Meet Rosina Kazi & Nicholas Murray | Musicians / community activators

We had the good fortune of connecting with Rosina Kazi & Nicholas Murray and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Rosina & Nicholas, we’d love to hear about how you approach risk and risk-taking.
As a partnership we have 2 musical projects, one is a 25 year old alternative / electronic duo called LAL, one is a dance music project called ROSINA that incorporates drag and gender performance (with drag performer Fanny Galore-Wngz), and we help run an arts space for and by Queer/Trans and / or Black and Brown folks and friends, called Unit 2, out of our warehouse space in Toronto.

For us taking risks, is about awareness and exposure. Having the courage to fully embrace the emotional essence of the thing we are trying to create (ie music, performance, community gatherings etc..). Also having the awareness to trust the process, and allow for the many parts of creation to form together, without controlling every aspect.

Taking risks has allowed us to stand out and create our own world, which has enabled us to have longevity and strong relationships with many different people and communities in Toronto and Turtle Island.

Without risk, ‘what’s the point’ is our attitude. In a world that often tries to shut us down or fuck with us, we use our imagination to collaborate, heal and build a better world, where liberation is not the destination, but the journey itself.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
We both started working together at big record store in the 90’s in the dance department known as HMV basement. Nic was making hip hop beats with da Grassroots production trio, and Rose started singing over Nic’s production. We formed LAL in 1998 and attempted to mix electronic music (hip hop, techno, downtempo etc…) with our cultural influences, mostly from the West Indies and Bengal. We were the only people really messing with this at the time in Toronto.

We started the ROSINA project during the pandemic, in order to release joy at a time of immense sorrow and grief.

The biggest challenges for us has been doing everything, from management to art and music making, to tour booking to grant writing and supporting emerging artists, though now we finally have some help! At the same time it’s the only way we know how. We have learned to work collaboratively and ask for help, to not try to control everything, and move with patience and care. We want the world to know that we are still here, and though it’s often a lot of work, we are committed to pushing boundaries and exploring new sounds, ideas, and people.

We want the world to know, we are brilliant and beautiful beings, who show up and work our asses off, while remaining humble and unapologetic. We are here to encourage others to dream big, with good people and to share.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
We’d first start in Kensington Market near China town in Toronto. An amazing hub of music, arts, food and culture. High Park, would be another stop to chill and we’d go to the beach on the west end of Lake Ontario. Nature often gives us perspective and joy. We would def make a pass through to COSMOS records and Play de Record to show Toronto’s history of vinyl stores we grew up around. For clubs we’d go to Little Jerry’s, BSMT 254, Standard time and It’s Ok. For live music we’d go to the Music Gallery for out there shit, Lula Lounge for international music, and Baby G’s. We’d take a stroll down Queen St West to point out the different spots and places that really informed our Toronto experience. For visual art we’d spend time at TPW gallery, Olga Korper Gallery and walk through OCAD university, University of the arts. Food wise, we’d trek out to Scarborough, Sauga and Brampton to get the best West Indian, Indian, African, Middle Eastern, strip mall food. Some of the most interesting people we would like to introduce people to are artist/theatre maker Ange Loft, writer / academic Robyn Maynard, visual artist and community organizer Syrus Marcus Ware. Basically walking throughout the city in the summer would allow us to introduce folks to other amazing people, spots and communities we are connected to, cuz we know so many people here and have been building for over 25 years. Oh lastly, we’d watch the sunset on Sterling Road, in front of Unit 2!

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
We want to shout out community radio, some of which are no longer around like ckln 88.1, and also Toronto indie record stores. Also the amazing Black and Brown / friends weirdos past, present and future like Swiff La Roc, Gadget Noel Cambel, dj Son of SOUL, Moonstarr, Toronto Black Freedom School, Andrew Tay of Toronto Dance theatre and def our mothers and the communities and music / art lovers who have supported our work. There’s so many folks to shout out!

Website: www.lalforest.com https://rosinamusic.xyz http://unit2.club/

Instagram: @lalforest @rosinamulitplefutures @unit2communityspace

Twitter: @lalforest

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@lalforestworld /

Other: https://lalforest.bandcamp.com/album/spectacular

https://rosina.bandcamp.com/album/basic-income

Image Credits
photos 1 & 2 (of ROSINA trio) and LAL
By Plastique Famille
Diego Coronel

photos
3 & 4 (live photos) featuring Ian de Souza on bass, Jonathan Adjemian on keys, Yann Gracia main lighting and conceptual designer of show, Jose Garcia projections
photos by Green Yang

last jpg of art work for new album
visual artist: Shirin Fahimi / design Noel Nanton of Typotherapy