Alan Cross is a broadcasting legend, music historian, and creator of The Ongoing History of New Music. And Alan’s been schooling Barry on music since the latter was a child. We spoke with Alan about hitting clubs on Yonge and Queen in the 80s, birthing one of the best music shows ever, and getting fired and rehired by a media giant. We also talked about how the market forced Indie88 and Edge102 to play the same homogenous shit, how the Trickle Down theory is good for musicians, and why Toronto is the key to Canada’s music future.
Tag Archives: Blog
SOMEHOW, I WILL MISS YOU, ROB FORD: AN OBITUARY
Barry reflects on the life and death of his one-time nemesis, His Former Worship, Rob Ford.
EPISODE 26: PSIPHON’S KEITH McMANAMEN
Keith McManamen is a strategic analyst with Psiphon, a Hogtown-based company that circumvents Internet censorship around the world. Keith is also a member of the growing University of Waterloo alumni to have graced this show with their time. We spoke with Keith about fucking with repressive governments, violating sovereignty, and the Internet as a moral entity. We also talked about how the United States is spying on us, how the media has become Orwell’s Ministry of Truth, and the Privacy V. Convenience dilemma.
MIGHTY PIGS #3: ODD FUTURE
Yes, the Mighty Pigs are back. In this long-put-off episode, Barry and his other friend named Sam talk about what makes the NBA so special, how Drake got shafted at the All-Star Game, and the Raptors’ ceiling come the playoffs. They also talk about Optimism V. Reality, the worth of Bismack Biyombo, and win or lose, why the Raptors are worth our love and affection.
EPISODE 25: IS TORONTO A PLAYGROUND FOR THE RICH?
Live from 12 Ossington in downtown Toronto, Hogtown Talks presents its first live debate. The subject of discussion: Is Toronto a playground for the rich? Barry moderates a formidable planel including Andray Domise, Shawn Micallef, Mackenzie Keast, and Jacquelyn West. Unwieldy topic be damned, the panel talked about the poisonous effects of gentrification, how the City has abandoned the suburbs, and Toronto’s ongoing problems with racism. They also touched on the impossiblity of owning land, culture’s ostensibly invisible impact on the poor, and what we can do to fix this place we call home—with or without City Council.
EPISODE 24: CHEF DENNIS TAY
Dennis Tay is Chef de Cuisine at DaiLo, Chef Nick Liu’s temple for new Asian cuisine. Born in Windsor from Scottish-Filipino parents, Dennis is a former B-Boy and contestant on Top Chef Canada. We spoke with Dennis about growing up in Windsor, working in Italy, and the limits of the North American palate. Dennis also talked about the insanity of reality television, running a successful Toronto restaurant, and making time for his family.
EPISODE 23: WRITER AND LGBT ACTIVIST TRAVIS MYERS
Travis Myers is a writer, panelist, and LGBT activist whose work has appeared in several Hogtown institutions. Travis is also hilarious and enjoys wine, which makes him a perfect guest for this show. We spoke with Travis about growing up religious and gay, fetishizing the act of argument, and the Village’s past and uncertain future. Travis also talked about why we don’t see more penises in movies, John V. Olivia, and learning to love Toronto—begrudgingly.
SNAX! 5 P.M. IN TORONTO
In this SNAX! episode, Barry wears his heart on his sleeve and spouts his insane love for the new Queens Quay. He also talks about news, the (near) future of the podcast, and how much he loves people who listen to this show.
MIGHTY PIGS #2: THE AUTOPSY
In the second edition of Hogtown Talks’s podcast on sports, Barry and Sam grieve the First Round death of their beloved Raptors, and rethink their lives. They talk about the sobering blow of defeat, the Raptors’ weaknesses, and Bryan Colangelo’s legacy. Barry and Sam also talk about free agency, DeMar and Kyle’s limitations, and whether Masai Ujiri is full of shit.
EPISODE 20: CREATIVE SCIENTIST IRWIN ADAM EYDELNANT
Irwin Adam Eydalnant is a scientist and co-founder of Future Food Studio and Bevlab. He and his peers are reinventing food as we know it. And Hogtown is lucky to have him. We spoke with Irwin about his Jewish-Winnipeg roots, creating an industry with no competitors, and schooling food and beverage giants across the world. Irwin also talked about how foodie culture is stagnating innovation,why Americans are finally looking to Toronto for ideas, and most importantly, why Jewish and Chinese food is so damn good.
Hogtown Talks 