NEW WORLD BEAT is a musical docuseries featuring Toronto’s most fearless musical artists as they present their story and songs in an environment that reflects who they are. Featuring interviews and live performances from artists like The Weather Station, Charlotte Cornfield, Chippy NONSTOP and many more to discover. NEW WORLD BEAT will premiere on TVO on March 27 at 10pm EST and will be available to stream on TVO.org.
The Toronto music scene is a tapestry of diverse sounds and scenes that are as sprawling as the city itself. But behind every musician is a story that is far more unique. New World Beat is an exploration of Toronto’s musicians and the stories that helped shape them as people, artists and citizens of this city.
Host Lydia Persaud sits down with Toronto musicians for intimate conversations to uncover where they came from and where they want to go next, their musical process or the urgent issues they care about. Conversations that span the personal and the political, local and global. Some artists like The Weather Station have broken through and toured the globe, while others are still finding their voice, their community, and a livable income.
Each artist segment is filmed on-location in a place that uniquely reflects their story: a queer-inclusive church that became a new community hub; the diner where’d they’d hang out while skipping class in high school; An illegal rave under a highway. These places become the venue for a live musical performance. New World Beat highlights how different the city’s artists are while still sharing common ground on the important things – life and making music.
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ARTISTS
The Weather Station
James Baley
Charlotte Cornfield
Chippy Nonstop
Dijah SB
Kevin Wong
Alex Samaras
Erez Zobary
Joseph Brooks Organ
Aphrose
Mingjia
Emily Steinwall
Dani Doucette
Kyla Charter
OBGMs
LO
Sebastian Javier
Tara Kannangara
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EPISODE GUIDE
Episode 1
In the pilot episode of New World Beat, Charlotte Cornfield professes the importance of small venues in Toronto’s changing economic landscape, Mingjia illustrates her inspiration and James Baley reclaims the space that shaped him.
Episode 2
Vocalist artist Alex Samaras refuses to be categorised, Kyla Charter uses loops to achieve transcendence and Erez Zobary channels her coming of age into her music.
Episode 3
The Weather Station explores the Leslie Street Spit, Joseph Brooks Organ explains the meaning of lovelorn and Aphrose offers a glimpse into being mother and a musician at the same time.
Episode 4
Dijah SB visits their old haunt, Kevin Wong tours the gay village and Lor transforms into a pop artist at the newly transformed venue.
Episode 5
The OBGMs face the challenges of authenticity, Emily Steinwall meditates on the meaning of music and Dani Doucette strips down a produced pop song into its barest form.
Episode 6
Chippy Nonstop builds a safe space to rave, Sebastian Javier writes a song in real time and Tara Kannangara honours her students.
