Burn Out

"Access to the medium... it's only just happening now. Animation is something that's masterfully practiced by the Japanese, really well practiced by Americans — but what music sounded like once black people were given the full access to play with it? I think about that [with] animation. What would dancehall look like translated into animation? Applying the care and attention of a Pixar movie? I've yet to see that summarized in this medium." — Gyimah Gariba I think Gyimah's work epitomizes the potential inherent in Canadian art: using an existing medium or practice to create a new future, one that reflects the reality of the way we live. His style as an animator and illustrator is inspired by the quotidian: Saturday morning cartoons, friendship and familial intimacy, Sean Paul music videos and hip-hop. But taken together the result is something brand new. We talked about how to translate dreams and feelings to a piece of art, developing a voice and point of view, and why it is so important to get out of your o

"I'm doing what I need to do and that's it. I never want to have another episode again. I need to be kind to myself. Get six to eight hours of sleep a night. Never do an all-nighter. Bodies and equipment in a van, driving 13 hours to the next city. Why would I do that again?" - Ladan Hussein I have a lot of respect for Ladan Hussein's vulnerability. The singer-songwriter truly forged her own path from a young age: diverging from her immigrant family's expectations, leaving Toronto for London, creating her own melancholy sound, and eventually speaking about how the pressures of the industry led to a mental breakdown. Now that she's feeling healthy, Ladan's making music again and taken control of her creative direction and schedule — it's her way of caring for herself, and it marks a new phase in her career. We talked about her diagnosis, how living with her family again has been healing, and what it means to emerge once again. CW: This episode contains mention of depression and schizophrenia. Cold Specks: inst

"Shouting is a way of reaching into the void and finding myself. It's more than an 'against-ness.' The first thing we do when we are born is shout, we scream. That's taken as a sign of life, and I think there's something there." — Debby Friday I could've chatted with Debby Friday all day. (She's a fellow Sag!) She's a producer, artist, writer, and student living in Vancouver, but originally from Montreal via Nigeria. When I encountered her strange and compelling 2018 EP Bitchpunk I was immediately intrigued by the defiance the music projected — a product of Debby's academic interest in the aesthetics of shouting. Earlier this year she posted about being two years sober, and it's had a major impact on her creativity. We talked about the philosophy behind her multi-disciplinary works, the collaborations behind her newest EP Death Drive, and how to challenge your inner narrative. CW: This episode contains mention of depression and suicide. Debby Friday Bandcamp: debbyfriday.bandcamp.com Debby Friday's Instagram

"I don't want to compete with machines. That's not my incentive. I've always been protective about the art part." - Zaki Ibrahim A true musical talent and total sweetheart, Zaki Ibrahim moves between Toronto and South Africa making soulful, spiritual pop music that's inspired by the history of Black electronic music. She's one of my favourite local artists; someone whose music and live shows I'm always excited to take in. We talked about what it's like to build a career as an artist when you have a nomadic spirit and minimal allegiance to the constraints of modern music marketing and consumption.

"I felt so aware of how long it took me to finish my album. It felt immense how much time had passed, losing my dad, moving to a new city; it was so strange to feel a lack, on a day that marked an accomplishment." - Akua Akua recently released her first record, Them Spirits, and it is a gorgeous, cosmic, intimate record created during a time of suspended grief. She tells me about developing her confidence as an artist despite coming to music in her university (or, college) years in Montreal, writing songs in snatches between touring with Solange, moving to L.A., and unearthing a body of work as she learned how to produce herself. Thank you to Harry Knazen at Apollo Studios for the recording time, and Akua's mom for hanging out.  

"I think I was afraid that I would go away and be forgotten, but then I found that you show up and pick up where you left off. People don't forget you once you're honest and true." - Alanna Stuart of Bonjay In April I found myself in Jamaica, hanging out in Kingston with Alanna, eating all of the fruits, and listening to old tunes by Snow and Toni Braxton. On my last night in the city, she and I sat on the porch to record this episode — so, yes, there are dogs barking, and cicadas chirping, and the occasional growl of passing car, but it's vibes. This one is about the methodological differences between the Toronto and Kingston scenes, and finding your creative confidence in unexpected places.

"When your career is starting to get bigger it highlights all those things you thought being popular would fix — it does *not* fix them." - Jasmyn Burke of Weaves Recording this ep with Jasmyn was what I imagine hanging out with Rihanna would feel like — just a unexpectedly glowy moment between two women talking about snacks and yoga and handling your shit. Jasmyn spoke openly about breaking away from her Type A model student days, as well as how being biracial affects life in the public eye. Featuring laughter and commentary from the lovely Vicky Mochama of Vocal Fry Studios.

"I thought it would be a miracle if I could get back to where I was as an artist." - Jahmal Padmore This episode was really hard to cut because Jahmal is a really good storyteller, and he's been grinding for a minute! We talked about almost all of it — from his early days in church, and playing in The Carps and Thunderheist, to blowing an audition to tour with an artist you've definitely heard of. Jahmal speaks about regenerating these experiences and getting out of his own way in order to move forward.

"I'm thinking a lot, a lot, all the time about music and privilege. I'm teaching recording right now, but some of my students don't have a computer or a phone. There's a lot of privilege involved to make a record on your own." - Lisa Conway Lisa and I talk about her incredible 2018 album Insecurities In Being, what it means to make a record *about* being burnt out, and how to make a living as a working musician. She also shares some useful context about grants and residencies. 

“I can’t really afford to be around people who make me feel small for what I don’t have." - Sydanie Sydanie and I talk about her life growing up in Toronto's Jane & Finch neighbourhood, how to be a DIY rapper, her latest album 999, and the unique pressures of being a young Black woman making art in Toronto.

"That thing that you're scared of... it might not be real." - Shad Shad and I talk about his new album, A Short Story About A War, how being scared of ourselves and each other manifests in the political sphere, and what it's like to be a rapper slash radio personality slash rap documentary host. 

"I still get a little depressed, even though I'm very happy with what's happening in my life, which is being on the road. I just wanted to be on the road." - Tanika Charles Tanika and I talk about learning new skills, working a part-time job in order to keep it moving, and manifestation + meditation + all that woo woo shit.