True North Strong: Canadian Hardcore Podcast

In this episode of True North Strong, I sit down with my longtime friend Jordy Hedderwick, best known as the unmistakable voice behind Ontario hardcore staples Uplift and The Fitzpatrick Incident. From his early days playing in basement bands around Markham and Stouffville to helping build the legendary Latcham Hall scene, Jordy shares stories from a pivotal era in Ontario hardcore. We dive into the origins of The Fitzpatrick Incident, the evolution into Uplift, DIY touring across Canada and the U.S., playing unforgettable shows, and the friendships that have endured long after the last show.Along the way, we talk about hardcore as community, the impact of bands like A Distance From, Go It Alone, and Exalt, the rise and fall of Latcham Hall, and why some of the best memories from that era had very little to do with the music itself.We also explore Jordy's lesser-known history in musical theatre, choirs, anime podcasts, and the creative journey that eventually led him to Peacemaker, where he feels he found his strongest voice as a songwriter and vocalist.Be sure to check out Uplift, The Fitzpatrick Incident, Peacemaker, On Burning Shores, A Distance From, and the many bands and friends whose stories are woven throughout this episode.Thanks for listening!

In this episode of True North Strong, I sit down with my longtime friend Brad Garcia of SAFE TO SAY, LOCKET, LIKE PACIFIC, and more. We catch up on the exciting news that he and his wife are expecting their first child, discussing their IVF journey, what life's looked like leading up to this moment, and how it's already changed his perspective on music, work, and the future.We also dive into Brad's journey from the Toronto and Durham hardcore scenes to becoming a composer whose work has been featured in major advertising campaigns, sports broadcasts, and arenas across North America. Along the way, we revisit Safe to Say, Locket, touring, songwriting, record labels, and the people and bands that shaped us growing up.From hardcore kid to successful composer, Brad shares an honest look at creativity, community, and building a life that stays connected to the scene that started it all.Be sure to check out Safe to Say, Locket, Like Pacific, and the many bands, records, and projects that have made Brad Garcia one of the hardest-working creatives to come out of our scene.Thanks for listening!

In this episode of True North Strong, I sit down with one of the funniest people I know, Jordan Black of LIKE PACIFIC, and DONNY CROSSWELL (and, of course, his cigarettes).We spend the night catching up on Jordan's journey through music, from the bands and records that shaped him to his evolution from drummer to frontman with Like Pacific. Along the way, we revisit the Barrie and Toronto hardcore scenes, swap stories about local shows, and reminisce about Canadian staples like The Gorgeous, classic merch, and the people who helped shape our community.We also get into skateboarding, the peak of the pop-punk era, the challenge of being a band caught between genres, and how Like Pacific found its identity over the years. Jordan shares stories about touring, record labels, management, songwriting, and why authenticity has always been at the heart of the band's music.Check out Archive Forty Five to listen to the bands we discussed on todays episode, and be sure to check out Like Pacific, Donny Crosswell, and Open Mouth Kiss.Thanks for listening!

"The Mask doesn't hold up" - James CameronIn this episode of True North Strong, I sit down with two longtime friends from the Ottawa hardcore scene: Lance Brown (SUBSTANCE, MIDLIFE) and Cody Coughlan (CONSTRAINTS, OLD RULES, and more).We look back on their introductions to the Ottawa scene, the early days of Smart Mouth, touring across Canada with Substance and Constraints, and the friendships that grew along the way.From Rob Zombie karaoke to the legendary story of Constraints getting stranded on an island, this episode is packed with the kind of stories that make our friendship so special.More than anything, it's a conversation about the people, places, and experiences that connected the Ottawa and Barrie scenes and helped build friendships that have lasted decades.Be sure to check out Archive Forty Five to hear many of the bands discussed in this episode, and don't forget to give MIDLIFE a listen.Thanks for listening!

In this episode of True North Strong, I sit down with Ty Askin of SLEWFOOT. Ty is many things- vegan, straight edge, a show promoter, lacrosse superstar, and a hell of a barber.We dive into Ty's introduction to the Bolton music scene, the early days of booking shows with Baytown Hardcore, his excellent taste in hip-hop, and what's next for Slewfoot.Check out Slewfoot, Baytown Hardcore and Wayward Barbershop. GO LEAFS GO.Thanks for listening!