My first encounter with Toronto's Tiny Danza was on the YouTubes. I'd heard of the band but was always quick to dismiss them because I assumed they were a joke band or a parody. When I actually listened to Beat Fly for the first time, my mind was blown.
I met Andrew Craig outside of Lees Palace on Bloor Street. We chatted a bit on the street and stepped into the venue for a drink. Honestly, I was a little confused. I expected someone else. The guy before me was dressed casually in a white oxford shirt and tie with a black fedora, and I just couldn't figure out how someone so little could produce such a big sound. So I asked him point blank, "How does a skinny white guy like you sing like a 300lbs black woman?" He laughed and told me that he draws all his inspiration from the city and world he lives in. Craig says he's tired of living in an apathetic city (Toronto) and wants to affect some change through his singing. "It's the way I get my anger out; it's my creative release" he says. "I've got anger issues. Singing soul music makes me feel better. Soul is so honest and full of emotion, it's not cheap and disposable like pop music is today."
When Galen Hogg, Matt Russo and Andrew Santaguida join us at the table, the whole mood lightens as the four friends start cracking jokes. Tiny Danza have all known each other since they attended the Etobicoke School of the Arts together. The group and I hang out and chat for a bit. I ask them how touring interferes with their personal lives. Collectively, I'm told that it's never really been a issue. Their parents and friends have always been supportive, and girlfriends know that when you get involved with a musician you can expect long hours, unpredictable schedules and screaming fans. A very succinct answer from a gang of jokers. The core of the crew met in high school and have been performing together off and on in various capacities since then. Andrew and Galen were both part of the rap group Half Life when they lived in Montreal years ago. The group as we know it now came into existence in 2006 when during a jam session Galen showed up for the first time, bringing his "A" game and changing the whole dynamic of the band forever. "Galen fucked it all up and we just couldn't turn back after that" says Santaguida playfully. From the conversation I also glean that their awesome single Beat Fly won a competition to be featured on Rock Band for Playstation 3 and Xbox 360. Very cool.
As we continue to talk I get the feeling this isn't the first time they’ve had to answer these typical interview questions. Tiny Danza are nice boys though and they continue to humor me as I stumble through the interview. I decide to ask them about their current manager, Brock McLaughlin, formally of Bent Penny Records.
Well, speak of the devil and he shall appear - in this case, wearing a fire-engine red smoking jacket.
Brock introduces himself to me with a firm handshake and a toothy grin. He exudes confidence and I suspect that I might get pregnant just by standing next to him. (The band) one by one politely excuse themselves and make their way to the back of house to get ready for their show. I'm left alone with Brock and we start to chat. We talk about the band and the music for a while before I ask him about him about how it was that he started in the music business. But before he could answer, two girls walk over to us, eyeing Brock hungrily. The short one wants to introduce Brock to her friend. He plays it cool-like, being very grateful that they came out to the show to support the bands. Eventually they leave and I laugh a bit to myself. He's like, "What?" half laughing too. I'm like "Oh Brock!" in a high-pitched voice, holding my hands up to my face like a lovestruck fan. He laughs and tells me in a matter o’fact way that it happens all the time. Explaining further he says, "Twitter. It's raised my profile so much that I have fans now. It's funny how social media elevates people to this kind of status." Now a bit more curious I ask, "How did you expand your following so quickly?" He says that engaging his audience is an important part of establishing a brand and public profile, and networking with everybody in all industries is important because you never know who you will meet and how they can be used in business. For example, "Casie Stewart has been a huge help in plugging me into the right circles to promote my work. I owe a lot to her."
Brock goes on to say that he's an import from Van city and came out to Toronto to pursue a job working for Much Music. Eight months of interviews later he was running out of options and needed to start working. Landing a gig at Bent Penny, McLaughlin climbed the ranks and settled into an A&R position. Once there however, he quickly outgrew the job and decided to go out on his own. He took on the epic task of starting up his own management company and now has a small roster including Tiny Danza. Brock is poised to take over the music industry because at 21 years of age the whole world is laid at his feet. On the topic of success Brock has some wise words for me, "You gotta fake it till you make it." I can agree that when you’re young, ambitious and dedicated, not much can keep you down. With Brock McLaughlin at the helm Tiny Danza is on the precipice of greatness. I can’t wait to see what the future holds for one of Toronto’s best indie bands.
