Past Podcasts & Playlists

Montréal-based singer-songwriter Brigitte Naggar, otherwise known as Common Holly, has had a whirlwind year.

Over the past 12 months she has been signed to international indie label Solitaire Recordings, released her critically-acclaimed debut album, and made Stereogum's Best New Bands of 2017 list.

We sat down with Brigitte to discuss how nature inspired her stage alias, how the mixtape she received at a Bar Mitzvah would become her daily lullaby, and her ongoing Twitter poem series that pay homage to inanimate objects.

Read More

Toronto Life's Mark Pupo may have started off his journalism career critiquing music, but he's spent almost a decade writing about food.

As the publication's premier food critic, Pupo has profiled some of the most exciting and innovative restaurants in Toronto.

We sat down with Pupo to discuss Toronto's internationally-renowned culinary scene, the innate connection between music and food, and why he's a die-hard Cat Power fan.

Read More

In less than two years, Kohji Nagata has become the podcast master of Toronto. 

After launching ISO: The Bunz Podcast, a show that interviews members of the popular bartering community Bunz, Kohji has gone on to produce two other podcasts.

We recently sat down with Kohji to talk about his various podcasts, playing in the indie rock band The Maladies of Adam Stokes, and the legendary mix-cd that introduced him to Weezer's Pinkerton.

Read More

Now in its 11th year, Record Store Day is an international event that celebrates the culture of the independently owned record store.

Taking place on April 21st, the annual event features parties, in-store performances and special releases at thousands of independent record stores around the world.

We sat down with Record Store Day Canada's Communications Manager Priya Panda to discuss the event, the resurgence of record culture, and how her own obsession for Neil Diamond and hair metal inspired her to form the hard rock band, Diemonds.

Read More

As a stand-up comedian, singer/songwriter, TV host and chef, Norm Alconcel, aka “Big Norm”, is a man of many talents.

Drawing inspiration from his Filipino and hip hop roots, his comedy routine offers hilarious observations about race relations, multiculturalism, and pop-culture.

We sat down with Big Norm to discuss what his favourite R&B singers and culinary dishes have in common, why he's quick to shut down the cultural appropriation accusations against Bruno Mars, and how a recent trip to Taiwan inspired him to write a one-man show.

Read More

They say the third time is a charm. For Toronto art rock duo Lilla Drömland, this proves to be the case.

Over the past eight years, the duo has undergone various iterations -- each one signaling  a new name and slightly altered sound.

But under their new fantastical-inspired name, Breanna Johnston and Mark Rendall have ushered in a more confident, dream-pop sonic tapestry. 

We recently sat down with the duo and real-life couple to discuss their new material, how moving to rural Ontario has helped expand their creative boundaries, and the challenges of coping with anxiety as a performer. 

Read More

Rockabilly duo catl may be from Toronto, but their gritty blues-country sound conjures the dusty back roads of the Deep South.

Comprised of real-life couple Jamie Fleming and Sarah Kirkpatrick, catl is set to release their fifth record next month on France's Beast Records.

We sat down with catl to talk about their new record, how being in a relationship impacts their creative dynamic, and recording at the legendary Ardent Studios in Memphis.

Read More

As a professional singer-songwriter, violinist and DJ, Toronto's Maya Killtron is something of a renaissance woman in music.

She's toured all around the world as a featured performer, musician and DJ including Winter Music Conference in Miami, The Halifax Jazz Festival & NYC’s CMJ festival. 

We sat down with Maya to talk to her about juggling her various musical talents, how her cool dad put her onto the Fugees and TLC, and a shit-ton of Star Trek.

Read More

Over the past two decades, Toronto's Jon Santiago, aka DJ Dopey, has carved out an impressive career as a DJ/turntablist.

As the founding member of the Turntable Monkz, Dopey went on to become the 2003 DMC World Champion -- the highest accolade for a turntablist -- and has shared the stage with everyone from Eminem to Slum Village to Steve Aoki.

We sat down with Dopey to talk to him about the evolving nature of hip hop music, teaching young students the art of turntablism, and what makes a great closing song.

Read More

Toronto's Practice is recurring live jam session that unites a rotating roster of talented musicians, vocalists and emcees to improvise hip hop, soul and funk songs.

Along with Joseph W. Salusbury, Jahmal Padmore, Ian Koiter and Matthew Progress, co-founders Gaurav Sawhney and Gavin Whelehan have turned Practice into one of most exciting live music nights in Toronto today. 

We sat down with Gaurav and Gavin to discuss how they started Practice, the music that they grew up on, and which musicians they would recruit for their live jam dream team.

Read More

In less than three years, DJ, radio host and music curator Josephine Cruz, aka JAYEMKAYEM, has already become a well-known name in the Toronto nightlife scene.

In addition to DJing at clubs in New York City, Los Angeles and Shanghai, she recently collaborated with Paul Chin to launch the 24-hour radio station pop-up, Istolethesoul FM.

We talked to JAYEMKAYEM about how she learned to DJ, her growing sneaker collection, and why she felt compelled to launch Istolethesoul FM.

Read More

Teenage indie folk duo Moscow Apartment may have only been around for a year, but they've already accomplished more than many of their older contemporaries have in a fraction of the time. 

The duo -- comprised of Brighid Fry and Pascale Padilla -- has won two notable music awards, recorded and released an EP, and played nearly 30 shows.

We sat down with the girls to discuss how they balance the duality of rock stardom and being a regular teenager, why they idolize Joni Mitchell, and how their songs draw on themes of body image issues and female empowerment.

Read More

Hailing from Brisbane, Australia, electronic-R&B singer-songwriter Wafia has already released two critically-acclaimed EPs and a collaborative EP in under three years.

Her latest EP, XIII, marks a maturity in her songwriting as she touches on the Syrian refugee crisis, embracing her sexuality, and dealing with heartache.

We sat down with Wafia before her sold-out show at the Drake Hotel to discuss what it's like to tour the United States as an artist of Arab descent, how her music caught the attention of Pharrell, and her favourite songs to make up and break up to.

Read More

Toronto folk singer-songwriter Luke Kuplowsky, otherwise known as LUKA, conjures the smoky vocals of Bill Callahan and Phil Elverum.

Kuplowsky recorded and mixed his third record, What Kind of Animal, in a live session on a cold afternoon in the dead of winter. The album is a collection of songs that explore themes of self-doubt, integrity, companionship and faith. 

We sat down with Luke to talk about his favourite winter albums, being drawn to the music of video games like Final Fantasy as a child, and the improvisational nature of his live shows.

Read More

Partial is an art rental and sales service specializing in curated works by Toronto artists.

Graphic design artist Tammy Yiu co-founded the startup as a novel approach for both new and seasoned art enthusiasts to build their collection of art.

We sat down with Tammy at 8Space studios where she talked about Partial's burgeoning art rental and sales service.

On Episode 26, designer and Partial Gallery founder Tammy Yiu talks about her burgeoning art rental and sales service, curating the morning playlist at her middle school, and why Rihanna is the real deal. 

Read More

Toronto musician and multimedia artist Maylee Todd has been creating some of the most exciting and engaging music and art installations in recent memory. 

Her music frequently blends various genres spanning soul, r&b, electronic and experimental, while her lyrics tackle themes of science fiction, human development/psychology and unconventional thinking. 

Read More

Toronto comedian Aisha Brown may have gotten a late-start in comedy, but you would never guess it from watching her live act. Her effortless, iron-tight routine proves she's just as formidable as a writer as she is a performer.

With critically-acclaimed appearances at Yuk Yuk's, Kevin Hart's LOL Network and JFL42 opening for Roy Wood Jr., it's only a matter of time before Aisha blows up south of the border.

Read More

The music of Toronto R&B and soul singer-songwriter Tanika Charles blends the classic sound of Motown greats with contemporary hip hop beats.

Hot off the release of her Polaris Prize and Juno Award-nominated debut record, Soul Run, she is currently on tour playing to packed shows across Europe.

We recently talked to Tanika before the tour about graduating from  backup vocalist to solo artist, the international success of her latest record, and that time when she spotted Prince at a New York nightclub.

Read More

This.Broken.Mixtape's hosts/producers Justin Lee and Jeff Woo discuss how the podcast came to be, starting a mixtape exchange club a decade ago, and their top five records of all time.

Read More

Men's vintage clothing store In Vintage We Trust launched as an online store before opening a brick-and-mortar location in Toronto's Parkdale neighbourhood three years ago. 

The store carries a handpicked assortment of brand name work wear, sportswear, military, and music apparel.

We recently sat down with store owners Josh Roter and Chantal Varela to discuss vintage fashion, '90s hip hop, and which rappers they consider the ultimate style-lords.

Read More