The RIFF

We get into the Musically Creative Thread with Emm, the pop star who Rolling Stone says is "defining pop on her own terms". And of course we dive into a Toronto foodie fave and:This LA Artist phenom says Toronto's  Bunner’s Bakery slays The haters and being questioned about her 4-octave range vocalsWhy EMM Loves The Drake Underground and its fabulous teamTeaching us why our Canadian accents are cuteHer northern Michigan roots and her move to New YorkWhy music comes firstSpending two hours in a casket under crawling bugs & the scars to prove itHer inspirational message to other young artistsWhy boredom is so importantOur guest today is visiting us from Los Angeles while on a world tour and playing in Toronto. She is a classically trained, award-winning musical prodigy with skills in piano, guitar, songwriting, producing and famously-known for her 4-octave range vocals. Promoting her album “Black Diamond” on “The Dumb Tour” with her incredible live show featuring instrumentation, choreography, visuals, and catalogue favourites.Her other projects include a documentary that has reached over 100 million views online, a music video short-film with over 5 million views, and upcoming: A video game and animated series.With Rolling Stone saying she “is redefining pop on her own terms”, this guest has been featured in USA Today, Galore and other media platforms. Across her independently produced Mixed Tapes Projects, she has 200 million independent streams.Now signed with Labels Sony, The Orchard and Independent, this artist is on a mission to inspire and empower through music and art and we’re excited to have her inside our studio today. Welcome to The Riff, Emm. Up First. We want to dive right into your impressive, multi-talented theatrics and musicality. Your music videos have had you enclosed in a box with live maggots, cockroaches and bugs. Your Black Diamond Project features Black Liquid oozing out your mouth and painted head to toe. This is Insanely talented makeup and artistry all the while showcasing highly focused musicianship…you clearly have a story to tell through a very untraditional hero role for non-mainstream outsiders. Tell us about the inspiration behind this creative approach on so many levels. https://linktr.ee/EMMInRealLife@EMMINREALLIFE  https://bunners.cafound.coffeeSend us Fan MailSupport the showWant to watch this episode on YouTube? Subscribe to our YouTube channel

The Riff Toronto Podcast. In this episode, we welcome Kevin Comeau of Crown Lands. Kevin dives into the concept behind the prog-rock battle between good and evil spanning 3 albums, using his OSAP loan to buy musical instruments, why Universal dropped him for not "streaming" enough (isn't that their job??), hitchhiking to Cali, throwing away his favourite pants in exchange for a good book, his flirtation with being an illegal alien, internal indigineous challenges and his new Juno Award Nominated album, Apocalypse, out on May 15th. As always, we surprise The Riff studio with some awesome eats from a Mediterranean-Asian favourite along Toronto's waterfront. Our guest  is a multi-instrumental JUNO award winning musician, recording engineer and producer. He is a founding member of the progressive rock band CROWN LANDS winning the 2021 Juno for “Breakthrough Group of the Year”, a 2021 and 2024 nomination for “Rock Album of the Year” and the 2026 nomination for “Instrumental Album of the Year”. Inside the studio, he has worked with artists such as NICK JONHSTON, BRASS CAMEL, MOON CITY MASTERS, KAILAN MCGEE, DAVID BARRETT, and THE DREAMLAND BAND.He has worked with grammy-award winning producers David Bottrill, Nick Raskulinecz, Terry Brown and Dave Cobb.When he’s not on the road with Crown Lands, he’s writing and producing music in the studio, and teaching masterclasses. It is definitely a pleasure to welcome this artist who is making a massive impact on the Canadian Music Scene.Want to answer this episode's quiz? Swipe  left on the comments card.crownlandsmusic.com@TheRiffToronto​⁠ Insta: @mytorontonews my-toronto.comqueensharbour.caOne of the Fastest Growing Toronto Podcasts and Youtube SeriesSend us Fan MailSupport the showWant to watch this episode on YouTube? Subscribe to our YouTube channel

Our guest today is the only Canadian, and the youngest person, to hold a title bestowed by the Guilde Internationale des Fromagers: Maître Fromager or  "Cheese Master".He was named one of the Top 50 Most Influential People in Canadian Food by The Globe and Mail and hosts the six-part series, Cheese: A Love Story on the Food Network, where viewers follow him around the world, exploring some of the planet’s most incredible cheese regions.You’ve likely seen him across Canadian food media, with recurring guest appearances on The Marilyn Denis Show, CityTV’s Breakfast Television, and CTV’s, Your Morning. He’s also a consultant for Top Chef Canada, MasterChef Canada, and Chopped Canada.He’s the bestselling author of the cookbook, For the Love of Cheese.He teaches cheese-pairing masterclasses, consults with top chefs and food businesses, and now has a highly anticipated second cookbook coming out early November: A Passport to Cheese.Co‑owner of Toronto’s very own Cheese Boutique, right in the heart of our west end. Welcome to The Riff, Afrim Pristine. Send us Fan MailSupport the showWant to watch this episode on YouTube? Subscribe to our YouTube channel

The Riff Welcomes Canada's own Hall of Famer Pete Bowman: Well-known Canadian TV personality and one of the most revered and popular anglers in the country, widely recognized for his show, Fish’n Canada with 3.5 million viewers. His tremendous passion and knowledge for the sport has endeared him to audiences and Fish’n Canada fans nationwide who still see him as just “ONE OF THE BOYS”. An accomplished and published outdoor writer and photographer, he has also co-hosted on The Outdoor Journal Television show as well as the Outdoor Journal Radio and currently co-hosts the Outdoor Journal Radio podcast. In 2012 he was inducted into the Canadian Angler Hall Of Fame, something he never dreamed would happen. This is our Canadian fishing icon and legend.Shout outs from the show:Pete Bowman and Fish'n CanadaYoutube  @Fishncanada Website: https://fishncanada.cominstagram: @petebowman_fishinginstagram: @fishncanadaofficalFishing GuidesToronto Harbour: https://www.fishcitytours.comNiagara River https://www.castadventures.comTournaments @kenorabassinternational26 Send us Fan MailSupport the showWant to watch this episode on YouTube? Subscribe to our YouTube channel

On this episode, Maddy Goldberg is at The Riff table.  A Toronto-based chef and digital creator whose viral Instagram reels have captured millions with her sharp humor, culinary skill, and big heart. A classically trained fine dining chef, Maddy now uses her platform to spotlight community and compassion, volunteering and cooking each week at her local food bank.In the studio, she gets real with hosts Gary and Jeremy, with some laughable candle-eating moments, pickle jobs and the challenges of the restaurant industry. All, of course, with a foodie highlight on a Toronto pasta phenom whose creator has impressed the likes of the endearing and loveable Maddy. Maddy's storytelling, culinary insight, and social impact reminds us that great food is about more than technique; it’s about connection, care, and giving back.Want more Maddy Goldberg? Check out:cookeat.substack.comTiktok: maddygoldberg1Instagram @maddygoldbergSend us Fan MailSupport the showWant to watch this episode on YouTube? Subscribe to our YouTube channel

How can musicians stream income in today’s modern world? Our guest is a seasoned entrepreneur and music enthusiast who founded Music Royalties Inc. after successfully exiting a gold royalty company, spotting the untapped potential in song copyrights that last for the author's life plus 70 years.In 1-2 years everyone will be able to invest in music royalties when MusicRoyalties.com goes public. EVERYONE. For artists, he offers a fair alternative to selling out to major labels, letting musicians monetize royalties upfront while sharing in monthly payouts, stock appreciation, and long-term deals in movies or ads. This turns favourite songs into perpetual wealth for artists, musicians and fans alike.Drawing from his experience as Chairman & CEO of Metalla Royalty & Streaming Ltd. and founding multiple public companies, he pivoted to music royalties amid booming streaming on Spotify and YouTube. His mission is to acquire cash-flowing catalogs from icons like Avril Lavigne, Justin Bieber, Rihanna, Backstreet Boys, and The Who…building a diversified portfolio that has already paid over $14 million in monthly dividends, with a 360% increase since inception.Welcome to The Riff, Tim Gallagher of Royalties Inc!To learn more about Tim and how to invest in music royalties, visit www.musicroyalties.comSend us Fan MailSupport the showWant to watch this episode on YouTube? Subscribe to our YouTube channel

Here with us is a true Canadian triple threat, actually, quadruple threat! An actor, singer, pianist, and multi-instrumentalist, she has performed across Canada, the U.S., Austria, and Japan.She’s known for standout turns in major productions like “Once”, The Sound of Music, Natasha, Pierre & The Great Comet of 1812, 2 Pianos, 4 Hands and the Tony-nominated Broadway musical by  Steven Martin and Edie Brickell: Bright Star.Offstage, she’s just as accomplished: a sought-after voice specialist, masterclass clinician, private coach, and Music Director. She’s on the voice faculty at Sheridan College, serves as President of the Canadian Music Festival Adjudicators Association, and is part of the Royal Conservatory of Music’s College of Examiners.In her downtime, she shares life with her equally talented actor-musician husband, Rick Hughes, and their mini-schnauzer, Gustav Mahler. Because every dog is named after a famous composer.https://www.garnertheatreproductions.com/Send us Fan MailSupport the showWant to watch this episode on YouTube? Subscribe to our YouTube channel

Including SpongeBob's Saving Bikini Bottom: The Sandy Cheeks Movie, Darin Bristow has 30 years of experience in animation and media and has spearheaded major projects for Nelvana, Pipeline Studios, PBS Kids, Nickelodeon, and Netflix.Darin has produced music videos for Kim Mitchell, Big Sugar and Sammy Hagar of Van Halen, blending his talents across the entertainment industry. A triple graduate of Sheridan College, Darin holds a First-Class Honours master’s degree with a focus on design psychology. He now supports studios in creating content that resonate deeply with audiences. Darin also teaches at 5 Canadian leading animation programs. Darin is also the creator of Sammy Hagar’s unofficial podcast, which reaches listeners in over 50 countries, celebrating the Red Rocker lifestyle and the spirit of creative passion.Foodie Highlight: Porchetta and Co, 2022 New Zealand Pinot Noir is Staete Landt of Marlborough (State of Grace) found at the LCBO Vintage section. Daris Bristow can be found at: https://www.linkedin.com/in/darin-bristow-ma-b733411/ AND https://www.instagram.com/thebogusotisshow AND https://www.youtube.com/@SoulshakerRocksUSend us Fan MailSupport the showWant to watch this episode on YouTube? Subscribe to our YouTube channel

Gino Del Sole is a seasoned guitarist with over 20 years of experience performing in the theatre pit for the shows Beetlejuice, Moulin Rouge, and In Dreams (Mirvish Productions), as well as Come From Away, Kinky Boots, and Legally Blonde.His genres span across Rock, Pop, R&B, Jazz, and Country.He’s played thousands of live shows, including 800+ aboard the Norwegian Breakaway in productions like Rock of Ages and Burn the Floor.Gino is the co-founder and lead guitarist of AC/DC Show Canada and Epic Elton, performing 100+ shows each year, and has collaborated with The Official Blues Brothers Revue, Alfie Zappacosta, Aaron Walpole, and Terry Hatty from The Guess Who. He’s now working on new music for an upcoming solo project.🎸 Watch more musician stories on The RIFF → YouTube Playlist📺 Subscribe to @my-toronto🔗 Follow Gino Del Sole:Instagram → @ginodelsoleYouTube → Gino Del Sole GuitaristSend us Fan MailSupport the showWant to watch this episode on YouTube? Subscribe to our YouTube channel

On this episode of The Riff Toronto, we sit down with one of Canada’s most celebrated bassists, Rich Brown — fresh off his Juno Award win and the release of his stunning new album, Nyaeba.Rich opens up about his creative process, his approach to composition, and what continues to fuel his lifelong love of music. We also dive into his long-time friendship and musical chemistry with co-host Jeremy Green, giving listeners a rare glimpse into the shared language of two master musicians.Plus, we highlight one of Toronto’s standout foodie gems — Mary Be Kitchen, a downtown spot known for wholesome comfort food made right.Send us Fan MailSupport the showWant to watch this episode on YouTube? Subscribe to our YouTube channel

Rick Menary is a singer and guitarist, currently the creator and member of the blues-rock band, "The Spitfire Kings": A band with a faithful Toronto following. Menaryhas been highly active on the Toronto music scene since the early 80s. Menary's entrepreneurial skills within the competitive world of the music biz spans every genre and generation. His street-borne education earns him the respect of many; from promoters to every musician who has lived a life on the road, on stage and beyond.For the video version of this podcast go to https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PL5RdWksuiK4DQx0WPI9uDCHLqJx42tOtZ&si=zqu2lSPX2hhdkU8ASend us Fan MailBrought to you by my-toronto.camy-toronto.ca: Explore Toronto Like a Local.Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.Support the showWant to watch this episode on YouTube? Subscribe to our YouTube channel

Classically trained, yet fuelled by Ozzy, Iron Maiden, Children of Bodom, and Forteresse, she’s spent nearly 20 years tearing up stages across classical, blues, rock, and extreme metal.In 2024, Sam brought that same hunger for heavy, high-impact sound to the decks of Toronto as a DJ. Her sets swing from the warm, rolling pulse of terrace-ready tech house to the shadowy, hard-hitting techno and hard dance that ignite warehouse floors after dark.Her mission is clear: to cut through the weight and absurdity of modern life with transformative, body-shaking music—to give people permission to let go.For the video version of this podcast go to https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PL5RdWksuiK4DQx0WPI9uDCHLqJx42tOtZ&si=zqu2lSPX2hhdkU8ASend us Fan MailBrought to you by my-toronto.camy-toronto.ca: Explore Toronto Like a Local.Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.Support the showWant to watch this episode on YouTube? Subscribe to our YouTube channel