Welcome To The Music

This episode began with Karim Kanji and Gregg Tilston sharing their excitement about Karim's recent Zoom call with musician Neil Young and his upcoming outdoor tour. They then introduced Rannie Turingan from the Vinyljunkie Podcast, and the conversation shifted to Rannie's impressive vinyl collection. The group also discussed their early encounters with vinyl collecting and their favourite live albums.The conversation then turned to Record Store Day and upcoming releases, with the group expressing their enthusiasm for the new Pearl Jam album and specific releases they were looking forward to. They also discussed the opening of HMV mini shops in Toys R Us stores and Rannie's upcoming podcast interview with Derek Antonio from Pop Music.Discussion on Music Preferences - Rannie, Karim, and Gregg engage in a lively discussion about their music preferences, particularly regarding Neil Young and Rush. Rannie expresses a dislike for Rush, citing Geddy Lee's voice as a factor. Karim shares his recent interaction with Neil Young and explores the impact of vocal styles on music enjoyment, leading to a light-hearted exchange about potential show guests.Vinyl Collecting Origins - Rannie and Karim delve into their childhood experiences with vinyl collecting, recalling the influence of their fathers' record collections and the diverse range of music they were exposed to. They share anecdotes about visiting record stores and discovering new artists, emphasizing the formative role of vinyl in shaping their musical tastes and memories.Sharing First Vinyl and Live Album Memories - Rannie, Karim, and Gregg reminisce about their first vinyl purchases, with Rannie recalling Madonna's "Like a Prayer" and Gregg mentioning Michael Jackson's "Starting Something." They also discuss their favourite live albums, including U2's "Under a Blood Red Sky" and a rare Death Cab for Cutie record store release that Rannie cherishes.Finding Time for Vinyl Listening - Karim talks about his scheduled vinyl listening time and a game he plays with family members. Rannie mentions his current frequency of vinyl listening compared to the past, while Gregg shares that he listens to vinyl at the end of his working day.Stories about Meeting the Barenaked Ladies - Karim, Rannie, and Gregg discuss their encounters with the Barenaked Ladies, sharing stories of attending early gigs, meeting band members at different venues, and personal connections. They reflect on the band's humble beginnings and how Canadian celebrities live among the public.Discussion on Record Store Day and upcoming releases - Rannie, Gregg, and Karim engage in a lively discussion about Record Store Day and upcoming releases. They express their anticipation for new albums from artists like Pearl Jam and David Bowie, and share their plans for shopping on Record Store Day. Rannie also mentions specific releases he is looking forward to, including a Cranberries release and Dolores O'Riordan's solo album.Rannie discusses his collection of Peter and the Wolf recordings, highlighting the different narrators and versions he has collected over the years. Visit Rannie's show:    / @vinyljunkiepodcast  

Check out the latest episode of our podcast! 🎙️ Hosts Gregg Tilston and Karim Kanji dive deep with special guest Rob Preuss, all the way from Queens, New York.Join us as we explore Rob's fascinating journey from joining The Spoons at 15 to coaching Rami Malek in Bohemian Rhapsody. We cover everything from musical influences to the impact of CFNY and Spirit Radio on the scene.Plus, we tackle the role of AI in pop music and the challenges of the industry while emphasizing the importance of passion over technicality.Tune in for an insightful and nostalgic conversation! 🎶 #Podcast #MusicIndustry #Creativity #AI #Passion

Step into Welcome To The Music with hosts Karim Kanji and Gregg Tilston featuring the talented musician Delyn Grey as the guest of honour. In this captivating discussion, Grey delves into her musical roots, influences, and the intricacies of her journey as a performer. From the delicate balance between public persona and private life to the profound influence of Canadian icon Bif Naked, Grey paints a vivid picture of her artistic evolution.Yet, the conversation extends beyond individual experiences to explore broader industry themes. Grey candidly reflects on the challenges musicians face today, including the relentless pressure to conform to mainstream trends and the looming presence of AI in music creation. She emphasizes the importance of artistic integrity and staying true to oneself amidst an ever-changing landscape.Grey also offers insights into her own creative process and the impact of the pandemic on her work.Throughout the discussion, the importance of mentorship and influential figures in the industry becomes evident, with nods to renowned music producer Steve Lillywhite.In essence, this episode sheds light on both the triumphs and tribulations encountered by modern-day musicians. From the quest for authenticity to navigating the evolving industry landscape, this discussion will resonate with aspiring artists and music enthusiasts alike, offering both inspiration and valuable insights.

Welcome To The Music welcomes singer-songwriter and frontman of Lowest Of The Low, Ron Hawkins!Karim Kanji and Gregg Tilston start the episode off by reflecting on the recent Juno Awards, expressing their enjoyment of the performances and the celebration of Scarborough. They also discussed their upcoming interview with Ron Hawkins, lead singer of Lowest of the Low, and planned to ask him about his quotes, political themes in his songs, and his thoughts on the Junos. The meeting progressed with a brief discussion about past encounters and the start of the conversation with Ron Hawkins.The conversation with Ron Hawkins covered a range of topics, including the impact of past successes on fan expectations, the changing dynamics of concert scheduling, and the evolving needs of the audience. Hawkins also shared his approach to balancing multiple projects and emphasized the importance of conveying a meaningful message through his music. The episode concluded with expressions of gratitude and anticipation for upcoming shows.Lowest Of The Low is touring this spring! Check out dates starting April 2024 in St. Catherines, Toronto and more: https://lowestofthelow.com/site/tour/

The meeting began with Karim and Gregg discussing their love for vinyl records and sharing humorous anecdotes about their family Christmas draw. They then moved on to discuss the Super Bowl halftime show and the Grammys, with mixed opinions on Post Malone's performance and admiration for Tracy Chapman's performance. The conversation also touched on Jay-Z's behavior at an awards show and Dallas Green's album.Meredith joined the meeting and discussed her musical influences, past hitchhiking experiences, and unique venue performances. She also opened up about her songwriting process and performed a song from her album, "Constellations."

http://WelcomeToTheMusic.comKarim Kanji in conversation with Adrian Sutherland from Attawapiskat.The meeting began with a discussion about recent travels and the new album "Precious Diamonds." The album features two fully Cree songs and was recorded with a live band in Nashville. Adrian emphasized the importance of including songs in his native language for his indigenous fan base and the positive feedback received for the song in Cree. The conversation also touched on the significance of music as a means of self-expression and communication for performers, particularly in allowing them to convey emotions and aspects of their identity that may be challenging to express verbally. The discussion then shifted to the difficulties faced by Adrian's community, including housing shortages, lack of clean water, and an opioid crisis. Adrian Sutherland provided insights into his upcoming album release and live performance plans, highlighting his intention to play shows in Toronto, northwestern Ontario, Manitoba, and Quebec, as well as engage with schools and youth. The conversation concluded with information on where to find Adrian's music online.http://AdrianSutherlandMusic.com

During the first year of the pandemic (back in 2020 if you can remember that far back) Gregg Tilston and Karim Kanji were introduced to Naughty By Nature’s Vin Rock. In this special episode Gregg and Karim covered a range of topics with Vin, including recent music events, the impact of COVID-19 on minority communities, and the success of Naughty by Nature's hit song "OPP." Vin Rock is a founding member of the Grammy Award-winning American hip hop trio Naughty By Nature, which hails from East Orange, New Jersey. Born on September 17, 1970, he is known for his work with the group, which has produced iconic tracks like "O.P.P." and "Hip Hop Hooray".This conversation took place in the fall of 2020.Prior to Vin Rock joining the show’s hosts, Gregg and Karim delved into a detailed conversation about Post Malone's then recent collaboration with the Red Hot Chili Peppers, expressing varying opinions on his musical direction. They analyzed his potential shift from pop to rock music, speculating on his motivations and the impact on his fan base. The discussion also touched on the financial aspects of his choices and the surprise and curiosity surrounding his performance, with Grergg and Karim both  expressing skepticism and while also praising the unexpected move.When Vin Rock joined the episode the conversation started with a conversation about the disproportionate effect of COVID-19 on African American and Latino communities, citing underlying health conditions and limited access to healthcare as contributing factors. They also highlighted efforts to support local communities and businesses during the pandemic, including the distribution of PPE and support for local restaurants. The conversation underscored the need for adaptation and support for vulnerable communities in the face of the pandemic's challenges.The hosts then delved into a discussion about Vin’s  entrepreneurial endeavors, including the creation of an interactive e-book, the launch of a Google TV app, and the establishment of a new digitally driven record label. Vin underscored the importance of being independent and self-sufficient in the current market landscape, especially in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic's impact on the entertainment and music industry. Additionally, Vin touched on the potential opportunities arising from the changing business environment, such as direct-to-consumer engagement and the evolving financial transactions landscape.

November 2017: a few years prior to the formal launch of the podcast "Welcome To The Music," co-host Karim Kanji organized an exclusive, invite-only recording of his 100th episode at the renowned studio formerly known as Pacific Junction Hotel. The distinguished guest for this special occasion was none other than the eminent figure in Canadian hip hop, Maestro Fresh Wes.In light of Wes Williams, also known as Maestro Fresh Wes, being named the recipient of the Governor General’s Award for Performing Arts, we revisit this noteworthy conversation. The episode commenced with Wes Williams and Karim Kanji indulging in reflections on their early encounters with music and the hip-hop culture. Wes recounted anecdotes about his father's music collection, acknowledging the influence of his grade four teacher and a close friend on his musical inclinations. He further elaborated on the profound impact of Michie Mee and Stevie B on his artistic journey, highlighting the instrumental role played by Electric Circus in securing his inaugural record deal.The dialogue then transitioned into a discussion about the significance of utilizing music as a platform for social commentary. Wes underscored the imperative for artists to inspire and uplift through their musical endeavors. Both Wes and Karim fervently delved into topics surrounding the mistreatment of Indigenous peoples, racial injustice in Canada, systemic racism, and the lack of acknowledgment for black achievements. Their critique extended to the celebration of Thanksgiving and the disparities in media representation, emphasizing the pressing need for unity and empowerment within the black community.The conversation also delved into personal experiences, including individual audition anecdotes and Maestro Fresh Wes's reflections on fatherhood and political satire within rap music. The audience actively participated in discussions about music and influences, posing inquiries about Living Colour and exploring the fusion of rap with other musical styles. This segment concluded with audience members sharing personal stories and directing questions to Maestro Fresh Wes, covering a range of topics including his impact on the Toronto hip-hop scene, aspirations in music, film, and literature, and his approach to engaging and inspiring young audiences.This special live recording provided a comprehensive and captivating exploration of the evolution of hip-hop culture in Canada, the imperative of using music as a vehicle for social commentary, and the personal experiences and influences that have shaped Wes's artistic journey.

Exploring the Sonic Legacy: A Virtual Tour of Grant Avenue Studio Control RoomKarim Kanji and Gregg Tilston welcome to the show, Mike Bruce and Andrew Lauzon from Grant Avennue Studio. In a captivating virtual tour on Welcome To The Music, the Grant Avenue Studio control room unfolded its rich history, hosting a discussion on notable visitors, the essence of maintaining a "house sound," and personal anecdotes that breathed life into the studio's narrative.Located in the heart of Hamilton, Mike and Andrew shared their journey of moving to the studio, offering a glimpse into the behind-the-scenes experiences that shaped their connection with the space. The discussion delved into the intricacies of the studio, featuring a comprehensive showcase of the mixing and editing suite, boasting both high-end gear and an affordable environment tailored for independent producers.Mike Bruce and Andrew Lauzon not only shared personal stories connecting them to music but also unfolded their visionary plans for the studio's future. Their expansion includes services ranging from live streaming and podcasting to potential documentary production, marking a significant evolution for Grant Avenue Studio.The discussion pivoted to the enduring charm of vintage gear in music production, with a keen focus on the unique sonic qualities of equipment like the Neumann M49B mic and an aged console. Unpacking the concept of "house sound," the Andrew passionately emphasized the irreplaceable value of vintage gear in crafting a distinct sonic signature that stands unparalleled.The conversation resonated with the idea that a studio's historical legacy serves as a wellspring of inspiration for artists, underscoring the importance of continuing to craft new musical stories. The virtual journey concluded with a promising note about upcoming talent in Hamilton, hinting at the exciting prospects that lie ahead for the local music scene. The Grant Avenue Studio tour not only unveiled the technical marvels within its walls but also celebrated the essence of musical storytelling and its potential to shape the future of sound.For more information visit: https://www.grantavenuestudio.com/