INTERVIEW WITH BRAD GADD
Founder of The Populess Company

What did you want to be growing up?
I remember growing up I wanted to be an actor, not for the acting but solely for the sake of one day I can be an Astronaut then possibly a Super Hero the next or some character from a life I never lived. I loved the idea you can be what ever you want at different times and dive into these worlds. Not to mention I absolutely do not care for any sort of public speaking or talking in front of an audience let alone acting. Might have something to do with me not pursuing this career.

What is your business and how did you build it?
I am the owner of The Populess Co. A small curation of brands and hand made goods (Our own) that share in timeless well made goods the are meant to serve you well, where quality trumps quantity and over time through wear and tear will tell your story. The company was built with the intention of sharing and creating community around authentic creations. I have always been so inspired by individuals and brands that you can feel and see their passion through their work and projects. It fuels my creative need and drive. Through sharing and collaborating with various artists and individuals we wanted to create a community around if it's worth doing it's worth doing well. It was also built on a passion and love for what I do and a lot of caffeine! I am very grateful to show up to work and be able to do what I do for a living.

Top 3 Places in Southern Alberta to explore?
The Badlands, The Rocky Mountains, Twin Butte General Store.

Favourite Color of Denim?
Textured Indigo all day!

What will be your staple fashion piece for the Fall Season?
A good pair of boots, blue jean and white tee! Is that fashion?

Any words of advice for people wanting to open their dream shop?
What are you waiting for?

Interviewed September 2021

INTERVIEW WITH FARIS HYTIAA
Comedian, Business Owner

Start off by describing your comedic style for anyone who hasn’t seen your stand up comedy sets.
I'd say it's a mixture of storytelling and observational humour. I'm still developing my own style, but I enjoy being myself on stage more than anything.

How do you map out your comedy routines?
I usually start with an idea and sometimes a punchline. Then I connect the dots on stage. Working on new material might be the most satisfying part of stand-up. As these ideas sharpen and take shape, I then work on how to connect different jokes or stories and look for seamless ways to tell them in succession.

Where does the impetus for your comedy originate?
It all stems from personal experiences, for the most part. I find it much easier to make sense of the outrageous by relating it down to situations more of us have faced. Otherwise it's just a desire to talk about things that make me and other people uncomfortable.


What’s the funnest thing that happened to you this week?
A slice of cake my friend made. Greatest cake I've ever had the pleasure of tasting. It was like biting into a cloud.

We touched on it a bit before, the idea of intuition in the creative process and being open to just going for it and trusting your gut to capture a moment or opportunity. Expand more on the idea of using intuition in comedy.
A huge part of doing well in stand-up is being able to read the room. Comedy is unique in that you can't just deliver the act the way you would a play or a show. There's no 4th wall. You need to appear (and be) present and be part of the room you're performing in. Otherwise, the audience is as disconnected as you are. Being able to see and feel what the room is feeling allows you to bend your act to attract the audience to you, and to also create moments that can't be replicated and are unique to that performance. Becoming more intuitive and curious tends to heighten your chance of really connecting with people.

How do you stay creatively sharp?
That's been really difficult lately. Typically, it's about just trying to be present in everyday life and trying to feel and experience as much as possible (even if it's something boring or mundane), in order to be able to recount not just the events, but the emotions those events elicited. These days I've tried to increase my focus on more writing and more introspective ideas with the lack of activity elsewhere.

If you could make anyone laugh, who would it be?
Dave Chappelle. That's my idol. Even generally, being able to crack up other comedians is usually even more satisfying than breaking an audience.

Top 3 things that keep you cozy.
My blanket, my hoodies and good ole central heating

Interviewed April 2021

INTERVIEW WITH JOEY
Artist

What did you want to be when you were a kid?
I think the first thing I ever wanted to be was a Palaeontologist. I was obsessed with dinosaurs when I was a little kid.

What two creative projects are you currently working on or planning to work on in the future?
I’m trying to learn how to make rugs. And I have also been trying to learn to produce music to create a small beat tape.

What’s your favourite part about Lethbridge?
I love how different it is for a city it’s size. There’s a community here for mostly anything you’re interested in.

What inspires you to create?
Memories and experiences.

Favourite flower?
Lilac

Silver or gold?
Silver. I appreciate the simplicity of it.

Most interesting thing you saw today?
A light brown pigeon

Interviewed April 2021

INTERVIEW WITH TK CAB’RAL
Artist, Musician

TK Cab’ral, an artist whose practice includes music and video, is focused on creating sounds and visuals that standout and embody interesting stories. Last year I came across TK in a streetwear clothing lookbook by Golde. After clicking through on his tag, I was introduced to his fresh and invigorating rap album, 7HOURS. What resonated with me most was the dark ambient beats linked with lyrics that fit every mood. I caught up with TK to find out more about his creative framework, his forthcoming album and aspirations for 2017.

Tell me a little bit about you and your music.
All of my life I have always been deeply infatuated with art, especially audio & visual.

Music and video for me is the easiest way to give someone a moment in my mind or my reality as I perceive it in that moment, if that makes sense.

Your last album, 7HOURS, is amazing. Talk about the inspiration behind the album. How long did it take to produce?
Thank you. 7HOURS for me was just a quick way to show the city just what they were sleeping on, the insane production & beats come from producers from around the world & one local friend of mine (SkinnySteve). I recorded the whole project in less than 7 hours.

Talk about the process of writing lyrics.
The closest way to explain would be my process depends on the mood I am in and the mood of the times.

How did you start your music career in Edmonton?
I guess it would depend on what one would consider a career. In this present moment I haven’t made any extravagant amount money nor have I been able to yet come close to the opportunities I wish to have. I know it will all come in due time if I keep my eyes on what needs to be done. As for making music I played the guitar for about six years and from there I pursued becoming a vocal artist.

What inspires you about Edmonton?
Definitely all of its stories.

What inspires your music and your music videos?
My life experiences and the experiences of others inspire some of the stories in my music. I like to make a setting that you could almost sit in with your ears and feel like you are in that moment. I don’t know if that makes sense, but I want people to feel the music hit them the way that life hits them.

What inspires my music videos are great movies. It really just gives me a chance to let people creep into my mind and see things how I see things. I enjoy my currently released music videos but at the same time I am shy about them… There is something missing, they are really fresh and really young. I see potential for what is soon to come though.


3 things you hope to get out of this year, 2017.
I hope to further grow as an artist. I hope I can get my music to hit a wider range of listeners from all around the world. I want to finally have some merch done and available for purchase.

When you’re not working hard on new projects, what are you doing?
When I’m not at home making music or thinking of some new ideas for videos, I’ll either spend time with the family or go out with the homies, turn to some vampires and go get some of that life experience inspiration.


In one of your songs you mention going to build an empire. What would a TK Cab’ral Empire look like?
I love this question. I can’t give the exact answer just yet, I know what the answer is but I feel it isn’t the time to tell it just yet.

When will you release your next EP?
DEATH.BY.MACHINE (D.B.M) is the name of my new project and I’m hoping for an early summer release. I will also be releasing a ton of new music and videos during the wait for the EP.

Recommendations for creatives out there looking to get into the rap and hip hop scene in Edmonton.
I recommend that they build a crew of people who have a real vision for art and creativity with no jealousy in their hearts. Besides that... get out of here, haha, a bird doesn’t learn to fly by staying in it’s nest where it’s comfortable.

Listen to 7HOURS

Interviewed 2016