Stories are as old as the human race. Before we had the written word, we had oral traditions. And somehow the story, in all it's forms and delivery methods, has survived through all that time.

Writer, director, musician and producer Romeo Candido has a story worth listening to. As you can tell from his titles, the man has done some serious work over the years. He’s easily smashed the 10,000 hour rule in a number of fields so it goes without saying that he’s been around the block a few times and has some major insight on being a professional creative. 

But, you may ask, doesn't anyone savvy youtube creator wear so many hats these days? Well, yes and no. Romeo breaks down the distinction. He's also breaking the internet, exposing it to wonderful new, typically fringe artists, as Senior Producer at CBC Arts.

Most importantly, Romeo shares the key to connecting with any audience, at any time, in no matter what your discipline. In his words, it's "the one thing that all artists have ownership of, and the one thing that can make them unique"

But I'll let Romeo tell you what that is, along with his amazing story. You'll have to tune in to get all the juicy details...
 

ROMEO CANDIDO BIO

Romeo Candido is a writer, director,  musician and producer.  Current projects include His CSA nominated web musical Prison Dancer which was staged at the New York Musical Festival will be remounted this fall.  He is the senior producer for CBC Arts : Exhibitionists which is going into its 4th season this fall on CBC.  He is the series director of the half hour comedy Second Jen, season 2 dropping this fall on City TV and OMNI television.  He is a writer for the upcoming Netflix sci-fi series Another Life starring Katee Sackhoff which shoots in the fall of 2018.  And his modern Filipino electronic band DATU released their first album High Blood in 2017 on all music platforms. 

MUSIC FEATURED THIS EPISODE

DATU - Bones
Miss Saigon Original Cast, Rachelle Ann Go & Eva Noblezada - The Movie In My Mind (Live) from Miss Saigon
DATU - Gatekeeper
DATU - Overseen
DATU - Suns
Original Cast of Prison Dancer - On The Inside
DATU - World Gone Crazy (feat. HAN HAN)
 

In my opinion, few art forms emphasize community more than street dance. In Toronto Emily Law is trying to maintain the origins of those forms and incorporate them into more contemporary settings and performances. Like many professions and art forms, dance commands a great deal of respect and subservience to the limitations of one's body, so Emily is keen to get to work while she's able. 

In this interview we talk about how editing is just a part of the process in creating new works; if it doesn’t fit with the piece, it’s gotta go. We discuss drawing from the cultivated history of Toronto’s House dance scene and the the relationship b/w dance and community. We talk about how Emily is using her love of House dancing forms to push Street dance theatre in Toronto and how she uses workshops and instruction to teach the history of the dance forms she teaches.

We discuss the stress of trying to get your artistic vision across to the audience in a specific place and time and deciding how and why to continue doing your art. It was a pleasure speaking with Emily and I hope you’ll get some great insight into yet another inspiring art form.

MUSIC IN THIS EPISODE

DJ Longsleeve - Ode Aan De Filosofie
Mind Enterprises - Idol (Spatial Awareness Remix)
Grace Jones - Slave to The Rhythm
Sweet Tee - It's Like That Y'all
Jomanda - I Got Love For You
French Fries - Yo Vogue (Claude Von Stroke Remix)

As dance music has become increasingly more mainstream, the place of the DJ seems to have shifted from one of tastemaker to placeholder. 

We are now in a time when festival crowds’ attention is held by one dude, pumping a fist in the air to what may or may not be an pre-recorded set of songs. Where promoters are more interested in social media numbers than track selection, and where non-male DJs get added to shows for the sake of fulfilling diversity requirements.

Despite all of that, there are still young DJs like Toronto native BAMBII, who is more concerned with crafting and curating sets that challenge and excite the audience, and who pays homage to the origins of the music she plays. 

BAMBII believes in the power of the club to unite and provide space for those who may not otherwise have a place in society to come together and commune, so maybe it’s not surprising how seriously she takes her craft. 

In this interview we discuss the importance of the kind of well researched and practiced approach Bambii takes and how’s that’s helped her cultivate her sound and following. 

We discuss the optics of gender in club culture and promotion. We talk about DJing vs. Performance and the performance of DJing and how BAMBII uses every opportunity she’s given to improve her craft.

We discuss the sobering realties of night life and the importance of striking up a relationship the social media, whether you like it or not. 

All that and more on the latest Mind to Make.

MUSIC FEATURED IN THIS EPISODE

Music throughout this episode is from BAMBII’s mix Slow Drip, which can be heard on BAMBII's Soundcloud page

Follow BAMBII on INSTAGRAM
Follow BAMBII on Facebook

What do you do if you you’ve got a great project but don’t know how to promote it? My guest this episode, Todd Simmons, aka Rod Skimmins can remember shows he’s been to since the age of 6, so maybe it’s no surprise he’s tapped into the essential keys to curating and promoting successful events.

Among his many events, Todd is currently producing and promoting Big Sound Vancouver; an evening of Motown classics performed live by a 26 PIECE golden era soul orchestra and ton of local very talented vocalists. 

In our interview, we explore Todd’s musical and performative past and pontificate on the early years of hip-hop. We discuss how, on multiple occasions, Todd grew event communities and how those communities sustained not just the parties he threw but himself as well. How playing the long game wins over short term gains and why attitude is just as important as authenticity. 

All that and the most important factor in making a memorable event… but you’ll have to listen to find out what that is. 

MUSIC FEATURED IN THIS EPISODE

4Us - Blue Room Noble Nobel’s So MF Remix

Rock Master Scott & The Dynamic Three - The Roof Is On Fire

nka.Otherstein - SuhSmoove - Black History Month Beattape

Del The Funky Homosapien - The Undisputed Champs ft Q-Tip & Pep Love

Batch Mox - Cone - Noble Nobel Remix

Sync Mode - H.D.I.

nka.Otherstein - OneGee - Black

Big Sound Vancouver feat. Dutch Robinson - Aint Too Proud To Beg

huaeme - THENA