Graeme Mathieson

Still vibin’ from our premiere release, w/ legendary @johnnyosbourne1 ! SOUNDS & PRESSURE: REGGAE IN A FOREIGN LAND. Celebrating the originals that built reggae ina Canada. More love. More respect. More life. @onf_nfb @nfb_centralstudio Johnny’s and my family also hail from the same town of Buff Bay in Portland Parrish, Jamaica. 📸 @danielnovi

Absolutely amazed to have come across this family photo that my cousin @carlariarg recently unearthed! This is our Da Costa family, in 1903, Jamaica. My great grandmother, Enid, is the young girl in the centre, leaning up against my great-great grandfather’s knee. I count my blessings to have heard some of the family stories that were passed down by generations I was able to know as I grew up, including my aunt Shirley who currently resides in Trinidad, who along with her 3 siblings, (one being my grandfather Leroy who I never met), is/were the living connection - all 3, the children of Enid. The names and some details of our family in this photo: Enid - the youngest of the children. Sidmoth (Siddy) - a primary school teacher who went to Mico. Algernon - a tailor.  Went to Africa and died suddenly. Adassah - the eldest girl.  Died in 1919 of Bright's disease. Imogene (Imo) - after her parents died, took care of everyone. She was a manager at Harbour Street in a tobacconist store. Valentine (Vally) - missing from the photo. Percival - a shoemaker.  Lived on Paisely Road and was JP for the area. Urah - she died from cancer. Randolph (Ranny) - in charge of Coke Chapel. Parents - Samuel DaCosta, died from a stroke, and Maria, maiden name Barclay. @mathieson.allison @michael.mcdermott.963434 @kmathie @kimboslice_ja @matthewobromley @leo_brom @helenrbromley @moviemic1 @kittykatalac @kelseyskreations_ja #jamaica #jamaicanhistory #jamaican

Our JAMAICAN PREMIERE! April 15, 2026 in Kingston, Jamaica! We are forever grateful to the team at @canadajamaica who in partnership with @reelcanada presented our film as part of the 2026 National Canada Film Day, presented by the High Commission of Canada in Jamaica! @mcgesjamaica @canfilmday A red carpeted evening of family, community and cross-cultural exchange at the Palace Cineplex in Kingston, with Jamaican entertainers and filmmakers in attendance, including Mutabaruka, Grub Cooper, @carlenedavismusic , @naomicowan , @thetommycowan , with opening remarks by His Excellency Mark Berman (High Commissioner of Canada), Mr. Denzil Thorpe (Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sport) and Kathie Oginsky – followed by a panel discussion moderated by @iamdonisha (granddaughter of Bob and Rita Marley), featuring singer @carlenedavismusic , @naomicowan (2026 Juno winner for Best Reggae album), Dr. Dennis Howard @jahmento1 of the University of the West Indies, Ian Dawkins (brother of @jaydouglasmusic ) and our director Graeme Mathieson @gramantics Jamaica, we will be back soon with more screenings! Details soon come - 1love 🇯🇲❤️🇨🇦

Back with my friends at @houndstoothto on Friday May 1st. Always free. Nuff dance floor. New friends. Cheap drinks. Patties. Come through - 10pm til late

Family - we’re coming home! JAMAICAN PREMIERE, part or the 2026 @canfilmday , presented by the High Commission of Canada in Jamaica @canadajamaica and @reelcanada ! This FREE screening (RSVP in bio) will take place: Wed. Apr. 15 @ 6:00PM-8:00 Palace Cineplex, Sovereign Centre, Kingston, JA And will feature a panel after the screening moderated by @iamdonisha with special guests and our Jamaican-Canadian director Graeme Mathieson @gramantics . More details, soon come. 🇯🇲🇨🇦❤️ #CanFilmDay #jamaicanfilm #musicdocumentary @ontariocreates @telefilm_canada @tvodocs @knowledgenetwork

Exciting news - @playitlouddoc has been nominated for a 2026 CANADIAN SCREEN AWARD for: BEST BIOGRAPHY OR ARTS DOCUMENTARY PROGRAM OR SERIES! @thecdnacademy #CdnScreenAwards This is so much more than we ever expected, but a powerful recognition and acknowledgement of our stories from the Caribbean diaspora in Canada. There are too many stories to tell and too many people to celebrate in one documentary, but we are honoured to have had the opportunity to tell the life, journey and undeniable musical and cultural contributions of @jaydouglasmusic (pictured R), Jackie Richardson (pictured L), and the many Black and Jamaican artists who immigrated here to this new land, and forever changing the cultural landscape that is Canada. Thank you to our Jamaican community in Canada, the amazing team at @tvodocs , the funders and my collaborators that believed in our vision, and the village that built this film: Clement Virgo Andrew Munger @cvosberg1 @t0stories Alexandra Robert @lightintheatticrecords Matt Sullivan Klive Walker @njennings.music Brina Romanek @keenanlynch @kiarashsadigh @joannegnatek @sareiousli @chelseaattong @imstph @darynelweekly @perimg Sharon Schroeter @swfp @caitiedrew @stevelang23 @michaeltobinfiore @eh_side_ev @vybzchantel @shanalanaa @j_joy_wise Talia Woodbridge @jilltimmins Kevin Shak Adrian Pop @mattimeatball @discostooge Delroy Johnson @tommypittenger @tremblingwater Ryan Rodrigues Dan Tahmizian Racquelle Nembhard @shaniquag_makeupography @stephaniekcruz @joshkap9 @arlenemoelker Daniel Pellerin Daniel Samaan Michelle Irving @jadon_john Patrice Walker @brettschummer @bonfireoriginals

Lovers Rock sessions. 03.14.26 @leespalace Respects to the OGs, @lordsassafrasss & @sunraygrennan Hosted by @nufunk

👉 Join us THIS SATURDAY, March 14th at Lee’s Palace in Toronto as the legendary Toronto band The Sattalites celebrate the soulful sound of Lovers Rock—paying tribute to reggae’s golden era with iconic selections made famous by Alton Ellis, Phyllis Dillon, Dennis Brown, Gregory Isaacs, Freddie McGregor & more. Expect timeless melodies, sweet harmonies, and deep grooves that showcase reggae’s most tender side. 🎤 Special guest vocalists: @TonyAnthonyMuze & @Jason.Wilson.Music 🎧 DJ: Jay @NuFunk & Gramera 🎙️ MC: @SunRayGrennan 🎟️ Tickets via Ticketweb & leespalace.com (or check the link in bio) 📍 @LeesPalace 529 Bloor St. W., just east of Bathurst ✨ About Lovers Rock Emerging from the UK’s Caribbean community in the 1970s, Lovers Rock blends Jamaican reggae rhythms with soulful vocals and love-centered lyrics. Known for its warmth, intimacy, and emotional storytelling, the style brought romance to the forefront of reggae and produced some of the genre’s most enduring classics. 🌍 About The Sattalites Founded in Toronto, The Sattalites are one of the most successful and longest-running reggae bands in Canadian history. Formed by Jo Jo Bennett, @fergushambleton , and Joe Isaacs, the group began in 1981 as the Sattalites Music School in Toronto’s Little Jamaica—operating on a pay-what-you-can basis and nurturing young local talent. Their passion for performance quickly evolved into a full-time band, earning a reputation for high-energy live shows, rich harmonies, and deep roots reggae authenticity. Their self-titled 1985 debut album featured the hit single “Wild,” leading to extensive touring across Canada, the U.S., and Jamaica. 🏆 Winners of two JUNO Awards (1990, 1993), The Sattalites remain a cornerstone of Canadian reggae culture—honouring reggae’s past while keeping its spirit alive on stage today. ✨ Don’t miss this special Lovers Rock tribute—music for the heart, the soul, and the dancefloor. ✨ #torontoreggae #thesattalites #leespalace #loversrock

We’re incredibly honoured to have been officially selected for the 34th Pan African Film Festival and absolutely thrilled to win BEST FIRST FEATURE DOCUMENTARY! Thank you to the @paffnow jury! Grateful to our cast, crew, community, and everyone who supported this journey. This one is for all of us. It was a very special trip to the festival in Los Angeles, particularly after all these years, being the first time for @jaydouglasmusic visiting LA – but also connecting with people like @djburtblackarach whose father was a founding member of the 70s Canadian soul/rock group Motherlode (see their hit, “When I Die”) and was spotted in one of the archives that appeared in our film, to meeting the legend and the man himself Randy “that’s a yes for me dog” Jackson, to DJ SureShot @shanemhunt who was part of the discovery of the long lost records that contributed to the @lightintheatticrecords Jamaica to Toronto project and helped source missing archives for the film, to Jay’s longtime friend and manager @sandsrick , to fellow reggae and music documentarian & filmmaker @nyceflix , to Eden Alpert the daughter of Herb Alpert, and to our extended DJ family in LA! So much gratitude and praise to the team at @paffnow – 1love from Toronto! #PAFF34 #PanAfricanFilmFestival #IndependentFilm #Documentary

LA LA ~ we’re bringing Toronto to California soul! “Play It Loud! How Toronto Got Soul” will have a special 2-day screening at the 2026 Pan African Film Festival @paffnow at @theculvertheater : • Mon Feb 16 @ 4:05pm (Q&A w/ director @gramantics ) • Sat Feb 21 @ 3:50pm * Ticket link in profile The foundation of Black music in Toronto and Canada can be traced back to a pivotal moment in the 1960s and ’70s, when many of the finest American soul, R&B, and funk artists were coming north of the border in droves. At the same time, changes to racist immigration policy opened doors to Caribbean countries, bringing some of the best and brightest musical talent from Jamaica to Toronto. This cultural melting pot helped shape one of the world’s great music capitals, with the city’s biggest venues selling out Monday to Saturday! Learn about this cultural legacy that gave Toronto its soul, how we almost lost it all, and the foundation it created. Featuring @supremelarock @lightintheatticrecords #soulmusic #reggae #musicdocumentary

Back at one of my favourite spots in the city - Sat Feb 7th @houndstoothto 818 College St. 10pm. Never cover. Always vibes. It’s been a minute, so the crates are stacked with some new vinyl goodies.

It was a special honour and a truly cherished moment – and a highlight of my work as a filmmaker – to sit down and spend an afternoon with the legendary Sly Dunbar at Anchor Studios in Kingston, interviewing him for our film @playitlouddoc with @jaydouglasmusic . Sly was incredibly genuine and humble, and so gracious with his time and knowledge – despite being one of the most crucial and foundational figures in reggae, and music in general. I learned and took away so much from our conversation, from his “one drop” rhythm, to the countless greats he worked with – and his childlike eagerness to show me his “it’s on my phone on the YouTube” recording session with Bob Dylan. So much of what I grew up on, DJ’d, and have been able to help tell through documentaries has been influenced by the magic of Sly & Robbie. Never forgotten. Rest easy Sly ❤️ @slydunbar