This Broken Mixtape: Recent Episodes
Justin Le
Produced and hosted by self-professed music nerd Justin Lee, This Broken Mixtape is an interview-based podcast that explores how music can play a vital and meaningful role in our lives.
Every episode, Justin Lee interviews exciting personalities from all walks of life, including musicians, artists, writers, comedians, chefs, and entrepreneurs.
Guests recount their personal relationship with music and the memorable events that have become synonymous with specific songs, albums, and artists.
So get ready to pop in that mixtape, hit rewind, and press play on the soundtrack to your life.
Lexxicon is a dancehall/Afropop artist from Toronto by way of Jamaica and the UK.
On his new album, Tropicon Islands, he strays away from his dancehall roots and dives head-first into a rich Afrobeats sound.
Guest co-host Amanie Illfated and I talked to Lexxicon about his new album and novel, the third season of Netflix's You, and why Canadian musicians often have to move to another country in order to make it.
Leila Dey is a Toronto R&B singer/songwriter who has shared the stage with Little Simz, K'Naan, and Melanie Fiona. Her latest EP Detour explores the disintegration of a romantic relationship and its subsequent aftermath. Guest co-host Amanie Illfated and I talked to Leila about the allegorical nature of her new EP, how the passing of her younger sister impacted her approach to making music, and her adoration for Ms. Lauryn Hill.
Zorana Sadiq wears a lot of hats, including multidisciplinary artist, soprano, actor, and music teacher. Her latest project, MixTape, is a visceral one-person play that is "part memoir, part scientific inquiry, and part love song to listening." I talk to Zorana about the art of making a great mixtape, her tenure at Regent Park School of Music where she taught Polaris Prize-nominated Mustafa, and the annoying popularity of Kidz Bop.
Amanie Illfated is a South Sudanese Canadian Afropop/R&B singer/songwriter and model. By incorporating her past refugee experiences in her music, she touches on themes of empowerment, depression, and self-improvement. I talk to Amanie about leaving her family in Saskatchewan at 16 to pursue music in Toronto, working through her PTSD and trauma to create meaningful music, and being a closeted Juggalo (an Insane Clown Posse fan).
At the beginning of the pandemic, roller skating culture experienced a resurgence on social media and beyond. However, the recreational activity is more than just another nostalgic phenomenon-gone-viral; there's a rich history of black and brown skating communities that date all the way back to the '70s.
Jared and Deejah, aka Rollerouge and Deesh, are two rising talents from Toronto's jam rollerskating scene.
I sat down with them to talk about the cultural significance of roller skating in the black community, their unfortunate reality of having to navigate safe spaces, and their preferred soundtrack to jam skating sessions.
Meagan De Lima is A Toronto-based r&b/pop artist that was recently awarded the Top Artist for Social Change in Canada.
She has performed at "The Future Series: A Conversation with President Barack Obama, the Invictus Games, Canadian Music Week, and opened for Kehlani.
I talked to Meagan about performing for President Obama last year, writing songs about coping with mental health issues, and working with famed rock producer, Bob Ezrin.
Comedians Big Norm and Keith Pedro are like the Filipino counterparts to Method Man and Redman. As the hosts of the live cannabis comedy show Bare Jokes and members of the hip-hop comedy group Runnin' at the Mouth, their comedy offers hilarious observations about race relations, multiculturalism, and pop culture. In the second part of our extremely blunted interview, we talk to Big Norm and Keith Pedro about when they first realized they were funny, classic Canadian PSAs ("People think I eat too Many Chocolate Bars"), and who they believed to be the funniest rappers in the game.
Comedians Big Norm and Keith Pedro are like the Filipino counterparts to Method Man and Redman. As the hosts of the live cannabis comedy show Bare Jokes and members of the hip-hop comedy group Runnin' at the Mouth, their comedy offers hilarious observations about race relations, multiculturalism, and pop culture. In the first of a two-part blunted interview, I talked to the homies about performing a PG set at a Jewish camp, Keith's trio of new albums, and how aspirations of becoming rappers eventually led them to comedy.
Vince Jamal is a Toronto-based Barbadian R&B/soul singer who is as much influenced by his ancestral island riddims as the classic American soul music he was raised on. Somewhere in his complicated music DNA, you'll find soul legends like Marvin Gaye and Bill Withers, classic neo-soul ala D'Angelo and Maxwell, the contemporary hip-hop sounds of Anderson Paak, and calypso and soca music. I talked to Vince about recording an album during a pandemic, the misconceptions of performing on a cruise ship, and his many takeaways from Prince's unparalleled artistry.
Erika Iri5 is a Chicago-based multimedia artist that works with various audio media, such as audiotape, VHS reel, and vinyl. Over the past 15 years, she's created a countless number of portraits of music icons like Prince, David Bowie, Amy Winehouse, Kurt Cobain, and Madonna. I talked to Erika about her creative process, making mixtapes as a teenager, and working on a Bruno Mars music video.
Calgary R&B/pop artist Justine Tyrell was named one of Exclaim magazine's "Top 8 Emerging Canadian Artists You Need to Hear". She recently released her debut EP entitled While You Were Sleeping. I talk to Justine about Calgary's burgeoning R&B scene, how the music of Amy Winehouse inspired her to find her own voice, and how the title of her EP has more to do with insomnia than the Sandra Bullock rom-com.
R&B artist Seyblu, aka Chelsey Bennett, has spent the majority of the past year writing and recording her new EP. Entitled the Silk Sessions EP, it is her first major project in more than four years. I talk to Chelsey about overcoming her recording anxieties at a secluded cabin up north, her favourite dance movies, and how she's been discovering both new and old soul/funk in the last year.
Fion Liu, aka Sad Stab, is a multidisciplinary artist who is best known for their "abjectly adorable" tattoo art. They set an ambitious goal in 2016 to tattoo 50 touring music acts, which they successfully reached last year. I talk to Sad Stab about why they prefer using the stick-and-poke method over a tattoo gun, collecting rare vintage records, and their penchant for fixing vintage audio equipment.
Miya Adout is the founder and executive director of Miya Music Therapy. Along with her fellow music therapists, Miya uses music purposefully within therapeutic relationships to support development, health, and well-being. We talk to Miya about how a middle school career aptitude test planted the seed of music therapy, how writing and listening to music helped an elderly man and an autistic teenager, and how Alanis Morrissette inspired her to get into songwriting.
Stacy Darko, aka KÔSA, is a Toronto-based classically-trained R&B/soul artist and producer.
Having undergone an early music education at the Regent Park School of Music and the Etobicoke School of the Arts, she continued her studies at the University of British Columbia. I talk to KÔSA about how RPSM helped to nurture her passion for music; how she grew up on an eclectic diet of classical, top-40 pop, and Afrofuturistic R&B and her latest EP entitled Tempest Love.
Electro-pop artist Aiko Tomi's music is equally comprised of M.I.A.'s manic hip-hop energy, the lush dream-pop sensibilities of Caroline Polachek, and the undeniable joy of an infectious J-pop hook. After a long hiatus from music, she's back with a brand new EP entitled For the Love and plenty of more new music on the way. I talk to Aiko about her new EP, the disconcerting rise in Asian-targeted hate crimes during the pandemic, and her unapologetic bubble tea addiction.
On March 22, 2016, Malik Izaak Taylor, aka Phife Dawg from A Tribe Called Quest, died at the age of 45 due to complications related to diabetes. He left a massive void in hip hop music and culture, forever changing the way hip hop sounds, breathes, and lives on. On S6E06, I talk to Phife's longtime manager, producer, and friend, DJ Rasta Root, about his personal and professional relationship with Phife, the five-year journey of completing Phife's sophomore album, and what we can expect from the upcoming posthumous release.
To quote Nia Long in Love Jones, Kazeem Kuteyi is something of "a Renaissance Black Man".
As a DJ, promoter, creative director, photographer, and cultural curator, Kazeem is perhaps best known as the co-founder of youth cultural incubator called New Currency.
I talk to Kazeem about the cultural shift that came with moving from Canada to Nigeria during his adolescence, what we can expect from the first issue of New Currency magazine, and launching the Toronto chapter of an international BIPOC birdwatching group.
Rich Kidd is a two-time Juno nominated rapper/producer from Toronto.
Over the past 15 years, Rich Kidd has produced tracks for artists like Kendrick Lamar, Drake, Busta Rhymes, Shad, and K-os.
We talk to Rich about his legendary production sessions with Kendrick and Jay Electronica, serving as the Recording Arts program leader of The Remix Project, and the pro's and con's of hip-hop producer tags.
Fashion designer Natalya Amres transforms everyday objects like basketballs and duffle bags into custom wearable art.
In the past few years, Remixed by Tal has rose from virtual obscurity to partnering with brands like Nike, Adidas Tango, and Kappa.
We talk to Natalya about creating custom pieces for Migos, Savannah Ré, and Kennedy Rd; attending a Nike female entrepreneurial event during NBA All-star weekend; and her favourite song remix.
Born in Paris, Chef Romain Avril has trained at some of France's top Michelin Star restaurants.
As the former Executive Chef at La Societe Bistro and Lavelle, he was set to open his own restaurant, only to have his plans on hold as the result of the pandemic.
We talk to Chef Avril about the ongoing toxicity in restaurant kitchens, discovering Florence and the Machine during their busking days in London's Hyde Park, and his highly-anticipated upcoming vegan cookbook.
The music of R&B artist Kennedy Rd. sounds like Aaliyah on LSD -- a euphoric haze whirlwind laced with honey-dipped nostalgia.
Her sophomore EP Still Luv exhibits remarkable intentionality and confidence, making it resoundingly clear that 2021 will be her breakout year.
Shelica and I talk to Kennedy about making and releasing new music during the pandemic, the importance of aligning herself with producers over mere beatmakers, and why she is forever indebted to Mary J Blige's Share My World.
Originally hailing from Ottawa, Shelica Miller has been a lifelong music fan. As the host and producer of the podcast Hi Shelica, she has interviewed dozens of musicians and other creatives. In this season 5 finale, I talk to Shelica about her foray into podcasting, being exposed to a range of music by her DJ father, and why she was utterly speechless when she met Snoop Dogg.
Aiza's music seamlessly blends the genres of R&B, Afro-pop, and funk, instilling a sense of unbridled euphoria.
The Allan Slaight JUNO Master Class winner is also an accomplished actress with many film and television credits, including the massively popular comedy series, Workin' Moms.
Guest co-host Chelsey Bennet and I talk to Aiza about growing up listening to her dad's eclectic mixes spanning from Congolese to Classical music; how the pandemic cancelled her Juno Awards performance but led to her developing a new CBC show with her sister; and the power of music during these isolating times.
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.
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.
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.
And while it was able to resume its indoor service in July, the Ontario government restricted all bars to only patio service shortly after this interview was conducted.
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 the coolest man who ever lived, Mr. Miles Davis.
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.
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 band leaders and real-life couple Elizabeth Rodriguez and Magdelys Savigne about their upcoming sophomore album Espiral, the political turmoil in Cuba, and the trick to keeping their romantic and professional relationships separate.
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.
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.
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.
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.
After archiving hundreds of Toronto concert flyers on Instagram, Daniel Tate teamed up with music professor and historian Rob Bowman to 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.
Toronto lo-fi, hip-hop/punk band M.I.N.D. conjures the sounds of early N.E.R.D., Rage Against The Machine, and the Beastie Boys.
Tweens Mazin (vocals), Oscar (drums), and Wolf (keyboard) formed the band four years ago after meeting at an alternative elementary school.
We talk to the boys about their disparate musical influences, their debut EP Fire, and how sometimes parents just don't understand.
As the executive director of Regent Park School of Music, the man behind experimental pop project Friendly Rich, and the host/producer of Industry Tactics podcast, Richard Marsella wears many hats.
He's set to release his 11th studio album with accompanying music video, which will premiere at Friendly Rich's Indie Arts Festival on November 2nd.
We talk to Richard about RPSM students being sampled on the new Taylor Swift album, his DIY approach to music videos, and the hellish monstrosity of seeing Billy Idol live as a young child.
The Awesome Music Project is a Canadian fundraising initiative designed to further research relating to music's profound impact on mental health.
Through their new book and a series of events, the nonprofit is spreading awareness on how music can reduce stress, ease depression in the youth, improve the quality of life for dementia patients and even help premature babies grow and develop.
We talk to co-founder Rob Carli about AMP's long-term goals, their upcoming book launch, and his work as a film and television composer.
Darby Wheeler is an accomplished television producer and filmmaker whose credits include The Strombo Show and Matty Matheson's Dead Set on Life.
His latest project, Hip-Hop Evolution, is an award-winning Netflix docu-series that profiles the history of hip-hop music through in-depth interviews with influential artists.
We talk to Darby about assuming the enormous responsibility of telling the story of hip-hop music, why host Shad got nervous while interviewing Q-Tip and KRS-One, and that time in high school when he and his friends drove to Detroit to see a Public Enemy concert.
Turntablist and producer DJ Cosmo started as a scratch DJ in the early 2000s, winning the Halifax DMC Competition, before moving on to become the first Canadian Redbull3style Champ in 2009.
As the backup Dj / musical coordinator for rapper Azealia Banks, he has performed at major festivals around the world including Coachella, Glastonbury, and Lollapalooza.
Guest co-host Maya Killtron and I talk to DJ Cosmo about his latest EP, what it's like to work with Azealia Banks, and that time he played Karl Lagerfeld's birthday party.
Atlanta's The APX is an electro-funk duo comprised of married couple Dee and Erika Rhodes.
The duo is as equally inspired by funk staples like Zapp and The Gap Band as they are by more contemporary electronic acts like Kaytranada and Chromeo.
I talk to Dee and Erika about their sophomore album Amplified Experiment, drawing the attention of Teddy Riley and Jody Watley, and how to sustain a successful personal and professional relationship.
Toronto singer-songwriter Charlotte Cornfield combines confessional lyrics with a conversational vocal delivery, reminiscent of icons like Bob Dylan, Joni Mitchell and Neil Young.
Having studied jazz drumming at Concordia University, she is well-versed in a myriad of other instruments, including piano, guitar and French horn.
Guest co-host Tara Kannagara and I talk to Charlotte about her latest album being longlisted for the Polaris Music Prize, collaborating with members of Broken Social Scene, and her favourite Kevin Bacon and Jack Nicholson movies.
As an emcee, producer and one-third of hip-hop group The Sorority, Brampton's Haviah Mighty is a force to be reckoned with.
Her solo debut record 13th Floor showcases her versatile delivery and flow, raw lyricism, and innovative production chops.
Justin spoke to Haviah about her album being shortlisted for the Polaris Music Prize, experiencing racism while growing up in East Toronto, and the hyper-sexuality of female rappers.
To celebrate the two-year anniversary of This Broken Mixtape, we held a live storytelling event in early July.
The event features a talented lineup of musicians, comedians and music industry players, including David Hayman, Tara Kannangara, Rodrigo Fernandez-Stoll, Maya Killtron, DJ Cosmo, Rhiannon Archer, Gaurav Sawhney, Chelsey Bennett, and Big Norm.
You'll hear stories about how various albums and songs remind our storytellers about growing up, fitting in, and discovering themselves.
Harnessing a true nomadic spirit, DJ/producer Dre Ngozi has always been moved by music spanning countries and cultures around the world.
In any given set, you'll hear her spin everything from classic hip-hop and R&B, to island riddims and Afrobeat, to electro and house, and everything in-between.
Guest co-host Tara and I talk to Dre about her humble beginnings as a "radio DJ" at the age of nine, opening for Frank Ocean at Wayhome Festival, and practicing and teaching health and wellness -- both in-person and on social media.
On Jeff's final episode, Justin and Jeff discuss the exciting future of This Broken Mixtape, recent concerts and albums they've explored, and the Toronto Raptors' history-making journey to the NBA Finals.
Louis-Philippe Celestin, otherwise known as Lou Phelps, is a Montreal rapper and producer.
Hip hop heads first took notice in 2011 when Phelps and his older brother -- producer Kaytranada -- released their first album as The Celestics. Since then, the Haitian-Canadian brothers have gone on to pursue their own solo careers.
We talked to Lou about his latest album Love Me, the time Madlib compared Kaytranada to the late J Dilla, and the Montreal hip hop scene.
Singer-songwriter Sasha Sloan was only a few months into her studies at Boston's Berklee College of Music before she signed a publishing deal.
After a few years of living in Los Angeles -- writing for some of the biggest pop artists in music -- she decided to focus her energy on her own singing career.
We spoke to Sasha about writing for artists like John Legend and Charli XCX, the folk-Americana music her mom raised her on, and getting a case of the butterflies when she performed on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert.
Rodrigo Fernandez-Stoll is man of many hats: comedian, actor, singer, and a self-professed 'Filterhead'.
He currently stars in Kim's Convenience and Northern Rescue, and is releasing his first comedy music album this spring.
We sat down with Rodrigo to talk about his obsession with Venom, how he's convinced several people he is Adam Duritz of the Counting Crows, and that time in high school when he stayed up all night burning mix-CDs for a crush.
Singer-songwriter Taylor Upsahl, aka UPSAHL, started playing guitar and piano at the tender age of 5.
Influenced by a wide range of artists, including The Shins, Spoon, Lorde and Beyonce, she decided to postpone her college plans to move to L.A. to pursue a music career.
We sat down with UPSAHL to discuss her new EP Hindsight 20/20, how falling in love with her male gay best friend inspired her song "The Other Team", and the best jams for making out.
Brooklyn indie-pop duo Wet seamlessly blends synthpop, folk, soft rock and '90s R&B sounds into a melancholic gumbo.
Their sophomore record, Still Run, builds on their emotional-pop sound with 10 songs that embody an overwhelming sense of loss.
We sat down with lead singer-songwriter Kelly Zutrau to talk about how their co-founding member's departure impacted the band's dynamic, how she continues to deal with intense performance anxiety, and how she witnessed a breakup at a rollerskating rink soundtracked to "Unbreak My Heart".
Montreal singer-songwriter Daniela Andrade began performing and posting originals and covers on YouTube a decade ago.
With more than 1.7 million YouTube subscribers, she's cultivated an impressive career that includes three EPs and extensive touring around the world.
We sat down with Daniela to talk about transitioning from a YouTube singer to a bonafide artist and producer, recruiting luchadores in Mexico for her "Genesis" music video, and Solange's fantastic new album and accompanying film.
Juno-nominated vocalist and trumpeter Tara Kannangara marries traditional jazz with the more accessible sounds of pop, electronic and musical theatre.
Hailing from Chilliwack, BC, she studied classical piano and singing before eventually moving to Toronto to pursue jazz studies at the University of Toronto.
We sat down with Tara at her Little Italy condo to discuss how she played Mary Poppins in a production at her nearly all-white middle school, her upcoming sophomore album Not Mine Anymore, and the songs that remind her of each season.
Working as a retail, exhibition and studio space, Toronto's Souvenir celebrates emerging designers, makers and artists in a collective, gallery-inspired setting.
The contemporary design store carries a range of products, including ceramics, home goods, jewellery, accessories, textiles, perfumes, candles, skin and body care, stationary, art, and books.
We sat down with owner and designer Danielle Suppa to discuss how her store has reclaimed the meaning of souvenir, being raised by music-obsessed parents, and how ABBA made an appearance on one of the four mix-CDs that her now-husband gifted her when they first started dating.
In just five short years, Toronto-bred Harrison has become one of Canada's most innovative producers.
Initially inspired by anime and video game soundtracks, the 23-year-old has already released two albums -- the first of which was nominated for a Juno award.
We sat down with Harrison to talk about how his musician parents instilled in him a sense of passion and work ethic for music, learning about music production through YouTube tutorials, and his love of working on Toyota Supras.
For over a decade, self-proclaimed "not-so-successful to moderately successful band" Teenanger has been a mainstay of Toronto's post-punk scene.
With five albums under their belt, the four-piece's latest record Teenager is a tongue-in-cheek reference to the band's commonly-misread name.
We sat down with Teenanger's Chris Swimmings (vocals) and Steve Sidoli (drums) to talk about how their serendipitous run-in one drunken night lead to the band's formation, favourite celebrity pasta sauces courtesy of Marky Ramone and Paul Newman, and various Toronto-themed song titles for their fictitious Blur cover band.
Over the past 15 years, Dan Boeckner has become a well-known fixture of the North American indie-rock scene.
As one of the main members of Wolf Parade, Operators, Divine Fits, and the now-defunct Handsome Furs, he shows no signs of slowing down with new Operators and Wolf Parade albums set for release this year.
We caught up with Dan before the sold-out Operators Presents Handsome Furs show to discuss the personal and technical logistics of performing Handsome Furs material live, being bullied as a young teenager on Vancouver Island, and the surprising merits of Netflix's Riverdale and Chilling Adventures of Sabrina.
On season closer S2E28, Jeff and Justin discuss the year in music, including the top news stories, concerts, singles and albums. The guys also share some of their personal insights and memories related to music throughout the year. This Broken Mixtape will return with Season 3 on January 10, 2019, featuring a new bi-weekly format.
Wild Nothing frontman Jack Tatum started his then-solo dream pop project making low-fi recordings in his college dorm room at Virginia Tech.
The band's fourth record, Indigo, leans more into Tatum's new wave influences. Thematically, the album explores how love and relationships have shifted in the digital age.
We sat down with Tatum before their packed Opera House show to talk about how Indigo took its cue from the pop sensibilities of Roxy Music and The Cure, writing songs with Mitski and Japanese Breakfast, and why he prefers New Order over Joy Division.
For nearly 15 years, Model Citizen in Toronto's Kensington Market has been a popular menswear boutique for the cool and sophisticated gentleman.
With an assortment of Canadian labels and hip graphic T's, the store certainly lives up to its motto 'You Deserve a Better (Dressed) Boyfriend)'.
We sat down with owner Julian Finkel to discuss the rock n' roll aesthetic of Model Citizen, silk-screening t-shirts for his various bands during his youth, and occasionally bestowing some fashion and music knowledge on his children.
Record collector fanatic Logan Melissa is perhaps best known by her Instagram handle HeightFiveSeven.
It all started on Thanksgiving 2012 when Logan posted a photo of herself recreating the album cover of Minnie Riperton's Adventures In Paradise.
Six years later, her Instagram page has managed to build an impressive following of nearly 55,000 fans.
We spoke to Logan Melissa via phone the day after the US Midterm Election to discuss her DIY approach to recreating classic album covers, her life-long crate-digging obsession, and how she misses the days when she used to be picked on my Internet trolls.
Toronto animator and illustrator Amika Cooper, better known as BlackPowerBarbie, creates art that celebrates feminism and Afrocentrism in a playful way.
She's earned several notable commissions this year, including the Gardiner Museum's Yoko Ono-inspired installation, an animated spot for TIFF's Black Star programme, and a trailer for Shad's A Short Story About a War.
We sat down with Amika to talk about the politics and cultural significance of black women's hair, how her music taste ranged from neo-soul to emo-pop, and the low-key racism of the California Raisins.
Almost a decade ago, rappers Flynt Flossy and Whatchyamacallit founded Turquoise Jeep Records, an independent hip hop label and group.
Carving out a genre they self-describe as "Existing Musical Beings", the Jeep is known for viral music videos like "Lemme Smang It", "Fried Or Fertilized", and "Sex Syrup".
We sat down with the homies -- Flynt Flossy, Whatchyamacallit, Pierre Cashmere -- to talk about how No Limit and Cash Money Records inspired them to start the label, the blaxploitation classic The Last Dragon, and how their music stands out in the current mumble-rap scene.
Sam Owens is a New York-based singer-songwriter, musician and producer who records under the moniker Sam Evian.
His sophomore album, “You, Forever”, was just released in June. Recorded in a small house in the woods in Woodstock, New York, the album was inspired by a life-altering road trip across America.
We sat down with Sam Evian to talk about how finding various multi-track recordings of classic Motown albums helped change his approach to production, how his jazz musician parents influenced his early music taste, and his dream of writing and recording a song with Ringo Starr.
Dr. Chayim Newman is a clinical psychologist that uses various therapeutic methods to treat difficulties with anxiety and stress, mood and depression, relationships, chronic or stress-related medical illness, and other psychological/emotional issues.
With over two decades of experience as a touring performer, event producer, and artist liaison, he has a first-hand understanding of the unique challenges and stresses facing musicians and high-profile individuals.
We sat down with the Dr. Newman to discuss the series of events that led him to counsel musicians, why we tend to listen to depressing music when we're "in our feelings", and what's really going inside Kanye's head.
When Dudebox co-founders Said Yassin and Ahmad Taib first began throwing parties at their Chinatown loft in 2007, they had no idea that they would grow into a social enterprise.
Over the past decade, they've raised nearly $200,000 for various charities by throwing a series of legendary parties in unconventional Toronto spaces.
We sat down with the dudes to talk about using Google Street View to scout party locations, being introduced to the Afrocentric hip hop of A Tribe Called Quest and De La Soul, and that time when eight-time NBA All-Star Steve Nash snuck a bottle of Hennessy into one of their parties.
Music journalist-turned-digital producer Anupa Mistry has been writing about music and culture for over a decade.
Her work has appeared in Pitchfork, VICE, Rolling Stone, NYMag/Vulture, The Guardian, and The Globe & Mail.
In part 2 of our interview, we talk to Anupa about the cultural impact of The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill, recording songs off the radio throughout her adolescence, and when she first fell in love with hip hop (seriously).
Music journalist-turned-digital producer, Anupa Mistry has been writing about music and culture for over a decade.
Her work has appeared in Pitchfork, VICE, Rolling Stone, NYMag/Vulture, The Guardian, and The Globe & Mail.
In part 1 of our interview, we talk to Anupa about how she first got into music journalism, the infamous Pitchfork rating system, and going down a never-ending ASMR YouTube spiral.
Musician Aerin Fogel decided to create Venus Fest after recognizing an inherent need for a safe space where women and non-binary musical artists as well as music fans could thrive in.
Now in its second year, the Toronto music festival and concert series will be held September 20-22 with headliners Moor Mother, Zola Jesus, Bully and Partner.
We sat down with Aerin to talk about navigating through the many pitfalls of launching and sustaining a music festival, breaking the long history of sexual assault and microaggressions at music festivals, and how Courtney Love and the music of Hole inspired her to pick up the guitar
Singer-songwriter/Model Kaya Wilkins, aka Okay Kaya, recorded the majority of her debut record in her Brooklyn apartment.
The ethereal, melancholic bedroom-pop album delves into themes of racial identity, sexuality, insecurity, and mental health.
We talked to Kaya over the phone about the benefits of recording in her own home, playing White Stripes covers with her older brother, and her most favorite and least favorite condiments.
In celebration of their first year anniversary, we recount some of our favourite stories from interviews over the past year.
In the third volume of our retrospective episodes, we share clips from guests Moon Eyed, CATL, Bodega, Shilpa Ray, Tammy Yiu, Simone Ferkul, Big Norm, Snail Mail, Moscow Apartment, In Vintage We Trust, Maylee Todd, Sugar Brown, Richard Cureton, and Aisha Brown.
In celebration of our first year anniversary, we share some of our favourite stories about memorable albums from our childhood discussed in interviews over the past year.
In the second volume of this retrospective series, we share clips from guests Eric Spitznagel, The Gillespie Brothers, Aisha Brown, Wafia, Lauren Pirie, Tanika Charles, Jonas Bonnetta, Shad, Maya Killtron, Big Norm, Snail Mail, and Priya Panda.
In celebration of our first year anniversary and the 50th milestone episode, we look back at some of our favourite mixtape stories from past episodes.
You'll hear from Common Holly, David Hayman, Rhiannon Archer, Kip Berman, Kohji Nagata, Blue Sky Miners, Japanese Breakfast, Malin Johnson, Lilla Drömland, and Trevor LaRocque, along with samples of the memorable songs that were featured on their mixes.
As one of the Executive Producers at Revolver Films, Richard Cureton has produced some of the most innovative works in the world of music video, advertising and digital.
For the past 25 years, he has worked on over 1,000 videos for artists like Drake, Arcade Fire, Broken Social Scene, Feist, Stereolab, DJ Shadow, Spoon, and Belle and Sebastian, to name a few.
We sat down with Richard to talk about creating live visuals Daft Punk in the mid-'90s, tracking down an orange Honda ATV for DMX to crash through a suburban home, and his top five music videos of all time.
Simone Ferkul is a Toronto-based multidisciplinary designer who specializes in interior and industrial design.
In her own words, Simone combines "traditional means of production with modern day processes to create a progressive design approach that is responsive to contemporary culture."
We spoke to Simone about winning Best-in-Show at Umbra's 2017 Compact Living Exhibition for her Sling Planter project, being a superfan of The National, and secretly seeking validation from music snob clerks at local record shops.
The buzz for New York art-punk band Bodega began brewing months before their debut album was even announced. Signed to acclaimed independent punk label What's Yr Rupture?, much of the hype surrounding the band can be attributed to their phenomenal live show. We sat down with Benji Hozie and Nikki Belfiglio of Bodega to discuss how the debut album explores their love/hate relationship with technology, the hypocrisy of cinephilia, and how Nikki's public masturbation as a child inspired the song "Gyrate".
Snail Mail began as a solo project of teenage singer and guitarist Lindsey Jordan.
Her outstanding debut album, Lush, contains 10 deeply confessional tales anchored by 90s-inspired lo-fi indie riffs.
Joined by guest host Jennifer Buchanan of Indie Shuffle, we talked to Lindsey about finding a "soul-sister" in Liz Phair, reenacting Say Anything's iconic boombox scene, and why Kristen Stewart is her #1 celeb crush.
Toronto Neo-Soul/Jazz singer-songwriter Chelsey Bennett is one of the hardest working live performers in the city.
On any given night, you'll find her playing an intimate set at a cozy bar or music venue.
We sat down with Chelsey to discuss how she eventually rejected her classical/opera teachings to pursue jazz and soul music, regularly performing at the Practice jam sessions, and which music legends she would summon to headline her dream concert.
Off the Cuff has been a leader in Toronto's menswear consignment retail space for 25 years. Owner Lee Romberg curates the shop's clothing and accessories with the panache of a GQ stylist. We sat down with Lee to discuss the evolution of Off The Cuff and men's fashion, watching music legends like Roy Orbison and Simon & Garfunkel, and how he was able to rediscover his favourite albums in FLAC format.
Ontario singer-songwriter Jonas Bonnetta is best known for his indie folk-pop project, Evening Hymns.
More recently, he released the ambient album All This Here under his own name, which started off as a score to a documentary film about an inn on Newfoundland's Fogo Island.
We talked to Jonas about his creative process in making the new album, how Jim O'Rourke's production inspired his own love for ambient music, and how performing songs about his late father led to physical and emotional exhaustion.
For more than a decade, Brooklyn singer-songwriter Shilpa Ray has been somewhat of a hidden gem of New York's rock scene. Her soulful, jazzy vocals juxtaposed against garage and punk rock riffs conjures the work of Ella Fitzgerald, Blondie, The Cramps and The New York Dolls, to name a few. We sat down with Shilpa to discuss her latest record Door Girl, smuggling the CDs of The Velvet Underground and The Doors in-between the pages of library books as a teenager, and the crucial advice she got from Nick Cave.
Darren Goldstein is a professional photographer who specializes in people, film and television, live music and special events.
Over the past two decades, Darren has photographed some of the biggest names in music including Kanye, Drake, Taylor Swift, Alicia Keys, Katy Perry, and Mariah Carey.
We sat down with Darren to discuss what makes the perfect live music photograph, the time Lady Gaga asked him if they could photo together, and serendipitously seeing Nirvana as a teenager.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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 (when you're reading this in the voiceover just say 8),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.
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.
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.
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. We recently sat down with Maylee at her friend's recording studio to discuss her third album, Acts of Love; how she was forced to rethink her creative process after her laptop was stolen; and how her lifelong love for Arby's inspired a song.
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.
Justin and I recently sat down with Aisha and discussed how she quit her soul-sucking day job to pursue comedy, her accidental transformation into a rapper, and her ongoing mission to make R. Kelly accountable for his deplorable actions.
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.
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.
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.
Toronto's Shadrach Kabango, simply known as Shad, is not your average rapper.
In just a little over a decade, Shad has released five albums that have garnered multiple awards, sold out shows across the country, and hosted CBC One Radio's Q.
More recently, Shad has taken on the role of hip hop historian as the host of the Peabody-winning Netflix documentary series, Hip Hop Evolution.
All of this makes you wonder how the guy ever finds the time to sleep.
Ken Chester Kawashima, who is also known by his stage name, Sugar Brown, is a Toronto modern blues musician, singer and songwriter. Inspired by his heroes -- Muddy Waters, Howlin’ Wolf, Little Walter and Jimmy Reed -- Sugar Brown learned to sing, as well as play the guitar and harmonica, while studying at the University of Chicago. He would continue to hone his craft, performing at small clubs along the West Side until he left the city to pursue his Ph.D in history. By day, Ken is an Associate Professor of East Asian Studies at the University of Toronto. By night, he performs as Sugar Brown at venues across the country and is set to release his third album next spring.
For over a decade, Dave and Ray "DJ Lazy Ray" Gillespie, otherwise known as the infamous Gillespie Brothers, have thrown some of the wildest parties in Toronto. Playing an eclectic blend of 70s and 80s rock, funk, disco and pop rarities and classics, the Brothers know how to command a dance floor.
And just like trumpet legend Dizzy Gillespie, the brothers have an endless lung capacity and the gift to riff like jazz. As you'll hear in just a few seconds, Dave and Ray essentially hijack our podcast and for the first time in the history of This.Broken,Mixtape, the interview goes deep off the rails.
The end result was a two-hour conversation about sex, drugs & rock n roll that warranted our first-ever two-part episode. This is part two.
For over a decade, Dave and Ray "DJ Lazy Ray" Gillespie, otherwise known as the infamous Gillespie Brothers, have thrown some of the wildest parties in Toronto. Playing an eclectic blend of 70s and 80s rock, funk, disco and pop rarities and classics, the Brothers know how to command a dance floor. And just like trumpet legend Dizzy Gillespie, the brothers have an endless lung capacity and the gift to riff like jazz. As you'll hear in just a few seconds, Dave and Ray essentially hijack our podcast and for the first time in the history of This.Broken,Mixtape, the interview goes deep off the rails. The end result was a two-hour conversation about sex, drugs & rock n roll that warranted our first-ever two-part episode.
Toronto's bedroom dream-pop duo Moon Eyed consists of a real-life couple, Simon Letourneau and Elizabeth-Jane Bitze.
After releasing their first EP last year, the duo is back with their debut record, Haleiwa.
Named after a small community in Hawaii's O’ahu island, the album reflects the island’s buoyant, ethereal quality through its use of lo-fi vocals and mumuring analog keyboards.
Toronto instrumental hip hop/jazz trio re.verse (REE-Verse) blends various sounds from an expansive, rotating catalog of hip hop, r&b, future funk, breaks, neo-soul, trap, house, and tropical tunes.
Whether they're playing instrumental covers of A Tribe Called Quest, Bryson Tiller, D'Angelo, or Sango, their live show continuously takes on the feel of a fluid DJ set.
With a stripped down set of drums, 6-string electric bass and guitar, Re.verse seamlessly blends and mashes up bangers and deep cuts from the past and present.
Toronto singer-songwriter STACEY is one busy woman. When she's not hosting women-fronted music showcases and workshops for her organization, Toronto Women in Music, she's actively songwriting and performing at venues across the city.
So it only made sense that she would quit her day job as a UX designer to do music full-time.
Her recently released sophomore EP, First Move, is a considerable departure from her previous stripped-down piano songs.
The EP delivers a handful of lush, etheral bedroom indie-pop songs that capture the excitement of romantic bliss.
Picture Lana Del Rey meets Washed Out, with a bit of Tame Impala thrown in for good measure.
Now with a temporary move to Los Angeles on the horizon, STACEY is hoping to make the "first move" in taking her career to an international level.
This week our guest is Lauren Pirie, a freelance illustrator and artist who explores feminism and fantasy through intricate ink drawings.
According to Pirie, "growth is sometimes about submerging yourself in darkness in order to let go." Loyal to both the natural and the supernatural, Pirie’s work explores the embrace of anger and disenchantment, seduced by a sense of place that exists outside of a defined space and time, but often in the realm of women.
Pirie's drawings have appeared in magazines, children's books, public murals and film, including This.Broken.Mixtape's own Our Liner Notes book and documentary short.
In addition to her rich body of illustration work, Pirie is the co-founder of the grassroots arts and environmental organization, The About Face Collective.
This week our guest is Malin Johnson -- Audio Engineer and Store Manager of Canada's first retail shop dedicated solely to audio cassettes, The Dupe Shop based in downtown Toronto. We'll talk about the recent resurgence of cassettes, Cassette Store Day and his unpopular but unwavering appreciation of the band, Nickleback.
This week our guest is Toronto bedroom dream-pop band, TV Sets. They'll talk about how overhearing each other through their apartment walls led to the band's formation, their new EP Elsewhere, and their unapologetic love for karaoke.
This week's guest is Jenny McNamee, a hairstylist at Corrado's Barber Shop. We talked to her about being introduced to music through her parent's vinyl collection, attending her first music festival with her mom, and how the Riot Grrrl feminist punk movement gave her the courage to come out of the closet.
This week our guest is multidisciplinary artist and designer, Justin Broadbent. For more than a decade, Justin has forged a successful career creating murals, art installations, t-shirts, album covers, and music videos with clients ranging from Absolut Vodka to Facebook to the Junos. Today, we talk to him about directing a series of music videos for Emily Haines and the Soft Skeleton, how Midnight Marauders provides his go-to soundtrack in the studio, and curating a bat-shit crazy Instagram account.
This week, our guest is Bay Area DJ / Producer Amerigo Gazaway. We talk to him about discovering hip hop through his brother's box of cassettes, his latest mashup album featuring Common and Stevie Wonder, and his favourite album covers of all time.
This week our guest is David Hayman, head of Music Supervision and Branding Agency, Supergroup. We'll talk to him about the collection of mixtapes he made throughout his adolescence, how there are no rules for music licensing for music and television, and what makes a great song for a specific scene.
This week our guest is Kip Berman of New York indie-pop band, The Pains of Being Pure at Heart. We'll talk to him about how the late-great Prince inspired his rock star ambitions, the memorable mixtape a friend made for him in college, and Lorde's fantastic new record.
This week our guest is author and pop-culture journalist Eric Spitznagel. We'll talk to him about his latest music memoir Old Records Never Die, how Questlove inspired his epic quest to recover his old vinyl records, and working with Wilco's Jeff Tweedy on his upcoming memoir.
This week our guests are Jena Gogo and Jay Mitchell of Toronto indie folk band, Blue Sky Miners. We'll talk to them about how their serendipitous Victoria run-in led to the birth of the band, working with Broken Social Scene's Brendan Canning, and hear Jena's spot-on impression of Britney Spears.
This week our guest is comedian and writer, Rhiannon Archer. We'll talk to her about her one woman show series Life Records, her now-legendary wedding playlist, and how Carly Simon's You're So Vain reminds her of a preschool bully.
For this episode we sat down with Michelle Zauner, the front woman for Philadelphia dream-pop band Japanese Breakfast.
Today, we talk to Michelle about how the music of Sufjan Stevens and Mt. Eerie helped console her after her mother's death, her new sophomore record, Soft Sounds from Another Planet, and her planned memoir about cooking Korean cuisine.
We talk to Trevor Larocque (Tiny Record Shop, Paper Bag Records) about his carefully-curated boutique record store in Toronto's Leslieville neighbourhood, the growing roster of his indie-folk record label, and the self-professed "creepy" mixtape he made for a junior high school crush.