Sunday Sessions [2023-08-13]

an.OBJX.prjx

presents

SUNDAY SESSIONS

Every night at OBJX Studio always begins with a hug. Friends, strangers, artists alike; this is a space to connect, to vent, to love. Welcome home, I’m beyond grateful to be here.

OBJX Studio is known by artists for its limitless film & photography opportunities, but it is a haven for all artists; transforming into a vibrant hub of artistic expression every Sunday evening. Hosted tonight with Katrina Anastasia and BitterxBroke; Sunday Sessions is a home to performers who can expand their artistry through performance and jamming.

Sign-up begins at 7pm and we keep grooving until midnight. This August 13th, as the clock strikes the appointed hour, a mere $10 cover opens the gateway to an evening of musical enchantment and soulful performances.

Lights, camera, action!

Did you know? All performances at OBJX Studio are captured by our audio/visual team providing a high quality performance video that artists can take home with them for only $50! Seeing as how, studio, lights, cameras, and a band are all included that is quite a steal!

Instagram:

@sundaysessions.prjx

CHECK OUT THIS WEEKS PERFORMANCE VIDEOS

If you are interested in purchasing your performance video please reach out to us via Instagram @objx.studio with your performance date, time stamp of your performance, and your email.

PHOTOGRAPHER

We'd like to shout out the Diego Chazi and Claire Stacey for being our photographers for the night!

DIEGO @__diegochazi

CLAIRE @claire_stacey72

With an artist's eye and a heart full of passion, Diego Chazi, the talented photographer, makes his mark at Sunday Sessions, freezing moments and emotions in time. Inspired by a recent encounter at a studio, Diego's love for photography reignited, propelling him to seize the opportunity and showcase his talent once more. Reflecting on his childhood dreams, Diego Chazi longed to be a photographer, driven by the desire to help the community and capture the essence of happiness through visual storytelling.

Claire's artistry moves well-beyond photography. Having being raised by her grandma, who dedicated her life to art and photography, the passion for creation has always pulled her. While her grandma was nature-focused, Claire found her joy in collaboration with models, friends, and groups of people. The energy of a crowd, the ability to freeze someone's life in time, was and is profound.

As a part-time photographer, blog-writer, musician, talent-manager and painter, Claire finds solace in the ebbs and flows of passionate expression.

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HIGHLIGHTED PERFORMERS

Find Claire throughout the night to have your performance featured in our blog!

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BitterxBroke

@bitterxbroke

Leading the night is our very own BitterxBroke, covering "Soul Sista" by Bilal.

Tonight's Sunday Session question proposes:

"What is a moment in your life you will never forget?"

To which Yoshi recalls traveling to Bali and having the honor of playing for a friend's wedding.

Aaron's recollection is a true testament to the extraordinarily connective experience of OBJX-having met their third band-member Jay in studio two years ago!

Jay recalls the same moment-gratitude overflowing the stage. Uniquely, he also speaks back to a blissful moment parasailing on the ocean.

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Yan Rainbow

@yan_rainbow1

Tonight, Yan Rainbow graces our stage to perform an original entitled "Sweet Lord," and scored piece from a poem titled "Wings" by Lina Costenko. Reflecting on recent months, Yan imparts a timeless lesson: "Turtles are always the first to finish. Take your time. If you hurry, like the rabbit, nothing will work. Have patience."

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DANIEL

@danieljoelarmstrong

A new member to our OBJX community, Daniel blows us away with a cover from Katrina Anastasia "TMWYL" and "Closer" by The Chainsmokers.

Reflecting on the past months, Daniel immediately responds by saying: "Simping gets you nowhere"

He continues "In all seriousness, you regret more taking risks than not at all. It's better to be fearless than sheepish. Very rarely do people regret taking risks. You can recover from risk but you can't from missed opportunities. Life is short." This sage advice serves as a reminder to embrace life's opportunities, casting aside hesitation in favor of daring exploration; even if that means bruising your heart from time to time.

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ZAID

@usmanizaid

Next we welcome the soulful presence of Zaid, guitar in toe, as he plays "I Don't Wanna Know" by Mario Winans and the emotive "Slow Dancing in The Dark" John Mayer.

When asked about a lesson gained in recent months that he intends to carry forward, Zaid imparts a timeless truth: "Time is the only resource you can't get back, you need to make the most of it." Reminding us all to tune into what we're investing time into, and ensuring every moment counts.

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SARAH

@Sarahcornellshowandtell

At OBJX, we revel in any opportunity to experience performance art, expanding out from music. Tonight, Sarah offers us an exclusive improv experience, based on a character she developed herself.

When asked about a recent lesson that resonated with her, Sarah reveals that: "Intimidation is a big dumb giant. You have to push past it because it's not real." As artists (and humans), we are often faced with challenges that scare us, most of them being internal. Once we face the giant, we can realize it never had the power we imagined.

To our question of the night, Sarah shares that while there are many things that she remembers impacting her, more than likely at the end all she'll remember is an inane experience at a Loblaw's, an all-too relatable experience.

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KATRINA ANASTASIA

@katrina.anastasia

Starting off our second set, our host Katrina Anastasia steps into the spotlight. Tonight, she performs "Crazy" by Gnarls Buckley and her original crowd-favourite "TMWYL." Everyone bubbles up and begins to dance.

When asked about a new-found lesson, Katrina shares that she has learned to:

"Set boundaries to protect my energy and my future",

A sentiment that has vibrated throughout the night, and one that should ring true for everyone. Boundaries are not selfish, they are an act of true courage and preservation!

Something that will remain etched into Katrina's mind is a recent retreat she went on called Star Collective Arts Celestial Gala on a luscious property outside of the city. She recalls being reclined on a floatie in the water, among women, all shirtless all free. She recognizes in her moment that that is the place she should've always been. The power of women connected is unstoppable.

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NIK

@n.i.k.b.r.i.c.k.

Ushered over to take this mini-interview, Nik accompanies Peace Spice on bass. On stage, their presence is not to be missed; the stage electric with energy as they jam in unison.

When asked about a recent lesson, Nik shares:

“Learn to rely on yourself more. Don't think that someone will solve everything for you. Learn to be self-reliant”.

He doesn't mean to not ask for help-rather, he urges us to remember that we are our sole proprietor's.

When asked our question of the week, Nik recalls his graduation trip to the mountains. He sat with friends, a view overlooking the mountains, smoking weed, listening to Pink Floyd. All of a sudden a storm begins to gather over the rocky skyline, offering Nik a serenity he will not soon forget.

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gee.

@gee._________

Adorned in lavender, gee leaves his mark at OBJX studio, offering us an intimate listening experience of his original songs, "Inamorata" and "Aloha".

Taken aback b our in-depth questions, gee thinks back on the past few months to glean insight;

"Learning how to navigate through set-backs and failures."

As succinct as gee is, as musicians and artists we are faced with many "no's" before we find a yes. Cold-calling, mass applying for festivals, it can be a grueling and at times isolative experience. Its important for us all to realize that through every no we are getting closer to a yes, and that a no does not mean you are losing our on something. You will find the people that resonate with you and your music, and you will flow and find a rich community/fanbase within that.

When asked about a moment gee will not forget, he calls to a time he played Dance Dance Revolution and he beat Healing Vision ~angelic mix~ on Heavy Mode. Twice.

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Damon Nomad

@_damonnomad

Joining gee on stage tonight, Damon accompanies gee's music on electric guitar admirably.

Reflecting on the past few months, Damon says:

"I've learned to listen more before I take any actions. In music, but also in life. I've learned to listen first, act second."

It may seem obvious to some, but the act of listening before you speak or act is a timeless and wise message. It is easy to act on ego, it is harder to hold your reaction and sit with thought.

A moment Damon will not forget is a testament as to why we're all here. He recalls his first time playing with a band, connecting through vibrations with the crowd and members. The act of having a band listening and riffing off of each other was powerful and intoxicating, and is always what keeps him coming back.

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Shannon

@shawtytawty

One of our last performances of the evening leaves an impactful mark on the floor of the studio. Joining us, Shannon freestyle dances to "Grow" by FACESOUL, sharing a collective release of energy amongst the crowd. Her moves are meditative and immersive, creating a one of a kind note to leave the night on.

When reflecting on the past few months, something consistent rings true for Shannon.

“Self-love is an every day practice. You don't get better at it and then the work is done, it's a constant process.”

An act of unravelling and raveling again, all actions move us closer to ourselves. As soulful as her dance was, Shannon embodies that insight within.

This inner-work comes from her courage and self-reliance. When asked about something she won't forget, Shannon immediately tells me about her choice to move to Toronto in 2020, leaving behind all she has ever known. As hard as it was, this journey brought Shannon success of her own, finding herself and being able to share that gift with others.

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William Mendelbaum

@williammendelbaum

Tonight from France, William joins us on the keys. Having spent the past year traveling the globe and sharing in his talent, it was an honor to be in his presence. As thrilled as everyone was when he shared his immense talent, nothing could pull William away from his true passion! Leaving on a flight to New York the next evening, William just wanted to jam the night away.

When discussing a recent lesson he's learned, William echoes just that. Having suffered trials and tribulations, he finds his true solace in performing. "Resilience," a word that resonates mutually through English and French, described his fierce relationship to music. As he leaves the studio this evening, hearts full, he promises to be back again.

Until then, safe travels friend!

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With the jam session concluded, the artists share heartfelt hugs and smiles, grateful for the opportunity to share their artistry with each other in such a cherished space. As the audience begins to disperse, they carry with them the memory of this magical night.

As the studio lights dim and we re-stage our space, the spirit of creativity and camaraderie remain. Until the next gathering, the legend of OBJX Studio lives on, a place where music, passion, and friendship converge, leaving an everlasting impact on all who step through its doors.

See you next Sunday!

Love always,

OBJX

Blog written by Claire Stacey

Photographed by Diego Chazi & Claire Stacey

Event curated by Katrina Anastasia

Live Band by Bitter&Broke

Founded by Ben Bonnici

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