Authors of AvoxCrew
 Name: Adam Jamieson Introduction: |  Name: Alison Introduction: Alison is a graduate of The Ontario Collage of Art and Design and has a Bachelor of Fine Arts from the University of British Columbia. A working Artist/painter/sculptor/illustrator/Curator and the mother of two teenage boys (Phew I’m exhausted!) Alison has been an active member of the Toronto arts scene for many years, first as an actress and also a stand-up comedian. She has also worked in the film and television sector as an assistant, sound and film editor and story editor. She has written and illustrated several children’s books. She is presently the curator for 'The Lisa Brown Project' www.lisa-brown.com, a foundation that provides funding for opportunities in education in the arts. |
 Name: AllisonH Introduction: Allison has been obsessed with fashion since the impressionable age of 3 when she first discovered her mother’s closet and took her personal style into her own hands. As a believer in using fashion as a form of self expression, she has gone through enough transformations to rival Madonna (one of her heroes of course) and she has developed a keen eye for detail along the way. Whether it’s adorned with fringe, feathers, sequins or beads, she is forever on the lookout for something new. Her passion expanded into the beauty industry when she pursued an education in professional makeup artistry and became a full on product junkie…there has been a lot of eyeliner and no turning back ever since! Allison also possesses a degree in Women’s Studies and is currently going to school for Website Design and Production. She is stoked to be a Stylevox contributor for Toronto and looks forward to sharing her latest finds with you. |  Name: Ana Maria Introduction: |
 Name: Andrea Introduction: Mighty Greetings, Let me start off by introducing myself… I am the Metal Muse. I am 21 y/o, and I am currently living in Toronto, where I attend university and find myself doing my fourth year of Neuropsychology and Religion. In my spare time, I would like to say that I'm a bit of a Dj. I host my own Metal show called Latin Distortion, where its sole purpose is to promote Latin American Metal. By the way, there is no such thing as Latin American Metal. What I broadcast is any metal sub-genre that one can possibly think of, however, the bands showcased in the show come from Latin America. The quality of material found is top-of-the-line awesome; hence why I decided to create a "specialized" show to display their talent, so individuals like you could get a chance to enjoy their music as much as I do. These bands should honestly be getting more airtime, but for now, we are taking baby steps in order to take over the world! Feel free to check out MySpace, where you will find more information about the show: http://myspace.com/latindistortion . |  Name: Angela R Introduction: |
 Name: Aoife Introduction: |  Name: Bryen Introduction: Willing to take on any assignments of interest, leap over tall buildings, attend parties with free booze, listen to rants, travel the world in search of the great unknown - willing to discover the new and rid the past, willing to see the future as opportunity? All to put it all together for others to see. |
 Name: Daniel Introduction: Hey, my name is Daniel born in Chile a few years back (well, more than that); in Canada since the early 80's. Musician by passion, but necessity makes me work for a living.. Such is life! I beat boredom and enhance my life by mixing the Alternavox program in my home studio for both the radio station where it originally aired and this wonderful and unique magazine, all for your listening pleasure, cool stuff, even though I am a 60's & 70's prog fanatic. Love the concept mind you; I am a big proponent of communication; information can only make us stronger. Cheers" |  Name: Elissa Introduction: Elissa been has fascinated with makeup and its power to transform since, at the impressionable age of 5, she discovered KISS, Cher and The Hilarious House Of Frightenstein all in one year. Fascination became obsession during the 80s, thanks largely to Legend, The Lost Boys, Duran Duran, Siouxsie Sioux and those elaborate Christian Dior ads. Then in the 90s, she found out people were willing to pay her money to put makeup on them, and she never looked back. Her career has spanned nearly 2 decades in the industries of film, television, fashion, education and she is happy to add Alternavox to the list. |
 Name: Erik Introduction: A walking dichotomy, Erik was reared in the diversity of Toronto and transplanted with his early impressions of an inclusive society to spend what some call formative years with the rocks, trees, and ever visible Milky Way in Parry Sound. With an intrinsic concern for social justice and fighting the good fight, Erik originally aspired to save humanity by contributing to the seemingly necessary colonization of Mars. Along the way, his obsession with creativity got the most of him and now enjoys a career in the technical aspects of visual communications, whether it is ink on paper or pixels over wire or air. A restless soul, over the years Erik has been found all but torturing himself in the boreal forest planting toilet paper, teaching basic computing skills to bureaucrats in the Lao People’s Democratic Republic, and driving over huge tracts of North America to see the sights. He is always embracing the new, nostalgic of the past, optimistic of what is ahead and heeding the needs of the moment with the enjoyment of being constantly amazed. |  Name: Eugenia Introduction: |
 Name: Forest Introduction: Forest Lightbody is "the mockstar". He was born and raised in Toronto. He dreams of an apocalypse, is a multimedia whore and is always late. |  Name: Hannah Introduction: |
 Name: Heidi Kutzelnig Introduction: Heidi Kutzelnig can be best described as Hippy Barbie. Working on her Holistic Nutrition degree, she is passionate about helping you live a healthier, greener life while still looking fabulous. |  Name: Heidy Introduction: I saw my first film at about five years old; it was E.T. I remember my father taking me to the theatre and just sitting there absorbed by the story and the big screen. I had found another way to escape reality besides my imagination and perusing books (I was being taught how to read by then). My affinity for film and arts continued in my primary years back in Guatemala City but at its core, it was in secondary school in Toronto, where I learned to love old films, poetry, ballet, architecture, music of all genres and all that encompasses art. I had a wonderful English teacher in grades 11 and 12, Ms. Purtill; she was instrumental in my developing my writing skills and my love of fine arts. My current passion for film truly started through volunteering for the Royal Ontario Museum, the Art Gallery of Ontario and various organisations and film festivals, Now with Alternavox I have realised the city is filled with opportunities to experience art. Sometimes, we are not aware of events that are taking place and perhaps may not even know where to start. That is where I come in to help dispel our great city. During my free time, you will find me at a movie theatre or another art event. I do enjoy other things, however, such as great conversations with open-minded people... As well as a good book, a nice glass of Bordeaux wine or a lovely meal shared with family and friends. It’s about living in the moment... |
 Name: Jennifer Introduction: I am the Editor for Livingvox, and a regular Boombox contributor. Mother of two amazing teenagers; balancing day-to-day life; showing up for work day after day, year after year; dragging my bones to the gym a few times a week; being able to stop at four chips; spending as much time as I can with good friends. Likes: my family; my friends; my dog, Hugo; edamame; big juicy steaks; potatoes; sunshine; beaches; parties; tats; pinups; presents; sleeping; flirting; my iPod; house and trance music; bangs; fashion; good food; fine wine; Stoli; Keiths; metrosexuals; UFC; football (both); being in the wrong place at the right time; healthy lifestyles; loyalty; love; happy positive people. Dislikes: pain and suffering; civil wars; ethnic cleansing; anything military (except the boots); poverty; mean people; gossip; stormy weather; rodents/fish/birds (in captivity); dreads on a 17-year-old girl (you know the one); smoke; soggy bread; stale cereal; rotting lunches; broken promises; conceited people; stalkers; haters; hot n' cold types; fakes; name droppers; liars; stink-eye givers. |  Name: Jenny Yang Introduction: |
 Name: John Chidley-Hill Introduction: |  Name: Jrox Introduction: Listen…My name is Jordan Hodgson and I’m a Producer/Recording Engineer. I divide my time between mixing music and films. I have worked on projects that have appeared on CBC, Bravo, OMNI, and in various film festivals. I am here to co-edit the Boombox section with my wife and occasionally think on some other subjects. Cheers! |
 Name: Katy Introduction: |  Name: Lindzrox Introduction: Lindsey Jayne Hodgson (aka Lindzrox) - I am the Co-Editor of Boombox, a forum where music can be seen and heard. We cover the entire soundscape and take our readers along for the ride. My love for music began at an early age, 3 to be exact, when I would recite Beatles songs for my parent's friends at parties, flip through my brother's vinyl collection and be mesmerized by the cover art and rhyme along to my sister's Grandmaster Flash record. From Arcade Fire to Zero 7 and all that falls in between on my iTunes, we will try to give you a taste of it all. I love hip-hoppers, not name-droppers, electronic beats not posers on the street, rock n’ roll, not a-holes, fashion chic not personalities who are weak, artistic design and ideas that are usually mine. So what else can I tell you about me; I love my husband, my family, my friends, and my dog. These are the things that continue to inspire me to become a little bit better, a little bit smarter and a little bit doper everyday! "It's in your reach, concentrate." - Placebo |
 Name: Maria Introduction: |  Name: Matthew Introduction: |
 Name: Meghan Introduction: |  Name: Melody Introduction: Melody Li understood fashion defined who a person was from an early age. When her father presented her with a tacky t-shirt at age 7 with the picture of a weird banana strutting away from the other bunches of bananas bearing the slogan “Why be part of the bunch?”, she understood what a person put on their body could mean disaster or success. This was of course an attempt for her father to help her fit in at school. She of course wore the t-shirt once to school (inconspicuously under a sweat shirt) not to hurt her father’s feelings, but understood that inspirational slogan laden t-shirts were not the answer to fitting in, or better yet, finding her own groove within the microcosm of society - that is school. Fashion is an expression of identity which is unique to each individual’s preference and taste. A simple piece of wardrobe possesses the ability to communicate confidence, mood, power, freedom of self expression, or simply “this is me take it or leave it!” The tools of self- expression are boundless when it comes to fashion. When Melody is not fighting the good fight advocating for freedom of self-knowing and expression, she is busy working on social justice projects and teaches a specialized gifted alternative program in the public school system as well as teaching students with special needs. She is currently writing her Masters Thesis at Simon Fraser University on social-emotional learning and its implications on identity development. |
 Name: Melody Fury Introduction: Creator of popular food blog: BouchonFor2.com / Vancouver, B.C. / Food Photographer / Food Writer / Recipe Developer / Certified Teacher / Young Entrepreneur / Business Consultant / Painting and Ceramics / Serial Killers and Vampires |  Name: Mikhail Introduction: Publisher-Creator Mikhail Saavedra began life down by the deepest tip of southern Latin America. He started life with a deep curiosity for all things, with music and books being at the forefront, a curious child by all accounts. As he grew and opened his eyes to the world, he developed a sense of justice and dignity in part as a reaction to growing up in a military dictatorship. Alas, this did not fill him with fear or cynicism but a more rebellious spirit, which led him to being incredibly popular at the principal’s office and the local riot police department…. Then came Canada and it was here that he was able to formulate his deep desire to learn about the world, with Toronto being the kind of multicultural soup that could engage his need to know and embrace. It started with writing, then moved on to what became Toronto’s first Latin Alternative radio show, followed by an all-English show in the same vein. It was this desire to find the true “crossover” among people, which led him to the concept of “Alternavox” He is a lover of wine, good food, Neruda, Eduardo Galeano, rebel music, revolutionaries, dancing, family and beautiful people. Believes that kindness in this much too cynical world is revolutionary, that you are a better person when able to give a little without asking for the change and that on the same token you should laugh at yourself and the madness surrounding you as often as possible as you set out to change the world bit by bit. |
 Name: Ola Introduction: liquid paper. water-proof matches. cigarillos. nicotine patches. the gorillaz. US fascists. real TV & fake eyelashes. sixty-nine & 4-1-6. drumNbass & beestung lips. random trips & middle fingers. country kids & city swingers. shitty singers. shameless sinners. happy drunks & lotto winners. auto pilot. standard purists. suburban turds & stupid tourists. useless facts & pompous blogs. apple bottoms. tiny dogs. shameless skanks & nameless haters. topless bars & helpless waiters. reckless leaders. sexless hacks. heartless farts & heart attacks. burning bridges. casting stones. naming names & breaking bones. |  Name: Pablo Introduction: Pablo Vivanco is a proud Latin American, born in Valparaiso, Chile and raised in the north-west end of Toronto. He has been politically active since the age of 16 when he began organizing high school students against the education cuts begun by the government of Mike Harris. While completing a degree in History and Latin American and Caribbean Studies at York University, he was elected as Vice President of External Affairs for the York Federation of Students (YFS) and served on the executive of the Canadian Federation of Students - Ontario. Currently, he is Executive Assistant to Councillor Paula Fletcher who is Chair of Parks and Environment Committee working on policy and community organizing. He is also producer for Barrio Nuevo, a youth oriented weekly music and talk show on Voces Latinas, Director and trainer for the Corintianos Futbol Club and the Director of Public Relations for the Chilean Canadian Association. Pablo is a friend to all people (except stockbrokers and Queen St West hipsters),enjoys the golden era hip hop (if you were there you know what I'm talking about) and sweet, sweet tequila. |
 Name: Peter Introduction: Se habla español Hi y'all Peter here. I'm a student doing my post-grad in Environment Sciences, but for the purposes of Alternavox I'll be your "music that you've may or may not have heard" guy. What that entails is me periodically checking myspace or blogs at unhealthy frequencies in my day-to-day life. What type of music do I like? I guess it would be mainly indie rock and electronica, but I guess like everyone says I listen to whatever "fits the mood" and I'm generally pretty open to that idea. I truly think we live in a globalized society and I think music is a good extension of that, it has brought so many different types of music to be commercialized on the global scale. In terms of globalization I think my character represents that, I'm kind of like a multi-national mongrel as I've just been exposed to so many cultures, not only from my travels but also growing up in Toronto, this sort of thing is inevitable. If I had to choose a favourite band, I'd say Ladytron. I guess I could write a page why they are the greatest thing I've ever heard, but well I like them, I think that's sufficient enough and I think that's enough reason to like any sort of music. However, if I was to summarize myself I'd basically say I like interesting and ecletic music, keeping aquaria, pretty girls with cute haircuts, vintage shopping, getting free stuff and collecting Cold War memorabilia. |  Name: Queena Introduction: Queena Kwok, whose infinite love for all things edible has led to many tasty adventures in Asia and across Canada. Growing up in Hong Kong, under the guidance of her father, who is also a food adventurer and gourmet cook, has shaped her open-minded and curious approach to food. At home and also on family vacations through southern China, she has experienced many firsts with a variety of exotic fruits and vegetables, and cuts of both domestic and game meat. Migration to Canada offered up more opportunities for new tasty vegetation and flesh alike, as well as an introduction to various international cuisines, having made home in the Maritimes, then in Toronto and also traveling across various other parts of our great nation. It seems like the possibilities are endless. She will continue to share her culinary exploits and knowledge with our readers in future articles. |
 Name: SamSabastien Introduction: Sam and Sabastien are brothers who work together to write and critique computer games. Sam is a 10th grade student living in Toronto. He admittedly spends way too much time playing computer games. He hopes to eventually work in computer game design and will be doing an internship at a gaming company in Toronto this summer to learn more. When he can pull himself away from the computer screen Sam is on his high school swim team and is working towards his lifesaving certification.When hes really motivated you can find him in the gym lifting weights. Sabastien is a 7th grade student who is interested in everything. He loves playing computer games and is always designing several of his own. He is also an avid horseman. He hopes to one day play polo or enter an Olympic horse jumping event. Sabastien loves animals and has been talking about having a career where he can work with animals since he was 3 years old. Sabastien is also on his Junior high swim team and is working towards his life saving certification. |  Name: Shamim Introduction: I engineer by day and write by night. I love talking, eating and ingenuity, in that order. I have x-ray vision but try not to use it to embarass people. I don't read minds, anymore. I have one consistent creed: Use your imagination, or lose it. |
 Name: Taryn Introduction: |  Name: Trasie Introduction: |
 Name: Valentina Introduction: I was born in Valparaiso, Chile in 1974 – crazy times in the south… and spent my formative years wandering the streets and beaches of Viña del Mar, Chile with my mom and brothers looking for meaning in all possible things even shells and stones. Arriving in Toronto in August of 1986 as a 12 year old I set about figuring people and the world out with a healthy dose of unrealistic expectation and hope. And this is what I’ve figured out about myself thus far… I'm a writer, singer, endless procrastinator, really talented at messing up my talents, endlessly disappointed with being disappointed, I feel like a balloon ready to burst with ideas, but the hands don't move fast enough to get it all down on paper... or screen... I speak too fast and too much, but there's just so goddamn much to say... if people would just - listen... I'm passionate about my politics. And I believe that voting and having a say in your country's political future is a right and privilege that most of those who've never been oppressed need to understand. I also believe that The Tide is Turning. |  Name: Wes Introduction: |
 Name: Yasmeen Introduction: Yasmeen Finjan: Full-time student, Aspiring journalist, Sometimes witty, Always awkward, Can be found skipping down your street IPod in hand, Against Me! Blaring, Style changes like the American economy. |
