Music Journalism:
I first heard Jeff Buckley when I was 15. When he died when I was 18, I cried because I wouldn’t grow up with his music. I was wrong.
The way Jeff Buckley’s voice soared to hymnal heights while being grounded by his soulful guitar playing was just what I needed as a depressed 15-year-old high school dropout.
keep reading…Acclaimed Indigenous songwriters named first Massey Hall Artists in Residence
The residency is an opportunity for Cardinal, Gaskin, and Taylor to benefit from comprehensive support that includes studio time, live performance opportunities, creative collaborations, professional development, and mentorship. The resources used depend on each artist’s individual needs.
keep reading…Saya Gray: Creating a world defined only by her own boundaries
Though the 10 tracks on SAYA can be broadly described as “experimental,” Gray’s blending of genres isn’t calculated.
keep reading…Decision-Makers: Dakota Bear and Land Back Records
As a teen, Bear didn’t have the opportunity to be mentored, which is why he’s passionate about providing opportunities to Indigenous young people who want to play music but have no experience.
keep reading…We hosted a concert for 45 strangers in our (small) living room. It reminded me how beautiful life can be
We were a group of 55 people, a mix of strangers and familiar faces, but in some ways, we were one entity, brought together by the love of an artist’s music.
keep reading…Kym Gouchie’s Shun beh nats’ujeh (We Are Healing Through Songs)
“I was able to get some of my mom’s heartbeat in there, so it truly represents my grandmothers and that whole lineage of where that heartbeat originates,”
keep reading…ABIGAIL LAPELL EXPLORES LIFELONG COMMITMENTS TO LOVE, MUSIC
“…stepping outside of our comfort zones, and making a commitment, can sometimes bring surprisingly sweet results – as is the case with Anniversary.”
keep reading…NICO PAULO DELIVERS SELF-ASSURED DEBUT
“…being patient, staying curious, and accepting change are all necessary parts of being an artist.”
keep reading…WALKING THROUGH THE FIRE (OF TRUTH AND RECONCILIATION)
“Only by learning from one another, and making reparations, can we make a start on reconciliation. By centering Indigenous voices in their collaborative album – and not applying for financial support from Indigenous-funding streams – Sultans of String have tried to make that start.”
keep reading…Allison Russell is back with The Returner
“…our joy and celebration is also a powerful force against systems of oppression.”
keep reading…Andrea England Serves Her Community with Four Chords & The Truth
“And it’s love for music and people that inspires England the most.”
keep reading…Leith Ross’s “We’ll never have sex” resonates with listeners
“For those of Ross’s fans whose vulnerabilities aren’t yet cushioned by an accepting community, they acknowledge that it can be a long process…”
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Other Writing
Interview with Gloria Blizzard
Research is an exciting aspect of creative nonfiction. The world is large, and for a moment, I get to focus deeply on a small aspect of it, and the tendrils that it might have historically – such as this existence of black cake in the Caribbean and the origin of its ingredients that I explore in my essay, “Black Cake Buddhism”.
keep reading…I Am So Done With Pinterest Parties
Birthday parties aren’t only about the children. Parents battle Pinterest and inflation to make sure their kids feel valued. And it’s not simply the cost; it’s the emotional labour of trying to meet impossible standards.
keep reading…Stop! Look! Listen! Nancy Dutra’s Listening Recommendation
In his deft hands, Beethoven’s original feels both familiar and fresh, forward yet traditional.
keep reading…Letter: Hiking The Grotto – A Mirror Of The Writing Process
As I considered how cold the water must be, despite its Caribbean appearance, I reflected on how writing is not always what it seems.
keep reading…Kids Are Getting Financial Advice From TikTok. Should We Be Worried?
No matter how much you prepare your kids, teens or young adults, they may still experience “money dysmorphia” and unnecessarily stress over finances, even if they’re doing well. “In my experience with my clientele,” Pinguelo says, “those who worry the most tend to need to worry the least.”
keep reading…Why 2025 Is The Year Of The Self-Centred Mom.
But here’s the deal: survival doesn’t mean barely scraping by. It means stepping out of survival mode altogether.
keep reading…Comedian and ‘Star Trek’ actor Tig Notaro debuts new material at Toronto club residency
“I always tell people I’m a version of myself in everything I do.” When asked about the most surreal aspect of being in the “Star Trek” universe, she deadpans, “That I’m in the ‘Star Trek’ universe.”
keep reading…Making an Impact: Kim S. Kierans and a Life in Journalism
“But fear is a good thing. It keeps you humble, striving to do better. It spurs impetus,” she says. “The key is to not let it overwhelm you.”
keep reading…Nancy Dutra found refuge in local libraries, self-teaching her way to a GED, a bachelor’s degree and now graduate school
This will be where an excerpt of the blog post will show up.
keep reading…Flipping the Switch: How ADHD Helps, Rather Than Hinders, My Writing Process
“But mostly, it’s an advantage disguised as a disorder. “
keep reading…WHY I WRITE: CNFC MEMBERS REFLECT ON WHY THEY WRITE, AND HOW THEY KEEP GOING
“I write to place myself in a lineage of writers who tell stories as a means of spiritual survival.”
keep reading…How to Steal Time for Yourself While Staying Present for Your Kids
“No matter how much we love spending time with our kids, we all have those moments when the thought of building another fort makes us want to rip our hair out.”
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Nancy Dutra 