The Entertainer: Debby Friday
The 2023 Polaris Prize winner and my first residency series guest
October 3 - Debby Friday, followed by b2b DJ set by Brendan Canning (Broken Social Scene) and Cadence Weapon at Standard Time in Toronto
I first met Debby Friday at the Polaris Prize ceremony in 2022. She had just moved to Toronto from Vancouver. I was vaguely familiar with her music at the time, having heard her bruising industrial-tinged single “FOCUS.” Not to sound like LeBron when he lies about knowing something way ahead of time, but during that conversation, I had the sneaking suspicion that she might one day win the award show that we were currently attending. I certainly didn’t realize then that it would happen the very next year with her album GOOD LUCK.
In my career, I’ve always kept an eye out for Canadian artists who are doing something off the beaten path. I’m old enough to remember when the music landscape in this country was pretty monochromatic. It was a lonely time. Now it feels like there’s a vibrant diversity of musicians stepping out and pushing boundaries. Debby is one of those artists, confounding the expectations of anyone who assumes what the music of a Black woman should or must sound like.
I’m greatly looking forward to discussing her journey and how she came to become the transgressive electro-punk superstar that she is today.
Join me for my conversation with Debby Friday, followed by b2b DJ set with Brendan Canning (Broken Social Scene) at Standard Time in Toronto this Thursday October 3rd
Join us for the other nights below:
October 10 - Jacques Greene, followed by b2b DJ set by Jacques Greene and Cadence Weapon
October 17 - Owen Pallett, followed by b2b DJ set by Jeremy Greenspan (Junior Boys) and Cadence Weapon
October 24 - Lido Pimienta, followed by b2b DJ set by Automaticamore (Diana Chan McNally) and Cadence Weapon
ROLLERCOASTER DELUXE is out this Thursday October 3rd. Four new tracks and one new remix by Hot Chip’s Joe Goddard. Pre-save here!
You can find me updating my playlists or hanging on Twitter and Instagram. You can listen to my music on Spotify, Apple Music and Bandcamp and you can get Cadence Weapon merchandise here. Read my monthly column in Hazlitt. Pick up your copy of Bedroom Rapper here and please rate it on Goodreads.