Kunlé has captivated audiences since the release of his 2015 five-track debut EP ‘Amí N Relé.’ Moving seamlessly between Yoruba, Pidgin and English languages, he balances cultural depth with a soulful, contemporary sensibility, bridging acoustic traditions and Yoruba proverbs to connect with a global audience.

His highly-anticipated new album ‘Kunlé – The Journey,’ released on June 26, 2026, kicked off earlier this year with the lead double-single pre-release for Ilé L’àbọ̀ (featuring a new video) and Cabana – out March 6, 2026 on all streaming platforms. The songs on ‘Kunlé – The Journey’ were recorded in Kunlé’s home studio in Toronto and at Catherine North Studios in Hamilton, ON. It was produced at Catherine North with Kunlé as co-producer and Will Crann (Blue Rodeo, Whitehorse, Feist, The Glorious Sons and more) as co-producer and recording engineer.

In recent years, Kunlé’s creative path expanded. These experiences shaped the new phase in his practice – one that blends music, memory and performance in ways that feel both intimate and cinematic, and culminates into his 2026 seven-track sophomore album release, ‘Kunlé – The Journey.’

Kunlé’s 2024 debut at Toronto’s Koerner Hall, performing alongside South African icon Thandiswa Mazwai, marked an important artistic moment, placing his sound on one of Canada’s most prestigious stages.

Theatre credits include the 2024 Dora Mavor Moore Awards with a win for outstanding production and a nomination for outstanding sound design and composition for co-scoring Soulpepper Theatre’s ‘Three Sisters,’ a nomination for the 2022 Premier’s Awards for his role as music director, composer and performer in Stratford Festival’s ‘Death and the King’s Horseman,’ and guitarist for the Canadian Opera Company’s 2024 opera ‘Aportia Chryptych.’ Plus, his composition “My Little Fingers” won the Folk Music Ontario Award for best instrumental in 2015, leading to endorsements from Furch Guitars and Stonebridge Guitars.

Reviewers often note Kunlé’s warmth and endearing presence onstage. Mike Hill, former Artistic Director of Mariposa Folk Festival, wrote, “Join Kunle as he leaves you basking with gentleness and optimism.”

And after watching him perform at the 2015 Mariposa Folk Festival, the legendary Gordon Lightfoot exclaimed to Kunlé, “You are meant to do this. Don’t stop!”

The 2019 Just Music Concert Series, Accra Unplugged, Accra, Ghana, offered concisely, “Afro-Folk Prince.”

“Kunlé, originally from Nigeria, was totally engaging.” – veteran promoter Richard Flohil, Artists You Should Look Out For, Stories from the Edge of Music, March 7, 2025.

“…he settled in Canada in 2014. …Almost immediately, he was booked to play the Mariposa Folk Festival, prompting him to record a five-song EP in 2015.” – Heather Kitching, Roots Music Canada, June 4, 2023.

A celebrated live performer, Kunlé’s collaborations include working with Juno Award-winning artists such as Töme, sharing stages with acclaimed artists like Julian Taylor and AHI and international touring as guitarist for legendary Canadian blues vocalist Shakura S’Aida. His dynamic sets have captivated audiences globally at events like Germany’s Africa Day Festival, Summerfolk, Mariposa and the Peterborough Folk Festival.

Building on this rich history, his eagerly awaited 2026 touring season started with his album release concert on June 25 at Toronto’s Small World Centre, featuring landmark appearances at the prestigious Mariposa Folk Festival, Theatre Collingwood’s Porchside Festival and the 28th annual Southside Shuffle Blues and Jazz Festival—solidifying his place as one of Canada’s most vibrant and yet deeply rooted artists.

Name:

Kunlé

Genre:

Root Contemporary/Folk/Global

Founded:

2012

# of Albums:

2

Latest Album:

Kunlé – The Journey

Latest Single:

Ilé L’àbọ̀ / Cabana

Latest Video:

Favourite musician growing up:

King Sunny Adé, Angelique Kidjo, Majek Fashek, Don Williams, Phil Collins, Tracy Chapman

Favourite musician now:

Jose Gonzalez, King Sunny Adé, Asa

Guilty pleasure song:

Good Ole Boys Like – Don Williams. It’s a bit of a contradiction, but it’s ‘Good Old Boys Like Me’ by Don Williams. People are always shocked that I’m a huge country fan—but growing up in Nigeria, Don Williams was practically a local legend. His storytelling is so universal, it transcends borders. To keep people guessing, I’ll pair that with ‘Brooklyn Baby’ by Lana Del Rey. I love the way she leans into that persona; it’s fun, it’s self-aware, and honestly, it’s just a great track to drive to.

Live show ritual:

Good sleep, no food 3hrs before, vocal warm-up, prayer, no alcohol before stage (I like to be of clear mind and take in the beauty of the moment with little to no influence), sometimes looking at my family pictures, picturing the day they will be in the audience or backstage with me. They have never seen me perform live in person. That’s my show ritual.

Favourite local musician:

This one is hard; there is so much talent locally, but I say Basset The Band

EP or LP?

It depends, but I lean towards LP most. I grew up on it. 😊 I still listen to full albums.

Early bird or night owl?

Night Owl for sure; however, I rarely look for sleep. When I need it, I close my eyes, and I am gone. C’est fini. People ask how I handle the late nights, but I’m lucky—when I’m done, I’m done. I don’t lie awake overthinking. I close my eyes, and I’m out – BYE!!!!!

When I need to be up early, I can handle it as well.

Road or studio?

Road for sure.

Studio is a necessity for idealising but my creativity starts from the stage. I started as a performer and wrote music for stage before I ever step foot in the studio.

Any shows or albums coming up?

I’m incredibly proud of my sophomore album, Kunlé – The Journey, released on June 26th. It really is a body of work with something for everyone, drawing from my life, my Nigerian roots, and the paths I’ve travelled. It’s deeply personal—even the cover art features a photo of me at two years old with a guitar-shaped birthday cake my mother made. It’s funny because, looking back, it feels like she knew before I did that the guitar would become my first instrument and my life’s work.

Where can we follow you?

Instagram | Facebook | TikTok | Website

***

Rapid Fire Local Questions:

What is your favourite local restaurant?

These questions are hard 😊 I love to cook, and I would say I know my way around the kitchen; however, I like Si Lom Thai. It’s a cute small restaurant on Church Street.

Recently went to Lao Lao Bar; I liked it.

What is your favourite street in your city and why?

Ossington Street.

Then Queen & Augusta radius.

What is your favourite park in your city and why?

Riverdale Park – I love watching the city lights come on. There is just something about sitting on that hill looking at the city and just watch the lights one at a time come on.

What is your favourite music venue in your city?

This is also hard, but if I can, I would say Painted Lady and Poetry Jazz Café.

Drom Taberna for the vibes and unexpected talents.

What is your favourite music store in your city?

Long & McQuade.

Dead Dog Records on Church Street.

The post Five Minutes With: Folk Musician Kunlé appeared first on Toronto Guardian.

Name:

Next Week’s Washing

Genre:

Shoegaze / Britpop / Alternative / Indie

Founded:

2024

# of Albums:

None to date, but we’ve got one EP out, and another on the way…

Latest Album:

Our debut self-titled EP just released.

Latest Single:

The final single from our debut EP, All You Fear Is All You Feel, just came out.

Favourite musician growing up:

Miles (vocals): The Strokes. I’m told I was a big fan of distortion.
Julian (guitar): The Stone Roses. Their debut album was a big part of my young life. It used to be on in the car all the time.
Rhys (guitar): It’s gotta be the Beatles. Abbey Road was the first album I ever listened to, and it’s still my favourite to this day. That being said, AJR is a close second.
Ben (bass): Coldplay. Always loved Chris Martin’s voice and all their early music. Parachutes is still in my top 3 albums of all time.
Evan (drums): I was really into Dave Matthews Band growing up, still am. They were always being played in my house when I was a kid, so I keep a special place in my heart for their music.

Favourite musician now:

M: Julian and I recently saw Just Mustard live, and they blew our heads off. Really raw, unique sound; they’re awesome.
J: Right now it’s Jeff Buckley. His guitar playing is a big inspiration to me, and it goes without saying that his voice is one of the greatest in music history.
R: Cardinals. Their lyrics, style, and songwriting sum up how music and a band should be approached these days. Shout out to Cillian Murphy for the suggestion.
B: Probably Radiohead. They’ve definitely been the biggest influence on my music taste. Their songwriting has just always blown my mind.
E: Really into Oasis right now; I’ve always been a fan, but they’ve been on repeat recently. Definitely Maybe is a top 3 album for me.

Guilty pleasure song:

M: Mine’s got to be End of Beginning by Djo. It’s a bit of a TikTok song, but it’s a banger.
J: I think mine is Blinding Lights by The Weeknd. It’s a great song.
R: Wii Sports” theme song for me. The chorus truly has Miles Davis undertones.
B: Right now? The Cure by Olivia Rodrigo. Never thought I’d say I liked Olivia Rodrigo’s music, but this one’s been on repeat for awhile now, haha.
E: Probably Every Breath You Take by The Police or something, a little cheesy, but still a good song.

Live show ritual:

Ben really likes a popsicle before we go on.

Favourite local musician:

Tallies are genuinely incredible. We’ve been working with Dylan—who records, mixes, and produces our music, as well as playing guitar in Tallies—for quite a while now. We often talk about how lucky we are to have met him, because through that connection, we discovered Tallies. Their music is a perfect blend of everything we love, and they’re truly a fantastic band.

EP or LP?

I’d say a short LP is best. It’s easy to overstay your welcome with a full-length album, while an EP often leaves you wanting more. For us, the sweet spot is an LP with eight or nine songs.

Early bird or night owl?

M: I’m probably more of an early bird; I never tend to sleep very late.
J: Night owl.
R: Night owl. I’ve never been fond of the loud ones chirping in the morning.
B: Depends on the day or what I have to do the next one.
E: More recently night owl, I still sometimes wake up early though.

Road or studio?

We love recording, but Gord Downie said it best when he likened playing live to standing in front of a jet engine. There’s nothing else that compares, so we’d have to choose the road.

Any shows or albums coming up?

Our debut self-titled EP just came out, so make sure to give that a spin. We’ve also got another one in the works that we’re still putting the finishing touches on. Coming soon…

Where can we follow you?

Spotify | Instagram | Forgemaster Records

***

Rapid Fire Local Questions:

What is your favourite local restaurant?

Skyline Diner.

What is your favourite street in your city and why?

Queen St, the stores are great.

What is your favourite park in your city and why?

Christie Pits. It’s the best place to play baseball – best to watch it too.

What is your favourite music venue in your city?

Massey Hall.

What is your favourite music store in your city?

Long and McQuade, their equipment rental program is really great.

The post Five Minutes With: Indie Band Next Week’s Washing appeared first on Toronto Guardian.

The annual festival will once again bring together some of the world’s biggest names in electronic music for three days of performances, drawing fans from across Canada and beyond.

This year’s lineup features FISHER, Illenium, Charlotte de Witte, Armin van Buuren, Above & Beyond, Sara Landry, KX5 (deadmau5 & Kaskade), Galantis, Subtronics, SLANDER, Lost Frequencies, James Hype, Miss Monique, along with dozens of other artists spanning house, techno, trance, bass and EDM.

Held at Downsview Park, VELD has become one of Toronto’s signature summer festivals, transforming the park into a large-scale outdoor venue with multiple stages, immersive production and performances from internationally renowned DJs and producers.

The all ages festival opens its gates at 3 p.m. each day, with attendees able to enjoy three days of music, food vendors and festival experiences.

VELD Music Festival 2026 runs Friday, July 31 through Sunday, August 2 at Downsview Park in Toronto. Tickets are available through the festival website while supplies last.

For more information as well as the full lineup, please visit the VELD website.

The post The 2026 VELD Music Festival is Back July 31st to August 2nd appeared first on Toronto Guardian.

Name:

Sara and Mitchell from Among Legends

Genre:

Punk rock

Founded:

2016

# of Albums:

One full-length, with another coming in July

Latest Album:

Our second LP, “Lose My Grip,” came out on July 10, 2026

Latest Single:

Floating Here For Years

Latest Video:

Favourite musician growing up:

Sara: I was really into a lot of the pop-punk that was popular in the 2000s, and Good Charlotte was probably my favourite of that crop of bands.
Mitchell: Less Than Jake by a massive margin. I was in class, someone showed me their music, and I was instantly hooked. I spent years building my LTJ discography after that!

Favourite musician now:

S: I love the band Bad Religion, I have a tattoo of my favourite album that they’ve released because they’re that good.
M: I don’t have any band tattoos because I’m not nearly as cool as Sara, and honestly, I might not be able to narrow this down to a single musician. Dillinger Four? Bob Mould? Feeder? The Interrupters? How on earth could I choose??

Guilty pleasure song:

S: Is Supertramp a guilty pleasure? I’m not really sure, but I think Crime of the Century is a very good album.

Live show ritual:

S: I don’t really have one – I used to be better about warming up before a show, but I tend to just jump into it now, and things usually work out!

Favourite local musician:

S: There are so many cool bands in Kitchener-Waterloo, so I’m just gonna shout out a few – Arcade Allstars, Lyfe Sk!llz and Frank Dux
M: Sara and I have a record label called Steady Riot Records, and it’s all local bands that we love, including Moore Ave, Nothing Serious, and Kingfisher!

EP or LP?

S: I think more music is more fun, so I’ll go with LP

Early bird or night owl?

S: I think all of us are definitely night owls – it’s bad for getting up and going to work, but comes in handy when we’re playing shows that don’t start until 10 pm

Road or studio?

S: Road – I love being on tour. Getting to spend weeks on end playing music, hanging out with cool people, and seeing new places is the best.
M: I also love touring, but there’s something super fun about the studio. I like building our songs, listening to the ideas and making them come to life, so as much as playing shows is always good, I like getting to make stuff in the studio.

Any shows or albums coming up?

We’re really excited about releasing our second LP – Lose My Grip. It’s been a long time since we’ve had new music to share, and it feels great to finally be able to show people what we’ve been working on. To support the new album, we’ll be playing a release show in Toronto at LOLA on Friday, July 24, with our friends in The Mendozaz and Nothing Serious! We’ve also got some Canadian tours to announce for the summer and into the fall – we’ll be seeing a lot of the country this year, which we’re extremely stoked about.

Where can we follow you?

Instagram | Facebook | YouTube

***

Rapid Fire Local Questions:

What is your favourite local restaurant?

S: Jane Bond in Waterloo for great vegetarian food and an awesome beer selection

M: I live in Toronto, and I will die on the hill that Bitondo’s makes the world’s best pizza (I have never been to Italy)

What is your favourite street in your city and why?

S: Belmont Ave because it’s got one of my favourite places to meet up with friends for drinks, there are a ton of cool businesses and restaurants, and it’s close to some older neighbourhoods that are fun to walk through.

M: Palmerston Ave because it’s got big cool old houses, and then north of Bloor, it turns into a weird square that feels very not-Toronto.

What is your favourite park in your city and why?

S: Waterloo Park because it’s close to my apartment OR Huron Natural Area because it’s got some great walking trails.

M: Kew Gardens – it’s got wide open areas, quiet lush areas, and quick access to the beach. We filmed the music video for Magnolia there!

What is your favourite music venue in your city?

S: It’s not technically a music venue, but Short Finger Brewing does outdoor shows in the summer that are so much fun. They’re in collaboration with a local record label – Pink Lemonade Records – and they’re always full of great bands and tons of friends.

M: The Bovine. Good music every day, and they’re willing to support local bands, which means a lot.

What is your favourite music store in your city?

S: RIP to Orange Monkey in Waterloo, a very cool record store where I bought my first records after investing in a turntable. Encore Records in Kitchener is still alive, and they’re great. They’ve got a huge used CD section and have good records in stock (including ours for a while!).

M: Mine is an RIP as well – Tiny Record Store had a great selection and really reasonable prices. I miss it!

The post Five Minutes With: Punk Rock Band Among Legends appeared first on Toronto Guardian.

Name:

Alex Walsh

Genre:

Covers of indie, rock and folk music

Founded:

First performed on stage in 2024

Favourite musician growing up:

Billy Talent

Favourite musician now:

David Bowie

Guilty pleasure song:

Your Man – Josh Turner

Live show ritual:

Look for a familiar face in the crowd.

Favourite local musician:

Dizzy

EP or LP?

LP

Early bird or night owl?

Early Bird. I’ve never gotten used to night shift. Although waking up at 430 for shift has its challenges.

Road or studio?

Studio (In Station)

Where can we follow you?

Instagram

**

Rapid Fire Local Questions:

What is your favourite local restaurant?

Pho Ngoc Yen 3

What is your favourite street in your city and why?

Queen West. Lots of great shops, food, and parks. Always feels alive.

What is your favourite park in your city and why?

Trinity Bellwoods. Watched a gentleman practice with his katana while he wore a trench coat. In the same view, I got to watch a dog roll in mud, much to the dismay of its owner.

What is your favourite music venue in your city?

Massey Hall on the floor with Danforth Music Hall being a close second. Though if you get a chance to see a band you love play The Garrison it’s always a blast.

What is your favourite music store in your city?

Always grew up with Long and McQuade. Have always been solid.

The post Five Minutes With: Guitarist Alex Walsh appeared first on Toronto Guardian.