Tag Archives: scarborough

Steven Page

Hey there, music enthusiasts! Karim Kanji here, and I’m thrilled to bring you another exciting episode of our show. Today, we have the incredibly talented Steven Page joining us, and it’s bound to be a conversation you won’t want to miss.

We kick off the episode diving into the behind-the-scenes magic of the Trans Canada Highwaymen album Explosive Hits Vol 1. Gregg Tilston and I sit down with Steven to unravel the mysteries of this K-Tel tribute album. We explore the fascinating journey of selecting songs, navigating remote recording challenges during the pandemic, and the creative process behind the album’s infomercial. It’s a deep dive into the creative minds that brought this explosive project to life.

As we traverse the musical landscape, we also touch upon the profound impact that growing up in Scarborough had on Steven’s musical journey and personal identity. We delve into the multicultural environment and the influential music programs that shaped his perspectives, ultimately paving the way for the formation of the iconic band, the Barenaked Ladies.

Steven Page generously shares personal anecdotes about his enduring friendships with fellow musicians, reflections on past collaborations, and his current endeavors, including work on a new record. The conversation takes an emotional turn as he recounts the powerful experience of singing Leonard Cohen’s “Hallelujah” at Jack Layton’s memorial service, shedding light on the pressure and honor of fulfilling Layton’s request.

But that’s not all – Steven treats us to a live performance, showcasing a song from his recent album. We also explore his regular live streams during the pandemic, where he shares his own creations and covers that resonate with his audience.

Our discussions extend to the world of music, touching on lost venues, Steven’s eclectic music preferences, and the exciting details of an upcoming show on Easter weekend. Trust me; you won’t want to miss the insights and revelations Steven has to offer.

If you’re hungry for more details or itching to explore the musical world of the Trans Canada Highwaymen, head over to their official website at https://transcanadahighwaymen.ca/. There’s a treasure trove of information waiting for you.

So, buckle up, music aficionados! Join Gregg Tilston and me as we embark on this captivating journey with the one and only Steven Page. It’s a musical ride you won’t soon forget.

This is Episode #286 of the Welcome! podcast.

Randell Adjei | Ontario’s Poet Laureate

Randell Adjei is Ontario’s first Poet Laureate. Hailing from Scarborough, Randell is an author, spoken word artist, educator, community leader and entrepreneur. RISE Edutainment is a social enterprise which seeks to give opportunity to youth across the city.

In this conversation we discuss:

  • what exactly does a Poet Laureate do
  • who inspired Randell to take up poetry in the first place
  • graduating as his high school valedictorian after a less than stellar beginning
  • starting RISE
  • working with companies like Holt Renfrew
  • his involvement with the Scarborough Hospital Foundation’s Love, Scarborough initiative
  • his favourite things about Scarborough
  • and so much more!

Follow the links for more information:

https://www.lovescarborough.ca/

https://www.randelladjei.com/

https://www.riseedutainment.com/

https://www.ontariopoet.org/

This is Episode #266 of the Welcome! podcast.

 

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Joe Cash – Welcome To The Music

Welcome To The Music hosts, Karim Kanji and Gregg Tilston, sit down with musician, singer-songwriter, King Of The Dot videographer and Scarborough legend Joe Cash.

This is Episode #2 of Welcome To The Music.

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Episode sponsor: Born On A Friday

Farley Flex

My next guest was an early manager of Canadian hip hop legend, Maestro Fresh Wes.

He also spent a dozen years convincing the CRTC to give him and his partners a licence for Canada’s first urban radio station, FLOW 93.5.

He spent 6 seasons as a judge with Canadian Idol alongside one of my favourite rock voices, Sass Jordan.

Today he spends a lot of his time executing intercultural conflict management workshops and seminars as well as programs focused on community capacity building as well as youth and community engagement.

Please welcome to the show, Farley Flex.

This is Episode #169 of the Welcome! podcast.

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Wayne and Elizabeth Cuffe

I remember it was in HomeEc class. The year and grade escapes me. But it was at JB Tyrrell Senior Public School in Scarborough. Wayne Cuffe was able to recite the full dialogue of the movie, Terminator.

Wayne also liked to make people laugh. But he wasn’t one of the cool kids. He was different. And I liked different. I still do. So when social media came around I naturally followed many old school mates including Wayne. He was always happy. But it felt real. He’s still into pop culture. His workouts even follow the style of his favourite superheroes. When he travels he shares stories of the people he meets and those that inspire him. And he always shares photos of his wife, Elizabeth. And GROOT. After more than twenty years we meet again.

Welcome to the studio, Wayne and Elizabeth Cuffe.

This is Episode #163 of the Welcome! podcast.

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groot

Councillor Michael Thompson

My next guest, like yours truly, is a graduate of Scarborough’s Sir John A. Macdonald Collegiate Institute. He is a long time resident of Scarborough who has assisted in the creation of the Wexford Heights Business Improvement Area and the popular Taste of Lawrence Avenue East Festival.

Now in his fifth term at Toronto’s city hall, my next guest helped to create the first ever TTC transit strategy for Scarborough, was the first chair of Toronto’s Music Advisory Committee and has been the recipient of many awards.

Please welcome to the show, Councillor Michael Thompson.

This is Episode #162 of the Welcome! podcast.

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councillor michael thompson and karim kanji

 

 

 

 

Carrianne Leung

My next guest is a fiction writer and educator. She has a PhD in Sociology and Equity Studies from the University of Toronto. Her debut novel, “The Wonderous Woo”, was shortlisted for the 2014 Toronto Book Award.

An award-winning author who has recently returned to the place where her most recent book, “That Time I Loved You”, is set: Scarborough. She can currently be found at the University of Toronto’s Scarborough Campus as it’s Writer-In-Residence.

I’m excited to welcome to the show, Carrianne Leung.

This is Episode #159 of the Welcome! podcast.

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Aparita Bhandari

Aparita Bhandari has covered arts and culture for many of Canada’s top newspaper and online publications: The Toronto Star, Saturday Night Magazine, The National Post, CBC, The Walrus and many others. She also co-hosts a popular Hindi-language podcast about Bollywood movies.

Today, Aparita uncovers important local stories here in Scarborough for the new media start-up company, The Discourse.

Today, she joins me in Toronto’s 100th library, the Scarborough Civic Centre Library. Please welcome to the show, Aparita Bhandari.

This is Episode #158 of the Welcome! podcast.

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Shasha Nakhai

Shasha Nakhai is a filmmaker based out of Toronto with both Compy Films and Storyline Entertainment.  Shasha’s award-winning  films have screened at festivals and aired on TV worldwide, been released on iTunes, gone viral and been awarded Vimeo Staff Pick and Short of the Week.

This is Episode #152 of the Welcome! podcast.

  • Shasha Nakhai was born in Nigeria to parent from Persian and Philippine backgrounds.
  • Shasha came on a student visa to study but now is a proud Canadian and new owner of plaid pants!
  • She studied journalism and radio and TV from 2005 until 2009 at Ryerson University. Shasha also attended Sheridan and Humber to finish her formal education.
  • Shasha Nakhai was the director of Take Light which is a movie about the energy crisis in her Nigerian hometown.
  • Shasha produced the 2017 Oscar “nominated” short doc, Frame 394 which was about the shooting of an unarmed man in South Carolina.
  • Shasha Nakhai is also producing the movie adaptation of the award-winning book, Scarborough (which was written by Catherine Hernandez).

Listen below:

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This episode was taped at Girth Radio studios inside the Pacific Junction Hotel bar in Toronto.

Music featured in this podcast  episode is by my cousin, Afraaz Mulji. 

If you liked this episode with Shasha Nakhai you may also like these:

Gordon Is 25

Happy birthday Gordon!

Yesterday was the 25th birthday of The Barenaked Ladies’ first studio album, Gordon. Formed in 1988, a few years prior to the release of Gordon, The Barenaked Ladies formed in Scarborough with Ed Robertson, Steven Page, Andy Creeggan, Jim Creeggan, and Tyler Stewart.

In 1991, thanks to the massive success of the band’s independently released cassette The Yellow Tape, Barenaked Ladies won the “Discovery To Disc” contest hosted by a Toronto radio station. The Canadian quintet used the prize money to record Gordon with producer Michael Phillip Wojewoda. Following its release on July 28, 1992, the Diamond certified album topped the Canadian charts for eight weeks. (AMAZON)

Front Side:

  • Hello City
  • Enid
  • Grade 9
  • Brian Wilson
  • Be My Yoko Ono
  • Wrap Your Arms Around Me
  • What a Good Boy
  • The King Of Bedside Manor

Back Side:

  • Box Set
  • I Love You
  • New Kid (On The Block)
  • Blame It On Me
  • The Flag
  • If I Had $1000000
  • Crazy