Name:

STUDIO MAHILO

Genre:

Indie Rock

Founded:

2025

Latest Single:

Bleed

Latest Video:

https://www.instagram.com/reel/DVYnijsAkNw/?igsh=bDRyem1tdDkwZDk=

Favourite musician growing up:

Growing up, we listened to what our parents listened to! This includes a lot of 70s and 80s music like the Bee Gees, Stevie Wonder, Led Zeppelin, the Eagles, the Police, Chicago, etc. On the other hand, Paolo grew up listening to a lot of Pokémon music, and Sam also grew up listening to a lot of video game soundtrack music. More specifically, Derrick listened to a lot of Charlie Puth, and Gabriel listened to a lot of Ariana Grande and Tracy Chapman. However, one artist we all grew up listening to was Bruno Mars.

Favourite musician now:

It’s hard to decide our favourite musician right now because we listen to so much music. Sam doesn’t really have a favourite artist at the moment, but she is a huge fan of Lil Hero. Matthew is also into a lot of electronic pop right now, including TIFFANY DAY and underscores. Derrick is a big fan of Mac Ayers and Jeff Bernat. Miko’s favourite musician right now is Gia*, and Gabe still listens to Tracy Chapman and Ariana Grande.

Guilty pleasure song:

Paolo’s guilty pleasure song is the song “enormous penis” by DaVinci. Sam’s guilty pleasure song is “Hooligan” by BTS, only because it’s seriously catchy and she can’t get it out of her head. Gabe’s guilty pleasure song is “Break Free” by Ariana Grande, and Miko bumps “Gangnam Style” by PSY. Matthew’s guilty pleasure song is “Sticker” by NCT127. But deep down, we do not feel guilty for loving music, and no one should feel bad about whatever they listen to!

Live show ritual:

We don’t really have many live show rituals other than warming up and preparing our instruments, but recently, Sam has been making the crowd sing nursery rhymes while the band tunes and sets up on stage. We try to eat food beforehand, but sometimes we don’t get too… Sam also gets really nervous before live shows, so you could say one of our live show rituals is calming Sam down.

Favourite local musician:

We love a lot of local musicians! We often hang out by going to local shows. If we had to pick our top three local musicians, we would pick: Bianca Espino, Chad Avi, and Duck Society. They’re so awesome and cracked, and we bump these guys so hard. They deserve all the love they get!

EP or LP?

We prefer LP just because it usually has more content, artistry and intent compared to an EP.

Early bird or night owl?

Derrick, Sam and Gabe are definitely night owls and often persuade the other members to stay up late with them. Miko, Paolo and Matthew are early birds and Miko and Matthew often get persuaded to stay up late on Discord calls. Sam tries to be an early bird but fails every time.

Road or studio?

All of us prefer being on the road and gigging, except Miko, who prefers being in the studio. This makes sense because he is our producer! The rest of us like playing live because getting to perform and share our music with others is the reason we started playing together in the first place. We also get to meet a bunch of awesome people and musicians whenever we play live. But, being in the studio and making music is also fun because we often record in unconventional places, like in Sam’s house or on campus. This makes the process of recording really fun and chaotic, which is always entertaining.

Any shows or albums coming up?

We are playing on May 29th at Scarborough Bluffs United Church for Springboard to Music, which is a charity organization that provides music education to low-income families. It’s for a great cause, and we hope to see you there! We also released our new single “Bleed,” and it’s available on all platforms.

Where can we follow you?

Instagram | YouTube | TikTok

***

Rapid Fire Local Questions:

What is your favourite local restaurant?

Our favourite local restaurant is Popeyes and Cocos bubble tea, specifically at UTSC. After practices, we always go there to hang out and debrief after a long day. Studio Mahilo has had many band meetings at Popeyes, some of them ending in tears and some of them ending in laughter.

What is your favourite street in your city and why?

Our favourite street is probably Yonge Street, just because it has a lot of food places and so many things to do and check out!

What is your favourite park in your city and why?

Matthew actually rates parks in his free time, so this question is perfect for him. Paolo and Matthew’s favourite park is Don Valley Brick Works because it’s very pretty with a lot of places to walk. Sam and Derrick love the Port Union Waterfront because the view of the lake is beautiful and it’s nice to bike through in the summer!. Gabriel’s favourite park is Adams Park! Which is nice because Sam and Derrick introduced him to it. The band often goes there after practices in the summer to play on the swings or sit on the hills.

What is your favourite music venue in your city?

Our favourite music venue is probably Massey Hall because it’s really big and cool-looking. We also have seen some of our favourite artists there like Rex Orange County, Lamp, Mac De Marco and Charlie Puth. But a close second would be 1265Bistro at UTSC! We started playing shows there in 2025 thanks to Zach from RadioFWD, and we always have a great time there. We have seen some of our favourite local artists there, like Santo, Chad Avi and Duck Society.

What is your favourite music store in your city?

Our favourite music store is definitely Long & McQuade Musical Instruments because we are there literally all the time to rent and buy gear. Matthew likes the one in Ossington, and Sam likes to go to the one in Scarborough. Sam and Miko actually go there so much that the staff know our faces.

The post Five Minutes With: Indie Rock Band STUDIO MAHILO appeared first on Toronto Guardian.

How would you describe your comedy style?

My comedy style is like if the band Nirvana were a regional comedian doing jokes about their wife.

Who are some of your influences?

Charles Dickens and whoopi cushions.

Who was your favourite comedian growing up?

Norm Macdonald and a close second would be Sabrina the Teenage Witch.

Who is your favourite comedian now?

My favourite comedians now are Josh Johnson and Dylan Gott.

What is your pre-show ritual?

I draw a pentagram on the floor and then write out my set list in the blood of a transient drifter I’ve murdered that no one will miss. After I make this Faustian deal, I shave all of my body hair and scream into a mirror, “You can do this”.

What is your favourite place you have performed? Why?

Previously, I would have said Massey Hall, but then last week I performed in a bowling alley in Perth, Ontario, and it made me fall in love with the art form all over again. After the show, there was a drunk man from the audience who gave me some excellent jokes I could do at my “next skit”.

What is your favourite bit you have written and why were you proud of it?

My favourite bit I’ve ever written was a comparison of how different going out is when you’re in your 30s vs when you were in your 20s. I don’t want to spoil the entire joke, but the punchline is “the other people in the McDonald’s were pretty upset”. I was proud of it because of the originality.

What is your favourite medium for listening or finding new comics/comedians?

Facebook Marketplace has some really exciting and original new voices popping up.

Tell us a joke about your city.

I live in the hipster part of Toronto. It’s called “Toronto”.

Much like my other joke about Toronto being a really nice city once they finish building it, I think this joke is both fearless and groundbreaking.

Do you have anything to promote right now?

I am recording a special in Toronto soon with New Metric, and I will comp tickets to anyone who sends me a DM on Instagram with the words “Toronto Guardian”.

Where can we follow you?

Instagram

PAY IT FORWARD: Who is another local comic/comedian we should know about? 

Jeewan Gill

The post Tragedy Plus Time: Comedian Alex Wood appeared first on Toronto Guardian.

What is your business called and what does it do?

Matt & Steve’s is proudly the only 100% Canadian made and Canadian-owned Caesar brand on the market. We craft premium Caesars, Ready to drink and Caesar mix. We also have a full line of pickled products, including our signature product, The Extreme Bean, along with The Asparagoos, Extreme Pickle Spears and Matt & Steve’s Baby Dills.

What problem did you want to solve with the business?

It all started with one simple idea: replace the celery stick with an Extreme Bean. We began pickling beans in our condo in Mississauga, and that was the start of our journey. That one idea has led us to where we are today—with a full lineup of pickled products, ready-to-drink Caesars, and Caesar mix, now available from coast to coast across Canada and in
several U.S. states.

Where in the city can we find your profession?

From coast to coast, Matt & Steve’s is proudly available at major retailers, including LCBO, Walmart, Sobeys, Metro, and Loblaws, along with restaurants, bars, and independent stores that champion local brands. We are also proud to be the Official Caesar Partner of the Toronto Maple Leafs, now available inside Scotiabank Arena, Coca-Cola Coliseum, and BMO Field. We have grown from a simple idea to a coast-to-coast presence with over 12 000 distribution points and listings in every major grocery chain.

What made you want to do this work?

Honestly, it started with curiosity. We were bartending, experimenting, and asking ourselves how we could make a great Caesar even better. Once we saw how people reacted, we knew we were onto something. From there, we took that idea on the road—traveling across Canada, meeting restaurants, bartenders, retailers, and Caesar lovers, and hearing their stories. That excitement and support from people coast to coast is what pushed us to keep going and turn a small idea into a brand.

Who are your clientele/demographics?

We do not chase demographics—we chase good times. If you love Caesars, pickled garnishes, and a little fun, you are our demographic. Pickled products and Caesars are loved across generations, cultures, and lifestyles, and our brand reflects that inclusivity. If you enjoy good times, good company, and a great Caesar, you are our people.

How does your business make money? How does it work?

We do not overcomplicate it. We make products we are proud to serve, that taste great, and that make people smile. When consumers connect with the brand and the moments around it, the business takes care of itself.

What is the best question a prospective customer could ask a member of your profession when comparing services? Give the answer as well.

“Would you proudly serve this to your friends and family?”

Absolutely. Every product we make is something we are proud to serve and share ourselves. We obsess over quality and flavour, but we never forget to have fun with it. What we make is not about the product—it is about personality, good vibes, and the moments you remember long after you have enjoyed it.

What is the best part about what you do? What is the worst part?

I absolutely love what I do every day. Travelling across the country, showing up, sharing our story, and creating moments where people experience the brand firsthand is incredibly rewarding. Building emotional connections through fun, shared experiences is what drives me. There can be long days, but when the brand is part of who you are and the connections you make matter, it is always worth pushing through.

What is your favourite joke about your own profession?

The pickle and bean puns. We have heard them all… and yes, we’ve bean waiting for every single one.

Where can we follow you?

Website | Instagram

PAY IT FORWARD: What is another local business that you love?

Another local business we love: Sandbagger Hard Seltzer

The post Homegrown Business: Steve McVicker of Matt & Steve’s appeared first on Toronto Guardian.

How would you describe your comedy style?

Very low-key, yet high energy. Conversational, observational and sometimes deliberately awkward. I try to aim for a style that is similar to overhearing your funny friend that is thinking out loud. It seems like I am not really “trying” to tell a joke, letting the punchlines sneak up on you.

Who are some of your influences?

Jarrett Campbell, Andrew Santino, Jordan Jensen, Shane Gillis, Norm Macdonald

Who was your favourite comedian growing up?

Dane Cook, Robin Williams,

Who is your favourite comedian now?

Shane Gillis, Tim Dillon, Jordan Jensen, Sam Burns, Kyle Patan, Jarrett Campbell

What is your pre-show ritual?

Take a big ol walk and listen to music

What is your favourite place you have performed? Why?

The Irvine Improv was a blast just based on the size, but the Corner Comedy Club in Toronto is where I call home. Nice and intimate, best vibes. Nothing beats a full house on a weekend.

What is your favourite bit you have written and why were you proud of it?

I have extensive bits about being getting sober, and the absurdity of the love people have given me while they are simultaneously high on drugs. I like it because it’s very relatable and paints a good picture of what it’s like getting sober while hanging out with (supportive) party animals.

What is your favourite medium for listening or finding new comics/comedians?

I enjoy comedians riffing on podcasts or interviews. Social media makes it fairly easy to find new faces.

Tell us a joke about your city.

Traffic in Toronto sucks. Anyone who drives the Gardiner Expressway knows how awful the commute is. I just found out that the Gardiner Expressway is named after a guy named Frederick G Gardiner.

Frederick G gardiner was a Canadian politician, lawyer and businessman. He was the first chairman of the Metropolitan Toronto Council, the governing body for the Municipality of Metropolitan Toronto, from 1953 to 1961. As Metro Chairman, Gardiner, nicknamed “Big Daddy,” was a staunch advocate of growth and expansion and was responsible for many capital works projects, including the Gardiner Expressway and the Don Valley Parkway.

I learned all of this WHILE ON THE GARDINER EXPRESSWAY!

Do you have anything to promote right now?

My debut album with comedy records, entitled “Progress Not Perfection,” is available anywhere you stream your music!

Where can we follow you?

Instagram

PAY IT FORWARD: Who is another local comic/comedian we should know about?

Sarah Ashby, Peter Saran, Liam Andres, Hannah Veldhoen, Dean Hebscher, Kerby Derius

The post Tragedy Plus Time: Comedian Gavin Coscarella appeared first on Toronto Guardian.

After facing firsthand the challenges of finding the right care for his grandmother, Daniel set out to simplify a process that can feel confusing, stressful, and time-consuming. Today, Elderado empowers families—particularly those in the “sandwich generation”—to easily compare options like retirement homes, long-term care, and home care services. By making information more accessible and transparent, the platform helps families spend less time searching and more time where it matters most: with their loved ones.

What is your business called and what does it do?

My business is called Elderado. We’re a free website for families that makes it ease to navigate and compare elder care options for aging loved ones.

What made you want to do this work?

I have personal experience with this problem when I was a family caregiver to my Grandma, and we were looking for long-term care or assisted living. We were paired with a social worker who wanted to help, but in a lot of ways, her hands were tied. I couldn’t believe how hard it was for us to find and compare our options to figure out which home is the best option. It was frustrating, overwhelming, and kept us from being at my Grandma’s bedside.

What problem did you want to solve with the business?

How do we make it easier for every family to find the elder care information they’re looking for – whether you’re interested in long-term care homes, retirement homes, or home care? Families need to learn how elder care works, what public and private resources exist, determine their budget, assess their loved ones’ care needs, and more. Plus, there’s a whole new language filled with lots of acronyms to learn – what’s the difference between long-term care and retirement homes, what are ADLs, and more. Our goal is to help families spend less time searching for information and more time with their loved ones.

Who are your clientele/demographics?

Our primary demographic is ‘Sandwich Generation’ adult children. This is typically a female (often the eldest daughter) who is helping to support their aging parents, while having kids of their own. We also find that a lot of social workers, discharge planners, and nurse navigators use Elderado to support their patients.

How does your business make money? How does it work?

Elderado is free for families to use; we don’t accept any sort of referral fee or commission. Instead, we offer advertising opportunities to retirement homes and home care operators. For example, a retirement home hosting an open house can promote their open house on their company page on Elderado and the pages of all the other similar nearby retirement homes.

Where in the city can we find your profession?

Elderado is a free web platform that can be accessed anywhere from your phone or computer at elderado.ca.

What is the best part about what you do? What is the worst part?

The best part is getting to spend time with residents in retirement homes and long-term care. I toured 77 retirement homes in 2025, and I got to hear hundreds of residents share their stories.

The worst part is when I speak to a family who needs support but can’t get it. Our public elder care resources (long-term care, home care, etc) are falling well short of demand, and there is a tremendous amount of stress and responsibility that falls on the family. It’s a terrible situation when I speak to a family who is doing all the right things, but cannot get the support that they need.

What is your favourite joke about your own profession?

Not a joke, but something a resident of Scarborough Retirement Residence said to me that I loved was, “A lot of people worry that moving into a retirement home means losing independence. But when you think about it, having someone else cook, clean, and shovel the snow doesn’t sound like losing independence to me.”

Where can we follow you?

Instagram | LinkedIn | YouTube | Facebook

PAY IT FORWARD: What is another local business that you love?

Viive Planning

The post Homegrown Business: Daniel Clarke of Elderado appeared first on Toronto Guardian.