If you’re trying to understand Sarafin, start with the way he talks about writing. He didn’t begin with “songs.” He began with poetry at thirteen, because he felt unheard, and he needed his words to carry weight. Middle child energy, sure, but more than that, it was a young artist clocking a real problem early: if your voice doesn’t land, you keep adjusting until it does. That instinct still runs through his music now. Honest. Intuitive. Catchy. Not catchy like a gimmick, catchy like a...

There’s a bad habit in music marketing: once a date is public, artists start treating it like law. The calendar becomes the boss. The campaign gets locked. Everybody keeps moving, even when the music, the visuals, or the message clearly aren’t landing the way they should. That’s why the Venice Music post on Brent Faiyaz’s ICON rollout is worth paying attention to. Their core argument is simple and sharp: a rollout should reinforce the identity of the work, not force the work to serve the...

If you’re a Toronto artist trying to get outside more, tighten your live set, and meet people who are actually in motion, open mics are still one of the simplest ways to do it. The trick is not just finding a room. It’s finding the right room for where you’re at right now. Some rooms are built for singer-songwriters. Some lean jam-heavy. Some are better if you want a supportive crowd. Some are better if you want to get thrown into the fire a little. This guide pulls together Toronto open mics...