Banff’s Creative Underground, Amal Alhomsi & OESA Arts

Banff’s Creative Underground, Amal Alhomsi & OESA Arts

This week on Overheard, we sit down with author, award-winning photographer and Oesa Arts founder Amal Alhomsi for a conversation about creativity, community, art, solitude and the future of Banff’s cultural identity. Originally from Syria, Amal studied Comparative Literature & Theology in North Carolina before completing a Master’s in Ecocriticism at UBC. For the past seven years, Banff has been home, and through Oesa Arts he has become one of the driving forces behind a growing movement to support local artists, foster genuine community connections and create alternatives to the traditional mountain town social scene. We discuss why mountain towns attract creative people from around the world, the challenges artists face in expensive tourist communities, the importance of solitude, the relationship between nature and creativity, and whether art can survive in an increasingly commercialized world. We also dive into the evolution of OESA Arts, the growing need for sober and community-focused spaces in Banff, the launch of a new artist-focused networking app, and the vision behind a brand-new OESA café and creative hub currently in development. Along the way, Amal shares his Banff hot take, why he believes solitude is becoming endangered, the role ritual plays in modern life, and why art is often misunderstood as a hobby rather than a necessity. If you’ve ever wondered who is shaping Banff’s creative scene behind the scenes, this episode is for you. In this episode: • Amal’s Banff hot take • Why “solitude is almost going extinct” • The connection between nature, creativity and meaning • Why artists create even when there’s no money in it • The hidden challenges facing local artists • The growth of Oesa Arts • The future of Banff’s creative community • The new Oesa café project • The Worker of Art app • Building community beyond nightlife and tourism Special thanks to our friends at Drinkshaft for supporting local conversations and local culture. Additional thanks to Defending Awesome for bringing the Overheard merch lineup to life and continuing to support independent media in the Bow Valley. Support the show and check out our merch at: www.overheardpodbanff.com [http://www.overheardpodbanff.com] If you’re enjoying the show, please consider subscribing. Nearly 70% of our viewers are still unsubscribed, and that small click helps us tremendously. See you next Tuesday!!

Millions Have Heard His Voice, Few Know His Story, a Conversation with Luke Elvy

From Australia to Augusta National, Luke Elvy has spent more than 30 years behind the microphone covering some of the biggest moments in sports. Before becoming one of the driving forces behind CanGOLF in Canmore, Luke built an incredible broadcasting career that saw him call over 40 major championships and spend 15 years covering the PGA Tour. As part of CBS’s Emmy Award-winning Masters coverage, he spent a decade hosting holes 15 and 16 at Augusta National, calling nine holes-in-one and witnessing Tiger Woods’ historic 2019 Masters comeback victory. Gamers may recognize his voice as well. Since 2019, Luke has been the lead commentator for the PGA Tour 2K video game franchise, bringing professional golf to millions of players around the world. In this episode, we go beyond the résumé to explore the person behind the microphone. We discuss Luke’s journey from Australia to Canada, how he broke into sports broadcasting, what it’s really like working golf’s biggest events, the pressure of live television, unforgettable moments at Augusta, and why after traveling the world he chose to call the Bow Valley home. We also dive into CanGOLF, growing the game in mountain communities, and what success means after a lifetime spent at the highest levels of professional sport. A quick thank you to our sponsors, @drinkshaft and @defendingawesome, for helping make conversations like these possible. Recorded live in Banff, Alberta. Topics: • Luke Elvy • Augusta National • The Masters Tournament • Tiger Woods • PGA Tour • Sports Broadcasting • Golf Commentary • PGA Tour 2K • CanGOLF • Canmore, Alberta • Bow Valley • Life After Broadcasting • Golf in Canada Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and follow the Overheard Podcast for new episodes every week. See you next Tuesday!!

The Man Behind the Viral Jet Boat Jump Gives His First In Depth Interview - @dustydoeser

Fresh off the jet boat jump that captured international attention, @dustydoeser joins us over the phone for his most in-depth interview ever. After successfully sending a jet boat over Lundbreck Falls in Alberta’s Crowsnest Pass, the internet exploded. Millions of views, headlines around the world, praise, criticism, and one question everyone wanted answered: Why? In this exclusive long-form conversation, Dusty goes far beyond the viral clips and headlines. We dive into the years of experience that led to this moment, the planning behind the record-breaking jump, the risks, the safety measures, and what it feels like to wake up one day and find yourself at the center of a global conversation. We also discuss the backlash, the future of extreme jet boating, how he’s handling the sudden attention, and why he believes his biggest jump may still be ahead of him. Including a future goal that sounds almost impossible: Niagara Falls. The world-record jump may be over, but the next project is already underway. Dusty’s latest build, The Barrel, is in development and could be his most ambitious project yet. If you want to see what’s next and help make the next big jump a reality, give him a follow and support the journey however you can. Whether you think he’s a pioneer, a daredevil, or completely out of his mind, this is the deepest look yet at the man behind one of the most talked-about stunts of the year. Rivers across Alberta remain fast-moving and dangerous. Please use extreme caution around waterways and never attempt to recreate stunts discussed in this episode. See you next Tuesday!!

M dot R Opens up About Life, Music and the Internet.

M Dot R pulled up to Banff. Joined by George P, Jabari and Zee Highest, this episode goes way deeper than viral clips, controversy and internet opinions. We sat down with one of the most recognizable names in the UK underground scene for a real conversation about culture, criticism, going viral, staying grounded and the journey behind the millions of views. Born and raised in Kent, England, M Dot R built his name blending UK rap, grime, dancehall and reggae into a sound that instantly stood out. Long before “Turn Red” exploded across TikTok and social media, he was grinding through pirate radio stations, freestyle platforms and underground performances across the UK while building a cult following online. In this episode we talk about growing up around instability, finding music early, the influence Jamaican culture had on his life and career, the reality of internet fame, being misunderstood online, signing with Sony Music and what it actually feels like to wake up one day and become a viral global personality. This is probably the most in depth conversation M Dot R has done to date. No filters. No cheap shots. Just a real conversation. Special shoutout to Drinkshaft, the Bow Valley’s number one grab and go cold brew, and Defending Awesome for keeping the Overheard merch looking sharp. If you enjoy independent long form conversations that go beyond the headlines make sure to like, subscribe and stay tapped in for more weekly episodes and clips. See you next Tuesday!!

Nahanni McKay on Banff, Art, Tourism, Influencer Culture and the Changing Identity of the Bow Valley

Our guest this week is Nahanni McKay, a third generation Banff local, Métis multidisciplinary artist, photographer, skier, and one of the most outspoken creative voices in the Bow Valley. In this episode we dive into the changing identity of Banff and the broader Bow Valley through the lens of someone who has grown up here her entire life. We talk about influencer culture, tourism, commercialization, conservation, mountain culture, colonial narratives, Parks Canada, the history of the Banff Sanatorium, and the tension between protecting a place and packaging it to be sold. Nahanni also shares how growing up in Banff shaped her work, her perspective on art in mountain towns, and how she uses photography and mixed media to challenge the way landscapes like Banff are viewed and consumed. We also get into: Banff local culture Growing up in Banff vs moving here The evolution of the Bow Valley Art and activism Decolonizing conservation Mountain town identity Skijouring and Banff heritage The role of social media in tourism Life as a working artist in Alberta Nahanni’s work has been featured in Canadian Geographic and exhibited across Canada and Europe. She currently has a solo exhibition at the Art Gallery of Alberta and is part of an upcoming group show with the Alberta Craft Council at the Royal Alberta Museum. THIS EPISODE IS BROUGHT TO YOU BY @drinkshaft Big thanks as always to Defending Awesome for the Overheard merch and continued support of the show. Check out our merch and more at: www.overheardpodbanff.com [http://www.overheardpodbanff.com] Thanks to all our listeners for tuning in, our guest for taking the time to sit down with us and share their insights, and all of you continuing to support local independent media here in the Bow Valley. SEE YOU NEXT TUESDAY!!