The Guest List
Thursday February 15th, 2024 with Joe Reilly
Interviews with members of Pantayo and The Strumbellas

We open the show in conversation with MIchelle Cruz and Kat Estacio of the Toronto-based group Pantayo. This description appears on their website: "Pantayo are queer Filipinx kulintang gong punks based in Tkaronto, Canada. The ensemble combines traditional Kulintang music from the Philippines with contemporary influences and experimental sounds derived from their experiences as queer diasporic Filipinxs in Turtle Island." Michelle and Kat tell us how they make, contemporary music using these traditional Filipino instruments and how they love to defy genre boundaries on their latest recording. They also tell us what to expect when the group appears at the National Arts Centre this Saturday afternoon at 3 p.m. on the Fourth Stage. The concert is part of the Big Bang Festival at the NAC. For tickets: https://nac-cna.ca/en/event/35571 For information about the Big Bang: https://nac-cna.ca/en/bigbang For more information about Pantayo and to access their music: https://www.pantayomusic.ca/ https://pantayo.bandcamp.com/album/ang-pagdaloy Then we check in with Jon Hembrey and Jimmy Chauveau of The Strumbellas. The group just released a new album Part Time Believer on February 9th, and will be appearing at the Bronson Centre on Wednesday, February 21st as part of their cross-Canada tour. The album features the band's bright and uplifting pop-folk-rock songs with a new twist this time around. Long-time vocalist and creative force Simon Ward has stepped aside from the group and Jimmy Chauveau is now the lead singer of The Strumbellas. Jimmy and Jon talk to us about this change and what role Simon still plays with the band. They also share some insights into the songs on the album and give us a sense of what to expect at the Bronson Centre on February 21st. For ticket information: https://www.ticketweb.ca/event/the-strumbellas-dom-louis-bronson-centre-theatre-tickets/13772998?pl=spectrasonic For information about the Strumbellas visit their website: https://thestrumbellas.ca/ Get out and see some live music this week and support independent music any way that you can.