The following interview with Kristen Lapensee (slip_chick6@hotmail.com) was conducted via MSN on August 24, 2004, around 9:00 PM. Kristen has produced two videos and is the lead singer/bassist for Chemical Valley Mutants.
STU: When did you get the idea to do a video about the local scene?
KRISTEN: The first movie was sort of a joke thing... I was in tech class and I hated all of my assignments. A friend of mine told me that me and my friends were so goofy I should just follow them around with a camera, edit it, and then hand it on. So that sort of gave me the idea to take the camera to a Cobden show and things kind of just progressed from there. I wasnt very good at using the movie equipment, which is why the first movie wasnt organized very well. But as time went by I got better at it, then I got requests for a sequel the following year and I thought it would be a good idea.....so I did it.
STU: So they were both school projects? How well did you do on them for the classes?
KRISTEN: Well the first one was definately a school project... But some people I lended the tape to duplicated it, and people were actually into it, which surprised me. Because that was the only project I handed in that year she gave me a 96 for all of the effort. The second one I did more for the scene and for people to see, I just did it at school because they had all of the equipment I needed. That one I did just as well - maybe a 97... But my teacher definately found my lifestyle very interesting! On the good side she said it definately helped her to open her mind about "punk rockers."
STU: What are they both called and what are the meanings behind the names?
KRISTEN: Well the first one was titled "Uncovered, Unleashed, and Released." The meaning behind this name was the fact that this was the first documentary on our punk scene... So it's pretty self-explainatory. Uncovering, Unleashing, and Releasing the Sarnia Punks for the first time. The second movie was titled "The Evolution." I had a partner help me on this project (Rachel Stewardson) and we both decided on this name due to the fact the scene changed so much from the time the first documentary came out, to the time we began rolling for the second one. I just felt it was appropriate.
STU: What type of stuff do you find has changed the most between the two videos?
KRISTEN: Almost everything hahahaha. I mean the first documentary video had less work on it, less seriousness, less bands to cover, less kids at the show, and absolutely no organization what so ever. The scene was in a slump at the time, so I didnt have very much to work with. But the second one was a lot more serious to me, I wanted to put something out for people to watch and remember. There was many bands to cover (so many i missed), a ton of shows (all regular at the underground), more kids, more interest, everything basically. It was a fun time... it's too bad it had to end again.
STU: What was covered in each video?
KRISTEN: Well the first one covered Cobden Shows, I think one Kiwanis show... about 6 different bands (who all shared members might i add), moshing, tattoos, mohawks, and a general visual of the regulars in a people section.
The second one covers: changes in the scene, favourite bands, our St Thomas friends, about 6 more bands, opinions, etc. It also covered both Cobden and Shepherd shows. Basically just covered almost everything going on in the scene at that point in time
STU: Some could probably criticize that the videos were not entirely representative of the entire Sarnia scene since there were shows occuring elsewhere with different bands. Why did the focus end up more on the shows going on in the basements?
KRISTEN: I agree with you completely. Well the first reason is I see punk rock as a DIY movement, equal to others, etc. I for one cant afford to even get into those shows! I didnt just choose the basement scene because I was in it, but rather the basement scene was more the underground, DIY scene I was looking for to document. But just so I wasnt completely unfair, I used a couple of bands from the other scene like Over The Top, December Calling, and Lampshade;Kill.
STU: So these are documentaries of a community within the broader scene of Sarnia, rather than a completely comprehensive look at the Sarnia punk/independent music scene as a whole?
KRISTEN: I did the best I could. Like I said, I couldnt even afford to get into those shows. But yes to answer your question, it would be considered the broader scene of sarnia.
STU: I think a positive aspect of this is it would give the documentaries a more intimate feel to the coverage. Because it focussed on the community you are a part of - thoughts?
KRISTEN: It could make me seem biased, or unapproachable or whatever. But I can only try to do what I can. I mean there are some people in the other scene I enjoy talking to, and bands I dont mind listening to, but because I dont have access to even get into the shows its hard. That is why I invited some of those bands to the basement and got the footage I could, or even use the recorded music I could for overlap on audio.
STU: Do you think the issue of door price needs to be addressed or considered by promoters in Sarnia?
KRISTEN: DEFINATELY - there are alot of kids I know in this scene who cant even afford to buy cd's when they are released...or even have to sneak into shows for that matter. In reference to a recent show my boyfriend and I were interested in attending, we had 10 dollars ready to get in, only to find out that it was 8 dollars each in advance, or whatever. I myself have always put on shows free to the public because I had the venue to do it for one, and for two I think it is better to do it that way so no one is left high and dry. But back to my reference, I think these $8, $10, and $15 costs to get in to see LOCAL punk bands is beginning to get a little out of hand. Because I for one know what its like to have to sit outside and listen.
STU: So you were saying earlier that response to the videos has been good. What type of stuff are people saying? Why do people like it? The first one reminded me a lot of a year book, but in a good way, because it actually applies to people I know and stuff that I'm interested in.
KRISTEN: The response has been very good, I think personally people just like to see themselves on camera! hahaha. Really, I agree with you, it's sort of like a yearbook, you watch it and you laugh at things you did, what others did, bands you loved, dancing, singing; its all fun times that people can reminisce on.
STU: Do you have any plans for creating any more videos?
KRISTEN:I would love to, really, but I no longer have access to recording and editing equipment!
STU: Ok, so I'll wrap this up now. How can people get a copy of the video(s) and how much?
KRISTEN: Well I will be selling some copies at the CVM CD release show (Friday, August 27, 2004) and they will be going for $4. after that people can just email me (slip_chick6@hotmail.com) for a copy (for the same price) and I can hook them up personally.
STU: Ok, thanks alot for doing the interview.
KRISTEN: No prob.