The Toronto Portraits - Brandon Valdivia

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Welcome to the Toronto Portraits. Every Friday we're going to profile a young, dynamic Torontonian, and each week we're photographing them in a different Toronto neighbourhood.


Brandon Valdivia, 25 years old. Bloorcourt (Bloor and Dufferin).

Drummers are the sluts of the music world. I don't mean they sleep around, though I'm sure they do. I just mean they get around; a good drummer in Toronto will often play in three or four bands at a time.

20080410-brandon-valdavia-1.jpgBrandon Valdivia plays in five. He started drumming in his hometown of Chatham at 12 years old; after collecting a music degree at Wilfrid Laurier he packed his bags and moved to the Big Smoke. His current groups include Picastro, Friendlyness and the Human Rights, Place Hands, Not the Wind Not the Flag, and Slowly, Slowly.

Not a showboat, it's Brandon's stellar craft and control that sets him apart from other percussionists. He can play with the subtlety of a kiss or the power of an electrical storm, often within seconds of each other.

He's probably best known for his work with Picastro (Owen Pallett is a former member.) They are going on a European tour this month to support their latest disc, 'Whore Luck'.


Photos by Mr. Robin Sharp

Reader Reviews and Comments

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What building is he standing in front of? And as much as I love the portraits, you need a lady featured next week!

Posted by: Danielle at April 11, 2008 1:47 PM

The gender balance will be restored in the coming weeks. The first picture is from an abandoned Edwardian housing complex about two blocks south of Dufferin Grove Park.

Posted by: robin at April 11, 2008 2:44 PM

I hear he plays in this really STUPID BAND back in chatham....

Posted by: Matt at April 12, 2008 12:35 AM

This property is among my favourite derelict Toronto buildings. It gives me a warm and fuzzy feeling whenever I bike by.

Posted by: Vikkie at April 12, 2008 3:04 AM

why don't you talk about the area or what it's like to live there? what's the point of mentioning each profile is in a different neighbourhood if you never address it?

Posted by: Sold at April 14, 2008 11:07 AM

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