Fallen but not forgotten

By JACK OATMON

A vocal, influential and respected critic of Canadian and Montreal disability access issues, a Quebec Paraplegic Association peer counsellor, a hip hop artist and rights activist, Simon Lortie was, to many in the local music scene and beyond, a source of constant wonder and inspiration. He was an amazing guy to be around, from the lighthearted, disarming way he opened up about his disabilities to the ferocious, intelligent manner he defended himself and his peers. His untimely heart attack death on Dec. 1, 2007, at the age of 30, was a bitter pill for lots of people around town.

If you spent much time listening to house, techno, hip hop, electro or dub music and you went out to shows a lot, there’s a pretty good chance you chatted with Simon at some point, being the ubiquitous socialite that he was. A bitter pill indeed, but death can never belittle the amount of positivity Simon brought to this city, in terms of help, guidance, infrastructural reform and fundraising. But also just the good vibes, great conversations, bulletproof taste in music, razor- sharp wit and sense of humour that made him a riot to be around. Simon wasn’t an amazing disabled guy, he was just a totally amazing guy who allowed that essence to shine through and be amplified by the circumstances of his existence.

I was lucky enough to record a few conversations we had in the weeks prior to his passing. Here’s a thought he shared with me about using hip hop as a means of empowerment, in the dressing room right before his final performance at Centre Leonardo da Vinci on Nov. 21, 2007 (pictured).

WHAT HE LIVED:
Simon Lortie

“Sensitization is a big part of it. As much as we can sensitize people about the condition of disabled persons in general, but especially what we live. Though I can tell people about it and the people closest to me have lived it to a certain extent, we can never truly relay what it really is about because that’s something that’s totally individual to personal experience. We can talk about the power and the inspiration that it might have brought us. On a more global level, we can talk about what it represents for people that are battling day to day, all around the world. In 2007, we’re [disabled people] way out of the closet and way beyond what we’ve been for so many decades. And now I have the capacity, I have the opportunity to be on stage. Quadriplegics rapping. Take that! How long has that been done?”

Whether you knew Simon well or not, come down to the SAT this Monday, Dec. 1, on the anniversary of his passing, to show respect and get down and funky the way Simon would have to performances by DJ Mana, DR One, Redd Dredd, Manzo, Maysr, A-Rock, Adam L, Sixtoo, Lunice, Jordan Dare, New Money, Jacob Asher, Rhys Taylor, Truspin, Mossman, Melon, DJ Davidé and more.

For the weekend, don’t forget that Toronto’s James Teej, recent Rekids signee and minimal house architect, will be at Salon Daomé on Friday night. Also, Lunice and Mofomatronix launch a new monthly at Zoobizarre on Saturday night, Super Aqua Club, featuring the return of LuckyMe’s Mike Slott, the Scot with the psychedelic IDM hip hop discombobulation. Finally, a well-known local electro powerhouse and label boss may or may not be appearing in secret at Zoobizarre on Friday night. Wink wink, nudge nudge.

RATIONALIZE, MAN! RATIONALIZE! jack.oatmon@gmail.com