The Quinn and Pierce are back for Day 2 of Gussapolooza 2025 after an exciting Day 1! We sat down with more of the artists and supporters who make Ontario’s music scene special for some exclusive conversations about the festival, their creative platforms, and the landscape of art, music, and creativity in 2025.
In August, we traveled all the way up to Cookstown, Ontario, Canada to once again take part in Gussapolooza, one of Canada’s premier independent music festivals. We took it upon ourselves to bring the ol’ 12-channel mixer and invite attendees to chat with us throughout the weekend — whether artist, industry supporter, volunteer, vendor, patron, or any combination thereof.
On Day 1, we sat down with singer-songwriter John Peterkin, punk rocker (and 2025 Gussapolooza Battle of the Bands winner) Feura, Jake and Mike from Bad Music Club, and LA-based genre-bending artist Edi Callier.
Previously, on The Quinn Spinn: Scotty Rock and L were about to head to the System of a Down and Korn concert at MetLife Stadium. Little did they know that the concert they’d attend would go down in history, thanks to the… um, antics of a gentleman in the front row of the upper deck!
We also share our thoughts on the current state of WWE, after the announcement that WrestleMania 43 will take place in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
In the middle of it all, we preview our forthcoming episode series recorded at Gussapolooza 2025. The Quinn and Pierce sit down with John Peterkin of Ontario-based band The Peterkin Project, whose new single, “Power of Life,” carries a touching tribute to a relative lost to cancer.
For all of the talk about AI’s industry takeover, and the ways “the algorithm” unfairly stacks the deck against artists, maybe it’s time to ask ourselves a different question…
What if, instead of catering to the algorithm — the latest in a long line of industry gatekeepers outlined in the video I’m about to share below — we focus on the power we have as a community to build authentic relationships with fans, fellow creatives, and our entrepreneurs across industries?
What if, instead of claiming victimhood in an unfair ecosystem (and often, offering no real solution alongside our complaints), we empower ourselves to create a new one?
What if, instead of begging for a seat at “the big table,” we build our own table?
Yes, there are plenty of problems with the ways creatives are regarded and compensated in the business world. That’s because the business world in which we currently reside was not created by us.
When creatives function like entrepreneurs, the power resides in our hands. When we build brands, communities, and new ways of doing business, we find common ground not only with other creatives who have felt our pain, but with consumers who are looking for something that speaks to them more readily than what’s pumped out through “the machine.”
When we treat the tools at our disposal (AI, streaming, social media, etc.) like supplemental tools to create and maintain connections — instead of be-all, end-all solutions that are “supposed to” bring us to virality, fame, and fortune (i.e.; do all the work for us) — we can better manage our expectations, and focus on the real-world actions and relationships that will help us grow our communities and build a more sustainable ecosystem over time.
Instead of relying on the algorithm to make you visible, take it upon yourself to get in front of people. Instead of expecting Spotify and other DSPs to change their tune about royalty payouts and AI-created music, encourage and incentivize your audience to purchase directly from you. Develop ways to make them feel like they’re not just spending money, but investing in a vision for a greater world.
Provide value, and do business while consistently providing that value.
“Business” is not a dirty word. Learning how to do it properly — in a way that provides and increases value for all stakeholders over time — is the key to finally leveling this playing field.
I’ve presented at and attended some of the biggest music conferences in the world throughout 2025, and have had conversations with thought leaders across the creative space. I assure you that, in all corners, we are asking similar questions: how do we give creators the power?
We already have it. It’s time to accept it, wield it responsibly, and remain consistent over time. It’s time to test, measure, adjust, and develop better, creator-centric solutions. I’ll never tell you it’s easy: the creative journey is a long game, and overnight success is fleeting at best, and non-existent in reality.
Would you rather it be easy or impactful?
It’s not about fighting City Hall. It’s about building new cities.
With that, I came across this TED Talk featuring Kickstarter co-founder Yancey Strickler, who offers a solution as to how we can structure our businesses in a creator-friendly manner. It’s already inspiring plenty of ideas for me, and I hope it does the same for you.
Have a great weekend. And, if my rant inspired you to continue this conversation, you know where to find me.
Revolutionary artist T.R.A.N.E. Spitta is one of five performers slated to join us at Helping Our Music Evolve on Tuesday, September 16 for UnderDogs Across Borders: Vol. 3.
The Nashville-based hip hop artist, performer, educator, and entrepreneur always has plenty to talk about, and he took to the Sacrificial Conversations podcast on 104.1 Tab Radio in Nashville to discuss art, its impact, and to highlight his upcoming UnderDogs Across Borders performance. T.R.A.N.E. also speaks about the ways our UnderDogs Across Borders campaign serves to connect creators regardless of genre, creative discipline, or location (that part begins around the 41-minute mark).
Check it out below, and be sure to subscribe to our YouTube channel to watch UnderDogs Across Borders: Vol. 3 from everywhere next Tuesday!
John Peterkin pays homage to his late cousin on “Power of Life,” the latest single from The Peterkin Project.
“This heartfelt song was co-created with my late cousin Mark, who fought a brave battle against cancer and inspired me to pursue music,” Peterkin said on the band’s official Facebook page.
The steady rocking new single features a warm acoustic sensibility, which underscores some hopeful, U2-inspired licks from lead guitarist Shawn Andrew. Peterkin’s lyrics paint a picture of those who leave indelible imprints on our hearts and minds — even after they transition from this Earthly plane.
For more about “Power of Life” and all things The Peterkin Project, John is one of several guests who join us on The Quinn Spinn this coming Monday, September 15 as part of our series taped live at Gussapolooza 2025, which took place last month in Cookstown, Ontario, Canada. Be sure to tune in!
The Quinn Spinn is BACK for Season 13, and we’re keeping the party going the same way we began: by podcasting in someone’s basement!
Be assured, however, that we’ve all grown in the decade-plus since Episode 1 hit the internet. For one thing, we’re all certified Uncs now. For another, all of that experience makes it easy for us to find ourselves in midseason, pants-removing, Stupid News-sharing, Love Island-and-Morgan-Wallen-bashing form!
In addition to all of that fun, we also welcome Da’ Healerz to our season premiere to talk about their Heal Talk EP, their forthcoming collaboration with Guidance Whiskey, and where you can catch a Heal Talk Experience near you.
Based in the beautiful state of Massachusetts, High Tea consists of Isabella DeHerdt and Issac Eliot. Combining thoughtful songwriting with world class musicianship, Isabella and Issac have gone above and beyond with their new album, A Small Notion. The album provides songs that are gentle, alongside selections that bring a noticeable rebellious punk energy filtered through folkier sensibilities.
A Small Notion has emotional weight drawn from their personal experiences of loss and change, with stories created to guide the listener through the journey. Starting with the title track – a folk rock offering with pop hooks – we are led into “A Stray in Lee County,” which is a true bluesy romp rock song, complete with strings and excellent vocals.
“Paper Mache” is lighter and sweet, showing a softer side of the band, while “Ouch, Oh Shit” highlights the band’s ability to write a big chorus. I loved the layers of vocals on “Bittersweet Evenings,” a song which also includes a feature from Corey Latiman.
“Heartbreak Kid” and “The Metaphysical and Technicolor End” both highlight the band’s musicianship, while “Scuba Diving” – a full band version of High Tea’s 2023 single – fits the album well.
With another big chorus on “There Goes My Old Soul” – and, truthfully, nearly every song on A Small Notion – High Tea solidifies its knack for writing a hook. Then, to close out the album with a bang, we have “Poor Wayfaring Stranger” (featuring Chris Freeman) and “Shadows and Shadows” (featuring Heather Maloney). A Small Notion is a polished album created by experienced musicians. High Tea has successfully blended folk music with rock and punk, and made an album unlike any I’ve heard before. When listening, it’s impossible not to be impressed with the band’s songwriting abilities. Each song has its own distinct hook and identity.
Electric Lemonade fascinates me. Based in Whitehorse, Yukon, Canada, the trio made of Sarah Murphy, Hannah Mazurek, and Rob Jones prove the fact you don’t need to be in large, oversaturated music markets like New York or L.A. to be worthy of coverage. Electric Lemonade proves that musicians who focus on their own communities and stories tend to be among the most authentic, interesting artists.
From the very first drum beat, their song “You’re Watching Me” pulls you into this organic spacious jam which highlights the band’s excellent musicianship – while reminding us that rock is far from dead. Lyrically, “You’re Watching Me” is the story of the end of a relationship, and the decision to move forward through the pain, choose yourself, and embrace who you are.
“You’re watching me, I see you in the list of viewers On my Instagram story, you know that I can see you. I believe that mistakes lead us to places that we’re bound for. Can you let me go? Can you let me go?”
Those are my favorite lyrics from this song, as they highlight an absolutely modern phenomenon of the online interactions and algorithms we share with people. Personally, I haven’t had the experience of breaking up with someone and have them still watch my Instagram stories. How awkward that must be…
On the song, the band states: “We wrote this one in the studio when we were working on our upcoming EP. It started out with a version of the lyrics and some musical ideas we had floating around for a while. We came up with a rough version to play for our producer (Jordy Walker) and tweaked it a bunch, but really, the bulk of the song was written over one jam session.”
I hope to find myself walking the streets of Whitehorse one day. It’s an amazing city nestled in brilliant mountain wilderness, and judging from what I’ve heard from Electric Lemonade, I bet its music scene is mature. I imagine hiking around the area, getting some food, and then heading to a show. Hopefully, that would mean I would be lucky enough to catch Electric Lemonade play their music. For now, I’ll be listening on repeat moving forward.
