Win, Will, Regine and Marika: A lesson in Haiti

I felt somewhat guilty about attending Arcade Fire’s talk about Haiti. I had always felt happy that a group of artists I admired so much were so passionate about what seemed to be a worthy cause, but I’d never really researched into Partners in Health, or read about why Haiti needed so much assistance, or tried to understand on a deeper level what Win Butler, Regine Chassagne and their cohorts were up to. It was merely a feel-good fuzzy moment at each concert, and kinda ended there for me.

So when I found out that my amazing friend Lisa had managed to score tickets to a lecture on Haiti by the band, I knew I wasn’t going because I was jazzed to hear about this little country. I was going because I am so in love with the music of the group, and how Win and Regine come across as people in interviews, that I wanted to do anything I could to learn more about them and get closer to them. It made me feel embarrassed, almost — knowing that these people I admired so much were hoping to talk about something they cared about, and I’d just have to nod along, not really savvy on the issues.

Luckily for me, Win, Regine, Will and Marika knew what they were up against, and they were OK with it. During their lecture, Win explained, “I don’t know if you’re here because you’re interested in Haiti and want to learn more, or because you’re a fan of the band, but either way that makes us connected and that makes us grateful, and we’re glad you’re here.”

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A Very LCD Valentine

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