General Archives - Angela McLean

A New Home for Love at First Listen

June 20, 2025 No Comments

It’s a big day in our cybersphere… the first New Music Friday of summer has birthed a new home for Love at First Listen! Since 2021, I have used a series on this blog to share and amplify the voices of emerging and established artists with new music guaranteed to upgrade your playlists. Music has always been my one true love, and over the past few months, I have wanted to bring you more—more artists, more interviews, more concert and event coverage, more music news, and more new releases to bless your ears.

In order to achieve that, I knew my interviews, playlists, and other content ideas needed a digital space that was a little more focused, sure of itself, and ~funky and fresh~.

Introducing loveatfirstlisten.ca — Love at First Listen in its fully-fledged form. Consider her a freshly independent artist!

While the new site was under construction, I connected with some incredible Canadian artists with irresistible new music. Check them out:

Robin Cisek: https://loveatfirstlisten.ca/love-at-first-listen-robin-cisek/
Devin Cooper (Round Two — loved chatting with him for his 2024 double album!): https://loveatfirstlisten.ca/love-at-first-listen-round-two-devin-cooper/
Tyler Lorette: https://loveatfirstlisten.ca/love-at-first-listen-tyler-lorette/

Thank you to all the artists and their teams who took a shot on the little interview series that could, especially those that came back for Round Twos. I hope you will all plug in for more at loveatfirstlisten.ca and give us a follow on Instagram.

Stay tuned here at angelamclean.ca for more travel and lifestyle content, bylines, and, as always, the perfect amount of everything. ♡

Events, General

Best and Worst Celebrity Encounters of 2020

December 29, 2020 No Comments

If you know me or have scrolled through my Instagram, you likely understand why people call me “that girl who meets tons of celebs.” It’s true—I’ve been lucky to meet A-listers like George Clooney (he really did say I was the best!), Selena Gomez (multiple times!), Michael B. Jordan (People’s Sexiest Man of 2020 😉) and Khloe Kardashian, just to name a few. This year, the pandemic certainly disrupted my normal celebrity selfie streak, but the rise of virtual concerts and meet-and-greets also allowed me to score once-in-a-lifetime experiences with several of my favourite artists.

As I look back on the year’s camera roll and prepare for another year of being a ~professional fangirl~, read through the inside scoop on my best and worst (!) celeb encounters of 2020. I’m not sparing any details!

Best

Sidney Crosby

Let’s start with one of the highlights of my year, if not my entire life. Sidney Crosby is my all-time fave hockey player and I’ve had so many close encounters with him, to the point my friends and I were nearly convinced I was cursed. I actually did get a car selfie with Sid a few years ago (hi, 2015 Angela!) at the Pittsburgh Penguins’ practice facility, but I was determined to get a full body/posed photo and say more than just “Hi, can I get a picture?!?”

In February pre-pandemic, when we were all more optimistic about everything in life, I declared it was about time I get that photo. I dragged my up-for-anything work friend on an adventure to the team hotel (which is very well documented) in Toronto. By some MIRACLE, we were there for no more than 15 minutes before the heavens—that is, the elevator doors—opened and I got my moment with Sidney! He was very gracious with both of us and I was able to quickly tell him how much this meant to me.

As you can imagine, seeing Sidney made attending the game later that much sweeter. I’m looking forward to the return of the NHL in 2021 — and fingers crossed that my Penguins make it into the playoffs! 🐧

Julia Michaels and JP Saxe

Though you probably know these two talented artists together from their critically-acclaimed hit duet “If The World Was Ending” (unknowingly-yet-perfectly timed for the events of 2020), I’m a long-time fan of both Julia Michaels and JP Saxe individually.

Julia, a songwriter to the stars, has been a writing inspiration of mine for years, and I know JP through the Toronto music industry circles. It was fitting, then, that I ended up meeting them both on the same night!

In January, after it was confirmed JP and Julia were dating (how adorable!), I saw Julia post that she was with JP as he rehearsed for a show that night in Toronto. I got to the venue early enough to catch them both heading to a pre-show dinner and they could not have been kinder!

I saw Julia first and it was so cool to snap a few selfies with her and chat about her beautiful lyrics and headlining show in Toronto just two months prior.

Shortly after, I caught up with JP and complimented his Raptors shirt—the perfect attire for a sold-out show in his hometown!

I’m so happy JP and Julia now have their first GRAMMY nomination together for this song. Song of the Year…no big deal! For more from Julia and JP, listen to their heartwarming new holiday single, “Kissin’ in the Cold.”

Ally Brooke

Meeting Fifth Harmony singer Ally Brooke this past year will always be memorable for two reasons: It was Ally’s first headlining tour and concert in Toronto, which is always a special show (ask any artist!), and it was my first meet-and-greet—just days before the March lockdown—where you had to use hand sanitizer before you went up to the musician. Thinking about sanitizer and other forms of PPE and physical distancing, it’s truly insane to consider how much will change within the live event industry once we start returning to “normal.”

On the bright side of things, Ally was an absolute sweetheart, spending several minutes talking with each fan at the M&G and even coming back out to take more photos and sign autographs for anyone who waited after the show. This was my second time meeting Ally after having interviewed Fifth Harmony early in their career, and she somehow remembered exact details about that day! It always strikes me when artists manage to remember details about fans and/or interviewers and it proves the appreciation and love often goes both ways.

General, Giveaways

Our Best Christmas Gift is the End of 2020

December 25, 2020 2 Comments

Merry Christmas blog post header for Angela McLean

It feels so good to come on here and officially say Merry Christmas. Christmas has always been my favourite holiday — a time to unplug from work, connect with family and friends, squeeze in a trip, and celebrate life and all those we love. Despite the very unexpected circumstances, I hope you’re doing as well as you can and you’re able to take time this holiday season to relax and recharge.

If you had asked me before March what I was looking forward to this year, I can guarantee it wasn’t planning to spend Christmas (and every other holiday) meeting with family 6+ feet apart, working from home full-time, limiting almost all of my social contacts, or stacking up concert refunds and flight credits. But 2020 — the long-awaited start of a new decade — decided it really wanted to make some noise and throw us all a curveball. We definitely heard you, 2020 — but I, for one, am very much ready for another fresh start.

Thankfully, we only have to live through one more week of “unprecedented-ness” before we can welcome in 2021, equipped with an agile mindset, pandemic-proof skill set and realistic resolutions. Here’s a preview of what I’ll be up to until then…

Writing, writing and more writing!

I plan to take full advantage of the holiday lockdown to draft up new content for the blog, including:

A wrap-up of one of my favourite — and only — trips from the year (The Great Mini-Canadian Road Trip),
An exposé of my Spotify Wrapped playlist to determine, once and for all, my favourite music releases of 2020, and
An inside look at my best (and worst?) celeb encounters of the year, both virtually and in person (remember those days?!)

Planning exciting features

The planner in me truly thrives every December as I whip out my pen and paper and strategize for the new year.

I loved starting my Take 5 interview series this year and publishing conversations with uber-talented musicians Reuben James and Michelle Treacy. With the goal of introducing (at least!) one influential and incredible human to you each month, I’m happy to tease that I already have several great names lined up for 2021. Get ready to do plenty of reflection, learning, listening and more. 😊

Know an inspiring or up-and-coming individual I should Take 5 with? Let me know in the comments below — or tweet me @angelamcleanx!

I will also be continuing my follower-favourite #NewMusicFriday shares every Friday at 12AM EST on my Instagram Stories (see my NMF highlights)! One of my proudest moments of 2020 was opening so many of you up to new artists and songs each week. Feel free to slide into my DMs with your most anticipated new releases so I can bump them to the top of my listening queue.

An additional teaser: I highly suggest you follow @vitaminwanderlust on Instagram. Fun things will be flying to your feed soon… ✈️

Giving back (to you!)

In case you missed it, I’m currently running a worldwide giveaway on Instagram for a sweet prize that is sure to help you through your toughest, longest days. I’m talking Starbucks coffee (my not-so-guilty pleasure!).

Head over to my Instagram by today (Dec. 25) for your final chance at a $20 CAD gift card! BONUS: As a thank you for reading my blog, comment your Instagram username below after you’ve entered on Instagram for an additional entry!

Looking forward to doing more contests and surprise giveaways in 2021. Be sure to have my notifications on!

Thank you for all of your support and readership this year! I seriously couldn’t do this without each one of you.

If you ever have any content ideas or suggestions, send me a note.

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays xx

Fashion, General, Travel

How To Make Your Face Mask a Style Statement

May 21, 2020 No Comments

How to make your mask a fashion statement

Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links for Redbubble and I will be compensated if you make a purchase after clicking these links.

For the foreseeable future, face masks will be part of our day-to-day wardrobe. If it’s going to be taking up half your face, it may as well be comfortable, cute and on brand!

I already have friends ordering multiple masks to have a print ready to match every outfit, and I may or may not have more than one on the way as well. There’s no reason you can’t look and feel good while protecting yourself and those around you. Step up your mask fashion game with these *non-medical* statement-making looks!

Rep your fave artists

Fabric face masks have been a fan-favourite merch item every festival season. In light of the new demand, many artists are now giving you the chance to shout out your fandom while supporting organizations addressing the impacts of the pandemic. Net proceeds of The Weeknd’s official XO branded masks (pictured) will be donated to the MusiCares COVID-19 relief fund, directly helping those affected in the music community.

You can also support fellow music fans by purchasing a unique design from a fan-owned shop on Redbubble. They have something for everyone — check out these links if you’re a fan of Billie Eilish, Selena Gomez or Khalid. I can’t wait to get my DNCE mask (Joe Jonas’ highly underrated band) made by Jonas Brothers Toronto.

Get the designer look

Craving your Gucci Gucci fix? Match your face mask to your bag with the help of online boutiques like VSOPCAM that rework authentic designer fabrics, including Gucci, Fendi and Chanel, into durable — and highly fashionable — looks. P.S. I have one of their red Chanel scrunchies and I’m obsessed. Stay tuned for a separate blog post on my latest must-have jewelry and accessories!

General

5 Lessons We Should All Learn from 2019

December 31, 2019 2 Comments

I know I’m not the only one who feels like 2019 went by in a SECOND, but here we are — it’s once again New Year’s Eve. This time we’re not only celebrating the end of a year, but also the end of a decade.

As we count down the final hours to the new year, we often look back and reflect on the opportunities we received, chances we took and any regrets still lingering with us. Personally, 2019 was an incredibly wild ride — so much happened that it took me some time to sort through my camera roll and notes to remember everything that happened (and I’m sure I still missed some key moments!). Overall, it was a really positive year filled with so much learning and growth, and I hope to continue that in 2020.

Now, what’s next? I don’t necessarily believe in making New Year’s Resolutions, but here are five of my 2019 lessons as we head into 2020 and the decade ahead.

1. Learning doesn’t stop after school. In fact, it gets better.

I graduated university this past spring, marking the end of my formal education journey. I quickly started getting the typical questions like “Do you miss school?” or “Do you prefer working or being in school?” I’ve always said, without a doubt, that I preferred working. Truth be told, part of me always felt trapped at school — I had so much I wanted to do, but my time was taken up by assignments and studying. However, once I lost that daily source of learning, I actually started to miss parts of the routine. I realized that I cherished the never-ending opportunities to challenge myself, question things and work my brain, and I enjoyed being around people who asked questions that had me thinking in new ways.

Congrats Ryerson Grads — The last selfie I took before graduating university! “This is your moment. You are ready.” …little did I know how much I really was ready as this was just the beginning.

In 2020, I want to continue to stimulate my brain by reading daily, listening to new, exciting podcasts (if you have any recommendations, please send them my way!), and, most excitingly, travelling more. I’ve realized it’s about finding the avenues that complement my learning style best and allow me to incorporate education back into my daily life.

2. Getting to know yourself can be scary — and that’s OK.

This year, I had the unexpected opportunity to take my first solo trip, which led to me falling in love with the city of Portland and, in many ways, myself. I’m an only child, so doing things by and for myself has never really phased me. I’m not ashamed to admit I LOVE going to concerts alone — not only because I’m completely free to meet new people, but I also don’t need to tone down my excitement or feel bad about my terrible singing. I’ve also always pushed myself to get out and walk around, try new cafes and coffee shops and attend other events solo. But somehow, the thought of doing those things in another city/country/etc. was beyond daunting.

That said, spending my first night in Portland travelling to my hotel, exploring the city, trying a bar I had fallen in love with on Instagram and watching TV in my room felt so good and normal. Moral of the story here is I had nothing to be afraid of — I was the only one holding myself back. It took that one uncomfortable situation to get me comfortable with being uncomfortable, and I honestly can’t wait for my next solo trip, wherever it may take me.

I’m 22, and this year I learned more about myself than I ever have before. I reconnected with friends who truly have my back, tried new experiences, set new goals and reminded myself to live in the now. Along with this, I also learned, once again, to trust my gut; it never lies. This applies both to multiple choice answers on tests and deciding whether or not you’ll wear a $40 shirt you want to buy, but also your intuition on situations and people to stray away from. Always listen to yourself.

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