Tracks From Abroad

Spain- Tracks From Abroad Ep. 106

The 106th episode of Tracks From Abroad is all about Spain. We speak to U of T student Cesar who shares with us Spanish music with unexpected influences, from the bagpipes and fiddle of Celitc-influenced northern Spain to prog driven by Spanish guitars. Cesar also teaches us about the wild west of mathematics, including unsolved problems (which are really difficult to guess) and the bounties placed on their solutions. We had a fun time sonically travelling Spain and we hope you do, too! For more international music recommended by international students, tune into Tracks From Abroad each Monday at 6pm on CIUT 89.5FM.

Eritrea– Tracks From Abroad Ep.105

This week on Tracks from Abroad we speak to Soliana, a student at the University of Toronto representing the country of Eritrea.
She tells us about an event hosted recently by her student association, bringing people together from all across east Africa to enjoy a delicious meal together. She speaks on the similarities between Eritreans and Ethiopians, and describes a unique coffee ceremony that comes from Ethiopian culture.
We hear from jazz musician Mulatu Astatke, singer-songwriter Abraham Afwerki as well as Eritrean artists making their name in Canada such as Kibra and Daniel Nebiat. Join us next week on Tracks from Abroad on CIUT 89.5 FM!

Kosovo – Tracks From Abroad Ep.104

On the 104th episode of Tracks From Abroad we travel to Kosovo. We speak to Vesa, who tells us about after-dinner walks, the growing Kosovar arts scene, and the recent split between traditional Kosovar folk and increasingly international pop.
After listening to Vesa's recommended folk songs, we speak with Sahati, an upcoming pop musician and product of the Kosovar arts scene. She tells us about her journey between Canada and Kosovo, and her continuing search for inspiration from both countries.
For more stories from around the world, tune into Tracks From Abroad each Monday at 6pm on CIUT 89.5FM!

Vietnam – Tracks From Abroad Ep.103

On the 103rd episode of Tracks From Abroad we travel to Vietnam. Sing along to a collection of Vietnamese pop hits and much more as we travel through the karaoke capital of the world!
Between songs we speak to Phong and Emily of the U of T Viet Student Association, and they were happy to shed light on the Vietnamese food, card-playing, and the interplay between music and business. Seth also brings us to Montreal to talk with Huu Bac, a globetrotting Vietnamese-Canadian musician fusing African and Indian music.
Join us next week, Monday at 6pm on CIUT 89.5FM for another episode of Tracks From Abroad!

Georgia – Tracks From Abroad Ep.102

On the 102nd episode of Tracks From Abroad we go to Georgia (The country, not the state! As our guest, Leli, reminds us).
 
She speaks about some of the misconceptions people have about the Caucasus nation and shares about her own experience coming to live in Canada after growing up in Georgia. We also speak about Georgian polyphonic singing and hear from classical Georgian groups as well as a smattering of Georgian-Canadian music.
 
Join us next week, Monday at 6pm on CIUT 89.5FM for another episode of Tracks From Abroad!

Hong Kong – Tracks From Abroad Ep.101

This week Tracks From Abroad voyages to Hong Kong and speaks to Young Luk. Young reflects on the British influence that prevails throughout Hong Kong, from the education system, all the way through to music and movies.
 
We speak about the golden age of Cantonpop and hear tracks from some greats of the byegone era, including Leslie Cheung, Andy Lau and Susanna Kwan. We get an English language track from rockers Beyond and also hear a cover of The Cranberries “Dreams” sung in Cantonese by Faye Wong.
 
Next week we take a trip to Georgia, so tune in Monday night at 6pm for another episode of Tracks from Abroad!

Mauritius – Tracks From Abroad Ep.100

On Tracks From Abroad’s landmark 100th episode we take a trip to the small island country of Mauritius. We speak to Henny, who also happens to be a CIUT volunteer, helping around the radio station with various different shows.
 
Henny teaches us about a special type of music in Mauritius, Sega, as well as the rise in popularity of Mauritian DJs, spinning their fare at parties all across the island. We learn about Mauritian dance styles and hear songs preformed with a unique Mauritian instrument, the Ravanne. Bringing the island influence to Toronto, we hear from Blue Bay Band on their track Zubeida.
 
Join us back next week for episode 101, when Young joins us from Hong Kong. No country is too small and someday we’ll visit them all, on Tracks From Abroad!

Bulgaria – Tracks From Abroad Ep. 99

This week Tracks From Abroad visits Bulgaria. We talk to Mina and, having lived in Bulgaria, Switzerland, and now Canada, she provides a well-rounded perspective on Canadian culture.
Mina contrasts Torontonian hustle culture with Bulgarian slow living, and she discusses how, in Bulgaria, it's not what you do, but who you do it with. But there is also much that Bulgaria and Canada share, as we talk about both countries' love of the outdoors and how Mina has been making time to enjoy nature with her fellow students.
Imagine hiking through the woods to the sound of traditional Bulgarian folk... or power walking as we play contemporary club tunes. Tune into CIUT 89.5FM each Monday at 6PM to catch our episodes!

New Brunswick – Tracks From Abroad Ep. 98

This week, Tracks From Abroad stays local, in the sense that our guest comes from inside Canada. We talk to Cedric, a classical guitar student who hails from New Brunswick.
We hear all about the interesting places he’s performed, the difference between playing classical and electric guitar, as well as his experience being in two bands. Across the episode we listen to a smattering of music from the small maritime province, everything from folk to heavy rock is in the cards.
Tune in Mondays at 6PM to hear this episode, and more, on CIUT 89.5FM !

The Bahamas – Tracks From Abroad Ep. 97

During one of the coldest weeks of the winter, Tracks From Abroad takes you to the temperate Bahamas.
We kick back with Adam Knowles, a student at U of T who enjoys both the complexities of neuroscience and the thrill of spear fishing. He tells us about what it's like to live in a popular tourist destination and how life on the archipelago is so closely tied to the climate, with hurricanes and climate change frequently posing a threat.
We also discuss how Bahamian music varies across the islands - from rural rake-and-scrape to contemporary calypso, you'll hear it all on this week's episode of Tracks From Abroad. Tune into CIUT 89.5FM next week at 6pm EST for another trip abroad!