Alex ‘Bender’ Buchanan: A Commemoration

On March 1, 2018, Ottawa lost a humble genius.
Alex ‘Bender’ Buchanan was a man of many hats: MC, producer, writer, visual artist and battle rapper.
For many people here in Ottawa — and far beyond — we were lucky enough to add the title of friend to that list.

Having Bender as a friend was a privilege. In the give-and-take of any friendship it was a barter system that always worked out in your favour. Trade him sleeping on your couch for a verse that would leave you transfixed and dazzled. Your last cold beer for a chance to bop your head to his beats of brutally beautiful boom bap. Offer up the glow from your TV set to see him destroy round after round of Jeopardy with Einstein-like instinct. Bender never disappointed.

His approach to his artistry was both obsessive and prolific and he has left us with many gifts.

In his far too brief career he gave us three full-length LPs as a member of Flight Distance, a large body of artwork with a focus on portraiture, hours of classic battle rap footage and countless social media posts that could rival the wit of any Harvard grad in a comedy writers’ room.

In spite of all of this Bender never once made you feel like he was better than, or above you. He always made you feel like an equal.

Bender was humble. Bender was a genius. But on top of it all Bender was kind. If you offered up your heart to him he’d give you his right back. —DA

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The evening of Thursday, March 29, we — Bender’s closest friends — will be celebrating his life at Babylon, the club where Flight Distance played its first show many, many years ago, and its final show in late 2017. The night will include the music Bender made and the music he loved, being spun by the DJs with whom he worked closest; select pieces of his artwork, along with art from friends and those he inspired, and an open mic for those wishing to share memories, stories or favourite verses. (Please be respectful: This is not an opportunity for exposure. Bender’s family will be present, and while they very much look forward to hearing stories about him, they don’t want to hear your latest 16 bars, etc.)

Food will be provided by one of Bender’s favourite restaurants, TWO SIX {ATE}
Memorial t-shirts and artwork will be available for purchase with all proceeds going to Bender’s family