From class to concerts: How two students turned their project into a performance festival
By: Anastasia Blosser
Sofia Shahbazzadeh and Helen Chen aren’t submitting the average practicum project. The two Toronto Metropolitan University (TMU) students transformed their in-class pitch into a live music festival that will showcase the talent of local artists. Complete with vendors, an intimate venue and a high-tech video production, the Grounders Music Festival will occur on Nov. 4 and will be streamable afterwards.
Grounders began as a final project during Shahbazzadeh and Chen’s third year. The pair had known each other since high school and decided to combine their shared passion for audio, music and multi-camera production to pitch the music festival. They not only wanted to create a unique live experience for the community, but a fully produced concert video as well.
Shahbazzadeh and Chen said that the support they received from their professors and peers helped move the festival forward. “It is a student-run project and there’s a lot of love and energy that goes into it,” said Shahbazzadeh. “There’s always people out there that want to help you and that believe in your project and your passion.”
The festival is being put on by a group of women and non-binary creatives who wanted the lineup to reflect their diverse identities. They said they want to foster a sense of community among attendees and artists alike through the event.
“It became a community building initiative and a place where the [Greater Toronto Area’s] community of arts can come together,” Shahbazzadeh said.
Chen said that while casting performers, she considered obvious factors like the quality of the music and how the artists would contribute to the vibe of the festival, but also wanted to spotlight marginalized communities. “We were focused on finding musicians of colour, female and non-binary musicians, musicians that belong to the 2SLGBTQ+ community.”
Grounders embraces the concept of time as a driving force behind its curation. Separated into daytime and nighttime portions, the festival will feature nine artists and bands ranging from acoustic folk to experimental pop. The genres of music are intended to change throughout the day, mirroring the passage of time from afternoon to evening. Chen said the festival is a careful blend of acoustic folk, pop and rock, creating a dynamic atmosphere that will resonate with the audience.
The festival will be held in the Junction at OBJX Studios, which features floor-to-ceiling windows. Chen said that the team wanted a venue with a lot of natural lighting, so that the sky could be the festival’s backdrop and the music could match its atmosphere.
Though not live-streamed, the show will be meticulously recorded so that the artists can have it as a portfolio piece or music fans can stream it. According to Shahbazzadeh, the polished videos will be posted on YouTube. She said she drew inspiration from NPR’s Tiny Desk concerts and wanted to mimic the series’ small and cozy ambience in the festival.
Grace Turner and Theo White started the band City Builders just before they began dating. They will be performing at Grounders as part of the nighttime set.
Turner explained that musical collaboration came naturally to the pair. They said they both use music as a love language, whether they’re writing together or on their own.
“The love that we put into this music comes from a very genuine place,” White said. “I think that translates in the music.”
White said that bands come together for pre-show rituals to ensure everyone is on the same page, but that coordination already exists when the only two members are dating. To him, performances are like a long and rather public date. “We spend the whole day together, we do an activity—which is practice—and then we have a date night—which is a performance.”
Turner said that even though she gets a bit nervous before performing, they always have fun once they’re up on stage together. No matter how large or unfamiliar the crowd may be, White said it’s about sharing a moment and creating a connection with the people who come to listen to their music.
“Even if it’s a room full of people we don’t know, it feels like we’re all connected in some sort of way and we’re all here for a reason,” she said. “That’s what kind of eases the intimidation of getting up on a stage.”
White promises that any audience that watches them perform will have a fresh and exciting experience. Their sets are filled with new songs, demos, and unreleased tracks, making every concert a unique experience for their audience. “Everyone who comes to our shows gets something that they’ve never heard before and maybe won’t ever hear again.”
Turner said that she’s excited to perform at Grounders but is ultimately looking forward to connecting with different creatives in one space. “One of my favourite parts about playing is talking to people after seeing what kind of art they make,” she said.
The networking aspect of the festival ties back to the community-oriented approach that Chen and Shahbazzadeh are striving for. Chen said they want the concert to double as an artistic hub and a space for creatives to connect. “We want there to be vendors, food options and different industry professionals that maybe people can network with,” she said.
Shahbazzadeh said that at its core, the festival is just a place where artists and music fans can congregate and talk to each other about their interests.
This approach is aiming to create a sense of community and a vibrant atmosphere that fosters organic interactions between artists and attendees. Both have the opportunity to meet and collaborate with each other, fostering creativity and organic relationships that Shahbazzadeh and Chen hope can lead to future collaborations.
Sofia Aëdon will be performing at the festival as part of the daytime set. With a high school background in theatre, she said she feels more comfortable performing in front of audiences because of her experience on stage. To her, putting on a character is an integral part of each show. Putting effort into her outfit and makeup not only enhances her confidence but also adds a unique dimension to her artistic expression.
Aëdon explained that she naturally slips into acting whenever she performs a set. “I think that it just makes me more confident,” she said. “It’s me, but it’s in a way that’s like playing a character on stage.”
Her performances are a blend of her authentic self and the character she portrays. This fusion of reality and artistry creates a captivating experience for her audience, leaving a lasting impression.
Aëdon said that she wishes there were more festivals like Grounders, that aimed to showcase local talent.
Chen joked that if Grounders goes well, there may be more similar events planned in the future.
Shahbazzadeh said there have been many sleepless nights as the team worked to bring the festival together. So when the event finally arrives, she just wants to soak in the experience. “I really want to enjoy the day and take it as it comes,” she said. “If I see smiles at the event, that would make my day.”
Check out this playlist to help you get ready for the Grounders Music Festival!
