This is my first gold record.
I had forced my way into Aquarius Records as an intern around 1997. I had just finished a “degree” at Trebas Institute in Montreal and could sense that my parents were perhaps getting to the end of their endless support of my Montreal existence. I knew a girl named Shantona who was interning at the label because she used to come out to my band’s shows. She was leaving to return to Queen’s University in September and I asked her if the label would be looking for people. She directed me to Rene LeBlanc who was the A&R of Aquarius and Tacca Musique and gave me his number.
I had actually met Rene the March previous at CMW in Toronto where I had gone to volunteer for Trebas, as they were hosting a lecture by the legendary recording engineer Bruce Swedien. Bruce engineered some amazing records, but is probably best known for a little record called “Thriller”. I got to help set up all of his gear and then listen as he talked about making “Thriller” for an hour. He brought the individual tracks and we heard Michael howling like a wolf solo. He told a great story about the first day of the making of “Thriller” where he, Michael, Rod Temperton and Quincy Jones had gathered to discuss things. At the time there was real concern that video games were going to take the place of music in the hearts of young kids. Quincy looked at all of them and the first thing he said was “Gentlemen, today is the day we save Rock and Roll”.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bruce_Swedien
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rod_Temperton
I called Rene a few times and he kept saying to call him back in a few days. Finally he said for me to come down to the offices on Lambert Closse across from the old Forum to have an interview. It consisted of him asking me when I could start to which I replied “Right now!”.