and screen-printed by Simone at Punchclock Studios. The printed project covers the theme of natural and political succession, and is an ode to the way history changes in re-telling, and a testament to the fact that the absence of a monument is sometimes the most pronounced marker of war.

Members of the outgoing government of the Republic of Safety will continue their nation-building exercises elsewhere. Reports of a minister planning a music festival in a neighbouring nation have been circulating via nerve communication and whispers, and confirmed sightings of Drumminister Steve Sidoli have occurred in Quebexico as well as Teenager. Other members are secretly amassing new armies at hidden locations between Folk Music Mountain, and Performance Art Island (formerly a vacation destination), and busily blogging about climate change for NGOs. One member has received a promotion abroad in the field of cosmetic arts. All ministers will continue to engage in diplomatic visits and have regular meetings to discuss projects and policy at Embassies, such as the Embassy in Kensington Market.

But this is your last chance to see The Republic of Safety play live music before we close our borders forever!!

We thank all citizens, travellers, past ministers and members of government, consultants, debutants, dilettantes, militants, mothers and fathers, friends, and sisterfriends, for support, participation, contributions, ammunition, red ribbons, rescued national gibbons, and dedicated provisions offered up by hip-hopticians.

We have enjoyed the brief life of this nation, but as my 2nd favourite Swedenborgian (2nd only to Blake himself!) Robert Frost once said, "Nothing gold can stay."

With that, we thank you, Citizen.

If anyone else is going, give me a shout!

Free downloads from Republic of Safety

To me, one of the most impressive people in Canada (especially in the indie scene) is writer, award winning playwright, illustrator, political activist, former NDP candidate and musician Maggie MacDonald. You simply have to admire anyone who can seemingly do everything and do it well. As a musician - in addition to her work with the Hidden Cameras she is, along with Marlena Kaesler (bass/voice), Jonny Dovercourt (guitar/voice), Steve Sidoli (drums), and Martin Eckart (saxophone) Republic of Safety.

It is with no small amount of pleasure that I announce that Republic of Safety now has four songs in Podsafe Download section of the site.

Maggie MacDonald

One of the problems with the arts in Canada in general is the lack of publicity. Frequently when things are done by Canadian artists you won't find it, or even find out it exists, unless you look for it. Especially with independent and emerging artists, there are no front page headlines, no advance publicity to speak of, only a few buried reviews at best. That is part of the reason, after all, this site exists.

That, I'm afraid, is my only excuse for not reading 'Kill the Robot' earlier. For a long time I simply didn't know about it, and once I did, it took me awhile to actually find a copy. There are some decent reviews of it here and here. I found though, perhaps because I'm part of the choir and no longer need to be preached to, that it wasn't the semi-Orwellian themes, or the "rallying cry against consumerism" that appealed to me most. It was the stunning use of language and deeply honest insights. Whether or not you agree with the politics of the book, you will find much of the imagery and emotional exploration deeply familiar (at least if you have 'come of age' in the last three decades. In short, read this book.

As an author, award winning playwright, artist and member of the Hidden Cameras and Republic of Safety, Maggie MacDonald is truly one of the great emerging talents in Canada. The blog for The Rat King Rock Opera can now be found in the Canblogs.