PEOPLE
From Issue #6
Faze Interview with:
George Stroumboulopoulos
By
Sandy Brown
"If you read and learn about what's
happening in your world and it doesn't bother you, okay. If
it does, do something about it. But always stay informed."
-- George S.
Whether
working a demanding schedule as a host on MuchMusic, filling
the airwaves of CFNY's Edge 102 or simply keeping himself
extremely busy outside of his working life, George Stroumboulopoulos
stays focused on living life.
In
George's case that means a healthy interest in everything
from politics and social activism to motorcycle riding and
pet boa constrictors. He also never denies himself the opportunity
to catch a good movie, read, play an admittedly lousy game
of street basketball or sit down for a couple of hours at
his piano.
Don't be fooled, it's not always easy for the twenty-nine
year old to find the time for all those pursuits. But like
most people who have a lust for life, George makes the time
to relish every opportunity to do what excites him."You
do what you love and you do what you need to do," says
George, "If you want to go and be an artist, go and be
an artist if that makes you happy. Understand, though, that
if there isn't a market out there for what you want to do,
don't expect other people to fund you."
George has a strong sense of taking responsibility for ones
life and has no time for those who refuse to pay attention
or keep themselves informed. He is a strong proponent of getting
involved.
George doesn't suggest you go out there and riot. "If
you read and learn about what's happening in your world and
it doesn't bother you, okay. If it does, do something about
it. But always stay informed," he says.
"[U2
singer] Bono is trying to make the world a better place. He
gets a lot of abuse for it," notes George, "but
I don't see the people that are giving him a hard time about
it out there trying to make the world a better place."
What's the use of complaining if you don't do anything about
it? As Canadians, he feels we are especially apathetic and
vents, "I don't know why Canadians are so surprised when
it turns out their water is tainted. They didn't do anything
when they knew the government didn't care."
"The people whose beliefs are fundamentally opposed to
your beliefs are paying attention and they are voting. If
you don't care, and don't vote, guess what, the people who
are making your world a worse place, they are," George
says, and continues, "[US politician] Ralph Nader said
it perfectly when he said, 'If you're not turned on to politics,
politics will turn on you.'"
George is clearly a passionate guy; some might even say an
activist. "I'm an activist in that I make myself aware
of what's going on around me - issues, stories, the news -
and I try to get as much from independent sources as I can."
He adds that working in the media one really sees how some
things can get twisted. George uses media convergence as a
good example of where this is true. "Look at the attention
the major newspapers give to the new digital channels that
are being launched. They do it while focusing very heavily
on the channels that are being launched by their own parent
companies," George says.
He goes on to point out the often self-serving reports from
the media: "That's not the news. That's about selling
their own papers and digital channels. I'm ashamed at the
media in this world, the mainstream media. I saw a great bumper
sticker the other day that said 'If you're not outraged you're
not paying attention."
His passion and attention to life is just part of the reason
George has found a home at the nation's music station and
happens to succeed in a field that is so competitive.
"Some people talk a lot about their dreams but have absolutely
no desire. You can teach people any skill, you can't teach
them passion and desire. That's what separates the ones who
are going to do something from the ones who aren't,"
George says matter-of-factly.
But nobody's perfect, and George admits that he has some off
days when he feels like he can't get a word out of his mouth
straight. "Anyone can do this job when they're feeling
great," George says, "It's how you react when you
are feeling down that makes the difference."
He goes on to say, "We don't hit home-runs all the time.
In baseball if you fail [at bat] seven times out of ten, you
still go to the Hall of Fame," and adds, "It's impossible
for everything you do to be brilliant." But there's nothing
wrong with a swing-and-a-miss as long as you step up to the
plate.
But becoming one of the most recognizable hosts at MuchMusic
didn't happen without sacrifice, "I had to give up my
pets because I was too busy. I couldn't handle it anymore,"
says George of his companions, which at one point included
nine snakes and a pit bull.
He quickly acknowledged that he couldn't do it all. He'd have
to stay focused in order to excel. As hard as it was to give
them up, George had his priorities straight and knew it was
the only fair thing to do given the many extreme demands of
his career.
"I've got a cool job that I'm truly happy in, and for
that I'm truly blessed," says George, but he dissuades
people from moping around because there's something wrong.
"If your retail boss is a jerk, fine, quit. There are
lots of jobs out there. Don't like your town, move. It's really
that simple," he states.
The point is, if you don't like the direction your life is
taking, then change it and keep changing it until you do.
But, if you have to take a job doing something you don't like,
that's okay, but make sure in your off time you're doing something
worthwhile.
"When I work here it's not costing me my soul,"
he says, "What I realized was that this doesn't feel
like a real job. I get to come here every day and I never
take that for granted. I talk about issues, but I love to
talk about music. While I want the world to be a better place
socially and politically, my job is fun, it's music, TV and
radio - and you can't have a bad day doing that."
Still in his twenties, George has a valuable message for his
younger viewers, "This is the time in your life when
you start to build who you are. Don't be afraid to make mistakes,
because you will. And that's part of learning - and you won't
stop learning - but start to build a sense of inner strength,
because no one except you knows what you need."
George's commitment to his career and things he is passionate
about become obvious very quickly as he is disarmingly honest
about who he is; to himself and those around him.
As for the prospect of a new dog and some pet snakes, George
says he can wait until he has the time and the space.
