Explore every episode of the podcast Back 2 U – Music Hangs & Records We Love

Lexis is in Toronto and drops by his talented friend Raf Reza’s studio for another superb session of the Back 2 U show. Tons of discoveries, personal stories, laughs and cries.

What record would you send back in time? What do you like to sing in the shower? A record everyone loves but you hate? What record makes you cry? And many more.

Growing up in Tokyo, living in the UK, and now based in Toronto, Raf’s sound has progressed over the years drawing inspiration from his many different homes. His debut album ‘Ekbar' continues to explore his obsession with all things dubwise, heavily referencing his UK connections as well as introducing Bengali cultural references into his work.

Lexis welcomes his talented friend to the show for another musical hangout. Foxtrott is an uber-talented producer, singer, and composer who creates music that always feels unique and intimate, yet expansive, fully exploring all of her musical influences.

Lexis and Foxtrott go back-to-back for 2hrs talking about key records, songs that made them cry, their last shazams and more.

Silktits aka Alexis Cuthbert isn’t just my namesake; she’s one of my favorite DJs and one of our best adopted Montrealers. Even though she falls under the 'open format' style of DJing, her signature sound often has a cheeky, twinkly quality, drawing from different genres like disco, boogie, early house, Balearic, and leftfield.

In this episode, we discuss taking mushrooms and listening to the same song 53 times in a row while in a kiddie pool, talk about the secret vinyl store in Montreal, jam out to bizarre 80s Quebec drum machine theatre-boogie, Romanian pan flute jazz-disco, and close out the show by playing different reggae cover versions of the exact same song by pure coincidence!

Two hours of sharing music and talks by Music Is My Sanctuary's Lexis and his guest of the month, Montreal mainstay and community worker Scott Clyke.

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For the 10th episode, Lexis hands over the hosting duties to Guthrie from the Ferias crew, who are behind some of the best events and vibes in Montreal right now. Our very special guests for this episode are PUBLIC SERVICE NYC, who were passing through town for a few great sets. The talented and eclectic-minded Toribio and Mickey Perez sat down between gigs, record shopping, and pizza joints to discuss a few of their favourite records and the stories behind them.

The ambient/IDM Montreal-based duo Mue (Catherine Debard and Léon Lo) drop by Lexis' place for another killer episode of the Back 2 U monthly show.

"We are huge fans of their music (highly recommend their album titled Les Vasières) but also of each of their solo ventures, Catherine under the YlangYlang moniker and Léon under his Skinnybones production/DJ alias. Another lovely musical hangout going back and forth about meaningful records and the personal stories behind them.

Music is My Sanctuary's Lexis is back with his 'Back to You' show, selecting tracks and exchanging thoughts - this time with Montreal based DJ & producer Honeydrip.

Lexis welcomes another very special guest to his monthly record hang: Aki from the legendary Cosmos Records. The Toronto-based shop is very high up on the list of most influential and important digging spots in the world. Dilla, Madlib & Pete Rock have dug through these crates.

Beyond the exclusive and rare digs you can find at Cosmos, the best feature of the store is the man behind the counter. Aki is always holding it down at Cosmos West (there is also the Cosmos East location a stone’s throw away) and is ready to share knowledge on his favorite records, whether rare groove holy grails or slept-on budget records.

Back at it for the sixth episode of the Back 2 U monthly show on Kiosk Radio, featuring my friends Guthrie and Alina from the Ferias collective whose events have had such a positive impact on the local scene. Everyone in Montreal right now knows that the Ferias parties are a sure shot for a great night every time. Great curation of spaces, DJ lineups, sound quality, and eclectic music for open-minded dancers. The attention to little details makes all the difference.

It was great to hang out, play records for each other, and talk about what makes a perfect morning record. If you could sing like anyone, who would that be? And also just play records that we simply love, from psych rock to kwaito.

A great hang with my friends from the Ferias crew!

I’m very happy to welcome Destiny, one of my favorite DJs and diggers (and drummers) in Montreal for the fifth episode of Back 2 U.

Whenever we share the turntables or I hear her play, she always wows me with her eclecticism, originality and energy. We definitely share the same condition, which I would call “Musical ADHD”: the desire to want to play and listen to everything all at once. 

This was a super fun listening session and a great opportunity to finally hang out outside of dark clubs or dusty record stores.

Everything from The Stooges, Grant Green, Jessy Lanza, and Earl Sweatshirt got played. We left no musical stone unturned!

Music is My Sanctuary's Lexis invites Montreal based songwriting, production, and DJ duo Anthony Salvo and Terrell McLeod Richardson aka The Lyonz for two hours of talks and music.

Music is My Sanctuary's Lexis invites Montreal based DJ, documentary filmmaker and high-spirited party animal Doc'trin for two hours of talks and music.

After a 12 episode run of Back 2 U monthly episodes, Lexis returns and welcomes another one of his Montreal friends for another music hangout to share records and the personal back stories that surround them.

Icky Magdala is a Montreal-based DJ and producer with a career spanning nearly two decades. Originating from the city’s underground scene, she finds refuge in sound system culture. Drawing upon a deep affection for different subgenres—with heavy emphasis on bass and drum lines—the avid vinyl records collector navigates through dub, jungle, drum & bass, hip hop, and acid techno. This has led her to perform at notable local and international venues and festivals, including Mutek Festival, Under Pressure Festival, The Lot Radio in NYC, and numerous encounters with the Dub-Stuy crew, to name a few. 

When she isn’t DJing, playing live sets or curating events, Icky Magdala continues to expand her sonic vision with her project Bridges to Dub. Her mission: spreading the music and good vibes. 

In the 14th episode of his Back 2 U series on Kiosk Radio, Lexis welcomes Montréal-based producer and researcher SIM. He is a singular voice in contemporary club culture, known for sculpting bold collisions between techno and dancehall. Originator of the Slow Tech genre, SIM approaches sound as a gravitational field where genres orbit, stretch, and intertwine—merging foundational Caribbean rhythms with the tensile minimalism of electronic music’s vanguard.

Lexis welcomes Christian Pronovost aka Lost Heroes to the 15th episode of the Back 2 U show hosted on Kiosk Radio. 

One of the true legends of the Montreal DJ scene since the 80’s, Christian has always been on the cutting edge of the dancefloor. He ran the hugely influential INBEAT record store for over 20 years which was the central hub for so many local DJ’s and music heads rolling through town. As a DJ, he’s always been and still is one of the most unique and daring to step in a booth. 

Lexis sat down for a record hang sharing the personal stories behind pivotal records from the past and present. 

Lexis welcomes one of the local heroes of the Montreal scene. Whether it’s on the dancefloor singing at the top of his lungs, curating events or behind the decks, Fred is the life of the party and the city wouldn’t be the same without him.

His sonic expeditions blend R&B melodies, Garage/2-step rhythms, UK Funky grooves, Hip-hop beats, and soulful harmonies—creating conversations between yesterday's treasures and tomorrow's discoveries.

For Fred, music is more than a pastime—it's a lifelong love affair he's elevating to new heights. Whether introducing audiences to hidden gems or creating moments of connection through rhythm, his genuine enthusiasm for musical discovery invites you to join the journey.

Lexis hands over the hosting duties to his dear friend Destiny who in turn invites another friend and influence, Montreal’s DJ Kozz.

“Kozz–aka Alex Moskos–is the music coordinator at CKUT 90.3FM, the mind behind Drainolith and former guitarist with Montreal noise rock legends AIDS wolf. 

I probably first saw him perform at a Concordia Electroacoustics tribute concert to Raymond Scott when I was 18. Since then we got to know each other over the last couple decades through the noise and punk scenes, the radio station and through showing each other weird records. He was the very first person to come to mind when asked to guest-host Back 2 U because we share wide-ranging tastes and a compulsion to understand records in their historical context.”

On a gorgeous early summer day in Montreal, Lexis returns for Episode #19 of Back 2 U, hosting another intimate session of back-to-back vinyl curation. This month, he’s joined by a local music staple—an artist who stopped by to spin their most meaningful records and share the stories behind the music.

Our guest is Chris, the creative force behind 180g vinyl café. For over a decade, this Rosemont hideaway has served as a sanctuary for music lovers. It’s the kind of hidden gem that’s well worth the trek, offering a perfect harmony of expert cappuccinos, a robust lunch menu, exceptional tunes, and an atmosphere that feels just like home.

On a beautiful spring day in Montreal, Lexis sits down for another round of back-to-back record sharing for Episode #18 of the Back 2 U show. This month’s friendly music hangout features two incredible artists passing through the city to share meaningful records and the stories behind them.

First up is Noey Lopez, a cornerstone of the Houston underground House and Techno scene for nearly 15 years. Joining the session is Brussels-based dancer, DJ, and musician Mab'ish, a familiar and beloved favorite of the Kiosk Radio family.

Dive into an afternoon of deep selections, global sounds, and transatlantic musical storytelling.

For the 20th episode of the Back 2 U series, Lexis sits down with longtime friend, collaborator, and Montreal local hero, Kris Guilty.

Known as the driving force behind the beloved La Rama record store and label, Kris has earned his stellar reputation through years of dedicated DJing, community-building, and exceptional taste. 

Another deeply enjoyable conversation packed with stories of meaningful records and the personal memories tied to them.