It's hard to believe that hip-hop/R&B artist Ro Joaquim wasn't always confident about his vocals.
His richly textured voice has a buoyant quality that soars above the atmospheric production of songs like "Touchdown", "Inner Peace", and "Water Fights".
Guest co-host Chelsey Bennett (aka Sey Blu) and I talked to Ro about learning how to pivot during the pandemic, the benefits of shooting a music video during lockdown, and his new protest song about the Black Lives Matter movement.
Nov 26, 2020
51 min
As DJs and promoters, the Gillespie Brothers have thrown some of the best parties in Toronto for nearly two decades.
But with the pandemic shutting down all parties for the unforeseen future, Dave and Ray have been forced to pivot like many of us.
Together with my former co-host, Jeff Woo, we talk to the Gillespie Brothers about what they've been listening to during COVID, how they organize their vinyl collection, and that infamous night in 2009 when Diplo crashed their house party.
Nov 12, 2020
1 hr 25 min
Since quietly opening its doors in the spring of 2011, Poetry Jazz Cafe has become a popular live jazz, funk, and soul venue in the heart of Toronto's Kensington Market.
However, like most music venues around the world, Poetry was forced to temporarily close in mid-March to prevent the further spread of COVID-19.
I talked to the owner, Sean Pascalle about the struggles of running a live jazz venue, the absence of live music as a result of the pandemic, and the evolving sound of Miles Davis.
Oct 29, 2020
49 min
Pop Music is an independent record store located in the East Chinatown district of Toronto.
Owner Derek Antonio, who was previously the GM of the now-defunct HMV Superstore, offers a less-judgy crate-digging experience compared to some of his competitors.
I talked to Derek about adapting to a new business model during the pandemic, building his music collection through Columbia House as a young child, and Record Store Day 2020.
Oct 15, 2020
44 min
The women-led Toronto band OKAN seamlessly blend their Afro-Cuban roots with jazz, folk and international flavours.
Their music evokes a great deal of passion, so it's rather fitting that their namesake stems from the word for heart in the Afro-Cuban religion of Santeria.
I talked to bandleaders and couple Elizabeth Rodriguez and Magdelys Savigne about their sophomore album Espiral, the political turmoil in Cuba, and the trick to keeping their romantic and professional relationships separate.
Oct 1, 2020
40 min
Minzi Roberta is a woman of many hats, including DJ, promoter, writer, filmmaker, and designer. As the co-founder of the arts and music collective Kuruza, Minzi has thrown some of the hottest parties in the last two years. On S5E03, I talk to Minzi about growing up in Japan as a biracial person, the importance of listening to a playlist in order, and how to be a better ally to the black community.
Sep 17, 2020
59 min
Chicago-based singer-songwriter Ezra Furman has spent more than a decade making honest and intelligent punk rock music.
On the heels of soundtracking two seasons of the popular Netflix series Sex Education, she's back with her eighth album entitled Twelve Nudes.
We talk to Ezra about the new album's self-assured lyricism, how she recently came out as transgender, and the enormous impact of discovering Lou Reed and The Velvet Underground at 15.
Jan 23, 2020
41 min
Australian indie rock singer-songwriter Alex Cameron hails from New York by way of Sydney.
Though some critics have compared his songwriting and music to Bowie and Nick Cave, Alex himself says he's most influenced by Roy Orbison.
We talk to Alex about his third album Miami Memory, his personal and creative relationship with actress Jemima Kirke (Girls), and collaborating with The Killers frontman Brandon Flowers.
Jan 9, 2020
30 min
project that features lo-fi dream vocals and minimalistic beats.
As one-half of indie art-rock duo Lilla Drömland, Pallas Athene explores the theme of man vs machine in an increasingly dystopian world.
We talk to Breanna about her new self-titled EP; meeting her musical hero, Massive Attack's 3D; and being the musical black sheep of her family.
Dec 5, 2019
41 min
After archiving hundreds of Toronto concert flyers on Instagram, Daniel Tate enlisted Rob Bowman to help him expand the project into a comprehensive book.
Published by Dundurn Press, "The Flyer Vault: 150 Years of Toronto Concert History" is a fascinating exploration of the city's most seminal live music shows.
We talk to Daniel and Rob about some of their most memorable concerts, Toronto's dark history of racist minstrel shows, and convincing Rush's Geddy Lee to write the book's foreword.
Nov 21, 2019
53 min
Load more