Tracks From Abroad

Botswana -- Tracks From Abroad Ep. 53

An entirely new genre, Amapiano, hits the Tracks From Abroad airwaves this week thanks to Atang, our U of T student guest from Botswana. Atang left Botswana in 2019 for Deerfield Academy in Massachusetts USA, and today he enjoys studying chemistry and performing a capella with Tunes Beats Awesome in Toronto.
TFA speaks with this worldly student about studying abroad, emerging Zulu genres, new business ventures in Botswana, and much more. We add Botswana to a list of seven other episodes TFA has made about African countries, each featuring international students at U of T. If you would like to come on the show send us an Instagram DM or email TracksFromAbroad@ciut.fm
Tracks From Abroad visits new countrys twice weekly on CIUT 89.5 -- Saturday at 8am and Tuesday at 9pm. You can tune in with a traditional radio or by visiting www.CIUT.fm

Thailand -- Tracks From Abroad Ep. 52

This week we add another pin to the Tracks From Abroad map in South East Asia by visiting Thailand with U of T student Arav. You'll hear him recount his favorite Thai street foods, explain concepts of Thai gratitude, and detail the judicial chaos caused by Thailand's legalization of marijuana which stands in stark contrast to its neighbors' policies.
Arav also gets into the cultural and linguistic similarities between India and Thailand--plus--tune in to hear the true title of the city we know as 'Bangkok'.
This week host Jesse McDougall recaps Fifa World Cup scores, and as always you'll hear lots of Thai music between the interviews. You can contact TFA by sending a message on Instagram (TFA.radio) or email the show at TracksFromAbroad@ciut.fm .

Indigenous Canada (Fundraiser) -- Tracks From Abroad Ep. 51

Tracks From Abroad has raised $800 dollars for CIUT, our campus radio station to which Tracks From Abroad owes its existence. Each donation goes towards strengthening independent student voices on the radio waves and towards the production of fantastic radio episodes like the one TFA is releasing today.
On this show we return home to hear music and stories from Indigenous peoples across Canada. Our first guest is Olivia, a masters student in Indigenous health at U of T. On the show she talks about the history of lacrosse, speaks in Mohawk, and debunks myths about taxes and Indian Status Cards.
Next TFA welcomed CIUT host Jenny Blackbird of the show Indigenous waves. Jenny fills us in on topical debates among Indigenous peoples and suggests some great artists for us to play.
Please consider supporting CIUT on behalf of TFA during this week's funding drive. You can donate by following this link: https://donorbox.org/2022-fall-fundraising-drive/fundraiser/jesse-mcdougall

Season 5 Retrospective -- Tracks From Abroad Ep. 50.5

Boy, would you look at all the places Tracks From Abroad’s TTC card has been!
And, like before, the 3x3 grid makes us bump the 10th episode of season 5 onto the next page. Last but not least for the UAE with Youssef.
This week’s show is a retrospective of season 5—the best interview moments with music from several different countries. We’re quite glad that TFA has reached episode 50, and soon we will have new TFA volunteers joining the show to carry us into season 6.
As always, if you would like to get involved on the show as a guest, or if you have questions/comments, email TracksFromAbroad@ciut.fm or hit us up on Instagram @TFA.radio.

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.