What’s In Your Fridge is where the Straight asks interesting Vancouverites about their life-changing concerts, favourite albums, and, most importantly, what’s sitting beside the Heinz ketchup in their custom-made Big Chill Retropolitan 20.6-cubic-foot refrigerators.

On the grill

Lindsay MacPherson

Who are you

I’m the executive director of Music BC. If you haven’t heard of us, we have a mandate of supporting the music industry in British Columbia through a variety of career development opportunities for artists and industry professionals. I’ve been with the organization for seven years and am incredibly grateful and humbled to be involved in introducing so many amazing artists to new folks from all over the world. People often ask me if I play music, which I don’t. Growing up I was in choir and played the clarinet, but these days you might just catch me singing to myself. 

First concert

Technically, this would be Sharon, Lois & Bram. From there, it would be a boy band from Western Canada that I’ll leave for you to guess.

Life-changing concert

I’m giving this one to the Black Keys when they came to Halifax in the summer of 2008. Most of the artists I cared about at the time almost never stopped in Halifax. At this point in my life, I had recently graduated university and was considering making a bold change and giving the music business a try. It was something that had been nagging at me all throughout my studies. When the band took the festival stage, I was right up front and noticed a girl about my age who was side stage on the other side of the fence holding a clipboard. In that moment I vividly remember saying to myself, “I need to be on that side of the fence.” It was the butt-kick to myself that I needed. Within a few months I applied and got accepted to an entertainment business management program and moved to Vancouver in early 2009. I’ve been here ever since and have had the privilege of working in radio, at festivals, record labels, publishers, and with hundreds of artists. 

Top three albums

Frightened Rabbit The Midnight Organ Fight  We played this one regularly when I worked at HMV whenever the store manager­—who would have preferred us to play whatever cash-grab crap was being pushed at the time—wasn’t around. I still put this one on occasionally when I’m feeling melancholic. It really taps into all the feels, and hits even harder following the tragic end of the band. A must-listen for indie rock fans.

Holy Ghost! Holy Ghost!  The debut, self-titled album from Holy Ghost! is a big contributor to the soundtrack of my life. The year 2011 was one for the books, and this album transports me back to that time. It was an absolute dance party when a crew of us went to see them at Fortune Sound Club that same year. If you’re into Cut Copy, Junior Boys, or Hot Chip, give these guys a listen.   

Little Dragon Slugs of Love  Okay, this is cheating a bit since the album just came out, but many of these singles have already been in my rotation, and I can guarantee “Gold” will be on repeat for the rest of summer. This band easily makes up many of my playlists. Their consistent evolution is admirable; I can’t believe I haven’t seen them live yet.

All-time favourite video

Fever Ray “If I Had A Heart”  I revisit this video often because it is deliciously creepy and pairs perfectly with the song. 

What’s in your fridge

Oat milk. Specifically, Earth’s Own Oat Original. It’s been many years of trial and error finding a non-dairy milk and brand that doesn’t curdle in coffee. The number of curdled coffees I’ve drank is truly devastating. If this one is sold out, the next-best bet is Almond Breeze Unsweetened by Blue Diamond.

LaCroix. Or some other variety of naturally essenced sparkling water. I’m currently stocked up on their Beach Plum flavour, which is a real summer hit­—highly recommend!

Hemp hearts. These little blasts of protein and omegas are great sprinkled on just about anything. 

For more information on Music BC, go here.