The RIFF – Détails, épisodes et analyse

Here with us is a true Canadian triple threat, actually, quadruple threat! An actor, singer, pianist, and multi-instrumentalist, she has performed across Canada, the U.S., Austria, and Japan.

She’s known for standout turns in major productions like “Once”, The Sound of Music, Natasha, Pierre & The Great Comet of 1812, 2 Pianos, 4 Hands and the Tony-nominated Broadway musical by  Steven Martin and Edie Brickell: Bright Star.

Offstage, she’s just as accomplished: a sought-after voice specialist, masterclass clinician, private coach, and Music Director. She’s on the voice faculty at Sheridan College, serves as President of the Canadian Music Festival Adjudicators Association, and is part of the Royal Conservatory of Music’s College of Examiners.

In her downtime, she shares life with her equally talented actor-musician husband, Rick Hughes, and their mini-schnauzer, Gustav Mahler. Because every dog is named after a famous composer.

https://www.garnertheatreproductions.com/

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Including SpongeBob's Saving Bikini Bottom: The Sandy Cheeks Movie, Darin Bristow has 30 years of experience in animation and media and has spearheaded major projects for Nelvana, Pipeline Studios, PBS Kids, Nickelodeon, and Netflix.

Darin has produced music videos for Kim Mitchell, Big Sugar and Sammy Hagar of Van Halen, blending his talents across the entertainment industry. 

A triple graduate of Sheridan College, Darin holds a First-Class Honours master’s degree with a focus on design psychology. He now supports studios in creating content that resonate deeply with audiences. Darin also teaches at 5 Canadian leading animation programs. 

Darin is also the creator of Sammy Hagar’s unofficial podcast, which reaches listeners in over 50 countries, celebrating the Red Rocker lifestyle and the spirit of creative passion.

Foodie Highlight: Porchetta and Co, 2022 New Zealand Pinot Noir is Staete Landt of Marlborough (State of Grace) found at the LCBO Vintage section. 

Daris Bristow can be found at: https://www.linkedin.com/in/darin-bristow-ma-b733411/ AND https://www.instagram.com/thebogusotisshow AND https://www.youtube.com/@SoulshakerRocksU

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Gino Del Sole is a seasoned guitarist with over 20 years of experience performing in the theatre pit for the shows Beetlejuice, Moulin Rouge, and In Dreams (Mirvish Productions), as well as Come From Away, Kinky Boots, and Legally Blonde.
His genres span across Rock, Pop, R&B, Jazz, and Country.
He’s played thousands of live shows, including 800+ aboard the Norwegian Breakaway in productions like Rock of Ages and Burn the Floor.
Gino is the co-founder and lead guitarist of AC/DC Show Canada and Epic Elton, performing 100+ shows each year, and has collaborated with The Official Blues Brothers Revue, Alfie Zappacosta, Aaron Walpole, and Terry Hatty from The Guess Who. He’s now working on new music for an upcoming solo project.

🎸 Watch more musician stories on The RIFF → YouTube Playlist
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🔗 Follow Gino Del Sole:
Instagram → @ginodelsole
YouTube → Gino Del Sole Guitarist

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On this episode of The Riff Toronto, we sit down with one of Canada’s most celebrated bassists, Rich Brown — fresh off his Juno Award win and the release of his stunning new album, Nyaeba.

Rich opens up about his creative process, his approach to composition, and what continues to fuel his lifelong love of music. We also dive into his long-time friendship and musical chemistry with co-host Jeremy Green, giving listeners a rare glimpse into the shared language of two master musicians.

Plus, we highlight one of Toronto’s standout foodie gems — Mary Be Kitchen, a downtown spot known for wholesome comfort food made right.

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Rick Menary is a singer and guitarist, currently the creator and member of the blues-rock band, "The Spitfire Kings": A band with a faithful Toronto following. Menaryhas been highly active on the Toronto music scene since the early 80s. Menary's entrepreneurial skills within the competitive world of the music biz spans every genre and generation. His street-borne education earns him the respect of many; from promoters to every musician who has lived a life on the road, on stage and beyond.

For the video version of this podcast go to https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PL5RdWksuiK4DQx0WPI9uDCHLqJx42tOtZ&si=zqu2lSPX2hhdkU8A

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Classically trained, yet fuelled by Ozzy, Iron Maiden, Children of Bodom, and Forteresse, she’s spent nearly 20 years tearing up stages across classical, blues, rock, and extreme metal.

In 2024, Sam brought that same hunger for heavy, high-impact sound to the decks of Toronto as a DJ. Her sets swing from the warm, rolling pulse of terrace-ready tech house to the shadowy, hard-hitting techno and hard dance that ignite warehouse floors after dark.

Her mission is clear: to cut through the weight and absurdity of modern life with transformative, body-shaking music—to give people permission to let go.

For the video version of this podcast go to https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PL5RdWksuiK4DQx0WPI9uDCHLqJx42tOtZ&si=zqu2lSPX2hhdkU8A

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How can musicians stream income in today’s modern world? Our guest is a seasoned entrepreneur and music enthusiast who founded Music Royalties Inc. after successfully exiting a gold royalty company, spotting the untapped potential in song copyrights that last for the author's life plus 70 years.

In 1-2 years everyone will be able to invest in music royalties when MusicRoyalties.com goes public. EVERYONE. 

For artists, he offers a fair alternative to selling out to major labels, letting musicians monetize royalties upfront while sharing in monthly payouts, stock appreciation, and long-term deals in movies or ads. This turns favourite songs into perpetual wealth for artists, musicians and fans alike.

Drawing from his experience as Chairman & CEO of Metalla Royalty & Streaming Ltd. and founding multiple public companies, he pivoted to music royalties amid booming streaming on Spotify and YouTube. His mission is to acquire cash-flowing catalogs from icons like Avril Lavigne, Justin Bieber, Rihanna, Backstreet Boys, and The Who…building a diversified portfolio that has already paid over $14 million in monthly dividends, with a 360% increase since inception.

Welcome to The Riff, Tim Gallagher of Royalties Inc!

To learn more about Tim and how to invest in music royalties, visit www.musicroyalties.com

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The Riff Welcomes Canada's own Hall of Famer Pete Bowman: Well-known Canadian TV personality and one of the most revered and popular anglers in the country, widely recognized for his show, Fish’n Canada with 3.5 million viewers. His tremendous passion and knowledge for the sport has endeared him to audiences and Fish’n Canada fans nationwide who still see him as just “ONE OF THE BOYS”.

An accomplished and published outdoor writer and photographer, he has also co-hosted on The Outdoor Journal Television show as well as the Outdoor Journal Radio and currently co-hosts the Outdoor Journal Radio podcast. In 2012 he was inducted into the Canadian Angler Hall Of Fame, something he never dreamed would happen. This is our Canadian fishing icon and legend.

Shout outs from the show:

Pete Bowman and Fish'n Canada
Youtube  @Fishncanada
Website: https://fishncanada.com
instagram: @petebowman_fishing
instagram: @fishncanadaoffical

Fishing Guides
Toronto Harbour: https://www.fishcitytours.com
Niagara River https://www.castadventures.com

Tournaments
 @kenorabassinternational26 

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On this episode, Maddy Goldberg is at The Riff table.  A Toronto-based chef and digital creator whose viral Instagram reels have captured millions with her sharp humor, culinary skill, and big heart. A classically trained fine dining chef, Maddy now uses her platform to spotlight community and compassion, volunteering and cooking each week at her local food bank.

In the studio, she gets real with hosts Gary and Jeremy, with some laughable candle-eating moments, pickle jobs and the challenges of the restaurant industry. All, of course, with a foodie highlight on a Toronto pasta phenom whose creator has impressed the likes of the endearing and loveable Maddy. 

Maddy's storytelling, culinary insight, and social impact reminds us that great food is about more than technique; it’s about connection, care, and giving back.

Want more Maddy Goldberg? Check out:

cookeat.substack.com

Tiktok: maddygoldberg1

Instagram @maddygoldberg

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Our guest today is the only Canadian, and the youngest person, to hold a title bestowed by the Guilde Internationale des Fromagers: Maître Fromager or  "Cheese Master".

He was named one of the Top 50 Most Influential People in Canadian Food by The Globe and Mail and hosts the six-part series, Cheese: A Love Story on the Food Network, where viewers follow him around the world, exploring some of the planet’s most incredible cheese regions.

You’ve likely seen him across Canadian food media, with recurring guest appearances on The Marilyn Denis Show, CityTV’s Breakfast Television, and CTV’s, Your Morning. He’s also a consultant for Top Chef Canada, MasterChef Canada, and Chopped Canada.

He’s the bestselling author of the cookbook, For the Love of Cheese.

He teaches cheese-pairing masterclasses, consults with top chefs and food businesses, and now has a highly anticipated second cookbook coming out early November: A Passport to Cheese.

Co‑owner of Toronto’s very own Cheese Boutique, right in the heart of our west end. Welcome to The Riff, Afrim Pristine. 

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