Q&A: Cadence Weapon, Brendan Canning talk new music residencies and their Toronto culture guide

For rapper and DJ Cadence Weapon, and Broken Social Scene co-founder Brendan Canning, residencies provide a chance to not only connect with other Toronto music artists but to discover and inspire a new generation of talent.
Edmonton-born Cadence Weapon, a.k.a. Rollie Pemberton, is also a producer and author who was based in Toronto before moving to Hamilton two years ago. He was awarded the Polaris Music Prize in 2021 for his fifth studio album, “Parallel World.”
Brendan Canning is a founding member of Broken Social Scene, a Toronto music collective described as one of the most influential indie rock bands of the past two decades.
Both artists have started new music residencies in the city: Pemberton at Standard Time and Canning at the Drake Hotel.
Pemberton’s residency will run over four weeks in October. He’ll be joined in conversation by a lineup of prolific artists that he personally curated who will also perform live, including Debby Friday, Jacques Greene, Owen Pallett and Lido Pimienta.
Canning’s yearlong musical collaboration with the Drake kicked off with a preview last Friday. The series promises “a diverse spectrum” of live performances five days a week from Canadian talent ranging from industry legends to emerging artists.
I spoke to the two artists separately over the phone.
Cadence Weapon: The residency is a multi-pronged event where I’ll be interviewing some of Canada’s best musicians, which includes three Polaris Prize winners and a Juno winner. It’s going to be recorded as well, so it’s going to be the jumping off point for a future podcast. And on top of the conversations, there’s going to be unreleased music from these artists. There’s going to be live performances by some of the artists and I will be performing as well, and then each night is going to have a different DJ that’s going to play with me. It’s almost like a salon type environment where you get to see all these different forms of entertainment.
Brendan Canning: We just started a piano player series running five nights a week in the lounge (of the Drake Hotel) called “Dinner With Sounds” and its like old school hotel where you come in and there’s someone playing piano, rather than just some random playlist on Spotify. It’s trying to bring back more sort of classic entertainment that you would find at world class hotels. We’re also doing country bands on Sunday nights, this thing we titled “Saloon Sundays.” We’re just trying to get the best players in the city, basically, to come out and play at the Drake.
Cadence Weapon: This is something I’ve wanted to do for a long time … I’ve always enjoyed hosting and interviewing people. I want to talk about what it takes to be an artist today and the financial side of it was something that isn’t really discussed. That’s something I want to demystify. I want to talk to people about what it actually takes to create an album that can get to the point where you win a Polaris Prize, right? And I wanted to talk to people who I think are from different genres and different perspectives, and particularly people who I consider to be outspoken or maybe have a different perspective of how they make music.
Brendan Canning: It took conversations that lasted a few months, just going back and forth. It was impressed upon me that I was the right person for the role … My job is to bring in what I deem the best talent in the city. The main goal (is) to make sure people who are coming in are going to be treated to something special. The Drake is supposed to be the community hub and, in Toronto, as the community grows, I’m just trying to represent that and bring in stuff that’s cool. I played with a Brazilian percussionist once and it’s like, “Oh yeah, we need Brazilian music at the Drake.” So that’s something I’m working on and I’m just open to all ideas.
Cadence Weapon: I’m just really excited to try and create an environment where we can celebrate artistry. I think you’re seeing, especially in Canada and a lot of places in the West, artists aren’t appreciated in the same way they were even, like, 10 years ago. I just wanted to create a place where we can have just these open discussions about performing and artistry, and making a celebration of the amazing art that we have in our country.
Brendan Canning: There’s definitely a sense of pride. It’s something that you booked and you presented to the crew, and they’re like, “Yeah, OK, we’re on board with this,” and if it’s working then you feel good. I’m just trying to carry on a long tradition of going (to the Drake) since the grand opening that I played at as well. I feel like I have a responsibility to just be true to a place that was there for me.
Cadence Weapon: I think one of the things I really wanted to do with this project is inspire younger generations’ artists. I think the way the infrastructure is right now, it can look almost impossible to be able to reach the heights of some of the artists that I’m going to be talking to, but I just want to show that they’re all just normal people who just push themselves to make something great. And I think it’s possible for any of us to do something special, in the proper situation for it.
Brendan Canning: People are spending their money there, right? So you want to create value. What other place is like the Drake in Toronto that has the Sky Yard, that has a main lounge, dining and puts on shows. You have shows in the Underground. You have a cafe on the other side. You have this little cute bar in the new lounge where this old school bartender will make you nice drinks. It’s got seating for eight people and it’s a very intimate kind of thing. We’ve got art installations happening. There’s always something happening.
Pemberton and Canning shared their go-to spots in the Toronto cultural scene.
Standard Time, 165 Geary Ave., Unit A
“It’s probably the place I go to the most for concerts. I see a lot of DJs play there and the sound is just amazing, and it feels very comfortable to be there.” — Pemberton
The Cameron House, 408 Queen St. W.
“I kind of look at the Cameron House how I do the Drake Hotel. We started out at the Cameron House and it’s very Toronto to me.” — Canning
Revue Cinema, 400 Roncesvalles Ave.
“I used to live over there, so I actually really do like that theatre.” — Pemberton
Royal Theatre, 608 College St.
“I do like The Royal Theatre. I’d say between the Royal and the Revue. They’ve both been around for a long time.” — Canning
Pandemonium, 2920 Dundas St. W.
“Low-key, I think they have the best music section for books in Toronto. It’s also an amazing record store as well.” — Pemberton
Type Books, 883 Queen St. W.
“Type at the Queen and Bellwoods location.” — Canning
MOCA Toronto, 158 Sterling Rd.
“I mean they’re all good, but I would say the MOCA (the Museum of Contemporary Art). I always find it pretty interesting.” — Pemberton
Art Gallery of Ontario, 317 Dundas St. W.
“Probably the AGO (Art Gallery of Ontario). I feel like that’s the most varied and classic, and has a lot of interesting stuff. But I like the ROM (Royal Ontario Museum) too.” — Canning
This interview has been edited for length and clarity.