Karina Davy and I sat down at Duffy;s Tavern as a bunch of sweaty Metal Bands were setting up their gear for a monster performance. This is a ten-year journey that began in a very noneventful way.
Karina wanted to put together a concert type show for her birthday 10 years ago. After the party, a friend asked who put this together and Karina said, “It was all me”. Well, you should keep doing this, said her friend, and the idea was born. Ten years later and her birthday party is still going.
Her very first gig that she booked was at the Izakaya House, which was a Sushi Metal bar/restaurant that no longer exists. The gig happened Thursday August 7, 2014. This was a debut show for a little-known band called, Ammo, (By the way, they are a very popular metal band in the scene today). Also, on the bill was Rusted from Montreal and Hessler from Chicago.
What is a favourite memory from the past ten years?
I have many favourites, but I must say the first Rock the Boat show, because it was the first of its kind here in Toronto. The boat was called, Miss Toronto. When I got out of the car and saw 100 people gathered out on the dock it was one of the most special moments of my life. I loved seeing a bunch of metal heads surrounding this boat and seeing all those happy people greeting me to get this party started.
Let’s tip the scale the other way and talk about a horrible memory of doing what you do.
You know what, this is going to sound like I may be jinxing myself, but I don’t have a horrible memory of a show. I have a disappointing memory of a show. In May 2018, when the lights blew out at Coalition, due to a rainstorm, I had a touring band called Fumigation and they had to cancel the show.
For me horrible would mean somebody getting hurt at a show. If a show gets postponed or cancelled, that is just disappointing. With a Metal show, most people think it is an out-of-control experience, but I find these shows to be respectful and the vibe just right for the fans.
What is the biggest show you have put on?
There are 3 different ways I can answer that. Do you want to hear them?
Yeah, do all three.
The biggest act I ever booked was Helix in Hamilton in June 2019, and Anvil was the opening act! What a great combination.
In terms of numbers, I host a Tool tribute show in Hamilton last year and it was sold out with a 200-person capacity.
In terms of meaningful moment, I would say all the Rock the Boats shows. The sheer amount of time it goes into planning it makes this a very personal event that I love to do.
Let’s switch gears a little bit. We all have a Covid story. 2020 showed up and we couldn’t have music for a while. What did you do during that time?
I was actually one of the promoters that actual id shows during Covid. They were all legal and licensed events. If you recall, they allowed up to 50 people seated with their masks. I hosted 12 shows during Covid. Some of them happened in Oshawa and at the Rockpile. The Rockpile is a large venue and could accommodate 6 feet apart with seats. Thanks to the Rockpile for keeping Rock alive and I still have their mask that says, Keep Rock Alive.
What are your plans going forward into the Future? Are you looking for more bands or other venues?
I have the same plans that I had ten years ago at my Birthday party, we’ll see what happens. I don’t have expectations. What I mean is do something and have no expectations of success or failure. This has been my mantra and that is why this works.
How many concerts do you organize each year?
It’s really hard to say. My goal is to try and organize four concerts per month. I am organizing four just this week alone. It is on a demand’s basis. Last year I organized 37 shows, the year before I did 36 shows. This year I am at my 45th show of the year. I think I will hit 60 show this year.
How do you find these bands, or how do they find you?
So, a lot of the people I know through the heavy metal community for the past 20 years. I have been supporting them as a fan and now they find me through social media. If you want to do what I do, you have to network for quite a while.
Is there anything else that you want to talk about?
What I really want to talk about is how important it is to keep live music alive. I just read that Bad Religion cancelled their entire fall tour. I am guessing that the numbers were just not there. So live music is something that we have to uphold and continue to keep it going. That is my biggest take away.
Since Covid, I see people slowly coming back around and try to recover from this time in history.
I see it as a society that has changed, and the new rules are playing out. I don’t see all the same people I use to see at these shows. These peoples’ lives have changed. The way we go out and spend our money has changed since Covid. We are not recovering; we are restructuring as a society.
How do we get people out of their house and back into live music?
You really make it really worth their while. I am really excited about all of my shows, and I feel that is very contagious. It is the energy that you put out into your projects.
If you are a serious metal head and you want to find out where all the great shows are in Toronto and the GTA, Neurotic Entertainment is a key element for you to fulfill your Metal Cravings.
Here is a link to her social media.
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