The Pandemic Interviews - Conversations in a Changing Time

The Pandemic Interviews - Conversations in a changing time - Ep23 - Steve York, Mercy Flight

Singer/songwriter Steve York started singing and playing in a blues band in Toronto as a teen. He began songwriting and fronting a grunge rock band in his twenties. At the same time that Nirvana and Pearl Jam were popularizing grunge music in Seattle, Steve and his band SST were pioneering grunge in Toronto. Steve’s band Mercy Flight is his soul child and an ongoing collaboration with fellow musicians Katey Morley, Dan Miller, Tony Rabalao and Tom McKay. 

The Pandemic Interviews - Conversations in a changing time - Ep22 - Davide Di Renzo

Originally from Guelph, Ontario, Davide Di Renzo is a musician’s musician and has had the good fortune to play with damn near everybody. One of the most versatile and in-demand drummers in Canada, Davide has equally strong profiles in jazz, rock, pop and R&B.

 

An alumnus of U of T’s Jazz Studies program, Davide was nominated as Jazz Drummer of the year at the National Jazz Awards in 2008. He won a Juno in 2007 as a member of Jacksoul for R&B Soul Recording of the Year. Davide has performed/toured or recorded with slew of Canadian and internationl artists including Holly Cole, Ashley McIssac, Dione Taylor, Richard Underhill, Molly Johnson, David Wilcox, Sarah Slean...and the list goes on. He also performs and tours with Tom Cochrane and Red Rider as well as electronic band New Deal.

The Pandemic Interviews - Conversations in a changing time - Ep21 - David Michael Moote

Today’s podcast conversation is with David Michael Moote, a multifaceted performer originally from my home town of London, ON. I first met David six years ago as cast member in the production Oh Canada, What A Feeling, based on the book, Oh What A Feeling: A Vital History of Canadian Music, by author Martin Melhuish.

David studied voice and piano from age six and performed professionally in the theatre as a child and teen, studied classical Voice Performance at McGill University and has a Bachelors Education from the University of Ottawa. David performs in theatres across the country as well as in film and TV productions. David is also the lead singer and front man of the Toronto-based symphonic heavy metal band Operus. A passionate singer, actor, musician and lyricist, David connects to the world around him and to his audiences through music and the arts.

 

The Pandemic Interviews - Conversations in a changing time - Ep20 - Marco Argiro

Marco Argiro is a multi-instrumentalist, vocalist, songwriter, producer and owns his own label, Outright Rock Records. Originally from Florida, then New York City and now residing Nashville since 2017, Marco is a former member of the NYC power-pop trio Le Mood, is lead singer and guitarist for the transatlantic band The Killing Floor and is a member of a Nashville group called The Tenders (currently on hiatus). He began his solo act, Marco With Love, while still living in New York and now performs with a rotating collective of Nashville musicians. 

Marco With Love’s Cosmic American Rock ‘N’ Roll music gives a nod to The Beatles, The Flying Burrito Brothers, Tom Petty, The Byrds and The Traveling Wilburys calling to mind a psychedelic era of rock, infused with harmonies reminiscent of the West Coast sounds of the 70s.

The Pandemic Interviews - Conversations in a changing time - Ep19 - Frank Zirone

Gigging in cover bands part-time since 1968 and writing his own songs, one of them called You’re on the Radio was the start of it all.  Frank formed the band Zero-One, signed a deal with Anthem Records and recorded one album. The band was nominated for a Juno in 1981 for Best New Group before disbanding in 1982. Frank went on to form Hanover Fist in 1984 and his song, Metal of the NIght, was chosen by Eddie Van Halen as the lead song for a new movie.

Now writer, producer and director of ONES, a multi-media theatre presentation of The Beatles number one hits from 1964-1969, it's his dream and his personal tribute to a band that's had the biggest impact on his musical career.  Building the production from the ground up with the late Don MacLean and graphic designer Jain McMillan, ONES has grown from small theatres to a major production with a 22 piece orchestra. 

The Pandemic Interviews - Conversations in a changing time - Ep18 - Patricia Silver

Patricia Silver has combined her passion for music and performance, her sharp entrepreneurial skills, her commitment to community service, and her dedication to her family into a successful career and busy, but happy, lifestyle.  She is considered a pioneer and a leader in the music industry. She founded the Sphere Entertainment Agency, is the author of two best-selling children’s books and is one of the founders of Canada's biggest a cappella festival, SING! Toronto Vocal Arts Festival, which is about to celebrate it's 10th year beginning this Thursday, May 27, 2021.

The Pandemic Interviews - Conversations in a changing time - Ep17 - Mike Celia

Toronto Indie artist Mike Celia was my very first conversation, and very first recording. Mike, an accomplished guitarist, vocalist and songwriter, was gracious enough to inaugurate the series. At that time I didn’t even have a name for it. The recording is extremely rough around the edges so bear with me on this one.....and my apologies to Mike. 

A secret guitarist for 10 years, Mike has been performing live for 15 years. He tours with Tanika Charles and Digging Roots and I was fortunate enough to capture him on stage with Shakura S'Aida at Mariposa. If you do nothing else, list to the music!

The Pandemic Interviews - Conversations in a changing time - Ep16 - Eddie Bullen

Eddie Bullen is a pianist, composer, arranger and producer. His deep love and passion for music is apparent every time you see him perform, and he loves nothing better than sharing that passion with his audiences. If there is a piano or keyboard anywhere within 500 paces, Eddie will find it and gravitate towards it like magnet.

Since his move to Toronto from Grenada in 1980, Eddie has never stopped. His lengthy career has yielded an abundance of awards, including a Juno. From his first album, 'Nocturnal Affair' in 1996 to his most recent ‘Kaleidoscope', released in January 2020, Eddie gives his audience a taste of contemporary jazz, flavoured with Caribbean rhythms and a little bit of spice. He is also one of the kindest people I know.

The Pandemic Interviews - Conversations in a changing time - Ep15 - April

Hamilton, Ontario is the home of gritty, knuckle-baring, driving rock and roll. It is also home of the band April. Don’t let the name fool you. These four guys are full on rock with a punk, in-your-face edge to their music. They are determined to entertain and get you moving. Founded by bassist/songwriter Eric Meloche, April is PJ Reynolds (drums), Evan Bowker (vocals) and guitarist/songwriter/producer Stacy Stray. 

The band’s name is in remembrance of one of Eric’s sons who’s birth month was April.

The Pandemic Interviews - Conversations in a changing time - Ep14 - Brandon Gregory, Drop Top Alibi

Part of Toronto’s vibrant local Indie scene, Drop Top Alibi (DTA) was formed in June of 2016 by Brandon Gregory and Dylan Wykes. In very short order DTA found themselves recording their debut single “Holding the Gun,” at Metalworks Studios with Gilby Clarke (formerly of Guns n’ Roses) producing. They released their self-titled EP in 2017 and later that year supported Gilby during his Canadian fall tour. In the summer of 2019, the band were named 97.7 CHTZ FM’s Rock Search winners, earning them their radio debut with their single Burn. Tour dates were booked for 2020.....then COVID hit!