I apologize to anyone who's been wondering about an update. As I write this, SFK will be just turning 4 years old. That's bloody amazing in all honesty.
To create something from the ground up and stay with it through the difficult patches is a feeling I can't begin to describe. It's kinda giving me this bizarre sense of pride and accomplishment despite the fact it's almost been a full year since our last show.
While I admit, I need to fix that soon; this post isn't about the band today. Yes it's time for another personal horror story that comes as a footnote in my musical career.
Ever get that suspicion that you're just a source of amusement to your audience?
In 2011, I was in my final year of Broadcast Journalism at Sheridan College, and as a requirement I needed an internship.
I must have applied to everyone under the sun from Rogers, Bell Media, CBC and more. Just for fun, I even tried 102.1 The Edge, which was out of my wheelhouse since I only possessed experience in TV and Film.
About a month later I get a reply back from 102.1 The Edge asking to schedule me in for a position with the Intern Army.
Like a normal human being, my reaction shifted from mild confusion to ecstatic joy before finally morphing into anxiety and terror.
At the time, I lived close by Corus Entertainment and often stopped there on my jogs. I walked into the glass cathedral where dreams are made and took a seat in the lobby; awaiting someone I've never met but soon would be determining my fate.
Anxiety made time slow to a crawl. I needed something to steady myself. Luckily next door happened to be Q107 and I relaxed to some classic tunes. I like to keep to a fast/chaotic schedule so anything over 10 mins of waiting makes me tense. At that time make Q107 decided to play Tom Petty and the Heartbreaker's "The Waiting" and at that point all calm just flew out the window.
"Matthew they will see you now"
'Great just f**king great.' I was considering running out the building, jumping into the bay and swimming to The Sound Academy.
I'm brought to this nice sitting area facing the waterfront and am introduced to a man in his mid to late twenties. He seems nice; I shook his hand and sat down. Shortly thereafter he starts asking me questions which I don't remember the answers to; standard job interview stuff.
When I get nervous I turn into a bit of a wiseass. Cracking jokes and trying to not be formal. After 30 mins or so we shook hands and I walked out feeling semi confident of what I said and did...
A week later though I realized some of the things I said and froze. At the time you really don't think, you just kinda go on autopilot. I didn't say anything alarming, but all the best answers came then and there.
I didn't get the gig as an Edge Intern btw. It got kinda awkward after that cause I kept running into the guy who interviewed me when trying to scout out venues for SFK.
Needless to say I'm constantly haunted by the memory of almost making it and then messing it all up. Will I get another chance? Who knows. Do I still try to apply? Yeah I do.
But with a lot less confidence then I did back then.
Maybe I might tell you another story when I am able to put everything past me.
Till then I'll be here.
Matthew Tyler Di Leo
Searching For Kim; Lead Vocals.