The Toronto Portraits - Gentleman Reg

if you want to hear some full tracks:

http://www.myspace.com/gentlemanreg

Is there a no smiling rule in these features?

You're only allowed to smile if you're on the cover of Chatelaine, overjoyed with the watercress hazelnut pesto you just made.

Seriously. "Why so serious?" Not all the young, dynamic folk in Toronto have to be too cool to smile you know. But this guy seems cool. Looks like the Wolfman in the first pic. And as a wannabee art guy (but really just a 9 to 5 jerk), I gotta ask again: How much does a musician like this make? I totally respect going after your dream like that and doing what you love. But the financial risks must be huge. Or is he living pretty in a loft/studio somewhere enjoying financial freedom?

I'm serious, I'd really like to know.

It's funny how he looks kind of like a Longshorman. I like it.

Although, I must agree with Trey's question as well, even if it is non of my business.

The pictures are awesome (and freaky) at the same time! And nice profile on Gentleman Reg, his music is pretty nice.

I personally believe artists live a very unstable life, thus, struggling artists = the so-called young, dynamic Torontonian.

Were I able to make watercress hazelnut pesto I'd likely be smiling as well.

Interesting portrait, but Gentleman Reg is definitely no 21 year old emo stereotypical hipster.

Interesting nonetheless.

I am so glad I am a nobody, because the minute someone puts your pisture out there and a bio of what you do, it's all over for you. I've listened to some of this guys music, some I like, some not. But AT LEAST he has the balls to pursue something he loves. Not one person on here has talked about his music, and chances are, he DIDN'T want his picture on here. But all people can come up with is, "Gee, why doesn't he smile", or some crack about a sandwich. Let's get each of these commenters here and put THEIR picture on here so we can rip them up.

It was a joke about pesto, not a sandwich.

And my comments were about the feature itself, not the artist. His music is quite good. Not my thing, but quite good.

But I just found how all of these features that have artists looking over-dramatic and contemplative to be a tad ridiculous. That's a reflection on the photography, not the artist.

I agree with Dave...now, is anyone going to tell me how much a musician like this makes? I really am curious. If I'm going to get out of my 9 to 5 shackles, I want to know what I'm in for...

None of the musicians I know have much money. Life for them is a constant struggle to get paying gigs which more often than not turn out to be corporate functions, weddings, bar mitzvahs, etc. Most of them supplement their meagre musician's income with other jobs.

And don't even talk about pension plans, health care, dental plans, etc. They don't exist.

And I'm talking about jazz/blues/cabaret people who have been at it for 20 or more years. They've long since given up the idea of becoming "stars"

I can't imagine it's any different for the young, indie types of the world. Perhaps it's worse because there seems to be so many of them. In Toronto, at least. They're interchangeable.

But, they love what they do and that in itself is a freedom few people experience. They're working artists. I guess that's the trade-off.

Please, stop making it sound so depressing to be 'an indie musician'. If there is a market for a given artist, they will be ok. They might work a separate job to pay bills, but most of them know that people aren't making rediculous amounts of money with music anymore. I'm not too sure everyone is stressing themselves out about "not making a ton of f*cking money" off thiss stuff.

Looking disillusioned is de riguor today, of course, and of course, no one does this better than hipsters. Reg is simply an older hipster which is why he looks this way.

or how bout....why does everyone have to be smiling in a photo?

listening to this dude's music, seems like he would not want to be portrayed as "happy go lucky"

I think the image suits him fine.