AFDM Podcast

Toronto-based Estyr is a versatile singer-songwriter moving from ambient rock to alt-R&B, rooted in lush vocals and guitar. Informed by her experience as a third-culture kid from Finland and Singapore, she weaves stories and feelings about in-between places. Whether performing solo, with DJ TLO, or with the band Tiger Balme, she draws in audiences to reflect, laugh and heal. 

 Robin Careless is a maven in costume making, writing, directing, and recently, video game design. Our journey takes us from his 2007 film-making debut to his triumphant win of "Best Short" at the Horrorhound Film Festival. We'll uncover the magic behind BUILDERS ANONYMOUS, a unique costume and prop house Robin co-created, and delve into his involvement with IATSE 873.

Tye Tremblay is a Toronto-based tattoo artist focusing primarily on realism infused with elements of fantasy and abstraction. His studies in modern and contemporary art continue to inspire his artistic endeavours. Tye opened up his own studio in 2016, now hosting 6 other local artists working in a creative, passionate, open environment. 

Straight from Scarborough, Ontario, Steven Chau is a brilliant dancer and choreographer who has transformed the stage into his canvas. He's collaborated with powerhouses like Warner Brothers Music and Mazda Corporation, breathing life into dance with his unique vision.

Kubla is a singer-songwriter, producer, and multi-instrumentalist from Toronto. In this AFDM episode, we delve into his organic sound, his love for poetry and philosophy, and his Celtic heritage. Listen in to discover his journey, creative process, and how he navigates the ever-changing music world.

Renowned for her strong leadership and creative finesse, Vicky Hozjan is a production designer who is truly making her mark. Her diverse portfolio, which spans from music videos to commercials, and feature films, is a testament to her unique ability to bring narratives to life through visual design. In this episode, we delve into Vicky's captivating journey, discuss her creative process, and gain insights into her perspective on the interplay between imagination and reality in the realm of production design.

Tyrell Black is a talented Black Canadian performing artist and educator specializing in Popping and Hip-Hop. Tyrell shares his journey through dance, the importance of communication in movement, and his work in educating aspiring dancers worldwide. As the founder of BLVCKOUT, Tyrell also discusses his mission to support artists and promote street dance culture. Join us for an inspiring conversation that highlights the power of dance and the importance of staying connected to our creative roots.

Isaac Serif, aka @hysterical_melancholy, is a digital artist inspired by post-internet and webcore aesthetics. His captivating work includes nu metal GIF collages and AI-infused album art, embodying the multimedia cyber-cultural zeitgeist as a techno-filth artist.

Ian Simon is a Filipino, Toronto-based director and editor. His passion for curating films is visceral and visually poetic often rooted in meaningful intention. His playful and poised approach to directing tends to be highly art-directed, involving dynamic camera movements, strategic blocking, and choreography, as well as calculated transitions that create timeless compelling pieces with an everlasting impression

Fueled by a passion for visual identity, experimental typography, and editorial design, Quinn Shoreman excels in diverse projects. From dabbling in brand systems for top condo developers to crafting eye-catching merch and album covers for local musicians, Quinn's adaptability shines through, making him a true creative force in the world of Graphic Design.

Matthew Tran is one of Toronto’s most in-demand tattoo artists in the city. Specializing in large-scale Neo-traditional Asian and Realism styles, Matthew Tran is here to give some insight into how he’s managed to navigate through the dynamic tattoo industry as a self-taught artist with no formal Arts education with a whole lot of heart, passion and drive.

Chèlle is a Toronto-based Pop singer-songwriter who started pursuing her music career at 14 after being inspired by her Grandfather, an Italian immigrant who was a successful composer and performer. Her music blends pop, disco and R&B, resulting in a unique sound that appeals to audiences of all ages and backgrounds. Chèlle and her 5-piece band deliver catchy, heartfelt and radio-friendly performances.

“ThAt’S nOt TyPoGrApHy, I cAnT rEaD iT!” 
Steven hall is an artist with a brutal twist to his letters and designs inspired by his love of brutal death metal and just overall lack of barrier when it comes to type and design, sit back and relax while he babbles about figuring out how he came to love what he does, friends and opinions about the community of design and typography.

Shawn Bracke is a highly regarded choreographer, visual artist and movement director. With extensive training in various dance styles, Shawn brings a unique and emotionally charged approach to his work. He is a sought-after talent in the industry and his personal creative works have gained international recognition at renowned film festivals. Join us as we dive into Shawn's creative process and learn from his experiences. 

Toronto-based multi-hyphenate artist Kennen combines the charms of the DIY, retro, and bedroom-made, with the addictive gloss of the modern; through both sounds and visuals.

Chynna Lewis is a Taiwanese-Canadian Pop/R&B singer-songwriter based in Toronto. Her music deftly weaves R&B, soulful vocals, and folk into classic pop songwriting, creating a dreamy, and genre-blurring sound. Her unique style can be found on her debut self-produced EP “What Are Friends For”, available on all streaming platforms.

Akash Jones is a director and stop-motion animator currently looking to make his mark in the Film industry. He likes to tell stories that he is passionate about that are authentic to himself and assists others in doing so through animation. His directorial debut ‘COUNTERFEIT’ premiered at TIFF NEXT WAVE and he is currently in production for his new documentary that will be airing at this year's Regent Park Film Festival. On the animation side, he has worked on tv shows like The Boys for Amazon Prime and Ultra City Smiths for AMC.

Not knowing where to start with one's cinematography or film career goals can be challenging. Jack Chen is a cinematographer who has worked on countless commercials, narratives and music videos. His work includes CBC's Homeschooled(season 1), No One's in the Room by Jessie Reyez, BMW's the 8, and more. In this episode, Jack converses about what he believes are essential traits one must acquire to work up to the goal of a cinematographer or other roles in film. Additionally, he speaks about essential mindsets and sheds light on what one can expect when working in film. 

Special thanks to #RisingYouth

AFDM: The Art, Film Dance and Musical Podcast. If you're interested in people who make a living in Art, Film, Dance or Music, AFDM has you covered. AFDM focuses on resources, challenges, mindsets and strengths creators in the mentioned field go through, making your journey a little less bumpy.