Sunday Sessions [2023-08-20]

an.OBJX.prjx

presents

SUNDAY SESSIONS

As we set-up our chairs and OBJX studio begins to buzz with excitement, it is almost time to begin our weekly ritual. Friends, strangers, artists alike; this is a space to connect, to vent, to love.

Welcome back!

While renowned for its boundless cinematic and photographic opportunities, OBJX Studio becomes an artistic haven on Sunday evenings. Hosted by Katrina Anastasia and BitterxBroke, Sunday Sessions buzzes with creative life, beckoning performers of all genres to enrich their artistry through stage performances and collaborative jam sessions.

Sign-up begins at 7pm sharp and we keep grooving until midnight. This August 20th, as the clock strikes the appointed hour, a mere $10 cover opens the gateway to an evening of musical enchantment and soulful performances.

NOTICE:

Our upcoming Sunday Sessions (August 27th) is canceled.

See you on September 3rd!

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.

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HIGHLIGHTED PERFORMERS

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

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CLAIRE STACEY

@claire_stacey72

Claire Stacey starts off our night with “Jim Carrey” by Charlotte Cardin and a newly resurfaced original entitled “VICES.”

Pertaining to tonight’s question “What are you holding onto that’s holding you back, Claire delves into her own personal fears of living up to personal standards. She says “it’s more important for me now to focus on the present moment and everything this big beautiful earth can offer.” It’s so easy to get caught up in the minutiae of everyday life, to be brought down instead of lifted up. It is all about choice. The things you tell yourself consume you. The things you consume, consume you. You are what you eat. More importantly, I've found it's those who influence you; the one's that hold you, that you can come home to and share peace with. I am lucky enough to be surrounded by people who believe in me and hold me, which I carry with the highest importance.

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PEACE SPICE

@peacespicemusic

Tonight, Peace Spice serenades us with two of his originals, “No One Will Remember” and “Who Loves Me Now?”. Peace Spice is an avid go-er of Sunday Sessions, along with many other open mics in Toronto. If I ever see him, it’s on stage, shredding his electric guitar with a big smile on his face.

His dedication extends well beyond the doors of open mics-opening the floor to other musicians in Toronto. This October he will be hosting a show at Tail of The Junction featuring our lovely host Katrina Anastasia and our blog writer Claire Stacey. Look out for more details!

Today's question of the day delves into introspection, and Peace Spice's response carries a weight of truth: "trying to be great." This admission resonates with the universal pursuit of excellence that can sometimes become a burden, echoing the struggle to measure up to external, and internal, expectations.

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LIDIA

@lidia.prm

Following Peace Spice, Lidia joins the stage to perform "Jesus wants me for a sunbeam" and "Son of gun" by The Vaselines.

Reflecting on her early foray into performance, Lidia reminisces about her unforgettable experience on stage at the tender age of 8. The experience was blinding, lights clouding her vision, she was unable to see the crowd. A blend of youthful uncertainty and the thrill of the unknown, performing opera enabled Lidia to adopt a stage persona.

Today's question of the day prompts Lidia to offer a candid insight into her personal journey. She acknowledges the presence of "bad values" as something she holds onto that may be holding her back—an honest reflection on the challenges we all face in our path towards personal growth.

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Daniel Joe Armstrong

@danieljoearmstrong

Whipping out some sing-a-long classics, people couldn’t help from shedding a light to the stage tonight when Daniel played “Free Fallin’” by Tom Petty and “Dancing Queen” by ABBA.

Back in High School, Daniel recalls playing "When I come around" by Green Day for the first time at his talent show. “It went really well,” he continues, “Nerve-wracking but liberating because I built up the courage to put myself out there”. Which tells a lifelong message to all musicians-exposure teaches us that the only way past fear is through it.

Daniel attributes being held back by what he calls his “Sedentary lifestyle,” relaxing being what’s keeping him from his true potential. I was surprised to hear this, as he seems to always be up to something-being a dedicated patron of both Sunday Sessions and Open Concepts for months. It is interesting to note the ways in which we see ourselves versus how we present. It’s beautiful to see artistry develop before your very eyes, and watching Daniel’s growth has been an inspiration.

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Taylor

@klikmusicandpoetry

Tonight, Taylor graces our space to offer two of his original poems, "I Wake to Find" and "Listen." Taylor weaves emotions to words, creating an intimate connection between performer and audience.

Reflecting on a significant moment in his on-stage journey, Taylor recounts his first dance recital. Amidst the performance, emotions overtook him, leading to a heartfelt pause and his departure from the stage. The unwavering support of his fellow dancers and their subsequent comforting gesture stands as a testament to the strength of teamwork and human connection.

Today's question of the day elicits a candid response from Taylor as he acknowledges being held back by the "Fear of failure" and the apprehension of "fucking up" new endeavors. His resolve is “Do it, move forward.” Indeed, failure is an artform. To fail means to be human, perfection is but a conscious belief we’ve been conditioned to strive for.

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RANE

@rane_ryse

After some deep meditation, Rane takes the stage for the first time ever with their “Global Preview of Rane’s (ever-evolving) Variety Show.” The always-developing guiding principles for their show are as follows:

“One: commitment to not make any individual, group, or identity the target of the humor. Two: A show about building myself and others up. Three: Rane’s variety show is ever-evolving and all about ideas… and Four: Center love and Five: It doesn’t have to be perfect.”

I could go into further detail…but I urge you to tap into our Sunday Sessions stream on YouTube to see for yourself.

In discussion, Rane tells me that this is their first time on stage since high school. They had spent so many months boggled by interior pressures of perfectionism and failure, but decided tonight was the night to share their story. Rane resolved that they needed to create, to share their odyssey for others and themselves in hopes the audience resonated. Their story was a healing hug to their younger-self, a reminder to hold space and grace for each and every one of us as we grow. When asked what they’re holding onto, Rane recognizes the release of this moment and replies “letting go.”

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Rachel

@rachelweinstock_

Here in loving support of their partner, Rane, I would be absolutely remiss to not mention our heartfelt exchange. I can’t recall exactly who came up to whom, but before I knew it we were completely engulfed in conversation. From being a writer, coach for teens, a teacher, and more; Rachel breathes medicine and awakening to every conversation.

She told me a very sweet story about meeting their partner, Rane. After their last relationship, many would have given up on love, or sworn it off completely-Rachel remained hopeful. I remember she told me, “if you want something to happen, it will happen for you.”

In an effort of healing and manifestation, Rachel imagined what her partner would look like, putting each descriptor within a green flag on paper. Within months Rachel met Rane, and they have been in love ever since! Of course, she adds, Rane couldn’t hit every single box, but the mere act of realizing and expressing what she wanted in a partner aided in Rachel's discovery.

In love-and in life-everything is about intention. If you do not know what you want, you do not know where you’ll end up. In a lot of ways, there’s a beauty in that. As an artist-I revel in the unknown and possibility of opening myself to opportunity. However, if you want something to happen or change in your life, you have to admit it! Shout it freely to the universe and hey--maybe the universe will talk back.

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Locklyn

@locklynmusic

My last interview of the evening, and certainly show-stopping, Locklyn steps into the spotlight. I found myself incredibly lucky to have met Locklyn tonight. She holds beauty and grace effortlessly with power and vulnerability. You can feel it in her music too-the room had full-body chills. Singing tonight, she had an unreleased original entitled “Storm” and a cover of “Zombie” by Cranberries.

We spoke well before her performance and is truly one of the most honest and vulnerable conversations I’ve had the opportunity to interview. We flow-through what we go through, and Locklyn and I are two birds of the same flock.

To my prompt, Locklyn described her first time on stage as “horrible.” Being in opera training, she choked on the first line. This did not stop her but rather, through dedication and resilience, led her on the whirling path to the woman we see before us. Her devotion is awe-inspired, turning pain into music and notes into antidotes. The strength in her voice is cathartic, a cry to those she’s lost along the way and an outstretched hand to those grieving.

Locklyn, it was a privilege to speak with you. Thank you for being raw, for sharing in feelings of grief and holding space. I think what I've reflected on since then is this: Trauma often feels like an empty cup, like we've lost something along the way that's astray-but I don't think this is true. On closer inspection, trauma over-flows our cup's, having so many lessons to be learned and love to be shared. Letting go of trauma does not mean letting go completely, but rather; finding an outlet to pour into. I cried watching your performance because it's a release! The ability to create and share in these moments is incredibly rare and powerful--so thank you.

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See you Sunday September 3rd!

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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