Has it really been five years? Yes, it has. A better question would be ‘has it only been five years?’
While my experience with Forget the Box since the site started back in 2009 may have felt like a whirlwind at times, it was also work. The kind of work where you get up in the morning, or in the middle of the afternoon after a particularly late night, happy to do it.
It’s the kind of work that you anticipate getting to while you’re at your paying gig. We’re all still volunteers, we’re doing it ’cause we love it and, at least in my case, because it’s important work.
Nothing compares to the joy of knowing you brought a story to light that no one else had, that you helped someone discover an artist that they didn’t know but now love or that you expressed an opinion people may have been thinking but no one had been writing and publishing for a broad audience. There’s also nothing like writing an April Fool’s post collaboratively, ridiculous to you and the team, but believable to some, who then question why they believed it.
FTB is a labour of love that I share with between twenty and thirty people at any given time: fellow editors and writers, photographers, members of our board (we’re an incorporated non-profit) and behind the scenes people helping to promote and now monetize the site (we can’t be volunteers forever). Some have been here since the beginning, some for only a few months, some come and go and come back – they’re all a part of it.
For five years, we’ve also shared this experience with the people we’ve covered and our readers. You’re a part of FTB, too.
The one thing we haven’t been able to do yet is gather everyone who’s part of our extended group, or at least those that are in town and not otherwise occupied, in the same place. Well, that all changes Friday, May 16.
We’re turning five so we’re throwing a party at O Patro Vys along with our friends at Indie Montreal and you’re invited! We’ve also invited Po Lazarus, Seb Black, Eddie Paul, Ruff Talons and other surprise guests like Two-Year Carnival. I realize it’s not really a surprise when you tell people about it, but we do like to think outside of the box. In fact, we like to forget it entirely.
If you want to check out some great local bands and celebrate five years of FTB with us, then get your tickets in advance (and save yourself a bit of cash) and plan to expect the unexpected, as this seems like the type of party that may keep surprising you just like the fact that it’s only been five years of FTB surprises me.
Anyways, see you Friday!
The Forget the Box 5th Anniversary Spectacular takes place Friday, May 16 at O Patro Vys (356 Mont-Royal Est, metro Mont-Royal). Doors open at 8 p.m., $11.50 in advance via Indie Montreal or $14 at the door.
