Julian Swift, Author at Toronto Guardian

“Five Minutes With” Canadian Pop Singer/Song Writer Gabriella Verdugo

Julian Swift — Tue, 24 Aug 2021 04:30:13 +0000

Gabriella Verdugo is a 15-year-old Canadian singer songwriter. Gabriella’s style of music is pop. She plays acoustic and electric guitar, ukulele, and piano. Gabriella has been singing since before she could walk and has always loved music. Some of her musical inspirations include Shawn Mendes, Taylor Swift, Harry Styles, Billie Eilish and Whitney Houston.

Name: Gabriella Verdugo

Founded: I have been singing ever since I was little. But I started singing professionally in November of 2020 when Finish Strong started.

Favourite musician as a teenager: My Favourite musician was/ is Shawn Mendes.

Favourite musician now: Shawn Mendes is still my favourite. But I also really enjoy listening to Billie Eilish, Harry Styles, FINNEAS and Joshua Bassett.

Guilty Pleasure Song: I love blasting If I Can’t Have You by Shawn Mendes into my beats and just jamming out. And the same thing with Good 4 You by Olivia Rodrigo.

Live Show Ritual: I haven’t had one yet. But I think that I would do some vocal warmups, just warm up my body and do the shake down that they teach you in elementary school to get the nerves out!

Favourite local artist: Once again, Shawn Mendes!

Latest single/video:

EP or LP? LP for sure! I love new music, and I also think that a story is told in an album. So, having more songs in an album just means more detail to the story.

Early bird or night owl? Is there such a thing as a mid-day bird? Cause I think that would be me… But if I had to choose, I would say night owl. I think I am more productive with schoolwork and writing at night rather than in the morning.

Road or studio? I haven’t been on the road yet. But I think I would like to be on the road! Just performing and connecting with people. That would be so fun. Singing on stage has always been my dream, so definitely road.

Any shows or albums coming up? (What do you currently want to promote?)

No shows or upcoming albums yet. Promoting Finish Strong.

Rapid Fire Questions On Toronto

Favourite local Restaurant:

Bairrada Churrasqueira Grill. It is a Portuguese restaurant. My dad is Portuguese and we normally go every year (not the past 2 years because of covid) and it just reminds me of my second home and family.

Favourite Street: (Queen, College, other)

I don’t think I have a favourite street. All of Toronto is pretty cool!

Favourite Park? (Trinity Bellwoods, High Park, Riverdale, Kew Gardens, or other?)

We haven’t really ventured into any parks in Toronto. But, I would like to see the cherry blossoms blooming in High Park!

Favourite Music Venue?

I haven’t performed anywhere yet. I was at the Rogers Centre in September of 2019 to see Shawn Mendes live. And that was definitely my favourite venue I’ve seen an artist perform.

Swiss Chalet, Harvey’s or Roti?

Roti! Specifically, my Nannie’s roti! My mom is Canadian born but my Nannie (Grandma) is from Guyana and my Papa (Grandpa) is from Trinidad. Whenever I go to their house she always makes roti. So definitely roti!

Where can we follow you?

Instagram | YouTube | Twitter | Tik Tok

The post “Five Minutes With” Canadian Pop Singer/Song Writer Gabriella Verdugo appeared first on Toronto Guardian.

“Five Minutes With” Toronto Rock n Roll Outfit The High Loves

Julian Swift — Fri, 20 Aug 2021 04:30:13 +0000

The High Loves are a pop-rock band from Canada’s creative capital, Toronto. Their music is the sonic equivalent of waking up in a good mood – a tight blend of danceable hooks, soaring vocals, guitar that heals as it squeals and 80s-driving synth, knotted together in an addictive, unstoppable march. Formed in 2018, the five-piece group is composed of lead singer and guitarist Noah Monckton, lead guitarist Marko Stojanovic, keyboardist Jeremy Ugro, bassist Jake St Jean, and drummer Jaden Spanier.

Name: The High Loves

Genre: Rock

Founded: September 2018

Favourite musician as a teenager: Blink-182 – Jaden

Favourite musician now: Paul McCartney – Noah

Guilty Pleasure Song: “On Bended Knee” by “Boyz II Men” – Marko

Live Show Ritual: One part Red Bull one part Ballendines – Jeremy

Favourite local artist: Valley

EP or LP? LP

Early bird or night owl? Night Owl

Road or studio? Studio

Any shows or albums coming up? (What do you currently want to promote?)

We have a a new EP coming out in early september entitled “Too Much of a Good Thing”

Toronto Rapid Fire Questions

Sneaky Dees nachos, pasta from Terroni or a superfood salad from Fresh?

Sneaky Dees

Favourite Local Restaurant:

The Odd Seoul

Favourite Street: (Queen, College, other)

Queen

Favourite Park? (Trinity Bellwoods, High Park, Riverdale, Kew Gardens, or other?)

Kew Gardens

Favourite Music Venue?

Lee’s Palace

Swiss Chalet, Harvey’s or Roti?

Roti

Where can we follow you?

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“A Day In The Life” With Second City Veteran Jonathan Shaboo

Julian Swift — Wed, 18 Aug 2021 04:30:42 +0000

Jonathan, a four-year veteran of The Second City Toronto and graduate of The Steppenwolf Theatre in Chicago, is a multi-talented artist. He can act, he can sing, and he can write. In doing any of the above, he can make you laugh one second and cry the next. In a good way, obviously. Jonathan, better known to close friends as Shaboo, has toured in musicals across North America, performed in sketch comedy videos that have gathered millions of views, and most importantly, touched the hearts of many with his performances. Beyond being a performer, he’s also a great friend. Shaboo is one of the best people to hang out with. His laughter is contagious, his riffing knows no bounds, and he’s not afraid to open up and get deep and emotional if need be. If this was a review, I’d give him an A+ as a performer and an A++ as a human being. This bio was written by his friend Rob. Rob’s a good dude.

-Proof that Mike has brown friends.

-It wasn’t me.

-This is actually just really good wallpaper.

-We ate a very disappointing date square before this.

-I hate shopping.

-The Steppenrats.

-Fine. Nature’s pretty cool, I guess.

-Saturday night banger.

Which ‘hood are you in?

North York, 416. WHAT UP FINCH STATION? WHAT’S GOOD, BESSARION?

What do you do?

Well during the pandemic I got really good at steaks. Like, how to touch them and know the rarity. I also act, sing, strum some guitar, write, teach, direct, tell jokes and play the role of podcast host from time to time.

What are you currently working on?

Currently, I am driving the west coast in a 2012 Jeep Liberty that hates going above 45. The breaks are also suspect. I’m on my way to Vancouver to shoot an indie short, Hightail, written by my newfound friend France Maurice. It’s heavy stuff. She boldly takes on domestic abuse during the quarantine and I’m fortunate enough to play a part in the storytelling.  I’m also super excited to be working on the Bad Arabs Podcast, a longform podcast about the first gen Arab experience, that I created for Outside the March’s programsound.fm. My inaugural guest is the insanely talented Salma Hindy. We spend a lot of time laughing at shit our parents say.

My good buddy Rob Michaels (yes, that same Rob from the bio) and I are developing a new tv show which we are STOKED about…we giggle and write jokes together over messenger. It’s super cute.

About two years ago I spent a summer studying at Steppenwolf Theatre in Chicago. I met a group of fearless actors there. This year we decided it would be a smart idea to start our own theatre company. During a global pandemic. I know. And yet against all odds, the Bramble Theatre Company is on its way to its first full season with some amazing talent at the helm.  Lastly, I’m working with Sarah Marchand and alma matters productions to stage a digital series of one act plays, which premieres Fall 2021. I’ll be directing DISCORD written by Jax Smith and Helene Taylor. We’re currently looking for a warehouse to shoot it in. If anyone has a good warehouse laying around, hit me up.

Where can we find your work?

You can catch most of my life on Instagram | @jonathanshaboo
I’m just terrible at posting but I’m getting better.

Check out Bramble Theatre Company www.brambletheatre.org

Follow programsound.fm on Instagram @programsound.fm or visit the website www.programsound.fm

Support Hightail https://bit.ly/3xTZ1pO and DISCORD https://www.almamattersproductions.com/donate

The post “A Day In The Life” With Second City Veteran Jonathan Shaboo appeared first on Toronto Guardian.

“Five Minutes With” Juno Award Winning Artist James Baley

Julian Swift — Tue, 17 Aug 2021 04:30:28 +0000

Carving out an alternative and personal voice for himself, James Baley is a unique and multi-talented performer and music creator who’s high energy magnetizes audiences. In 2017, James released his sophomore EP, ‘ROADS’ a personal and unapologetic expression of moments in his life. Six sensual and experimental dream pop and soul tracks that take you on a psychedelic journey through dreams, moments, and memories.

James has had a great introduction into the Canadian music scene writing and creating with artists such as July Talk, U.S. Girls, Badge Époque Ensemble and Lyle Bell, to name a few. In 2018 James was selected out of 1,000 applicants to attend the TD Creative Entrepreneur Incubator – a program created by SOCAN Foundation – helping him to hone his skills as a music creator and songwriter. Performing and working with seasoned, experimental artists like Zaki Ibrahim, Tika Simone, Azari, Maylee Todd and Afterfunk his influences continue to grow.

Name: James Baley

Genre: Soul / R&B

Founded: 2015

# of Albums: ‘Roads EP’ 2017; debut LP ‘A Story’ coming this fall!

Latest Release: Banishment ft. Twysted Miyake-Mugler

Latest Single: Banishment ft. Twysted Miyake-Mugler

Latest Video:

Favourite musician as a teenager: Björk

Favourite musician now: Laura Mvula

Guilty Pleasure Song: “New Brighton’ by Nakhane

Live Show Ritual: warm up the throat with some peach tea, ginger and honey. Warm up the body with some voguing!

Favourite local artist: Zaki Ibrahim

EP or LP? LP

Early bird or night owl? I’m down for both – It really depends on the day

Road or studio? Road

Any shows or albums coming up? 1 album “A Story” set to release in September (24th)

Rapid Fire Qs on Toronto

Favourite local Restaurant:

Maha’s Egyptian Brunch

Favourite Street:

Queen Street (for the fabric stores)

Favourite Park?

Riverdale – the view of the city is stunning at golden hour

Favourite Music Venue?

Horseshoe Tavern

Swiss Chalet, Harvey’s or Roti?

Roti (duh)

Where can we follow you?

Instagram – @im_jamesbaley

TikTok – James Baley Music

Spotify – James Baley

YouTube – James Baley

Soundcloud – ImJamesBaley

Bandcamp – James Baley

The post “Five Minutes With” Juno Award Winning Artist James Baley appeared first on Toronto Guardian.

“Five Minutes With” Toronto Alternative Rock Outfit Kirty

Julian Swift — Fri, 13 Aug 2021 04:30:24 +0000

For Toronto-based singer-songwriter Kirty, making records is the art of making time capsules of your own life. She’s been at it since she was a kid, growing up on a hobby farm outside of Orillia, Ontario. A middle child in a large musical family, from a young age she was taught the country, folk, and rock n‘ roll standards, sparking in her those natural, timeless kind of songwriting instincts that can only be cultivated from the pop songsmiths of the 20th century.

Also a member of acclaimed indie-rock group Fast Romantics, Kirty released one solo record in 2016 that found success on Canadian radio. After a whirlwind of new musical influences reached a climax in 2019, she began working on her second record. Songs came fast and furious, marking in time her experiences on the road, the passing of close family members, and a growing relationship — both musical and romantic — with her Fast Romantics bandmate and songwriting partner Matthew Angus.

Name: Kirty

Genre: Alt Rock

Founded: 2011

# of Albums: 2

Latest Release:

Pre-Save / Pre-Order for my new album “We Are All on Fire”
https://ffm.to/weareallonfire

Latest Single: “Turn You On”

Latest Video:

“Turn You On”

Favourite musician as a teenager:

Simon & Garfunkel, The Band, Sarah Harmer, Blue Rodeo, anything my mom listened to.

Favourite musician now:

Grandaddy, Elton John, Oasis, Velvet Underground, TOBi,

Guilty Pleasure Song:

I really don’t ever feel guilty about the music I listen to! (I was going to write “What’s My Name Again by Blink 182 – but realized I don’t really feel guilty about that at all).

Live Show Ritual:

Get dressed and put my make-up on in quiet, get some stretches in with the band, listen to some tunes, jump around a bit, then shot of tequila (it’s a slow build of getting energized before hopping on stage).

Favourite local artist:

Haviah Mighty

EP or LP?

LP – go big or go home.

Early bird or night owl?

Early bird. Can be converted to night owl but it takes a few nights on tour to warm up to it J

Road or studio?

The road! I can’t sit still in the studio (even though I enjoy it). Being on tour is a lot more my speed. There’s nothing that beats playing live.

Any shows or albums coming up? (What do you currently want to promote?)

Very excited that my new album “We Are All on Fire” is coming out August 20th, 2021! I’ve been working on these songs for a while, and I’m thrilled to put them out into the world.

Rapid Fire Qs on Toronto

Favourite local Restaurant:

Skyline Restaurant

Favourite Street: (Queen, College, other)

Queen. Everything for me happens on Queen.

Favourite Park? (Trinity Bellwoods, High Park, Riverdale, Kew Gardens, or other?)

Bellwoods – I love people watching and there’s ice-cream and coffee right across the street.

Favourite Music Venue?

The Horseshoe Tavern. So much history in that building and so many amazing shows and experiences I’ve had there.

Swiss Chalet, Harvey’s or Roti?

When I’m touring, or just on a little road trip I LOVE stopping in a small town and going through the Harvey’s drive through.

Where can we follow you?

www.facebook.com/kirtymusic
www.instagram.com/kirtymusic
www.youtube.com/c/kirtymusic

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