Blackout Podcast

In this episode, we sit down with DJ Suly, a mental health advocate and rising DJ in Halifax's music scene. Suly shares her incredible journey from discovering female DJs on TikTok in 2022 to opening for major acts like Black Bones and DJ Puffy within just one year. She breaks down her origin story, how a conversation with her best friend led to learning from mentor DJ Henry and throwing a surpris...

What happens when a child is handed an instrument they never wanted to play? Cuban violinist Ali Enriquez’s story begins with this exact twist of fate: assigned the violin in Havana’s rigorous music school system based on her small hands, she initially resisted the instrument that would later become her voice. Now a seasoned performer and composer in Canada, Ali reveals how she transformed resentm...

In this inspiring episode of  The Blackout Podcast , host Israel sits down with the multi-talented Jewelz—a skilled carpenter, passionate DJ, and advocate for mental health and women in trades. Jewelz opens up about her unexpected journey into carpentry, from discovering her love for woodworking through the  Women Unlimited  program to the realities of working in a male-dominated fi...

Jeremie is a guitarist, composer, violinist, and teacher whose versatility spans classical, jazz, Afrobeat, and beyond. From accompanying artists with just a guitar and pedals to composing an orchestral piece performed by Symphony Nova Scotia, Jeremy’s journey is as dynamic as his sound. We dive into his musical roots (including switching from violin to guitar to explore ‘more colours’), the creat...

In this captivating episode of  The Blackout Podcast , we sit down with the incredibly talented artiste, Lyris as she opens up about her journey of self-reinvention, creative growth, and navigating the music industry. After taking a step back to rebrand herself, Lyris made a powerful return to Instagram with a viral post that set the stage for her rising career. She shares: The strategy behin...

Thr33.D—a dynamic producer, rapper, freestyle virtuoso, and visionary behind Hobby Music talks about his early days rewriting song lyrics as a child to mastering beat production and commanding stages with his high-energy performances.   Discover how he overcame learning disabilities by honing his freestyle skills, why he chose to produce his own beats after copyright strikes, a...

In this powerful episode of The Blackout Podcast, host Israel sits down with Mario Rolle, a dedicated clinical therapist and social worker whose mission is to support the mental, physical, and emotional well-being of Black men through a holistic, community-centred approach. Mario opens up about his unexpected journey into social work, from his early life in the Bahamas, where rugby and a mentor ch...

  In this episode of Blackout Podcast , we sit down with  Francis Njoku —artist, visionary, and founder of  UCamp Studio —as he unravels his extraordinary journey from struggle to self-discovery. Born into a Nigerian family where art was seen as rebellion, Francis fought societal expectations, parental doubts, and even a  devastating fire  that wiped out everything he owne...

In this episode, we sit down with producer, beatmaker, and creative powerhouse Karaaku  for an in-depth conversation about his journey in music, versatility across genres, and his upcoming Afro House EP. Karaaku opens up about his unique creative process, from crafting beats with artists like Youngstak to mastering the art of mixing and vocal production. He also shares insights on transitioni...

  In this episode of The Blackout Podcast, we sit down with Amy Harrison, founder of Pixels and Pieces Design, to explore her 20-year journey in graphic design, branding, and entrepreneurship. Amy shares how she got her start in design, the evolution of design tools (from Adobe to Canva), and her experience navigating the industry, including an unforgettable internship at a maj...

Raven Storm is an eclectic selector that brings infectious energy and a playful perspective to the decks. Inspired by their intense desire to move and connect, their musical output exists under the ethos of making music for moving, thinking, feeling, and doing. Raven is committed to bringing together a community of care and mutual inspiration through sharing space, art, and love via diverse medium...

In this heartfelt episode of the Blackout podcast, host Israel sits down with Keonte Beals, artist, author, entrepreneur, and CEO/founder of KBeals Entertainment. The conversation explores Keonte's surprising journey from music to children's book publishing, revealing that he actually started writing children's stories before ever creating music. Keonte shares the deeply personal inspiration behin...

Rebecca Wilson is an artist and creative entrepreneur based in Halifax, Nova Scotia. She runs Lucky Sprout Studio, a space for creative projects that range from illustration to design and beyond. Her watercolour work is known for its bold, graphic style, often featuring nature, symmetry, and intricate patterns. She also founded South Shore Sea Salt, a gourmet culinary sea salt business. In additio...

Chef D, the creative force behind  Chef D’s House , is a Toronto-born private chef who brings over 11 years of culinary expertise to Nova Scotia after relocating earlier this year due to military service. With a diverse background in Italian, Caribbean, and French cuisine—along with international culinary influences—they specialize in crafting what they call  "munchies elevated" : a fres...

Michelle holds the view that each event is as unique as the people who attend them, and has a passion for inclusive event design. Michelle believes that true hospitality means removing barriers to participation. Creating environments that say “you are welcome here” to participants and attendees means considering even the smallest of details, as well as genuine conversation and relationsh...

Andrea Casey is the proud owner of two small businesses. A Movement Arts (Pilates, acrobatics, dance, fitness) Studio & Photography Studio. She has dedicated her life’s work to creating a safe, warm and loving environment for people to explore movement that they can become passionate about, expand their bodies capabilities, and ultimately come back to celebrating the skin that they’re in. Andr...

Tiffany makes an impact in the lives of others as a certified motivational coach. In this episode, we talk about her journey as an author and future plans. Find out more @tiffyjewl12

Ange MacCabe, CEO of Intuity Performance, is a visionary leader committed to transforming how business owners, teams, and leaders thrive through Whole Person Performance coaching, training, and facilitation across the globe.   With over a decade of experience empowering teams in tech, medi-tech, non-for-profits, and life sciences. Ange has fueled Intuity Performance as the CEO and Founder to...

Dr. Simone Le Gendre is a STEM Education Architect, Visionary Problem Solver, and Social Entrepreneur.   As the founder of EduHaus Inc., she is on a mission to democratize access to STEM education by developing culturally responsive learning resources, hands-on projects, and ed-tech solutions that engage underrepresented learners worldwide.   Her journey began in Trinidad and Tobago, whe...

Katie Wayne is a queer transgender Avant-Garde Electro Pop artist hailing from Halifax, Nova Scotia. With a passion for modular synthesis and sound exploration, Katie blends elements of pop, rock, punk, metal, country, and instrumental works into a unique sonic experience. Find out more @synthsyouvebeengone

Casey Vaasjo is a Sexuality and Relationship Coach passionate about helping people remember who they are, so they never settle again: in sex, love, or in life. She specializes in empowering individuals to have the quality of pleasure and relationships they crave by embodying their desires and truth with confidence and integrity. Casey blends her own transformative journey with expertise in VITA Co...

Kendall Darling is the co-founder and CEO of Pilot X, an AI-powered transportation marketplace transforming how businesses and individuals deliver goods. "The Airbnb of Transportation" Originally from the Bahamas, Kendall was inspired by his own moving challenges to create a seamless, cost-effective, and accessible delivery solution. With a Bachelor of Business Administration from Mount Saint Vinc...

Brand new artist, emstuu, is a fresh presentation of veteran Halifax-based Singer/Songwriter Emily Stuart. In September 2024 emstuu released her first single "Force (To Be Reckoned With)", and in January 2025 released "Don't Look At Me" off her upcoming 4-song Pop EP, produced by 3x East Coast Music Awards Producer of the Year, Corey LeRue (Neon Dreams, Maggie Andrew, Ria Mae). She currently sits...

Mr Jay is a talented DJ in Halifax known for his electrifying performances and ability to set the perfect vibe at any event. Whether performing at clubs, private parties, or large-scale events, his experience and skill make him a sought-after entertainer. His ability to blend different sounds and engage the crowd has earned him a reputation as one of the best Afrobeats DJs in Atlantic Canada. He s...

With intricate fingerstyle guitar and a voice that ranges from bluesy low end to choirgirl soprano, Rebecca Fairless combines the textures of old-time acoustic music with original songwriting. Since making a start in her home province of Alberta, Rebecca moved east in 2014 and currently performs with the Halifax-based folk ensemble The Dusty Halos. In 2023, they released their debut album, a self-...