Welcome to the podcast a returning guest, Rik Emmett. Rik recently wrote a book called, Ten Telecaster Tales (published by ECW Press). The discussion focused on Rik Emmett's creative journey, technical challenges, and insights into his latest projects. Emmett shared a humorous anecdote about a past miscommunication with a journalist. He elaborated on the artistic collaboration behind the cover of his book, highlighting the artist's steampunk design and his own contributions. The conversation als...
Apr 20, 2025•22 min
From August 3rd 2020: Kim Mitchell is a Canadian rock icon. This year he was inducted into the Canadian Songwriters Hall of Fame. He was the lead singer with the influential rock band Max Webster and has had an outstanding solo career which has seen him earn numerous awards and accolades. His newest single, Wishes, is the first release on his latest album The Big Fantasize. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information....
Mar 07, 2025•1 hr 6 min
Gregg Tilston and Karim Kanji welcome to the show author Chris MacDonald! The hosts welcomed Chris MacDonald, who introduced his book "Days and Days," which combines personal travel narratives with the story of the punk band Leatherface. The discussion covered themes of nostalgia, friendship, and the significance of lost music venues, with a focus on the Duchess in Leeds. Chris concluded by mentioning he is working on a ghost story for his next book. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for mo...
Jan 20, 2025•42 min
Karim Kanji and Saukrates engaged in a discussion that covered various aspects of Saukrates' career, including his album "Bad Addiction" and the significance of lost performance venues. Saukrates shared insights into his stage name, which he chose at 15, inspired by the Brazilian soccer player Sócrates. He acknowledged the philosophical undertones often associated with hip-hop artists, agreeing that they can serve as modern-day philosophers. The conversation also touched on his early work, inclu...
Jan 08, 2025•24 min
Summary: Karim Kanji and Gregg Tilston initiated a discussion centered around U2's "Unforgettable Fire" and its role in the band's evolution. They welcomed guests David Diamond and Zero from The Kings, who shared their experiences in the music industry. The conversation covered topics such as new music releases, touring experiences, and challenges faced in venues that have since closed. The dialogue shifted to the Heat Wave Festival, with Gregg discussing its legendary status and the performance...
Nov 27, 2024•49 min
Gregg Tilston and Karim Kanji bring you a conversation about music and... photography. We reflected on our visit to an art gallery that featured the iconic work of Bob Gruen, renowned for capturing legendary musicians through his lens. It was during this discussion that we introduced the esteemed historian and photographer, Margo Cooper, who was joining us for a special interview on our show, *Welcome to the Music*. Margo has built a career on her passion for both photography and blues music. Sh...
Oct 24, 2024•37 min
Gregg and Karim welcome to the show, Joel Plaskett! The episode begins with Joel Plaskett discussing his new record and the changing relationship with the songs once they are released. Joel explored the impact of audience interpretation and the challenges of articulating the original intent without unraveling it. Joel also shared his experience with using analog technology to record his music, emphasizing the nostalgic and human qualities that the limitations of this technology bring to the reco...
Oct 16, 2024•26 min
Welcome to the kickoff show of our new season! Here's a recap of today's episode! Hosts Gregg and Karim discussed their recent experiences at various shows. Karim shared his experience at the Storry concert, where he and his wife, Minaz, enjoyed the performance despite initial confusion about the event. They both expressed their enjoyment of the shows and Storry's performance. Karim and Gregg discussed their recent experiences at music shows. Karim attended a Shaggy concert and a Trews concert, ...
Oct 02, 2024•25 min
In this engaging episode, Karim Kanji sits down with the iconic Bif Naked to explore the deep and personal inspiration behind her song "Jim," which delves into themes of heartbreak and personal betrayal. Bif opens up about her recent live performances, upcoming tour plans, and the journey of releasing her latest album. Bif also shares her passion for animal welfare and health-related charities, including her personal experiences with breast cancer. She offers insightful advice for those interest...
Jul 29, 2024•34 min
The interview with John Orpheus covered a range of topics, including his new album "Get Right," his literary and musical journey, and his thoughts on journalism. They also discussed the influence of different decades on music, with Orpheus emphasizing the importance of living in the present moment rather than being constrained by notions of the past or future. The conversation extended to their favorite music artists and bands from the 90s, personal anecdotes, and their admiration for influentia...
Jul 22, 2024•35 min
In this ecent episode of "Welcome To The Music," host Karim Kanji engaged with the talented Orin Isaacs, delving into his career, the power of musical communities, and the link between music and math. The episode began with Orin sharing his experiences working on the CBC's Olympic coverage, emphasizing the collaborative nature of the project and the diverse musical approaches required. This insight set the stage for a broader discussion about his career. Orin recounted his early days playing in ...
Jul 18, 2024•33 min
**Celeigh Cardinal: From Boundless Possibilities to Juno Triumph** Join hosts Karim Kanji and Jahaan Kanji on "Welcome to the Music" as they explore the remarkable journey of Celeigh Cardinal, a Canadian folk singer-songwriter from Alberta. Celeigh blends blues, folk, and R&B/Soul, achieving chart-topping success on platforms like the Indigenous Music Countdown and CBC Music Top 20 Countdown. Her debut album, "Everything and Nothing at All," received critical acclaim, solidifying her presenc...
Jul 14, 2024•30 min
Grammy-winning producer Val Garay, and singer-songwriter Katrina Woolverton discussed their collaboration and the hit song "Bette Davis Eyes." They explored their vision for a new project and the challenges associated with adapting classic songs to an EDM style. Val's technical expertise in vocal tracking and Katrina's creative input and communication skills were highlighted. They discussed strategies for reimagining classic songs and teased upcoming singles and albums. They also reflected on th...
Jul 10, 2024•29 min
Welcome back to the show, Toronto rapper and songwriter, Keysha Freshh! Catching Up and Album Discussion Keysha and Karim reminisce about the changes since the pandemic and express their surprise at the return to normalcy. They also discuss Keysha's upcoming album, "Pretty Boys Break My Heart,". Keysha shares that the album is personal and expresses her excitement for its release on August 16th. Keysha's Album and Music Plans Keysha shares details about her upcoming album, including the artists ...
Jul 01, 2024•22 min
Join host Karim Kanji as he sits down with Gene Champagne, a renowned musician known for his work with the Killjoys, Teenage Head, and his solo projects. Gene shares insights into his illustrious music career and his latest EP, reminiscing about iconic lost music venues and their impact on his journey. He delves into his creative process, revealing his love for early 70s power pop and rock and roll, and the hands-on approach he took for his solo record—playing every instrument, and handling the ...
Jun 26, 2024•25 min
The episode began with a discussion between Gregg and Karim about their upcoming concert plans, expressing excitement for the various shows they have lined up. The duo then welcomed to the show Shawn Clarke. They engaged in a lively discussion about their favorite movies and music, with a focus on influential soundtracks and composers. Shawn Clarke delved into the musical influences that shaped his interest in acoustic music and guitar playing, citing artists such as Led Zeppelin, Radiohead, Dav...
Jun 09, 2024•42 min
Description: In this episode, we sit down with legendary musician Andy Kim for an insightful conversation about his life and career. Andy shares his thoughts on the importance of cherishing time with loved ones, living in the present moment, and not dwelling on missed opportunities. Episode Highlights: - Value of Time: Andy discusses the preciousness of time and the significance of living life to the fullest. - Journey from Montreal to New York: Hear about Andy's early life in Montreal and his b...
May 23, 2024•43 min
Hosts Gregg Tilston and Karim Kanji welcome to the show Toronto Hip Hop legend, Dan-e-o. Gregg and Karim begin the Pre Show sharing their positive experiences at recent concerts and recommended the musical Beautiful Scars, praising the theatre and the story of Tom Wilson. The conversation also included a description of the theater and the outstanding music in the musical, as well as an encounter with Tom Wilson and his art installation, which left a lasting impression on Karim. The discussion th...
May 13, 2024•33 min
Hosts Gregg Tilston and Karim Kanji welcome to the show, Derry Grehan, lead guitarist and songwriter for the Canadian classic rock band, Honeymoon Suite. The episode begins with the Pre-Show with Gregg and Karim sharing their enthusiasm for live music while reminiscing about past concert experiences. Derry shared stories of the band's humble beginnings, their breakthrough in winning a contest and getting signed, and their subsequent success. Derry and Gregg engaged in a lively discussion about t...
May 06, 2024•30 min
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 express...
Apr 21, 2024•39 min
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 pass...
Apr 14, 2024•59 min
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 experie...
Apr 09, 2024•33 min
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 ...
Apr 01, 2024•40 min
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 exper...
Mar 24, 2024•36 min
http://WelcomeToTheMusic.com Karim 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 musi...
Mar 18, 2024•27 min
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 Ora...
Mar 04, 2024•1 hr 14 min
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 Perfo...
Feb 25, 2024•1 hr 34 min
Exploring the Sonic Legacy: A Virtual Tour of Grant Avenue Studio Control Room Karim 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...
Feb 11, 2024•29 min
Gregg Tilston and Karim Kanji welcome to the show Steven Page! The episode begins with a discussion on the creation of the Trans Cañada Highwaymen album Explosive Hits Vol 1, a K-Tel tribute album, sharing anecdotes about the song selection process, remote recording during the pandemic, and the creation of the infomercial for the album. They also explored the profound impact of growing up in Scarborough on Steven's musical influences and personal identity, discussing how the multicultural enviro...
Feb 05, 2024•59 min
Gregg Tilston and Karim Kanji are back for their first 2024 episode. In this edition they welcome founding member and first drummer for Canadian classic rock icons, April Wine, Ritchie Henman. Henman recently wrote his memoir, High Adventure: Tales of Canadian Rock & Roll Survival. Get is book here: https://www.ritchiehenman.com/high-adventure They congratulated Henman on his recent achievements in the Canadian Music Hall of Fame and Juno Hall of Fame. Henman reflected on his long-standing f...
Jan 21, 2024•34 min
