On November 18th, I had the pleasure of attending a showcase at the Burdock Brewery & Music Hall presented by the QtheMusic Collective, an event series run by industry professional, educator, and Met Radio’s very own Patch Twaddle. QtheMusic aims to celebrate and connect LGBTQ2I+ music creators emerging from Canada’s independent scene.
I had the chance to speak with Twaddle after the event to reflect on the showcase.
Rojhin: Why do you believe there is a need for this type of connection in Toronto’s Music scene?
Twaddle: There’s a ton of stellar talent that isn’t getting the recognition or audience they deserve, even if their craft and performance are at the same level as touring acts at bigger venues. LGBTQ2I+ music creators make up a disproportionately high portion of the industry, but we don’t celebrate them or give them enough opportunities. They’re sometimes told that they’re less relatable and won’t have a broad appeal.
Rojhin: Did you find it important to invite Canadian artists from outside Ontario?
Twaddle: The idea was to highlight Toronto artists while also bringing in some from outside the GTA. This is for multiple reasons, but primarily for strengthening the indie community and LGBTQ2I connections across cities. When touring, it makes a big difference when you can partner with local artists, collaborate, “share” fans and resources, and promote each other. Another reason is to introduce the Toronto scene to exciting artists from other places.
The night began with our event host, DYNESTI (@dynesti), a Toronto-based hip-hop and soul artist whose energy immediately lifted the room. They created not only a safe space, but one of celebration and excitement.
The first performance came from Alice Whorms (@alexwhorms), a Hamilton-based singer-songwriter and pianist, who shared tracks from her new EP Daylight Chasing Dusk on keys.
She was followed by Jennarie (@jennariemusic), a Toronto artist who blends pop, R&B, and jazz. Her song “Never Been Small” recently caught the attention of SZA and Meghan Trainor, and it was easy to see why—her powerful voice held the room completely captivated.
Next, indie folk singer Noah Malcolm (@noah.malcolm) from Prince Edward Island charmed the audience with humour (“Any gay people here?”) before delivering an emotional acoustic set. His tender song “Cereal,” dedicated to his first boyfriend, showcases just how much potential he brings to his genre.
Alanna Sterling (@sterlingsilversinger), a gender-fluid multi-genre artist, took the stage with dramatic flair alongside their drummers. Their performance of “Monster Under My Bed” was a stunning display of emotional depth and vocal range. The song, from their 2022 album Mind/Matter, speaks to their experiences with mental illness and their advocacy within the LGBTQ+ community.
Closing the evening, Feura (@feura.mp3) brought a powerful punk/alt-rock energy that transformed Burdock Brewery into a ’90s-style grunge club. With drummer Ed Stone (@stonebeach.ed), they delivered an unforgettable set and cemented themselves as one of the most exciting voices in the genre to follow right now.
These six artists, spanning a wide range of genres, offered just a taste of what this series hopes to continue bringing to audiences. I also met many post-secondary students in the crowd from various creative fields. Since a large portion of Met Radio listeners are students, I asked Twaddle what he hoped they would take from the event:
Twaddle: “I hope students can be inspired by the highly developed LGBTQ2I artists we have in this country, and try new initiatives themselves. Genuine community-building and getting involved can set you up for a long career.”
Although open to the public, the audience was filled with supportive music and media professionals connected through the Queering The Industry Collective (QTIC). I had the chance to speak with QTIC co-founders Cody McGraw and Erin Carrol about their motivations for launching this Toronto-based mixer series that was held pre-event.
Rojhin: What is your ultimate hope when bringing together a group of people who love music, love queer music, and work in different corners of this industry?
QTIC: We started QTIC after realizing company Pride events aren’t for the queer staff but more for straight people, and we knew we weren’t alone. We wanted to do something for us and not them, so we launched our networking group to ensure all 2SLGBTQIA+ employees in the Canadian Music Industry have a safe space to celebrate themselves, meet others like them and explore opportunities available in the industry.
Rojhin: Overall, how do you feel the evening was received?
QTIC: There was only love in that room. Patch booked some incredibly talented acts, and the audience was fully engaged for the entire night.
One of the best parts of events like this is the chance to meet others who share a passion for music—from creatives to industry professionals to emerging artists. The music industry is vast, with countless niches and career paths for anyone interested in exploring it further.
Some of the incredible people I met included Matt Maw, Director & Lead Artist Manager at Red Music Rising, a label uplifting Indigenous artists; Sarah Sleeth, Founder and President of Twin Fang Records, focused on female, queer, non-binary, and trans artists; and Toronto-based illustrator Bree Rawn, known for their artwork on the BIPOC/Trans-fronted punk band, Chinese Medicine’s album The Trans Agenda.
As Twaddle summed it up:
“Seeing community develop means this wasn’t just a one-off event. Realistically, we need more people and resources to keep it going. It’s a labour of love, but it’s becoming contagious. The only thing I can say for now: next time we’ll probably need a bigger venue.”
Follow along on Instagram at @qthemusic.ca for the next QtheMusic event.
Photography credits: Sam Ciampa (@samciampaphoto)
