Sound of the City: Tonye Aganaba
The queer, non-binary, multidisciplinary artist talks about organizing, the ward system, and life being beautiful and awful
SOUND OF THE CITY is a chance to discover and explore Vancouver’s incredible and diverse music scene created in partnership by the City of Vancouver and Stir.
We’ll hear from different local artists or acts, what’s in heavy rotation on their playlist as well as what’s happening in their world amid COVID-19—in their own words.
We ask each artist or act to curate and share a Sound of the City playlist that features some of their favourite Vancouver musicians.
Sound of the City is a way to celebrate local talent, highlight BIPOC and underrepresented artists, and connect with creatives and each other. It’s time to crank the volume on the music that’s all around us, right in our own backyard.
Tonye Aganaba
TONYE AGANABA IS a queer, non-binary, multidisciplinary artist, musician, and performer residing on the unceded territories of the Musqueam, Squamish and Tsleil-Waututh First Nations. They were born in London, England to parents of Nigerian and Zimbabwean heritage and raised on Treaty 8 and Treaty 6 territory.
Aganaba’s style is fluid, weaving playful threads of soulful neo-folk, funk, hip hop and R&B. They are a steadfast fixture in their local arts community and a passionate and political being. When they’re not making music or art, they’re actively unlearning, relearning and having conversations.
Listen to Aganaba’s picks on her Sound of the City playlist, below.
Tonye Aganaba’s Playlist
How are you feeling about life right now?
WOW. Um… Life is brilliant and terrible, and beautiful and awful, and wonderful and stressful, and incredible and insufferable. You know... I feel all the things about life right now. The thing I feel the most is the massive potential in this moment, you know, in liminal space, everything is possible. The potential is incredible.
What did you have planned for 2020 and this year, and how has the pandemic changed those plans?
Last year, I had a full summer of touring on the books, with gigs at Jazz Fest, Salmon Arm Roots & Blues, Burnaby Roots & Blues Fest, Van Children’s Fest, and many, many more. The pandemic interrupted those plans in a huge way; all the gigs were cancelled, and I have essentially been home since last March. Luckily, I have been able to throw that energy into different projects, utilizing some of the skills and abilities I have garnered over the years as a performer, host, promoter, and producer to develop new ways to show up in the world while we can’t be with each other in the physical. I’m feeling really grateful for the parts of my person that have been allowed to flourish now that pressure of the hustle is off.
What, or who, do you miss most about pre-pandemic life?
I miss a lot of things. As an immunocompromised person, with immunocompromised folx in my bubble, I’m painfully aware of the loss of touch, hugs, and connection in close quarters. I miss the sweaty mess of a full venue, and the joy of shaking hands and connecting with folx after the show is done. I miss my band, the many players that I’ve had the opportunity to work, play and grow with over the course of my time in Vancouver. I miss the venues that made me—Guilt & Co, Calabash, the Commodore—you know, the homes of live music in Vancouver.
Where are you finding solace?
Organizing. This period of time has provided such an opportunity to connect with folx in new ways through new mediums. For some this has meant delving into the transition to online shows, but for me it has meant really breaking my life down to its raw elements and focusing on the parts of it that feed my spirit. Hustling in the music business doesn’t do that; organizing with my fellow humans, having deep conversations about the state of our world, finding ways to move through the multiplicity of crises we are all living through, educating myself, expanding my world view, and opening myself up to this liminal space give me solace and comfort. It helps me believe that a better life is possible for all and inspires me to collaborate and conspire with others to see that it gets built... With people power!
What song or album has been in your heavy rotation recently and why?
I have been obsessed with an album called Joy Techniques by Nate Mercereau. I love it because when I put this record on, it helps me focus—and living with ADHD, this is a constant struggle. My favourite song on this instrumental offering is called "This Simulation Is a Good One", and I think it’s a pretty apt soundtrack to the times we’re living through. Nate is a gifted multi-instrumentalist and a master collaborator. I love the way he approaches music, and his works to me are masterpieces. They affect my mind and body in a tangible way, allowing me to follow my wild thoughts, meditate on life, and motivate my spirit. Definitely recommend.
Who is your favourite Vancouver musician or artist? What about them inspires you?
Wow. Trying to get me in trouble, huh?
There are so many artists that I love and respect in Vancouver, but if I had to pick one, I would pick two.
Khari-Wendall McLelland: the way he has woven history, political education, inspiration, and collaboration into his work over the years is so incredible. Folx who enter his shows looking for sweet songs and good vibes leave with a heart full of lived experiences and gentle invitations to interrogate our own narratives. I love it.
Ostwelve: Again, the way that Os brings his history, his knowledge (but contemporary and traditional), into all of his creative work really inspires me to delve deeper into my own history and learn about the threads that are connected between colonized folx around the world. I love how much his work focuses on understanding the reality that we are living in and the way he uses music to break down complex ideas.
If you could change one thing about Vancouver, what would it be?
The way we elect our representatives. We would do much better if we had a ward system. I feel like that would be more equitable, and would increase opportunities for folx to be represented by folx they recognize.
You’re writing to us from 2025...what does the future hold?
In 2025, we have finally cracked the code on housing in our city, and every single one of the currently homeless folx has permanent, safe, and secure housing. We have developed robust and responsive systems that connect folx with the resources they need in a timely fashion.
We have received our Section 56 exemption from the federal government, and now Vancouver is positioned as one of the most progressive cities in the world, and #safesupply is no longer a dirty word. Anyone who is a substance user has access to it, as well as all the supports they might need, at no cost, should they decide to get “clean”.
In 2025, we are a community built on mutual aid, accountability, and participatory democracy for all residents, not just tax-paying citizens. In 2025, anyone can vote in our municipal elections, because we have finally recognized the value of the rest of the folx who live here. Approximately 60,000 permanent residents were given the right to vote, when the Democratic Socialists of Vancouver in partnership with One City brought forward a motion and pushed for provincial legislation to make it happen.
2025 ain’t all bad!
Related Articles
