Tracks From Abroad

Colombia -- Tracks From Abroad Ep.68

Tracks From Abroad needs your help during CIUT's Spring Funding Drive! 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 episode #68 we visit South America to hear music and stories from Colombia. Alejandra Ballestas Medina joines TFA for a conversation about opera music and the life of a singer. Her cousin, Isabella Milano, joins Jesse as a cohost. Isabella is a vocal student at U of T's faculty of music. The interview was edited by Rosa Caramazza.
Next we chat with Swardy, a musician based in LA and Jesse's first cousin. Ben took a transformative trip through Colombia for 6 months, and he shares some of the found sound recordings he took there that made their way onto his most recent album. 
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

Mongolia -- Tracks From Abroad Ep. 67

CIUT 89.5 FM begins it's Spring Funding Drive this week, so Tracks From Abroad conjured up the best episode possible! Today you'll hear Tsetsen from Mongolia who is the president of the Mongolian Students Association at U of T. 
On this show Jesse was joined by Elizabeth, a previous guest from TFA Lithuania. We talked with Tsetsen about traditional 'ger' houses, about Mongolian political assassinations, and about mount Burkhan Khaldun which is thought to be Genghis Khan's tomb. 
After 67 episodes of TFA, we hope you will donate to CIUT's Funding Drive today to ensure that our show and many others like it continue to have access to the necessary broadcasting resources offered by CIUT! We will continue doing our part on the air, and we hope you will support our community too. 
Tune in next week when TFA visits Colombia for the first time with an EDM producer and opera singer! There's lots to look forward to. 

Malaysia -- Tracks From Abroad Ep. 66.5

In just a few days I will fly to Malaysia for the month of May. I'm going there to visit my girlfriend's family, to explore Kuala Lumpur, and we have several other adventures planned around the peninsula. 
This episode of Tracks From Abroad is a modified rebroadcast which takes us back to March of last year when I interviewed my girlfriend, Zoë. She grew up in Malaysia, and for this show she picked Malay music from across the decades to introduce us to their sound. 
You'll also hear about Zoë's experience studying Mandarin in a Chinese school, her time playing for the first Malay Woman's National Hockey Team (see #71), and her favorite street food: Nasi Lemak. 
Next week TFA will visit Mongolia for the start of CIUT's Spring fundraiser. So tune in Mondays at 6pm to CIUT.fm, or find our podcast on whichever app you prefer. 

Equatorial Guinea -- Tracks From Abroad Ep. 66

School’s out for summer, and Tracks From Abroad is bringing you to tropical Equatorial Guinea for the next hour.
We welcome to the show Andrea from Talks for Students, a podcast featuring international discussions from Saint Mary's University in Halifax, NS. Andrea discusses visiting Equatorial Guinea from Madrid, her work with The Africville Museum in Halifax , and the lessons she’s learned from her abuelos. 
The second interview on this episode is Maroni Minter, a civil rights advocate in Vermont, USA,  who grew up in Gabon. Maroni talks about coming from West Africa to America for the first time, and reflects on his experience now that his son has made the same journey.
After the last live show this Monday at 6pm, TFA will be rebroadcasting episodes for the month of May. DM us a message or email TracksFromAbroad@ciut.fm if you want to hear from a specific country on CIUT.

Bolivia -- Tracks From Abroad Ep. 65

This week Tracks From Abroad checks Bolivia off of the world map with two students and a CIUT DJ.
 
First on the show we talk with Itzal and Imanol, two Bolivian students at U of T. They discuss how to avoid pick-pockets, traditions surrounding coca leaves, and the many kinds of indigenous dances found in Bolivia. This is a must-listen interview for fans of Latin American music and stories.
 
Next on the show we got in touch with Marco Lopez of the show Viento Sur on CIUT. Marco has been hosting on radio for over 20 years, and he features lots of Bolivian music on every episode.
 
Also, TFA will soon cover Colombia with the help of Isabella. Let us know which South American countries you’d like to hear from next by DMing or emailing us at TracksFromAbroad@ciut.fm

Zambia -- Tracks From Abroad Ep. 64

TFA GIVEAWAY ALERT
The 11-piece collective Kuné is giving away 2 tickets to their upcoming performance as well as their newly released CD.
To enter the drawing, like this post and tag three friends in the comments.
 
The show will take place at the Lula Lounge at 8pm on April 5th, and the ticket drawing closes the day off at 12 noon. 
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This week Tracks From Abroad touches down in Zambia🇿🇲 for a family episode like none other.We were joined in the studio by @nessaopokuu of @utscasa , and she brought her mother and brother too!The episode features music selected by @ciut895fm ‘s Karibuni, a long-standing African music show Sundays from 3-5pm.And tune in Mondays at 6pm to Tracks From Abroad! 

Guatemala -- Tracks From Abroad Ep. 63

Tracks From Abroad took a visit to Guatemala this week with two special guests.
Hugo, a biomedical engineering student at U of T, joined first to discuss getting up close and personal with lava, how to eat mango as a snack, and we reflected on the presidency of Jimmy Morales.
Next on the episode you’ll hear Paula Sofía, a terrific singer songwriter from Guatemala. On the episode we play her full album, Quinto de Hora, and she gives us the BTS report on how to write, record and produce an album. This is a must listen conversation!
You can hear the show live Monday at 6pm on CIUT, and we’re always in reach at TracksFromAbroad@ciut.fm. Send your song suggestions and comments for upcoming episodes!

Japan -- Tracks From Abroad Ep. 62

Today Tracks From Abroad visits the long-awaited country of Japan with three special guests.
We start TFA’s 62nd episode speaking with Masayo and Kate of the University of Toronto Japan Association. You will learn about Japan’s Anime scene, the White Day Celebration, and UTJA’s language exchange events where students can practice speaking Japanese.
Next we speak with Taro, a TikTok video maker and English teacher helping Japanese folks learn tricky idioms like 'Christmas came early' and 'pulling my leg.' You can find Taro's funny and informative videos on TikTok at @tarotomoshimashu.
Lastly, TFA's host Jesse wants you to know about a free Taiko drumming performance happening on Friday the 24th at Walter Hall in the UofT Faculty of Music. The ensemble leader, Kioshi Nagata, spoke to TFA for a short overview of the drumming style and it's origins. 
This episode of TFA features lots of great Japanese music, and our show is available as a podcast on Spotify, Apple Music, Google Podcasts and others. You can reach us at @TFA.radio on Instagram or at TracksFromAbroad@ciut.fm

Pakistan #2 -- Tracks From Abroad Ep. 61

This week Tracks From Abroad returned to Pakistan for a more modern take on the country's popular music. Electronic dance music is not synonomous with Pakistan, but one U of T student from Pakistan named Razzak Noorani working to change that. Razzak joined this week's episode along with a Pakistani Canadian social entrepreneur Fahad Tariq, an alum of the University of Toronto Mississauga. 
 
First on the show was EDM producer Razzak Noorani who was excited to introduce his new single, 'The Circus.' Razzak debunks misconceptions about his home city of Karachi and describes the natural beauty of Pakistani which so many overlook. You'll also hear Razzak talk about Pati Chai, Pakistan's celebrated hot drink. 
 
Next on the show is Fahad Tariq, the co-founder of the non-profit organization Shift which 'turns poop into power.' Shift builds anerobic digestion systems in developing countries where firewood is their primary source of cooking fuel. With a small up-front cost, Shift changes the lives of villagers who no longer suffer from smoke inhalation while cooking their meals. TFA interviewed Tariq shortly before he spoke at TEDx UofT in February 2023. 
 
You can follow our show @TFA.radio on Instagram, and if you are a student artist intersted in getting your music on FM radio, email us at TracksFromAbroad@ciut.fm

Italy #2 -- Tracks From Abroad Ep.60

Tracks From Abroad crosses the 60 episode mark tonight as we visit Toronto's Little Italy neighborhood. TFA has met dozens of new faces during the last 10 episodes while amplifying diverse voices on UofT’s campus every step of the way. 
Our show features interviews with Lenny Lombardi of CHIN radio and Italian exchange student Tommaso from Università di Macerata. You can watch TFA's full interview with Lenny Lombardi on Tracks From Abroad's Youtube page.
Lenny discusses how the founding of CHIN radio by his father, Johnny Lombardi, played a role in developing a vibrant community in Little Italy. He gives recommendations on where to get the best espresso and gelato on College Street, and shares some wisdom on the importance of soccer matches to Italians. 
Italian exchange student Tommaso kindly recorded a walking tour of Little Italy with TFA's host, Jesse McDougall. It was Tom's first time in Little Italy, and he appreciated the subtle touches that made him feel at home. 
TFA also desperately needs student volunteers to keep the show running for the next season. Upcoming shows include Pakistan with Razzak, Bolivia with Itzel and Imanol, and Zambia with Vanessa of ASSA. If interested, you can email the show at TracksFromAbroad@ciut.fm
So tune in for a rich cultural experience, every Monday at 6pm on CIUT 89.5 FM.