Trethwest was founded by two friends (Aharon Joseph and Andrew Kozyn) who both shared a penchant for the arts. Our eclectic creative impulses first found expression in music, particularly hip-hop and soul. We would later harness our creative efforts in artistic forms such as graphic arts, 2-D mobile games, lo-fi jazzy/funky instrumentals, and poetic short essays (voiced over lo-fi instrumentals) - and would bring our whole crew in along for the ride!
Coming from the multiracial and working-class neighborhoods of Toronto's west end we were exposed to a multitude of culturally rich artistic traditions. Amidst the social and economic challenges of the early millennium, we were nevertheless moved and inspired to make music and art. Albeit, with little to no funds. Yet, the revolution in music making software enabled us to skip steps our older peers could not. It made it possible to independently learn the art of making, producing, and recording music. Whether it was soundproofing our studio with egg cartons or using makeshift mic stands with tape and straws, we were determined to make something from nothing. Five years prior it would be unthinkable to do all of this without the paternalistic tutelage of a big studio. In hindsight, that was truly a freeing experience.
Embracing the DIY ethic and counter-cultural mood of our neighborhood we relished in defying the labels teachers, sociologist's and news media slapped on to us. Living in David Hulchanski's City 3 didn't tell us anything about where we lived or who we were. Yet, it did tell us about how the city's elite viewed us. We were the children of quietly defiant low-wage workers. Every morning on route to school we witnessed the motionless shuffle of our parents' peers mounting public transportation. We watched them struggling to lift their dreary heads as they headed to the city's core to maintain and provide security for its glossy office towers and condominiums (half-empty dark towers). These buildings lined the skyline like watchful sentinels in defense of overpriced financialized real-estate.
Our flagship project, Mee in a Box, was created from our lived experience. Growing up we had the feeling that we were always taking one step forwards and two steps backwards. Feeling like we were trapped in a box - living in a maddening paradox. It almost felt predestined that every time we rose, we were fated to fall. That every time we were mobile, we were destined to come to a halt. We were both the unstoppable and the immovable. Mee in Box is the detailing of our failures and triumphs. We literally and figuratively codify how to get out of the box.
Welcome to Trethwest.
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