Album: Toronto Bound – September 2024
Can’t Miss Tracks: Sell, Steal Or Die, Sixteen Shots, You Stay The Same
Picking up and leaving for a new town or city is always a daunting prospect, but for Toronto-based blues musician Ken Kawashima — better known by his stage name, Sugar Brown — it feels like a natural evolution. His gritty, globe-trotting odyssey is laid bare in his electrifying new single, “Toronto Bound,” a raw and raucous track that blends classic blues roots with his unique personal narrative. This single, which also serves as the title track of his latest studio album, tells the story of his decades-long journey, moving from Ohio to Chicago, Paris to New York, Tokyo to Toronto.
Inspired by the 1954 song “Chicago Bound” by Jimmy Rogers, guitarist for the legendary Muddy Waters, “Toronto Bound” reflects on the twists and turns of Sugar Brown’s life and musical evolution. From his hometown of Bowling Green, Ohio, to the heart of Chicago’s blues scene, and then to the many cities he has called home, this song offers a rich snapshot of his travels — infused with a timeless blues foundation.
The Song: A Fusion of Blues Legends
At nearly seven minutes long, “Toronto Bound” is a musical journey that draws on influences from blues greats like John Lee Hooker, Little Walter, and even the wandering spirit of Bob Dylan. It’s a hypnotic mix of rhythms, raw emotion, and spontaneous energy that reflects both Sugar Brown’s musical influences and his life story.
With lyrics that evoke the search for connection and a sense of belonging, the song’s chorus poignantly captures the essence of his journey:
“In Toronto town,
I got a job and pay,
I got me a home
Where I can stay,
But I need my baby,
Or I need a new lover.”
Sugar Brown’s voice, harmonica, and electric guitar are at the forefront of this track, while a stellar group of Toronto-based musicians adds depth and soul to the sound. Guitarist Nichol Robertson, upright acoustic bassist Victor Bateman, drummer Lowell Whitty, and percussionist Derek Thorne bring a steady groove and a sense of creative freedom to the song, helping bring Sugar Brown’s blues vision to life.
“They are bad, bad, bad,” Brown says of his bandmates. “That’s why I like ’em. They thrive on ‘composing on the fly,’ as Ornette Coleman said. And like me, they’re all bound to Toronto in one way or another. Toronto Bound is what this city sounds like to me.”
From Chicago to Toronto: A Musical Evolution
Sugar Brown’s musical journey has always been shaped by his environment, and Toronto’s vibrant music scene is the perfect backdrop for this chapter of his life. Born to a Japanese father and a Korean mother, Brown first cut his blues teeth in Chicago at the age of 19 while attending university. There, he played alongside some of the most revered names in blues, including Tail Dragger Jones and drummer Willie “Big Eyes” Smith.
But despite Chicago’s status as one of the world’s blues hotbeds, Brown felt the need to spread his wings. In 2002, he moved to Toronto, where he now resides and teaches East Asian Studies at the University of Toronto. It was here in the Canadian city that he recorded “Toronto Bound” — a project that reflects both his personal journey and his deep connection to the blues tradition.
“This song tells the story of my itinerant life as I left many places: Ohio, Chicago, Paris, NYC, Tokyo… and ended up in Toronto, where I’ve resided since 2002,” Brown says. “True to my production principles, we recorded the album live off-the-floor and onto one-inch magnetic tape. This is like jumping onto a fast-moving train without knowing where it is going.”
Indeed, the entire album was recorded in just one hot, sweaty late-summer day in Toronto, capturing the raw energy of a live performance. For Brown, this approach reflects his lifelong dedication to authenticity and the spirit of blues music.
The Toronto Connection
Toronto, for Sugar Brown, has always felt like a natural destination. As a child growing up in Bowling Green, Ohio, Toronto was a place that resonated with him on multiple levels. It wasn’t just about proximity (the city is just a six-hour drive from his hometown); it was about the cultural significance of the city in the music world.
“I’ve always had Toronto and Canada on my radar,” Brown reflects. “Growing up, I was a fan of bands like Rush, who are from Toronto. I loved Bob and Doug McKenzie on Canadian TV, and I was drawn to the city’s music scene, from Neil Young to the Cowboy Junkies.”
Over time, Toronto’s allure became undeniable, and it’s here where Sugar Brown’s personal and musical journeys intersect. He’s made connections with some of the city’s finest musicians, including the late Peter J. Moore, who mastered Brown’s 2015 album Poor Lazarus and his latest work, Toronto Bound. Moore was a significant figure in Toronto’s music scene and an early part of the Cowboy Junkies’ The Trinity Sessions. Brown fondly recalls his time spent with Moore, playing blues harmonica and experimenting with vintage equipment in Moore’s home studio, just down the street from him.
A Home in Toronto
For Brown, Toronto represents more than just a city — it’s a place where he’s found both creative freedom and a sense of belonging. “It’s cosmopolitan but still has a small-town vibe. You can be anonymous, yet you’re surrounded by great friends and amazing music.”
This is exactly what “Toronto Bound” sounds like: a city of contrasts, a melting pot of cultures, and a place where the blues, like its people, continue to evolve.
With Toronto Bound, Sugar Brown has crafted a masterpiece that captures the essence of Toronto’s blues scene. Whether you’re in the city or across the world, this track will take you on a ride, offering a snapshot of one man’s journey and the timeless, universal appeal of the blues.
Sugar Brown’s fourth studio album, recorded live-off-the-floor and onto 1″ tape. Featuring thirteen original songs by Sugar Brown. The title track, “Toronto Bound”, describes Sugar Brown’s itinerant life from Ohio, Chicago, Paris, New York, Tokyo and finally to Toronto, where he has resided for over twenty years. An album that brings new rhythms to timeless blues forms, Toronto Bound is Sugar Brown’s most imaginative album to date. All songs are composed, arranged and produced by Ken Kawashima (Sugar Brown).
Personnel: Sugar Brown (vocals, harmonica, guitar); Nichol Robertson (guitar); Victor Bateman (bass); Lowell Whitty (drums); Derek Thorne (percussion).
