Letters from the Editors

The letter we write today is not the one we would have written a few weeks ago. Nothing about the way we live in this moment is like anything we have experienced before. Social distancing is becoming the norm and perhaps now more than ever technology is truly becoming our only life-line and source of human connection. Enter music; its universal power has risen to a new frequency; its calming presence feels like something that envelopes us in a global embrace, the perfect antidote for these seemingly fictional times. This was a special year at Hart House. In addition to celebrating our 100 th anniversary(!), we rolled out our new Hip Hop Education series, stepping up our commitment to explore, understand, and engage with Hip Hop culture. We are grateful to have had the support and participation of many Hip Hop artists, industry personnel, storytellers and influencers contributing their voices to our program. Walk along the front of the building and you’ll see the mystical work of Nyle Miigizi Johnston whose Hip Hop-inspired mural adorns the front entrance to Hart House. Dive a little deeper into the lives of our Hip Hop guests in our West Meeting Room podcast series where Eternia, Marcus Singleton, and Drezus single-handedly make magic out on the air while giving us a candid window into their fascinating lives.

demo has been a keen partner in promoting and engaging with our Hip Hop Education program and we hope you find the stories in the following pages proof of that connection. We wish to thank the Co-Editors of demo for their exceptional work and vision for this issue and we hope you enjoy the stories within these pages.

Let demo guide you back to the healing power of music.

Peace.

Staff Advisors Zoe Dille and Marco Adamovic

Like many of you, I write this from my home while practicing social distancing, with new albums on my home speaker system (Charlotte Cornfield’s In My Corner; Stephen Malkmus’s Traditional Techniques; and Cory Wong’s Elevator Music for an Elevated Mood) . Once I set up my office in the basement, my curious daughter wanted to come work with me. Working in the Faculty of Music, I put on a video of our students performing with So Percussion at Koerner Hall. She immediately picked up her drum sticks and then guitar to play along with them. As I watched her joyfully dance around, I knew that this is what will get me through this moment. From Italian musicians in isolation performing on their balconies, to my kid’s own discovery of music, listening and playing has never been more important.

While we all adjust to this new reality, it is a perfect time to learn about new music, for your own health and the welfare of the artists you love. Like our governments are taking extraordinary measures to keep us safe, we must take action in new ways to support our musicians. Throughout this pandemic, buy new albums as they are announced; share old favourites with friends; watch and share live-streaming concerts; call and text your friends in the arts sector to see how they are doing. The future of music depends on it.

Senior Advisor to the Music Committee, Ely Lyonblum

© Illustration by Sherry Liu

This year I had the pleasure of interviewing LOONY, a Toronto R&B artist who has been on my radar for a while. I was admittedly nervous for our interview, but she was a joy to speak to. She was down-to-earth, funny, and honest. She spoke candidly about the Toronto arts infrastructure which has been often criticized. Check out our interview on page 16.

It’s an interesting time for Toronto’s music scene. We’re finally an internationally recognized music hotspot, especially for R&B. At the same time, venues are closing, and artists criticize the unhealthy atmosphere among fellow creators. The development and future of the scene is something we really wanted to explore with this issue.

The 2020s already have been a tumultuous time of change, and we’re sure to see interesting developments in music. 100 years ago, when Hart House first opened its doors, was the beginnings of the Jazz Age. As Jeff Leung pointed out in “But I’m Not A Rapper…” on page 8, jazz continues to heavily influence music being produced today. What trends of today will continue for the next one hundred years?

I hope you enjoy reading this year’s demo magazine. It’s been a wonderful year with all of you, and we’ll see you next year!

Co-editor in Chief, Charlie Jupp

I was first introduced to demo two years ago, at the launch party for their 2018 issue. As someone passionate about music, the magazine was a creative outlet for me, and provided access to the music scene both locally and globally. I am so grateful to both Isaac and Anna for the opportunity to become Editor-in-Chief.

This year’s issue commemorates 100 years of Hart House. Given the significance of this anniversary, Charlie and I thought that it’d be a good opportunity to reflect upon Hart House’s musical legacy, and the changing scenes of Toronto and the music industry in general. As such, the theme for this year is “the past, present, and future of music”.

Given that this was my first time doing anything of the sort, putting together this issue was no easy feat, and it would not have come together without the efforts and support provided by our staff writers, design team, and the Hart House staff. Charlie –– thank you so much for being the best person to work with! It’s been an absolute honour serving as co-editor with you. Jennifer, thank you for all your graphic design work –– the issue looks beautiful. I would also like to thank Umru Rothenberg, who agreed to let me interview him for my piece. He’s been nothing but kind and generous with his time.

And lastly, I would like to thank you, the reader - I hope you enjoy this issue! Undoubtedly, these are tumultuous times, and I hope that this issue can provide a distraction for even a small amount of time. If anything, the state of the world today serves to emphasize the role of music and the arts in general, providing us with comfort and relief and unifying us.

Co-editor in Chief, Zain Ahmad

demo has meant so much to me over the past three years. It was a beacon of welcome during first year, for a timid froshie looking to find some semblance of home on campus. It was a source of joy during second year, introducing me to people who I am ecstatic to now call my friends. In this third year as online editor, it has been a fountain of learning: what an honour to be exposed to the bands and genres and ideas that move people! Thank you to Charlie, Zain, Dani, and Jen for being the most patient and loving team. Thank you to everyone who has contributed in any way to our website and magazine— you are our fuel, and I can’t wait to see where we go next!

Online Editor, Mena Fouda

This year’s edition of demo is a very special one not only because of Hart House’s anniversary but also because of the unusual circumstances we find ourselves in at this release. During this time of uncertainty, I am grateful for the technological tools that allow us to communicate virtually and share this magazine with you online. I’m very proud of everyone who put their work into this year’s issue, especially the design team, who created powerful and unique graphics and illustrations. I hope that this issue of demo will help ignite your interest in music and encourage you to find a place on campus, like demo and Hart House, to express your passions for music, art, or journalism.

Design Editor, Jennifer Wan