In this episode of Sound Travels, I connect with Toronto-based DJ, visual & tattoo artist, Fion Liu (aka Sadstab), on the tracks that have shaped their journey as an artist of many mediums, a true team player in Toronto, their signature style, and the person they are today - who is an honour to know.
Read MoreAn 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.
Read MoreI’m keeping this intro short and sweet, as you’ll soon hear myself - Ola - and my partner, Rhandy Adolphe, aka SambaRanthony - discuss our new venture Trust The Process Press. This is a special episode of Sound Travels, where you’ll get to hear more behind our print matter project and some of the tunes that have supported our journey.
Read MoreIce Tha One is like an ace of spades. She play her cards with swift, sharp wisdom. Whether on the mic, or the basketball court, it’s a big team huddle with community before her musical projects are shared with the world. Ice is a true friend that I’m lucky to call one of mine, and let me tell you - no one can dim her shine. Our conversation delves into the layered influences Ice has curated, her professional work, sports career, latest project Monstar, with a hint at what’s on the way.
Read MoreFor Lisa Hartl, community is not only a symphony of sounds, but comprised of memories, people, places and practice. Lisa is a professional performing, touring and recording musician, composer, music educator and well of vast knowledge for tunes near and far. Like notes on a staff, Lisa has transposed her passions and lives them to the fullest, and best of her ability - let’s just say, the bar is quite high. In this episode, we dive into Lisa’s roots in sound, why and how it drives everything she pursues. The soundtrack ranges from the Gipsy Kings to Nightwish, traditional Bavarian folk music, Gustav Mahler and more.
Read MoreToronto’s own Juno-nominated producer, mix engineer, and MPC master has been a prolific driving force in the local music community. Fresh Kils, born Andrew Kilgour, has deep roots in music that expand beyond the many crates he has dug through, to the studios he has worked in worldwide. This chat is abundant with insight, reflection and history - both of his career, and Canadian scenes as a whole. We dive into the records that have shaped Kils’ life, his collaborative process, and creative philosophy, always tapping into the inner child on-stage and off.
Read MoreMelissa Haughton is a community-focused writer, marketer and audio producer passionate about the ways stories can connect us. From her homebase in Toronto or across the pond, Melissa weaves an array of creativity within her personal and professional realms. In this episode, we’ll learn more about Seuxlow, and the tunes that have been a sonic companion to Melissa’s journey to date; from the records she grew up with in a musical household, to vivid festival moments, the small, yet meaningful connections, one makes in big rooms, and much more.
Read MoreLike the directions of a map, the details of an atlas, the markers on a route, Juana Hermida is a community connector beyond borders. Traversing the world, enriching herself in wonder amidst endless exploration, Juana’s sonic landscape is vast and reflective of her journey to date. In this episode, we discuss the music that has shaped her life and career - from the riffs that ran through childhood memories, spiritual experiences in Bahia, Brazil, key collaborations that bear great gifts, and the records that spin while finding a sense of place.
Read MoreSound Travels begins with Episode 1 featuring Kevin Howes | Voluntary In Nature. The celebrated journalist, GRAMMY-nominated producer, innovative DJ, expert crate digger, passionate historian, intricate archivist, and Voluntary In Nature label founder waxes poetic on the records that shaped his life, mentors he’s learned from along the way, his respect for the craft, a mission to build an equitable music industry, and intentions for impactful change.
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