A Guy Called Gerald spinning as part of GRIND with NISH RAWKS, D-SISIVE, DJ IVAN and TERRENCE PARKER at Metro Hall Square (55 John), Saturday (June 16), 11 am. Free. www.ofl-fto.on. ca/youth
Rating: NNNNN
Sick of work? Running out of steam in the rat race?
If you were thinking of begging the powers that be for that extra vacation day, think again. Soon it’s going to be close to impossible, thanks to Bill 147, a piece of legislation that, if passed by the Tory government, will increase the workweek to 60 hours, with less worker protection and no overtime pay.
Think it sucks? A rare chance to speak out happens Saturday at Metro Hall Square.
It’s a demonstration, with information booths, artists showing their wares and a handful of Canadian and international DJs who’ll spin throughout the day from 2 to 11 pm.
For Manchester-born A Guy Called Gerald, the cause comes as a surprise. Toiling away in his New York studio, he’s shocked to hear about the legislation.
“You can’t really force people to change their pattern in life, and, yeah, it sounds hardcore. What’s the reason? Low productivity, a huge debt?
“Either way, when you’re trying to get people to work longer for the same pay, it’s out of order.”
Now a marquee name on the global DJ circuit for his snazzy drum ‘n’ bass samplings, Gerald knows what it’s like to work the 9-to-5 gig. Back in England, before he was known as A Guy Called Gerald, Gerald Simpson helped pay the rent by working as a carpet fitter, box packer and serving hungry palates at McDonald’s.
That’s probably why he was so interested in starting his own label. He was planning to do it after completing 2000’s Essence compilation, a jazzy and soulful introspective done in collaboration with artists like David Bowie, Goldie and Finley Quay.
“It’s really hard to start a label in America. It’s not about the art, it seems to be about moving units,” he explains.
“I think later on I’d still like to try it. But for now, I’m going to concentrate on creating another album.”
zackm@nowtoronto.com
