BackstagePassTO is a series developed by Jess Bertan and Jenna Gitlin that invites emerging local musicians to choose a location that holds personal significance to them as the setting for an interview. Each conversation examines the realities of breaking into Toronto’s music industry and how artists navigate authenticity in a rapidly changing environment. By engaging with musicians, BackstagePassTO aims to shed light on the realities of life as an artist.
Country singer-songwriter Jade Hilton welcomes BackstagePassTO into her childhood home on Queen St. West … now reimagined as a music studio. She shares insights on Toronto’s music scene, the role of mentorship, and how her Chinese heritage continues to influence her artistry.
Alt-rock artist and actor Damian Rose returns to his childhood church in Markham, Ont., for a full-circle interview with BackstagePassTO, where he opens up about his spirituality, darkness, and the search for authenticity.
AI was used in this project for the transcription of interviews.