An expansive, creative world - that has been the vocation in which Brandon Valdivia pursues in a life dedicated to music, family and heritage. Living up to his artistic namesake, Mas Aya, is both a nod to his grandmother’s hometown in Nicaragua, and a testament to his exploration in sound that exceeds boundaries and traverses landscapes.

The acclaimed London, Ontario based multifarious artist is rooted around the world. From the his birthplace of small town Chatham, to barrios in Colombia, the flora and fauna of his ancestral Nicaragua home and DIY ethos of Toronto’s experimental music scene.

His 2021 album, Mascaras, was an emotional social-political sonic narrative - a response to the struggles within Nicaragua - and a deeper means to connect. His project on the way, Coming and Going, is just as cathartic, yet abstract and more expansive as a reflection around family, passages through time and life experiences.

have interviewed Brandon for previous projects many moons ago, and now I’m happy to call him a great friend that I’ve had the privilege of DJing with, too. You’ll hear us discuss the records that have established a sense of community within Brandon, with music by Juan Luis Guerra, John Coltrane, Ed Blackwell and Don Cherry, traditional Gamelan music, Pedrona Martinez - and a legend in his own right, Mas Aya himself.

Mas Aya’s forthcoming project, Coming and Going, is out July 12 via Telephone Explosion Records. Support via bandcamp and connect with Brandon via Instagram at @massallamasaya.

LISTEN:

In this episode, you’ll hear music by (listen to our playlist for more!)
A Pedir Su Man - Juan Luis Guerra
Tu y Yo - Mas Aya featuring Lido Pimienta
Tungue Tungue - Pedrona Martinez
Afro Blue - John Coltrane
Javanese Court Gamelan - Hudan Mas
Amejelo - Ed Blackwell and Don Cherry

Sharing the land:

Sound Travels is produced in Tkaronto (covered by Treaty 13 with the Mississaugas of the Credit) – it is an honour and privilege to create this work on the traditional territory of many nations including the Mississaugas of the Credit, the Anishnabeg, the Chippewa, the Haudenosaunee and the Wendat peoples and is now home to many Indigenous communities from across Turtle Island.

Sonic Fold Respect Mandate:

Sonic Fold is founded on CommUNITY, all caps on UNITY – we do not tolerate any form of racism, hate, bigotry, sexism and violence. Every conversation is a conversACTION. It is an honour and a privilege to do this work – and a continuous opportunity to learn and grow. Thank you for sharing this with me, and those who listen.

Tune In to Sound Travels:

Every Fourth Wednesday | 1 to 2 pm ET - LIVE on JOLT RADIO

Jolt Radio is an amazing community-driven platform that supports local, national, and international independent artists, producers, radio hosts and DJs. They are broadcast from their Allapattah, Miami, FL studio and listened to worldwide. Much gratitude to John Caignet for the trust and support! Bringing my two fave cities together for this initiative is a true blessing. Support Jolt Radio HERE.

TEAM

Sound Travels is curated, hosted, produced, photographed by: Ola Mazzuca/ olasconola Sonic Fold

Ep. 8 | Mas Aya is Coming and Going, Beyond