Sonic Treat

What goes well with a food-and-beverage-themed issue of Block? A spot of entertainment, of course. And the Allied Music Centre, Massey Hall and Roy Thomson Hall are delivering on this front, through the launch of their inaugural artist-in-residence program.

Offering comprehensive support, mentorship, studio time, live performance opportunities, creative collaborations and professional development, the year-long residency kicks off with three participating—and exceptional—artists: Celeigh Cardinal, Sebastian Gaskin and Julian Taylor.

Their selection was guided by the Indigenous Music Office, the Sākihiwē Festival, the Tkaronto Music Festival and the International Indigenous Music Summit.

“Insights from the advisory committee and consultants from the Indigenous music community have shaped everything from artist selection to guiding us as non-Indigenous industry professionals, ensuring the residency is truly supportive, meaningful and culturally respectful,” says Stephen McGrath, director of artist development and original content at Massey Hall. “At its core, this is about building sustainable careers for artists,” he continues, recounting that just that day, he and the production team, along with a professional stage engineer and guitar technician, spent several hours working with the Afro-Indigenous, blues-, roots- and folk-genre-blending artist Taylor in preparation for his upcoming U.S. solo tour.

And the artists’ presence will also be keenly felt back at the Allied Music Centre. “They will help bring the spaces to life, inspiring audiences and other emerging artists,” says McGrath, as well as the youth who participate in the education and community engagement programs and, lastly but not leastly, adding to the city’s vibrant music scene. (Cardinal performed at the end of April.)

McGrath acknowledges that bringing a program like this to life is, in itself, a feat. “It takes a huge amount of collaboration, vision and commitment,” he says. “It started with Massey Hall and Roy Thomson Hall’s long-standing dedication to supporting emerging artists, but the real catalyst was the opening of the Allied Music Centre—finally giving us the space and facilities to make a year-round residency possible.”