EMM - 200M Streams. No Label. No Rules. - The Riff ep 12

EMM - 200M Streams. No Label. No Rules. - The Riff ep 12

She climbed into a coffin full of biting worms — and kept singing. 🎵🐛 In this episode of The Riff, Gary and Jeremy sit down with EMM — a classically trained, award-winning artist from Traverse City, Michigan who grew up surrounded by musical prodigies, moved to New York before high school, and built an independent music empire with 200 million streams entirely on her own terms. Now signed with Sony/The Orchard (while keeping full ownership of her masters), EMM is on The Dumb Tour promoting her album Black Diamond — and she stopped into The Riff studio fresh off a sold-out Toronto show at the Drake Underground. In this episode: 🎤 The coffin shoot — wrong worms, biting legs, 2 hours in bugs (and she was singing live) 🎹 Growing up at Interlochen, home of child prodigies practicing 12 hours a day 💡 Why "irrational confidence" is her secret weapon 💰 How brand deals funded her music before the music funded itself 🎧 The truth about publishing rights, predatory label contracts, and keeping your leverage 🌀 Manifestation, flow states, and "transcendence" on stage 📵 Dopamine detoxes and why boredom is rocket fuel for creativity 🍪 Gluten-free treats from Bunner's Bakery in Kensington Market (and yes, they're incredible) Whether you're an artist, entrepreneur, or just someone chasing something big — this one's for you. Follow EMM: @emminreallife (all socials) | Link in bio Explore Toronto like a local: mytoronto.ca 🔔 Like, subscribe & share — sharing is caring Send us Fan Mail [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2503064/fan_mail/new] Support the show [https://www.buzzsprout.com/TheRIFF] Want to watch this episode on YouTube? Subscribe to our YouTube channel [https://youtube.com/@therifftoronto?si=wNlcnHZm9exQJmys]

Crown Lands - Hitchhiking, Apocalypse Album, Fusion Food - The RIFF ep 11

The Riff Toronto Podcast. In this episode, we welcome Kevin Comeau of Crown Lands. Kevin dives into the concept behind the prog-rock battle between good and evil spanning 3 albums, using his OSAP loan to buy musical instruments, why Universal dropped him for not "streaming" enough (isn't that their job??), hitchhiking to Cali, throwing away his favourite pants in exchange for a good book, his flirtation with being an illegal alien, internal indigineous challenges and his new Juno Award Nominated album, Apocalypse, out on May 15th. As always, we surprise The Riff studio with some awesome eats from a Mediterranean-Asian favourite along Toronto's waterfront.  Our guest  is a multi-instrumental JUNO award winning musician, recording engineer and producer. He is a founding member of the progressive rock band CROWN LANDS winning the 2021 Juno for “Breakthrough Group of the Year”, a 2021 and 2024 nomination for “Rock Album of the Year” and the 2026 nomination for “Instrumental Album of the Year”.  Inside the studio, he has worked with artists such as NICK JONHSTON, BRASS CAMEL, MOON CITY MASTERS, KAILAN MCGEE, DAVID BARRETT, and THE DREAMLAND BAND. He has worked with grammy-award winning producers David Bottrill, Nick Raskulinecz, Terry Brown and Dave Cobb. When he’s not on the road with Crown Lands, he’s writing and producing music in the studio, and teaching masterclasses.  It is definitely a pleasure to welcome this artist who is making a massive impact on the Canadian Music Scene. Want to answer this episode's quiz? Swipe  left on the comments card. crownlandsmusic.com @TheRiffToronto ⁠ Insta: @mytorontonews  my-toronto.com queensharbour.ca One of the Fastest Growing Toronto Podcasts and Youtube Series Send us Fan Mail [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2503064/fan_mail/new] Support the show [https://www.buzzsprout.com/TheRIFF] Want to watch this episode on YouTube? Subscribe to our YouTube channel [https://youtube.com/@therifftoronto?si=wNlcnHZm9exQJmys]

Afrim Pristine -The World's Youngest Cheese Master Reveals What Most Food Lovers Get Wrong RIFF ep10

🎙️ What does it take to become one of the most respected names in the food world? In this episode of The RIFF, we sit down with Afrim Pristine, internationally recognized cheese master, entrepreneur, television personality, and one of Canada's leading voices in food culture. From building a world-class business to appearing on major television shows, Afrim shares the lessons, challenges, and mindset that helped shape his remarkable journey. We dive into the art and science of taste, the importance of passion and persistence, and what separates true craftsmanship from the ordinary. Whether you're a foodie, entrepreneur, aspiring creator, or simply someone who enjoys hearing incredible success stories, this conversation is packed with insights, inspiration, and plenty of surprising moments. 🔥 In this episode: ✔️ The journey to becoming a world-renowned cheese master ✔️ Behind-the-scenes stories from the food industry ✔️ Building a successful brand through passion and expertise ✔️ Lessons in entrepreneurship, creativity, and leadership ✔️ Why taste is about more than just food Don't forget to LIKE, COMMENT, and SUBSCRIBE for more conversations with fascinating people who are changing their industries and inspiring others to do the same. #AfrimPristine #TheRIFF #Podcast #Entrepreneurship #FoodCulture #SuccessStories #CheeseMaster #Business #Leadership #Foodie #Inspiration #TorontoPodcast #Interview #CanadianBusiness #FoodIndustry Send us Fan Mail [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2503064/fan_mail/new] Support the show [https://www.buzzsprout.com/TheRIFF] Want to watch this episode on YouTube? Subscribe to our YouTube channel [https://youtube.com/@therifftoronto?si=wNlcnHZm9exQJmys]

Pete Bowman - Canada's Fishing Legend Reveals All - The RIFF -ep.9

Pete Bowman — Canadian fishing legend, TV host of Fishin' Canada (3.5M viewers), and Hall of Famer — sits down with The Riff for one of the most entertaining fishing conversations you'll ever hear. From stunning a fish with a boat oar to get his lure back, to revealing how a laid-off electrician accidentally became one of Canada's most beloved TV personalities, Pete holds nothing back. In this episode: * 🎣 How Pete went from electrician to fishing icon * 🏆 Being inducted into the Canadian Angler Hall of Fame (and why it shocked him) * 🐟 Big pike, bass & monster fish hiding RIGHT in Toronto Harbour * 💰 The insane prize money in North American fishing tournaments (up to $1.25M!) * 🌊 The WILDEST fish story you've ever heard — an oar, a pike, and a turtle * ♻️ Why hunters and anglers are actually conservation's greatest allies * 🎿 Winter Olympics chaos, Ray Gun on skis, and skeleton vs. luge debates Follow Pete Bowman: 📺 Fishing Canada — Saturdays 8AM on Global TV 📸 Instagram: @petebowman_fishing 📘 Facebook & YouTube: Fishing Canada / @fishingcanadaofficial Fishing in Toronto? Pete recommends: 🎣 Fish City Tours — Taro Murata 🎣 Cast Adventures — Paul Castellano, Niagara River The Riff is a Toronto-based podcast where we sit down with fascinating people over great food and real conversation. Subscribe for new episodes every week ⬇️ #FishingCanada #PeteBowman #ThRiff #FishingPodcast #Toronto #FishingCanadaShow #CanadianFishing #BassFishing #ConservationFishing #TorontoHarbour Send us Fan Mail [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2503064/fan_mail/new] Support the show [https://www.buzzsprout.com/TheRIFF] Want to watch this episode on YouTube? Subscribe to our YouTube channel [https://youtube.com/@therifftoronto?si=wNlcnHZm9exQJmys]

Maddy Goldberg - The Hidden World of Private Chefs: What Clients Never See - The RIFF ep8

What happens when a Michelin-trained chef shows up to a food bank with no set menu and two hours to feed 100 people? Pure magic. This week on The Riff, hosts Gary O'Brien and Jeremy sit down with Toronto's most fascinating chef — Maddy Goldberg. With 160K+ Instagram followers, viral food content, and a background in social work, Maddy is redefining what it means to be a chef in 2026. We get into: 🍽️ How she went from a 12-oz prime rib at age 6 to cooking at Michelin-recommended Aloette 🥄 What really goes on in a high-end restaurant kitchen (it's intense) ❤️ Why she gives 10% of every private dinner to charity 🥡 The shocking truth about food waste in the restaurant industry 😂 The story of a man who ate a full stick of butter at her dinner table (yes, really) Plus — Jeremy eats a birthday candle. Enough said. Whether you're a foodie, a creative, or someone who just wants to feel inspired — this episode delivers. Follow Maddy: 📸 Instagram: @maddygoldberg 📰 Substack: cookeat.substack.com 🎵 TikTok: @MaddyGoldberg1 --- 🎙️ The Riff drops new episodes regularly. Subscribe so you never miss one. Send us Fan Mail [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2503064/fan_mail/new] Support the show [https://www.buzzsprout.com/TheRIFF] Want to watch this episode on YouTube? Subscribe to our YouTube channel [https://youtube.com/@therifftoronto?si=wNlcnHZm9exQJmys]