Tracks From Abroad

China -- Tracks From Abroad Ep. 26

Tracks From Abroad is hitting its stride this week with an episode on China featuring Vicky Huang. Her playlist is wonderfully experimental with some Chinese classics thrown in as well. In our interview we talk about collectivism ideology, earthquakes, and Buddhism with the help of the TFA intern, Quinn Carlisle.
Also on the show are tracks by Paul Chin and YAMANTAKA // SONIC TITAN. These groups from Toronto combine Asian influences into their music to great effect. This summer you can expect more interviews from local artists like these, and feel free to send any suggestions to TracksFromAbroad@ciut.fm
Throw down a comment below to share an artist, song, or genre we should feature on Tracks From Abroad. THIS IS JUST THE BEGINNING! -Jesse

Returning to France -- Tracks From Abroad Ep. 25

It's a small world, as my parents say, and in 25 weeks Tracks From Abroad has circled back to France.
This week UofT student Louise comes on as a guest with her producer Theodore, and together they talk about Louise's music project Oliana. We talk about French rappers, crediting music producers, and which Parisian monument is best. You will hear a range of French music, and several tracks thrown in by Oliana as well.
With summer vacation upon us, Tracks From Abroad is continuing with weekly shows and new projects. If you want to get involved send us a dm or email at TracksFromAbroad@ciut.fm. If you know local students making music from around the world, send them to TFA and we'll bring them on the show!

Returning to Nigeria -- Tracks From Abroad Ep. 24

After much interviewing and editing, TFA's 24th episode has come together as we return to Nigeria for more music.
Somachi Agbapu is this week's student guest who describes immigrating to Canada, eating Nigerian jollof rice, and playing basketball at U of T. Somachi is the captain of the Varsity Blues basketball team, and in the future TFA hopes to talk with more international athletes at UofT.
The second guest was Nova, an afro-fusion artist from Lagos, Nigeria who is set to release and perform new music this summer. Nova was featured in Exclaim! magazine as an emerging artist back in November, and he is currently shooting music videos for his most recent release S.T.A.Y. II. You can see Nova perform live on April 29th at Taco Taco in Kensington Market.
Nigeria's vibrant music shone through again on this episode, and throughout the summer TFA will return to west Africa for more music and stories. See you next week!

Germany -- Tracks From Abroad Ep. 23

In collaboration with the University of Toronto Department of Germanic Languages & Literatures, Tracks From Abroad visited Germany this week with two guest interviews. The first was UofT student Hana Wernick, and the second is professor Stefan Soldovieri.
Hana talked about Berlin Wall music, immigration, and German beer; while Stefan talked about Germany's green cities and natural gas. Hana also put together a great playlist of German music for our show, and she encourages all UofT students to check out what the department has to offer.
If you're interested in traveling to Germany with UofT, message the German Department at german@chass.utoronto.ca
See you next week! -Jesse

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