Tosha Dash – Producer / Vocals of “Candy Coated Killahz”
To roll in the second issue of ATLAS, I want to introduce you to Tosha Dash from the music duo Candy Coated Killahz (CCK) – an addicting blend of hip-hop and electro-pop. Recently signed to a record label and working on CCK’s second album, Tosha has her eyes set on the top. Interestingly, she took a detour on her path to become a professional musician, however, her dream ultimately prevailed.
Tosha was a musician her whole life – playing a variety of instruments while growing up. When the time came to pick a career she convinced herself that while music was fun she “needed to do something more practical”. Choosing to study Psychology at U of T, she continued making music on the side. She soon realized that it wasn’t just a minor interest, but her passion, and decided to fully devote herself to producing, writing, and performing professionally.
Tosha’s initial concerns about the industry being “really difficult to break into” and it takes a lot of hard work to start seeing positive results. She says, “some days you feel like nothing you do is good enough, but then you realize that others see something in you that inspires them too, and it makes you want to work even harder.” The best thing about being a musician she says, is “the moment after you write a great song, before you have time to judge it – for a second in your mind, it’s the most perfect thing you’ve ever written.” This is the kind of passion and self-awareness that helped CCK land a record deal.
Being with a record label has introduced Tosha to a variety of new experiences. Having a team behind CCK allows them to dream bigger. Before, their goals included playing locally and getting featured on underground blogs and “while those things are still very important”, they’re now working a cross-Canada tour, national radio play, and having their music featured in films and TV shows. While it can be stressful because of the increased pressure and responsibility, Tosha says, “it also means that success is more tangible and can be life-changing.”
When asked if she has a life mantra or philosophy, Tosha refers to a Raymond Souster poem “Lake of Bays”:
“Well, I’m not chicken…”
that skinny ten-year old girl
balanced on the crazy-high railing
of the Dorset bridge:
suddenly let go
down
fifty feet into the water.“That one will never grow up
to be a lady,” my mother said
as we walk away,but I’ll remember
her brown body dropping like a stone
long after I’ve forgotten
many many ladies….
Tosha says, “the poem is true of my own life – I have too much living to do, to worry about what I’m supposed to be and I’m definitely not chicken.”
To find out more about the Candy Coated Killahz have a look at their website and Facebook page. You can follow Tosha on Twitter and if you have any questions for her she’d love to hear from you – send them by email or post them in the comments.
Question of the Week:
Who did you want to be / what careers did you consider when you were younger?
As always any suggestions or opinions are appreciated, please post them in the comments. Have a happy and safe New Years (I’ll be in NYC at Times Square), see you in 2010!
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Laval
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Slava
