Arts & Crafts founder Jeffrey Remedios is a new dad to his son, Silas, who turned 1 this year.Shaghayegh Moradian/The Globe and Mail
Jeffrey Remedios has been ubiquitous on the Canadian music scene since he founded Arts & Crafts back in 2003. The buzzy record label birthed a Toronto-centric indie explosion with exports including Feist, Broken Social Scene and Stars. More recently, he’s become an even more influential player at the helm of Universal Music’s Canadian division, which he balances with being a new dad to his son, Silas, who turned 1 this year.
This June, Remedios will celebrate Father’s Day alongside a few generations. “My dad’s birthday is the day after Father’s Day so it’s always been a big deal in my family,” he says. “We love family bike rides, especially along the waterfront. Silas loves airplanes so anywhere we can spot and point at them together is great.”
It’s safe to say that Remedios has the golden touch, which he’s lent to our Father’s Day gift guide here.
1. Framed photo
“We all take so many photos but so few get printed and displayed. My [wife] Lucia is a photographer and has a photography gallery. She’s taken some amazing photos of Silas and I, which give me joy every day.”
Framed prints, price on request at Analogue Gallery (analoguegallery.com).
2. Ukulele
“Silas is too young to recognize my lack of true talent and seems to genuinely enjoy my nightly serenade. Nylon strings make it easy on his little fingers when he grabs for them.”
Kala mahogany tenor ukulele, $167.99 at Long & McQuade (long-mcquade.com).
Photograph by Joseph Saraceno; Styling by Wilson Wong
3. Headphones
“Baby headphones that protect little eardrums or keep Silas entertained when we are out and about are perfect for family-friendly festivals like Field Trip or outdoor concerts.”
Baby Banz Bluetooth earmuffs, $89.95 at Indigo (chapters.indigo.ca).
4. Matching shirts
“Until Silas figures out what I’m doing and forces me to stop, my plan is to match him in 18 Waits’ line of men’s and kid’s shirts and ball caps.”
Hopper Hunter short sleeve Living Dead kid’s shirt, $70 at 18 Waits (18waits.com).
5. Music the whole family enjoys
“We always have music on. Silas’s favourite records are by Sharon, Lois and Bram (which was a gift from them!) and the new Bahamas album, Earthtones.”