Cormier. “We would fit 150, 200 people in this tiny little space that could probably only fit
maybe I5 people. It was an awesome space, and people still talk about how much they miss

it. I miss it too, but it was not appropriate for the size of events we were having in there.”
Trash City was chockful of high-flying fun, but it was a continuous learning
experience for Cormier. She was also the sole person behind Trash City, and

Cormier later realized she couldn't be everywhere at once during her events.

One person’s Trash is another person’s garbage

“Tt was an ongoing issue of me doing my best to create a system of harm

reduction and safer spaces, but then again, I’m just me,” she said.

People began contacting Cormier and asking if she knew there were
abusers attending her shows—something she had been unaware of until it was
brought to her attention. Cormier quickly made a post on Trash City’s Facebook
page, apologizing to anyone whod felt “discomfort” at one of her shows, and.

encouraging others to reach out about known abusers in the community.

“For me, it was really about trying to share awareness of both the
extent of which I can take control of things, but also the extent of which
the community needs to as well,” explained Cormier. “Focusing on

how we can, together, figure this shit out. It can’t just be me.

“When I was 15, I didn’t really think about it, but then I look back now,
and think, “Wow, at all of my shows, I was getting harassed by different guys
trying to make out with me and grope my tits and shit.’ At the time, I was like,
‘Haha, fuck off’ I didn't really care and then I look back and think, “Wow, that’s

so not cool.’ Ifthat happened to anyone else, 'd be fucking pissed.”

Following the Facebook post, Cormier made a conscious effort to engage the
Trash City community about what was happening at her shows, and what kind
of safety measures they wanted to see. There was an increase in event security, as
well as Cormier communicating more clearly with security about her personal
goals for the event. She also reached out to other all-ages promotors for advice.

“T looked to other promotors, who I'd seen put a lot of effort towards this,

and ultimately what they ended up having to do was shut down,” she said.
“They ended their events because they were dealing with a lot of underage

drinking, a lot of older dudes and underage girls. If that’s the established

environment, then it’s really hard to change that, and that’s what I realized

with Trash City. That was the norm and had been for quite a while.”

Getting Trashed

The history of Trash City seems interwoven with underage drinking, despite growing
evidence that fewer minors are reaching for the bottle. According to the journal Child
Development, a 2017 global study of the past 40 years found that the consumption

of alcohol among ages 13 to Ig was down compared to previous generations.
As someone who doesn’t drink, Cormier has tried to combat the culture

of underage drinking, but acknowledges the difficulties.
“If kids want to drink, they’re going to find a

way. I’ve never been to an environment where

there was no drinking allowed where

kids were actually stopped.

 

Realistically, if they want to drink, they will. But it’s about creating a culture
about not pushing it and considering your safety and your friends’ safety

and encouraging people to drink water and take care of themselves.

“Creating that mentality amongst young people is super important, because
the traditional mentality is ‘’'m going to drink until I throw up, and that’s the cool
thing. As soon as you can establish that that’s not the cool thing, then people will
clue in. A lot of people think kids are more immature, but at the same time, I’ve had

all-ages shows where it’s the adults who are causing me grief. It really depends.
“When I was that age, it seemed fine to me as well, and then now looking
at it from a more objective view, I want to start fresh, and create a different

standard for how people should be treated within those environments.”

Taking out the Trash

On October 13 of last year, Cormier announced via the group's

Facebook page that she was “killing Trash City Productions.”

“I was just so fucking exhausted of being put in these situations of blame, where I
was so fully responsible for absolutely everything, and people just really not realizing that
I was trying my hardest,” Cormier said. “There was never a time where I stopped caring
about the well-being of people and wasn’t truly putting my all into keeping people safe
and creating these positive environments. I always was, and it just wasn’t coming across in

a way that was viable, and I was putting in as much as I could, and it still wasn’t enough.
“That really sucks, to realize that your greatest effort isn’t enough to do

this, but you have to take that responsibility. With Trash City, it was me. It was

all me, and people associated it super heavily with me, which is a huge liability,

to be associated with your company. It wasn’t something that I was equipped to

handle anymore, in a way that was satisfactory to my own personal standards.
“Ultimately, I felt a lot better about shutting Trash City down because

I was already thinking about my next project. I was already getting excited

about what I was going to do next, what I was going to do different, and

what I was going to do better. That’s way more important to me.”

Reduce, reuse, re-brand

With the corpse of Trash City in her rear-view mirror, Cormier isn't looking
back anytime soon. She’s currently enrolled at Capilano University in
the Arts & Entertainment Management department, which delves into
the business side of concerts and other arts-related events. As part of her
program, Cormier recently started a new project, Cushy Entertainment.
“It’s going to be a lot of the same hosting bands at DIY venues. It’s
also going to be more professional, doing larger-scale events.”
Cormier already has a company launch party slated for April and is

collaborating with two other promotors on a music festival for September.
“Everything is a lot... cleaner, I guess,” Cormier said with a laugh. “In terms of
the lines, it’s less fuzzy around the edges. For me, Cushy Entertainment is something
I can really expand and hold onto. Trash City was very much me throwing shit
together and hoping it would work. Now I’ve got the education, the practice, the

life experience to be able to do things accurately and safely and professionally.

“T know how to make budgets; I can write sponsorship letters now. It’s less
of me kind of figuring things out as I go along, and me understanding the system
that ’'m going into and understanding this industry and trying to branch out

in all of the different ways that I’m personally interested in at this point.
“It’s a really cool project, that’s hopefully going to be a

better version of what Trash City could’ve been.”

Cushy Entertainment officially joins the world on April 28, with a groovy musical lineup
(Jock Tears, Devours, and cozy) at DIY favourite venue 333. Stay tuned for more on Cushy’s
first music festival as well, happening this September and with more details TBA.

€¢ | wanted to get involved, curate these bands,
take over all the shows.” Mati Cormier, founder,
promotor, manager, and sole proprietor behind
the now-deceased Trash City Productions.