Meet TiKA the Creator

We can’t wait for First Thursday: We Are Each Other’s Muses on February 7. This final edition of Toronto’s biggest art party is curated by students from OCAD U and, as always, will fill the AGO with music, performances, art and more from exciting local artists like Dayna Danger, Fallon Simard and Kiera Boult.

We recently gave you a sneak peek of the amazing line-up of artists. This week, we’re spotlighting February’s First Thursday headliner TiKA the Creator – artist, DJ, TV and online personality, and First Thursday alumna. TiKA may be a name you’ve heard before: Complex Magazine listed her as “one of the most prolific creatives in Toronto.” She recently released her new single, Goodbyes, named one of NOW Magazine’s best Toronto songs of 2018, and her new album Anywhere But Here is one of the most hotly anticipated Toronto releases of 2019.

We asked TiKA about her music, her inspirations and what she’s got in store for us as we bring AGO First Thursdays to a close in February.

AGO: When did you first start writing songs? 

TiKA: I started writing songs at 14. I distinctively remember the first song I ever wrote. It was called Just Like That and was about trying to catch a guy's attention. It's still a bop.

AGO: What inspired you to start making music? 

TiKA: I started making music because as a kid I was obsessed with singing at church and also listening to my grandparents' CD and vinyl collection. I was the nerdy kid who loved reading the liner notes. I wanted to know all about who produced, wrote and engineered everything. I was a little musical know-it-all by the time I was 12 and eventually, I wanted to write, sing and produce my own records. Years later, here we are. 

AGO: Who are some of your influences?  

TiKA: I can't believe no one has ever asked me this before! I have so many, but I’ll mention just one. Prince inspires my core. He's my favourite artist. Watching old footage of him helped me in developing myself as a stage performer. Also, as a songwriter, he secretly turned some of the most spiritual records into pop hits. He'll inspire me forever.

AGO: Are there any Toronto musicians or artists you're excited about right now? 

TiKA: Definitely! There are so many, but at the moment I'm really excited about FALANA, who's from Toronto but making huge waves in Lagos, Nigeria. Amaal Nuux is gearing up for an incredible return in music this year. Also, DESIIRE has one of the most beautiful and distinctive voices I've ever heard in my life.

AGO: We can't wait for your performance at First Thursday. What can party-goers expect from your set?  

TiKA: A deeply vulnerable and transcendent musical experience that they’ll never forget. Tickets for First Thursday: We Are Each Other’s Muses are going fast, so get yours today!

This may be the final First Thursday, but don't worry; the AGO isn't getting out of the party game. An exciting new after-hours event is currently in the works and will be announced soon, so stay tuned for more details.

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