Tracks From Abroad

Colombia – Tracks From Abroad Ep. 93

On the latest episode of Tracks from Abroad, we stay put in South America and travel across one border, to Colombia. First we sit down and chat with Nathalia, who studies linguistics and shares about her upbringing watching dubbed Spanish tv shows as a kid. She speaks about Colombian artists becoming more Americanized and also educates us about the many differences between Spanish spoken all around latin America.
 
We then got the chance to talk to Colombian-Canadian artist Natasha Roldan and learn about her latest EP "Ya no Estoy Aqui". She explains how the songs on the project stem from her Colombian culture and touch upon topics like migration, revolution, and the Colombian Conflict.
 
Join us next Monday at 6pm for a special highlight episode, as we wind down and get ready for the new year.

Venezuela 2 – Tracks From Abroad Ep. 92

After a week in the Middle East, our Tracks From Abroad team is bringing you to South America on episode 92!
For the first interview, our hosts speak to Giovanna from Venezuela. After moving to Canada at 16, she first studied architectural drafting and is currently completing another degree in architecture at the University of Toronto. Growing up in the music capital of Venezuela, Barquisimeto, she studied classical piano, and tells us about some of the teachers she shared with world renowned Venezuelan composer, Gustavo Dudamel. We learn about traditional Venezuelan folk music played around Christmastime, "Gaitas", and shares stories about a personal connection to global superstars Chino y Nacho.
Later on the episode we play out interview with Eliana Cuevas from our visit to Global Toronto presented by Small World Music. Eliana is interviewed by TFA team member Isabella Milano who asked about Eliana's most recent project, Sere Libre. Eliana blends jazz with Latin music, and it won her a Canadian Folk Music Award in 2018.
Tune in at 6pm on Monday nights to hear these stories and more, on CIUT 89.5 FM (CIUT.fm). 

Sudan – Tracks From Abroad Ep. 91

Tracks From Abroad is beginning our 10th season this week with a new country! Today we visit Sudan with two U of T students who joined our hosts for a double-interview. 
Omar speaks to his Sudanese culture regarding food, as well as his upbringing in Dubai, and the differences he finds living now in Toronto. Omar's friend Aly tells us about his father, a tour guide, and mentions his dream to open a global tourism business along with him. Aly has had the good fortune of touring the pyramids of Giza countless times! 
On the episode we feature both Sudanese and Egyptian music, from dance hits to more traditional tunes. Join us next week on Tracks From Abroad as we take a trip to Colombia in South America. Mondays at 6pm on CIUT FM!
 
 

Kurdistan – Tracks From Abroad Ep.90

10 episodes down and new hosts Alex and Seth have traveled all across the world, listening to unique stories from the community at the University of Toronto. Today, landing in Kurdistan for episode 90, we hear from PhD student Sinem and learn about the field of Ethnomusicology.
Focusing on non-western frame drums, Sinem studies the significance of these instruments in female led circles across North America. The Kurdish people are one of the largest stateless nations and Sinem explains the differences and similarities of modern Kurdish people living across four separate countries.
Join us next week on Tracks From Abroad when we visit Sudan!

Argentina and Ecuador – Tracks From Abroad Ep.89

Episode 89 of Tracks from Abroad first brings us to Ecuador, where we speak to Tomas. He speaks about his love of the cello and his aspiration to play in symphonic orchestras. But it's not all strings and seriousness - we also hear about his affection for danceable Ecuadorian music, which he hears when he meets with other Ecuadorian-Canadians and which you will hear on this episode.
We then travel south and talk with Argentinian professor Alejandro Sofier. He explains to us his interest in the horror genre of literature and also about his past as a journalist.
As always, join us next week on the next Tracks from Abroad episode!

Bangladesh – Tracks From Abroad Ep.88

Episode 88 of Tracks from Abroad brings us to Bangladesh, where we speak to Neha. She speaks about her interests while studying at the university and about how language plays a big role in Bengali culture. She reminisces on her time living in Bangladesh and later speaks to being involved in the community on campus, advocating for commuter students.
 
We hear some classic Bengali folk tracks as well as some newer tunes recommended by Neha. Join us next week as we take a trip to South America and visit Ecuador!

Rwanda/Madagascar – Tracks From Abroad Ep.87

On episode 87 of Tracks From Abroad, we take a visit to two African countries, one on the mainland and another off the coast.
We first speak to Skylar from Rwanda, who tells us about his journey moving to Uganda, and more recently about his time thus far in Toronto. He touches upon his love for film and fashion, as well as his artistic expression through writing.
We then speak to Madagascar-born Donné Roberts, and his Japanese collaborator Yukiko Tsutsui. They reflect on how unique cultural experiences have impacted their music and describe some of the traditional aspects in both Japanese and Malagasy music.
Join us next week for episode 88 of Tracks from Abroad!

Myanmar/India – Tracks From Abroad Ep.86

Episode 86 of Tracks From Abroad starts in India, where we talk to Harman Grewal, a PhD student from West Bengal. While chatting with us, Harman describes how his his family journeyed through the jungle from Myanmar to their current home in India. We make a similar trek as we cross the border into Myanmar, where we talk to globetrotting photographer Bryan Dickie and Napas Thein, president of U of T's Myanmar Culture Club. They enlighten us on their experience with the ongoing conflict in Myanmar.
Tune in to our show Mondays at 6pm on CIUT, and for a chance to win two tickets to a concert by Indian tabla musician Ritesh Das, follow @TFA, follow @CIUT895FM, and tag three friends in the comments under our giveaway post on Instagram.
Here's the link to the concert if you'd like to include it in the post: https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/ritesh-das-album-release-concert-to-begin-with-tickets-730439743937

Hungary – Tracks From Abroad Ep.85

This week on Tracks From Abroad we speak to a Shaolin Kung Fu World Champion from Hungary.@misskisswushu is an architecture student at @uoftdaniels at @uoft , and she sat down with TFA’s hosts to discuss Kung Fu competitions in China, the building of UFO-shaped homes in Hungary, and her method for goal-setting both in class and in the real world.On this episode of TFA you’ll be exposed to Hungarian music from across the 20th century, and you can send in your thoughts on the episode to TracksFromAbroad@ciut.fm .Next week is a highly anticipated episode on Myanmar, and we hope you’ll tune in on @ciut895fm — Mondays at 6pm EST.

Azerbaijan – Tracks From Abroad Ep.84

On episode 84 of Tracks From Abroad we visit Azerbaijan, a country situated at a crossroads of cultures.
Our TFA hosts spoke with Matin Muradli, an Azerbaijani exchange student studying biology with a focus on stem cells. Matin tells us about car racing in Baku, Azerbaijani cuisine, and his experience as a two-time Biology Olympiad.
Later on the broadcast we chatted with Artemis Sadeghi, founder of the U of T chapter of Not Just Tourists (NJT). NJT sends medical supplies around the world in airplane suitcases to countries in desperate need of humanitarian aid. Artemis explains how to get involved, the need she's seen in her home country of Iran, and tourists' tendency to ignore strife when traveling abroad.
The Azerbaijani music on this episode come from several distinct genres mixing rock, traditional folk, and even classical music!
Tune in to our show Mondays at 6pm on CIUT or anytime online. Next week's show is all about Hungary!