Tracks From Abroad

Returning to Iran -- Tracks From Abroad Ep. 22

As I sit in my room, Iran feels like a far away place, but this week with the help of Milad we got the inside scoop through the lyrics of Persian Rap. Rappers in Iran are often critical of politicians which makes them subject to harassment, imprisonment, and torture just for their words. It is a high price to pay, and some must leave their homeland for good to avoid persecution.
Milad and I talk about everything from Hijab restrictions, Iranian student clubs, to sheep-head-stew. Ever try it? Persian rap is a fantastic genre, and even in Toronto you can sample their culture at supermarkets or restaurants located in Richmond Hill where many Iranians have settled.
Tracks From Abroad has more artist and professor interviews coming soon, and you can travel with us around the world at TFA.radio on Instagram. -Jesse

Ukraine -- Tracks From Abroad Ep.21

Is has been over one month since Russia invaded Ukrainian, and this week Tracks From Abroad welcomes two Ukrainian U of T students to the show. Alex and Michael talk about Ukrainian rap, about Ukrainian boxing, and about solidarity amongst Eastern European Nations. TFA is also happy to showcase two songs by Michael who raps under the stage name XMMX.
 
Despite our planet's wars and the calamity that is exam season, listening back to songs from better times helps ease the pain.
Stay tuned for Persian rap next week. -Jesse

Returning to India -- Tracks From Abroad Ep. 20

Long ago for Tracks From Abroad episode 3 we visited India for the first time, and today for the grand finale of TFA Season 2 we retraced our steps with the help of Deepayan, a PhD student at the University of Toronto. This is one of the most ambitious radio episodes I've ever made because it features multiple video interviews taken over several weeks with many songs in between. Interestingly, it was the first time a student guest has performed a song on TFA, and it won't be the last.
 
Deepayan's close friend Chris Hale is a Sitar teacher in Eastern Toronto's Little India, and one day during Winter vacation I visited Chris with our intern, Quinn, to film a short documentary. Along with Deepayan, our group of four went from Chris's music studio, to the Udupi Palace vegetarian restaurant, and finally to Kala Kendar where the sitar store's owner talked about the Indian music community in Toronto.
 
I want to thank all of my listeners as we enter into season 3 of Tracks From Abroad. If feels great to interact with Toronto's musical communities, and I'm feeling the love and recognition reflected right back at me. Stay tuned next week when TFA visits the country of Ukraine. -Jesse

Malaysia -- Tracks From Abroad Ep.19

It was a long flight to the other side of the world this week to reach Malaysia for episode 19 of Tracks From Abroad. Our guest, Zoe, is a material science student and Varsity rower at the University of Toronto.
We talk about street food, monkey bites, and the time Zoe played on Malaysia’s national hockey team. This is a show you won’t want to miss.
Next week my flight is slightly shorter, and we’re going to India to learn about the Sitar. It’s going to be a wild ride, so catch Tracks From Abroad next Friday on Instagram, or Saturday mornings at 8am when TFA is broadcast on CIUT 89.5 FM.
With all these flights my air miles are adding up… -Jesse

Nicaragua/Norway -- Tracks From Abroad Ep.18

It’s a big world out there, so to save time, Tracks From Abroad visited two countries this week. Our guest, Henrik, grew up in sunny Nicaragua before moving to “desolate” Norway where he enjoyed skiing and eating waffles. Armed with 4 passports and lots of inside knowledge about the flaws of his countries’ legal systems, Henrik brought music from both countries to the show.
Also on the show is Victor, Henrik’s roommate and the host of The Third Face on CIUT As we sat around a table with two CIUT hosts and a world-traveler, the conversation bounced between racism, the olympics, and the Eurovision Song Contest which I knew little about.
Next week, after 18 episodes, we finally will travel to Asia to listen to the music of Malaysia. Thanks so much for listening. -Jesse

Morocco -- Tracks From Abroad Ep.17

In the fall I met a first year student named Ali on the soccer field as we were trying out for a campus team. For months afterward I didn't see him, but from our short conversation it was clear that our interests overlapped. He liked soccer, he knew all kinds of music, and he wanted to come on Tracks From Abroad to talk about Morocco!
This week TFA travels to Morocco to hear music from the country that combines Arab, African, Spanish, and French cultures into its rhythms. We hear stories from Ali and music from Faouzia, a Canadian Moroccan with a lot to say. Did you ever think Kelly Clarkson would sing in Arabic? I sure didn't.
We have crossed 100 subscribers on Instagram and it's just the first of many milestones. After I've graduated UofT and moved on to some fun job with incredible benefits, TFA will continue, fueled by the passionate and hard-working international students who travel to Canada and make the best of it. I salute you. -Jesse

Lebanon/Syria -- Tracks From Abroad Ep. 16

It has been 12 episodes since we featured Lebanon on Tracks From Abroad, and this week's show  includes a Syrian twist with an interview from the band Kazdoura. Band members Leen and Johnny talk about their Arabic-fusion music, the challenge of making art during war, and their plans for future projects.
Also on the show is my economics TA, Suzanna, who describes her life in Lebanon--a city that never sleeps. She traveled from Lebanon to California at 19, and now works for the University of Toronto teaching classes in the middle of the night from Beirut.
The day after this TFA show is released Kazdoura will be performing in Kensington at Supermarket, February 27th at 7:30. Tickets are available in their Instagram bio, so show up and listen to Lebanon and Syria in your own back yard. Thanks for listening, and have a great weekend! -Jesse

Ghana -- Tracks From Abroad Ep.15

Tracks From Abroad returns to Africa for episode 15 on Ghana, and for the second time we have a double student interview with Maame and Enam.
Also on the show is Zamani, an artist from Nova Scotia who talks about her creative process and a music video she filmed in Ghana for the song Outside.
Thanks so much for listening, and happy reading week to all you students out there.

St. Lucia -- Tracks From Abroad Ep.14

I surprise myself every week with just how much I can pack into one hour of Tracks From Abroad. This week on St. Lucia has two interviews, one with U of T student Charran Auguste, and a second with U of T professor Kevin Edmonds. The small island of St. Lucia is revealed to be a beautiful and dynamic community under which political conflict and the drug trade exist.
 
I discovered the genre Dennerey Segment from Edmonds who's family comes from the Dennerey part of the island. I can't think of a better way to learn about the Caribbean.
 
Enjoy the show, and check back next week when Tracks From Abroad visits Ghana.

Dominican Republic -- Tracks From Abroad Ep.13

TFA Dominican Republic is another stacked episode with Caribbean music, a student interview, and an interview with Néstor E. Rodríguez, the director of Caribbean Studies at the University of Toronto.
In this episode we discuss Dominican slang, corruption, baseball, and we touch on the country's African heritage derived from the slave trade. Rodríguez himself immigrated from DR to Georgia, USA before arriving in Toronto, and he shares stories from his research and experiences within the Latin world.
It's warm in the Caribbean, so we going back next week too St. Lucia with another professor interview and more danceable music. Thanks for listening to Tracks From Abroad -- we'll see you on the next episode. -Jesse