Tracks From Abroad

The United Arab Emirates -- Tracks From Abroad Ep. 50

We did it. 50 Tracks From Abroad episodes are complete, and this week we visit Dubai in the United Arab Emirates. We also hear music from the Sultans of String, a local band who is kindly giving away two copies of their new album, Sanctuary, to TFA listeners. Enter to win some free music by emailing TracksFromAbroad@ciut.fm before a random drawing selects the two winners!
This week you'll hear an interview from Youssef who sheds light on life in the UAE, and we try to dispel common assumptions that Canadians might have about the small nation on the Saudi Peninsula. You'll hear music from Emirati artists as the all-important rock and roll version of the national anthem to end the episode.
Thank you for listening to Tracks From Abroad, and double thank you to the over 50 guests we have had on the show in the past year. Tracks From Abroad is going to continue with the help of some other CIUT volunteers, and we will see you next week. -Jesse McDougall

Returning to Trinidad -- Tracks From Abroad Ep. 49

CD GIVEAWAY DETAILS BELOW:
There's lots of local Toronto voices on Tracks From Abroad this week as we return to Trinidad and Tobago, a nation we previously visited during season 3.
First on the show is Brittney of the West Indian Students Association at U of T.
In the second half we are joined by Miks of Frission Radio who grew up on the island before coming to Canada and graduating from U of T in 2014.
On top of all this you'll hear a TFA interview with Paul Chin who recently released his new single, Brand New Moon featuring Madison McFerrin.
Finally, TFA is doing a CD giveaway courtesy of the Sultans of String Band who are performing in the Canadian Arabic Festival happening November 4th.
To enter just email TracksFromAbroad@CIUT.fm and two winners will be randomly selected. Also follow us on Instagram @TFA.radio where we will announce results.
Thanks for listening, and please tell us what you think of the show. We love feedback!
TracksFromAbroad@CIUT.fm , TFA.radio on Instagram

Pakistan -- Tracks From Abroad Ep. 48

This week Tracks From Abroad radio ventures into a new part of the world: Pakistan and its South Western province Balochistan. We hear from a Balochi student at U of T and a Canadian tabla player dedicated to learning about the drums' history.
We begin the show with Lateef Johar Baloch, a political science student with a history of activism in Balochistan. He is a veteran of much social organizing and protest against the Pakistani government, and he shares his story after fleeing his homeland for Canada.
Abbas Janmohammad comes up next courtesy of Umair Jaffar, executive director of Small World Music. Abbas received support from Small World Music in years past as a tabla player, and he has continued performing in Toronto at such venues as the Aga Khan museum. Hear him play live on this episode of Tracks From Abroad.
Hear the sounds and stories of far away countries, right here on CIUT 89.5 FM. See you next week!

Indonesia -- Tracks From Abroad Ep. 47

We’re heading back to South East Asia on Tracks From Abroad to chat with U of T student Stefi about Indonesia. On the show we’ll get into contemporary Indo music, compare high school experiences, and avoid dying by way of chili sauce. We are also joined by Zoe who was previously a guest on TFA’s 19th Malaysia episode.
Did you know Indonesia is the largest muslim country in the world? Or that the country is known for its cheap street food? TFA is a great way to learn about new countries every week, and just send a message if you'd like to make a show with us!
Come check out TFA.radio on Instagram for behind the scenes and episode track lists. What country should we visit next?

Returning to Serbia -- Tracks From Abroad Ep. 46

This Serbian episode of Tracks From Abroad features a return guest Andrej and his musician friend Jack.
Andrej renewed his Serbian playlist with some new genres like Serbian rap and metal; and we talk about Serb news, Ćevapi, plus where to get free Serbian yogurt in the GTA.
Jack also tells us about his upright bass studies at Humber College, and that time he played Latin music at the Lula Lounge on Dundas Street.
You can hear the show online any time at TFA.radio on Instagram, or on CIUT 89.5 FM. The show is on Tuesdays at 9pm and Saturday an 8am. Thanks for listening!

Venezuela -- Tracks From Abroad Ep. 45

What can we say? We're globe trotters at TFA. As such, this week's episode is on Venezuela, a country mired by corruption and economic failure. But the music plays on in the streets, and today you'll hear some of the best music coming from within Venezuela's borders.
This episode features a double interview with U of T student Manuel and U of T professor Donald Kingsbury. Manuel lived in Venezuela until he was 15 years old, and recently visited his family there just months ago. Don was a government employee towards the start of the Chavez regime and got an insider's look at how the country functioned. On top of the interviews Manuel put together a slick playlist including a variety of latin genres, and at the end of the show you'll hear the music of Toronto musician Elina Cuevas who moved from Caracas in 1996.
So keep it locked, and make sure to listen to Tracks From Abroad every week, Tuesdays and Saturdays on CIUT and anytime on Spotify or at TFA.radio on Instagram. Saludos.

Barbados -- Tracks From Abroad Ep. 44

Hot off an episode on Palestine last week, Tracks From Abroad is crossing the globe to visit Barbados on this week's show. We've had a great experience learning about Caribbean countries with the help of the Caribbean Studies Student Union, the West Indian Students Association, and the Centre for Caribbean Studies at U of T. This week is no exception!
UofT student Kairos recorded an interview at CIUT where he shared stories about his home and the songs he's released as a rapper, and Kelson Fredricks joined the second half of the show with an explanation of his freestyle rap style which he's developing here in Toronto.
Prepare for more collaborative shows in the weeks to come, and send us a message if you'd like to come on as a guest. We've especially got to get back to more African shows soon since our second visit to Egypt at the end of the summer. We'll see you next week!

Palestine -- Tracks From Abroad Ep. 43

Palestine is the focus of this week’s Tracks From Abroad show which brings us a mixture of dance, food and political discussion. You know the drill—this is episode 43.
To introduce Palestine we welcome Nadeen, a third year U of T student, and Bashar Murad, a Palestinian pop musician. We also got some help from the minds of RAW on CIUT who suggested some tracks for the episode. In the end, we had too much music to fit into the hour-long slot, and you can find the extended track list on Spotify or at TracksFromAbroad.com
Hear Tracks From Abroad broadcast on CIUT.ca, or listen ANYTIME through TFA.radio on Instagram. Join us next week and a bunch of weeks after that too!

Jamaica -- Tracks From Abroad Ep. 42

Tracks From Abroad hits back HARD this week with a flaming hot episode all about Jamaica. We welcome U of T student Alana to the show to discuss her time representing the island in badminton across the world, and you'll hear from current Second City improv Comedian PHATT Al.
As I mentioned to Al, he's done so much in the entertainment industry that I thought his resume was the work of three people combined during my interview research. This guy packs an artistic punch, and you can hear him talk about his Jamaican roots and his current projects. One of these was a freestyle rap performance with Brownman Ali which I attended at the Axis Club thanks to Sebastian Cook of BEAT Network. Big thanks!
As the TFA network grows we get the chance to speak with more amazing artists from across Canada while always bringing U of T students into the studio on each show. They are truly the heart and soul of this program.
So keep coming back to Tracks From Abroad as we turn up the heat for a show on Jamaica. We just might have to return to the Caribbean nation soon. Stay tuned @TFA.radio on Instagram.
-Jesse McDougall

Returning to Egypt -- Tracks From Abroad Ep. 41

With the fall semester about to begin, welcome to season 5 of Tracks From Abroad! When this season is complete TFA will be one year old.
We begin by returning to Egypt, but this time with a twist. Ramzy is a going into his second year at U of T, but he has only lived in Toronto for a short time. So we thought that eating out at an Egyptian restaurant would be a great way to find Egyptian culture close to home.
We met in the Nile River Restaurant at 598 College St. to order some Egyptian food and observe the space which was decked out with Hieroglyphics and art. The food was amazing, and it sparked interesting discussions. You will hear about Egyptian MTV, how to make ghee butter, and about which Egyptian artist is the best of all time.
Keep it locked on TFA for more music and interviews, and send me a message if you want to come on the show or get involved. TracksFromAbroad@ciut.fm
What do you think of the new graphic? -Jesse