In the Zone with Andrew Boris

tofusmell is the project from the bedroom of Rae Chen. Inspired by 90s indie-folk music, the acoustic sounds of tofusmell originals incorporate emotive lyrics to comment on and explore slices of life.

I fell in love with Rae's lo-fi aesthetic and sharp lyricism on his EP when I first heard it last year. Now he's released his debut album, and it was a pleasure having him in the zone to talk about it! We also talked about his move from Florida to Winnipeg and literal shit. Great chat.

Find tofusmell:

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/1iOQiPT8N1MQbdUaTaefyZ

Apple Music: https://music.apple.com/us/artist/tofusmell/1505067968

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@tofusmell

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tofusmell/

Follow the show on Instagram: https://inthezone.wpg

We’re Only Here for the Snacks are quite possibly the world’s only 14 year-old instrumental dual synth indie rock band. Winnipeg, Manitoba grade school friends Madis (guitar), Sebi (synth), Sal (synth) and Bennett (drums) have been performing together since Grade 5. Their unique sound blends electro pop, indie rock, punk and jazz into an energetic style with intricate melodies and catchy riffs that is well beyond their years. We’re Only Here for the Snacks simultaneously bring the noise, the groove and an infectious youthful energy to the stage that engages music fans of all ages.

I had to have these kids on the show because, c'mon: How many 14 year olds do you know who have a vinyl out? This'll be the last episode for a very long time where I ask the band what they want to be when they grow up.

Find We're Only Here for the Snacks:

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/29it6NVptNKrTByID3tQkv

Apple Music: https://music.apple.com/us/artist/were-only-here-for-the-snacks/1751197533

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@WereOnlyHereForVEVO

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wereonlyhereforthesnacks/

Follow the show on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/inthezone.wpg/

LUANA MOTH presents their genre-flipping brand of psychedelic conceptual rock, and precision-cut electronica. Sibling duo Tony and Giovanna Mazza tell the story of a young woman’s supernatural experiments by way of frantic guitar work, intricate electronic production, and anthemic soaring vocals.

Luana Moth have a backstory and ethos as epic as their live show so I was super excited to have them on the show to dig into it all. They did not disappoint.

Find Luana Moth:

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/3MBKC1MlJbBa22D3MWCevF

Apple Music: https://music.apple.com/us/album/luana-moth/1614457464

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@LUANA_MOTH

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/luana_moth/

Follow the show on Instagram: https://instagram.com/inthezone.wpg

Kingston, Ontario-based Kasador is interested in being a great rock and roll band when connection, friction, and unpredictability are whittled away in favour of algorithmically dictated sameness. Tender and carefully considered, but also raw and wild and burnt around the edges, their sonic and compositional thumbprint nods to classic and alternative rock history while pushing into something new, something exciting. Their new EP, Kasador III, is out on April 14th.

I got the chance to have Kasador in the zone while they were in Winnipeg on the last stop of their Western Canada tour before heading to their first tour in The UK. We talked about their recent successes, fighting wolverines and an ongoing debate within the band: "What's rockstar?"

Find Kasador:

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/3h1thCLfJatQji7H4Xw7Vj

Apple Music: https://music.apple.com/us/artist/kasador/1088617090

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@kasadorband

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kasadorband/

Follow the show on Instagram: https://instagram.com/inthezone.wpg

Chickadee is a jazz quintet working on Treaty One territory. Inspired by jazz fusion visionaries like Pat Metheny and Jaco Pastorius, Chickadee shows are exciting and varied: Chickadee is just as likely to play a fiddle tune as they are to play a modern fusion composition, finding ways to put both under the same banner and make it work. Founded by bassist and composer Fred Warner, Chickadee is made up of Winnipeg musicians Paul Klassen, Tirian Plett, Nolan Gottfried, and Parker Beesley. Their first record under the Chickadee name, "Persistence", is out on April 10th.

This was a special episode for me since I first saw Chickadee years ago, before I was in my first band or even remotely involved in the local scene. In those days they were still called Freddy and the Fire Nation. I never would have believed they'd one day be in my basement nerding out about odd time signatures.

Find Chickadee: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/chickadeetheband/

Follow the show on Instagram: https://instagram.com/inthezone.wpg

MIINA is a Canadian singer-songwriter with a sunlit, soulful sound who explores love, connection and our ties to the natural world. Described by Rifflandia Magazine as “the sound of sunlight cutting through the foliage,” MIINA blends warmth, intimacy and emotional depth.

Find MIINA:

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/2be45mouasgEeyH4Tgm4fB

Apple Music: https://music.apple.com/us/artist/miina/1692989284

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@hellomiina

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hello.miina/

Follow the show on Instagram: https://instagram.com/inthezone.wpg

Mise en Scene is a garage rock band from the small Canadian prairie town of Gimli, Manitoba. Founded by BFF’s Stef and Jodi while studying Fine Art, the band is known for their whirlwind of rock-rooted, reverb-drenched dream pop that perfectly meshes modern vibes with vintage charm. Daydreaming, decadence and jam-packed dancefloors, they bring a raucous symphony of rolling thunder drums and Rickenbacker riffage with a bark that matches its bite.

I'll be honest, this might be my favourite episode I've done yet. Stef and Jodi clearly have so much love for each other as creative partners and best friends and the vibes were immaculate. We got into their many years of heavy touring and their recent years slowing down and starting families while maintaining that creative spark. And then Stef got on her soapbox to go off on, well, everything.

Find Mise en Scene:

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/4r7GGIhQom0s0FVrXcWtrK

Apple Music: https://music.apple.com/us/artist/mise-en-scene/265155119

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@miseensceneband

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/miseensceneband/

Follow the show on Instagram: https://instagram.com.inthezone.wpg

Post-punk, grunge, and shoegaze combine in Tired Cossack. He has a unique ability to bend genre and break musical conventions. Themes of joy and melancholy mix with intense, cold industrial rhythms meeting clever songwriting with nods to Ukrainian folklore. The new LP, ZIMA tears through 10 tracks of jagged post-punk, grunge, and cold wave. It’s a cathartic shout into the void about trauma, defiance, and finding beauty in pain.

I saw Tired Cossack for the first time at Rainbow Trout last year (having never heard of him) and quickly fell in love with his genre-swinging sound, hooky songwriting, and stand-up-comedy stage banter. Written during a VERY difficult year (which we get into), Stephen has now dropped ZIMA, in my opinion his best work yet.

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/7LZt0YpmFcot7UQ7BqOQtq

Apple Music: https://music.apple.com/us/artist/tired-cossack/1535358837

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TiredCossack

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tiredcossack/

Follow the show on Instagram: ⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/inthezone.wpg/⁠⁠

Ed Garcia is the host of Power Afternoons, Mondays to Fridays from 2 to 6 PM on Power 97 in Winnipeg, Manitoba. Ed also hosts Power 97’s River City Rocks every Sunday at 9PM where he chats with locals bands to see why they’re all about and play a couple of their songs.

Crossover episode! It feels like every notable band in the city has been on Power to talk with Ed. I had him on the show to talk about the local scene, his career in broadcasting, and just talk music.

Find Ed on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/edgarseeya/

Follow the show on Instagram: ⁠https://www.instagram.com/inthezone.wpg/⁠

And TikTok: ⁠https://www.tiktok.com/@inthezone_wpg

Elise Roller publicly launched Misfit Music Management in 2021 with the announcement of its full-time roster and innovative Artist Evolution program. Active in the Canadian music scene since 2008, Roller began as a self-managed artist before transitioning into industry leadership. She spent four years as Industry Development Coordinator at Manitoba Music, connecting creators and professionals globally, building training programs, and offering career consultations. She has also produced Pride Winnipeg’s main stage and managed tours, funding, and teams for numerous artists.

Claire Boning joined Misfit Music Management in early 2023 as an artist manager, consultant, and operations manager, later becoming co-owner alongside Roller. Previously, she spent six years at Manitoba Music in multiple roles supporting artists and industry development. Claire has represented artists internationally, helping launch Manitoban and Western Canadian talent into global markets. A drummer for Winnipeg trio Veneer, she has over a decade of performance experience and remains an active leader, board member, and advocate within Canada’s music community.

I was super stoked to have Elise and Claire on the show to dig into the nitty gritty of the industry. What can artists do to give themselves the best chance of success? What even is success? Is your only hope to become a slave to the content machine? All this and more, folks.

Find the Misfits:

https://www.instagram.com/misfits.and.odddolls/

https://www.misfitmusicmgmt.com/