DONATIONS:
We are still actively seeking donations in our fundraiser campaign. The showing of support for this so far has been incredible, but we are still looking for donations from participants, enthusiasts and anyone else who wants to help keep Under Pressure alive. Please click on the side bar and make your contribution to keeping our talent outlets alive!

WHAT WE NEED FROM THE HEADS A.K.A. YOU!:
Under Pressure is in need of your assistance in making another year happen. If you want Under Pressure to happen this year, then please find some kind of change, dollar bill, cheque, money order, whatever… and send it in too: Under Pressure
P.O. Box 605 Branch Place d’Armes
Montreal, QC
H2Y 3H8
CANADA.

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ANNUAL EVENT:
Over the past 15 years, Under Pressure has been able to host the annual event “Under Pressure International Graffiti Convention” which in turn has allowed artists from all over the world to come into Montreal and display, perform, or even converse with other professionals, in similar elements of their culture, all at one event.

PRODUCTION:
UP has printed 16 bi-annual issues of Under Pressure Magazine, and has produced 5 promotional CD’s one including a DVD of Under Pressure International Convention’s 10th anniversary.

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REGISTRATION:

PERFORMERS:
Send your submissions (artist info, contacts, 3 tracks, media info, etc) to Nic (nic@underpressure.ca) or Ewan (ewanmill@underpressure.ca) and they will be responding to performers/managers over the next few months. Please have patients if you have not heard back.

WRITERS:
To register to paint at Under Pressure 2009 please send the following info to register@underpressure.ca

• WRITER’S NAME
• CITY
• 3 JPEGS

Please note that the Saturday August 14th event is for productions only and open to crews only. Please submit your crews info to register@underpressure.ca

The fee for painting on Saturday is $45 (Canadian funds), payable Sat Aug. 14th(cash only)

Registration fee pays for:
- pre-primed wall space,
- scaffolding,
- ten cans of Belton Molotow,
- one event t-shirt,
- lanyard confirming registration includes entrance to both night time shows Sat Aug 14th and Sun Aug 15th

If you did not receive a confirmation email confirming that you are painting then you are not registered.

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The fee for painting on Sunday is $40 (Canadian funds), payable Sun Aug.15th (cash only)

Registration fee pays for:
- pre-primed wall space,
- scaffolding,
- five cans of Montana,
- one event t-shirt,
- lanyard confirming registration includes entrance to night time show on Sun Aug 15th

If you did not receive a confirmation email confirming that you are painting, then you are not registered.

The event on Saturday takes place on St.Laurent blvd, between Rene Levesque and Ste.Catherine, at Peace Park. On Google Maps here.

The Sunday event is at it’s usual location, behind Foufounes Electiques or to be more precise, at the corner of de Bullion and de Boisbriand, 2 blocks east of St.Laurnet on Ste.Catherine and 1 block north. On Google Maps here.

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SPONSORS//BOOTHS//MERCH:
Any companies interested in sponsoring or having booths at the event, contact Sterling (sterling@underpressure.ca), Nic (nic@underpressure.ca) or Ewan (ewanmill@underpressure.ca)

This past August 2009 Under Pressure Magazine celebrated its 14th Annual International Graffiti Convention as usual in the city of Montreal. This year Under Pressure faced a number of hurdles with getting the event planned and outfitted due to the tight economic climate Canada has been facing this year. There were rumors flying around that Under Pressure would not happen and had been cancelled like so many other events across North America. However through the direct support of the public, dedicated volunteers and number of steadfast business in the Under Pressure network the event came together successfully and happened for all to enjoy.

This years Under Pressure’s 14th theme was an “east-meets-west” motif with the paisley branding and suave imagery. But, in more ways than one this years event was truly “east-meets-west”. This year marked the bridging of associations between Under Pressure Magazine (Mtl, PQ) and Ephin Apparel (Surrey, BC). Ephin Apparel came through in strength this year as one of the events major sponsors and due to this we feel motivated to educate you about our new founded lineage in the west.

Ephin Apparel has been a movement in the making for the past 9 years. Building outward across Canada from Surrey, British Columbia, Ephin is now Canada’s leading street wear brand. However don’t allow the name to fool you. Ephin has become far more than just another street wear brand. Ephin has focused on developing its entity to grow to become one of Canada’s leading community and network for Urban Culture movement.

Ephin was raised from and lives in the streets of greater Vancouver and as a result it reflects and supports the true aspects of our dynamic urban lifestyles. Ephin lives the brand, survives off progression and always strives to continue moving forward, as it has done to date.

As a result Ephin has also become a community and a movement alike. The Ephin movement believes in not merely existing as a leading high quality street wear brand, but also existing as an entity that continually invests back into the cultivation, support and the development of the communities and cultural scenes that it caters towards as it grows.

The Ephin movement now embodies a stellar roster of performing artists (Caspian, Joey Stylez, Snak the Ripper, Jaykin and DJ Moves to mention only a few); graffiti artists(Stompdown Takeover, Rhek, Werd, Keep6, and more); breakdancers (B-minus, Miss Finesse and more); skateboarders (Dale Hendricks, Derrick Mayer, Jordin Repin and more); tattoo artists (Jesse Strong); and a roster of events and studios that play a crucial role in keeping the Vancouver scene alive and fresh in many ways. Keep your eyes peeled in the east, because Ephin is making moves eastward and will soon be on a local boutiques shelves near you for you to represent the Canadian urban scene.

So as this holiday season for 2009 creeps forth on us don’t forget to check out Ephin Apparel and shop Canadian. Ephin delivers directly through their online catalogue so don’t feel you have to wait for the clothes to be distributed in your area. Also if you end up in Vancouver be sure to check out their warehouse and many events throughout the city of Vancouver.

For more information go to http://ephin.com

This past Friday in Toronto, ANGERVILLE, SPESH K, D-SISIVE, DJ SERIOUS, EMPIRE, JUS, ATHERTON, SOUND IMPROVEMENT, CAMOFLAUGE aka Gangis Khan, KING JUS, ABSENT MINDED, SPORADIC and DJ SHORTCUT all performed for the cause of raising money for Under Pressure. 100 people turned out to the Silver Dollar, which was a club that held about 130 at capacity… So the place seemed packed with great vibes, actually the vibes were awesome!

We are continuing the fundraising through online raffling, and will have the remainder of the artwork, clothing, etc. up shortly. But for now, check out the pictures from the event. All photos were taken by THOM from Total Productions.

We would like to thank everyone involved, including the sponsors, performers and everyone else that came out to enjoy this past event. We didn’t raise that much, which was shocking.. ($140).. but I’m assuming the ones that didn’t buy a raffle ticket at the event, are going to buy one when we put up the online raffle.. RIGHT!?!?!?! These events are really fun… I know… BUT, without help, aka… some contributions, other than showing up to a free event, this medium that has been supporting your culture for over 14 years, will DIE! We will not exist for all your Canadian talent to benefit from.

THIS SEPTEMBER FOURTH, 2009. AT THE SILVER DOLLAR IN TORONTO. JUST ENTERTAINMENT, LIQIUD CHROME AND SMART PROMOTIONS HAVE TAKEN THE TIME TO SHOW UNDER PRESSURE THE LOVE AND SUPPORT IT NEEDS IN THESE HARD TIMES, BY PUTTING TOGETHER A FUNDRAISER TORONTO EDITION. THIS IS A FREE EVENT WITH A BUNCH OF RAFFLE PRIZES FROM, HUH CLOTHING, SKUNK MAGAZINE, RESOLVE RECORDING STUDIOS, AND ART RAFFLES FROM EGR, HORUS, OMEN, SERNA AND MORE!

** Performing:
ANGERVILLE
SPESH K
D-SISIVE
DJ SERIOUS
EMPIRE
JUS
ATHERTON
SOUND IMPROVEMENT
CAMOFLAUGE aka Gangis Khan
KING JUS
ABSENT MINDED
SPORADIC
DJ SHORTCUT

@ THE SILVER DOLLAR | SEPT.4.09 | FREE ENTRY

WITH LOTS OF RAFFLE PRIZES TO BE WON FROM

-SCIFEN & JOKER
-HUH CLOTHING
-5 HOURS RECORDING STUDIO TIME FROM SOUND RESOLVE RECORDING STUDIOS
-A YEARS SUBSCRIPTION TO SKUNK MAGAZINE
-ART RAFFLES FROM GRAFFITI ARTISTS LIKE EGR, HORUS, OMEN, SERNA, AND MORE!

PEACE AND SEE YOU THERE!

Sponsored by:

NOW – UpNorth Trip – Black Rap – Sound Resolve Studios – TheCyberkrib.com – Play de Record – ciut 89.5 FM – StandOutEntertainment – Universal Music – Skunk Magazine – POUND – MVRemix – Abort Magazine – Sunshine Sound and Lighting – HipHopCanada.com – Urbnet – EGRart.com – HUH

Life Size, a two person exhibition  featuring the work of American artist Shawn Barber and Turf One (Jean Labourdette). Shawn Barber has some crazy techniques and a unique style which has to be witnessed to be fully understood and appreciated so take notes cause its banannas.
Website.

Montreal’s own Turf One will be showing some huge gothic, surrealist works. Detail is key to Turfs work and attention must be paid to the fine details in expression and execution.
Website.

Galerie d’art Yves Laroche presents Life Size Shawn Barber and Turf One Sept. 2nd to 13th 2009
Opening reception: Wednesday Sept. 2nd 09 6-9pm
Website.

Opening reception is August 20th, from 7pm till 11pm. With DJ O.S.U.M. spinning out the night.

Open from August 20th till September 12th, Thursday nights 7pm – 11pm, Fridays 2pm – 8pm, Saturdays 1pm – 6pm or by appointment only.

EGR GALLERY
2160A Dundas St W, South of Bloor St, Toronto.
gallery@EGRart.com
416.525.5993

Call us presumptuous, but we think it’s fair to say that there is not one member of our team, whether it’s the organizers, volunteers, or even painters that are probably still a tad exhausted from this past weekend.

The 14th edition of the Under Pressure International Graffiti Convention was an uphill battle to say the least and there were times when the entire thing felt like it may quite possibly collapse like a deck of cards. That being said, amid the myriad of problems we faced along the way, it came to fruition thanks to the dedication of a lot of very hard working people, and that also includes those of you who simply attended to enjoy a few days of fun.

We owe huge thank yous, HUGE, to those of you who reached into your own pockets to donate money for this years festival. There is nothing we can say in so few words to communicate our gratitude. THANK YOU.

To the DJs, Performers, Bboys, Bgirls, Skateboarders and of course painters, some of whom have been with us since the start, some of whom were there for the first time this year. THANK YOU.

To all those who volunteered their time, whether it was in preliminary organization, the days leading up, over this past weekend and of course tearing it all down again. THANK YOU.

Last, but certainly not least, we want to take the time to send special thanks out to our most loyal sponsor, MONTANA. Since 1994, Montana has been THE leader in the form of spray cans made by graffiti artists, for graffiti artists. Though originating in Barcelona, Spain, this small company now has reach pretty much any place on the planet where spray cans are used for art, including of course the Under Pressure Graffiti Convention.

Montana has been THE biggest supporter of Under Pressure and the graffiti community in Canada as a whole. Without their continuing support, the event would have absolutely stopped years ago.

More photos and video footage en route. Stay tuned.

Photos: GUZZO