Produced and hosted by two self-professed music nerds, This.Broken.Mixtape is an interview-based podcast from Toronto that explores how music can play a vital and meaningful role in our lives.
Hosts Justin Lee and Jeff Woo interview exciting personalities from all disciplines of life including musicians, DJs, artists, writers, comedians, chefs, and entrepreneurs.
These guests recount their personal relationship with music and the memories that have become synonymous with specific songs, albums and artists.
So get ready to pop in that mixtape, hit rewind, and press play on the soundtrack to your life.
You can email us at thisbrokenmixtape@gmail.com or find us on Twitter at @thisbrokenmix.
We sat down with comedian, vocalist and chef Big Norm to discuss what his favourite R&B singers and culinary dishes have in common, why he's quick to shut down the cultural appropriation accusations against Bruno Mars, and how a recent trip to Taiwan inspired him to write a one-man show.
https://open.spotify.com/user/thisbrokenmixtape/playlist/0XBroeBsHLFPuCM3CZSv4M
They say the third time is a charm. For Toronto art rock duo Lilla Drömland, this proves to be the case. Over the past eight years, the duo has undergone various iterations -- each one signaling a new name and slightly altered sound.
But under their new fantastical-inspired name, Breanna Johnston and Mark Rendall have ushered in a more confident, dream-pop sonic tapestry.
We recently sat down with the duo and real-life couple to discuss their new material, how moving to rural Ontario has helped expand their creative boundaries, and the challenges of coping with anxiety as a performer.
https://open.spotify.com/user/thisbrokenmixtape/playlist/7mhT8BIbcKVrgdXjYt4LM8
Rockabilly duo catl may be from Toronto, but their gritty blues-country sound conjures the dusty back roads of the Deep South.
Comprised of real-life couple Jamie Fleming and Sarah Kirkpatrick, catl is set to release their fifth record next month on France's Beast Records.
We sat down with catl to talk about their new record, how being in a relationship impacts their creative dynamic, and recording at the legendary Ardent Studios in Memphis.
https://open.spotify.com/user/thisbrokenmixtape/playlist/79UzYue9xDbmMVIkYMacnD
As a professional singer-songwriter, violinist and DJ, Toronto's Maya Killtron is something of a renaissance woman in music.
She's toured all around the world as a featured performer, musician and DJ including Winter Music Conference in Miami, The Halifax Jazz Festival & NYC’s CMJ festival.
We sat down with Maya to talk to her about juggling her various musical talents, how her cool dad put her onto the Fugees and TLC, and a shit-ton of Star Trek.
https://open.spotify.com/user/thisbrokenmixtape/playlist/0t4TzhvhudcrUqz3ASS0wS
Over the past two decades, Toronto's Jon Santiago, aka DJ Dopey, has carved out an impressive career as a DJ/turntablist.
As the founding member of the Turntable Monkz, Dopey went on to become the 2003 DMC World Champion -- the highest accolade for a turntablist -- and has shared the stage with everyone from Eminem to Slum Village to Steve Aoki.
We sat down with Dopey to talk to him about the evolving nature of hip hop music, teaching young students the art of turntablism, and what makes a great closing song.
https://open.spotify.com/user/thisbrokenmixtape/playlist/2V7AIBYt64iiOiQUQoAynV
Toronto's Practice is a recurring live jam session that unites a rotating roster of talented musicians, vocalists and emcees to improvise hip hop, soul and funk songs.
Along with Joseph W. Salusbury, Jahmal Padmore, Ian Koiter and Matthew Progress, co-founders Gaurav Sawhney and Gavin Whelehan have turned Practice into one of most exciting live music nights in Toronto today.
We sat down with Gaurav and Gavin to discuss how they started Practice, the music that they grew up on, and which musicians they would recruit for their live jam dream team.
https://open.spotify.com/user/thisbrokenmixtape/playlist/7pBFpTkVMfXQl4Z9QhelVD
In less than three years, DJ, radio host and music curator Josephine Cruz, aka JAYEMKAYEM, has already become a well-known name in the Toronto nightlife scene.
In addition to DJing at clubs in New York City, Los Angeles and Shanghai, she recently collaborated with Paul Chin to launch the 24-hour radio station pop-up, Istolethesoul FM.
We talked to JAYEMKAYEM about how she learned how to DJ, her growing sneaker collection, and why she felt compelled to launch Istolethesoul FM.
https://static1.squarespace.com/static/54de416ce4b0d191d4fd49ad/t/5a8ecb659140b70d378d6ae3/1519880887455/this-broken-mixtape-jayemkayem.mp3/original/this-broken-mixtape-jayemkayem.mp3?download=true
Teenage indie folk duo Moscow Apartment may have only been around for a year, but they've already accomplished more than many of their older contemporaries have in a fraction of the time.
The duo -- comprised of Brighid Fry and Pascale Padilla -- has won two notable music awards, recorded and released an EP, and played nearly 30 shows.
We sat down with the girls to discuss how they balance the duality of rock stardom and being a regular teenager, why they idolize Joni Mitchell, and how their songs draw on themes of body image issues and female empowerment.
https://open.spotify.com/user/thisbrokenmixtape/playlist/3EiiVZdtfzbzZreGEG2v8V
Hailing from Brisbane, Australia, electronic-R&B singer-songwriter Wafia has already released two critically-acclaimed EPs and a collaborative EP in under three years.
Her latest EP, XIII, marks a maturity in her songwriting as she touches on the Syrian refugee crisis, embracing her sexuality, and dealing with heartache.
We sat down with Wafia before her sold-out show at the Drake Hotel to discuss what it's like to tour the United States as an artist of Arab descent, how her music caught the attention of Pharrell, and her favourite songs to make up and break up to.
https://open.spotify.com/user/thisbrokenmixtape/playlist/2iqEobDFjCHZdWOZBMLU0w
Toronto folk singer-songwriter Luke Kuplowsky, otherwise known as LUKA, conjures the smoky vocals of Bill Callahan and Phil Elverum.
Kuplowsky recorded and mixed his third record, What Kind of Animal, in a live session on a cold afternoon in the dead of winter. The album is a collection of songs that explore themes of self-doubt, integrity, companionship and faith.
We sat down with Luke to talk about his favourite winter albums, being drawn to the music of video games like Final Fantasy as a child, and the improvisational nature of his live shows
https://open.spotify.com/user/thisbrokenmixtape/playlist/3ioMu1vahvFPdR66nSpTDS
Partial is an art rental and sales service specializing in curated works by Toronto artists.
Graphic design artist Tammy Yiu co-founded the startup as a novel approach for both new and seasoned art enthusiasts to build their collection of art.
We sat down with Tammy at 8Space studios where she talked about Partial's burgeoning art rental and sales service.
On Episode 26, designer and Partial Gallery founder Tammy Yiu talks about her burgeoning art rental and sales service, curating the morning playlist at her middle school, and why Rihanna is the real deal.
https://open.spotify.com/user/thisbrokenmixtape/playlist/41kScjpzcSpXUETD9wjycJ
Toronto musician and multimedia artist Maylee Todd has been creating some of the most exciting and engaging music and art installations in recent memory.
Her music frequently blends various genres spanning soul, r&b, electronic and experimental, while her lyrics tackle themes of science fiction, human development/psychology and unconventional thinking.
We recently sat down with Maylee at her friend's recording studio to discuss her third album, Acts of Love; how she was forced to rethink her creative process after her laptop was stolen; and how her lifelong love for Arby's inspired a song.
https://open.spotify.com/user/thisbrokenmixtape/playlist/0NHuGgghmogw4TrE8Qmrg7
Toronto comedian Aisha Brown may have gotten a late-start in comedy, but you would never guess it from watching her live act. Her effortless, iron-tight routine proves she's just as formidable as a writer as she is a performer.
With critically-acclaimed appearances at Yuk Yuk's, Kevin Hart's LOL Network and JFL42 opening for Roy Wood Jr., it's only a matter of time before Aisha blows up south of the border.
Justin and I recently sat down with Aisha and discussed how she quit her soul-sucking day job to pursue comedy, her accidental transformation into a rapper, and her ongoing mission to make R. Kelly accountable for his deplorable actions.
https://open.spotify.com/user/thisbrokenmixtape/playlist/1pzkFHpdsU1Eghg6zQPY2i
The music of Toronto R&B and Soul singer-songwriter Tanika Charles blends the classic sound of Motown greats with contemporary hip hop beats.
Hot off the release of her Polaris Prize and Juno Award-nominated debut record, Soul Run, she is currently on tour playing to packed shows across Europe.
We recently talked to Tanika before the tour about graduating from backup vocalist to solo artist, the international success of her latest record, and that time when she spotted Prince at a New York nightclub.
https://open.spotify.com/user/thisbrokenmixtape/playlist/0FLiuAnZxTXc0d3566osDM
This.Broken.Mixtape's hosts/producers Justin Lee and Jeff Woo discuss how the podcast came to be, starting a mixtape exchange club a decade ago, and their top five records of all time.
https://open.spotify.com/user/thisbrokenmixtape/playlist/6rBpXQDhJUH5fvj40vkQ67
Men's vintage clothing store In Vintage We Trust launched as an online store before opening a brick-and-mortar location in Toronto's Parkdale neighbourhood three years ago.
The store carries a handpicked assortment of brand name work wear, sportswear, military, and music apparel.
We recently sat down with store owners Josh Roter and Chantal Varela to discuss vintage fashion, '90s hip hop, and which rappers they consider the ultimate style-lords.
https://open.spotify.com/user/thisbrokenmixtape/playlist/1kvim1hyCYVGvJyOjVyUEB
Toronto's Shadrach Kabango, simply known as Shad, is not your average rapper.
In just a little over a decade, Shad has released five albums that have garnered multiple awards, sold out shows across the country, and hosted CBC One Radio's Q.
More recently, Shad has taken on the role of hip hop historian as the host of the Peabody-winning Netflix documentary series, Hip Hop Evolution.
All of this makes you wonder how the guy ever finds the time to sleep.
https://open.spotify.com/user/thisbrokenmixtape/playlist/2zagjpPSanU1FOJB8kcC0A
Ken Chester Kawashima, who is also known by his stage name, Sugar Brown, is a Toronto modern blues musician, singer and songwriter.
Inspired by his heroes -- Muddy Waters, Howlin’ Wolf, Little Walter and Jimmy Reed -- Sugar Brown learned to sing, as well as play the guitar and harmonica, while studying at the University of Chicago.
He would continue to hone his craft, performing at small clubs along the West Side until he left the city to pursue his Ph.D in history.
By day, Ken is an Associate Professor of East Asian Studies at the University of Toronto. By night, he performs as Sugar Brown at venues across the country and is set to release his third album next spring.
https://open.spotify.com/user/thisbrokenmixtape/playlist/1HueHkXZIacYL4CA1V78WM
For over a decade, Dave and Ray "DJ Lazy Ray" Gillespie, otherwise known as the infamous Gillespie Brothers, have thrown some of the wildest parties in Toronto.
Playing an eclectic blend of 70s and 80s rock, funk, disco and pop rarities and classics, the Brothers know how to command a dance floor.
And just like trumpet legend Dizzy Gillespie, the brothers have an endless lung capacity and the gift to riff like jazz. As you'll hear in just a few seconds, Dave and Ray essentially hijack our podcast and for the first time in the history of This.Broken,Mixtape, the interview goes deep off the rails.
The end result was a two-hour conversation about sex, drugs & rock n roll that warranted our first-ever two-part episode.
https://open.spotify.com/user/thisbrokenmixtape/playlist/34xA8YScwfMNgME0kkP141
For over a decade, Dave and Ray "DJ Lazy Ray" Gillespie, otherwise known as the infamous Gillespie Brothers, have thrown some of the wildest parties in Toronto.
Playing an eclectic blend of 70s and 80s rock, funk, disco and pop rarities and classics, the Brothers know how to command a dance floor.
And just like trumpet legend Dizzy Gillespie, the brothers have an endless lung capacity and the gift to riff like jazz. As you'll hear in just a few seconds, Dave and Ray essentially hijack our podcast and for the first time in the history of This.Broken,Mixtape, the interview goes deep off the rails.
The end result was a two-hour conversation about sex, drugs & rock n roll that warranted our first-ever two-part episode.
https://open.spotify.com/user/thisbrokenmixtape/playlist/7hUjZS8qrDUnIFCo0msjJO