NABEEL PERVAIZ: (high)lighting the commUNITY from his lens
Nabeel Pervaiz has true vision.
His lens is one of light.
And trust me, I speak from experience. It’s been an honour to be behind it several times, and was how I met Nabeel three years ago when he photographed me before I hosted my first live interview, ever, for an International Women’s Day event. If you listen to this podcast, or have been photographed by Nabeel, then you’ll know, too, that it’s a true experience in a multitude of ways. This conversation delves into the many qualities Nabeel possesses, and the personal and professional journey that has led him to where he is today.
Over the last few years, Nabeel and I have collaborated on a few different projects, but it was just a year ago that we started to develop a friendship I’m truly grateful for, and we’ve experienced a lot of cool things over time. After that photoshoot, I went from coordinating an interview he produced for Manifesto Festival, which led to casual run-ins at events, where we reconnected. Last summer, I saw Nabeel at a mutual friend’s jam at Cold Tea – if you’re from Toronto, you know, but if not, Cold Tea is a popular bar that was known for being a speakeasy upon opening its first location in the city’s vibrant Kensington Market neighbourhood. I was just about to leave the event but there was Nabeel; I hadn’t seen him in forever, so we caught up. A few months later, I was a guest on Frisson Radio, the CIUT University of Toronto Campus Radio program he co-produces with Mikhael Lamont, to talk about my life and its dedication to a passion we share; music. Awesome collabs turned to solid hangs and it has been awesome to get to know Nabeel and really connect on our values and interests over time.
I felt it was important to hand Nabeel the mic and discuss his life; rich with art, ideas, emotion, intention, purpose and experience. While we’ll get into this in the discussion, I pondered Nabeel’s array of idiosyncrasies and how he can maintain such a strong community ethic all at once – from a B-Boy breaker between his hometown of Mississauga to Toronto’s OG Hip-Hop scene, a successful medical researcher and clinical project manager, to an accomplished writer covering numerous beats, a published scholar, radio host, and accomplished photographer – all the while crafting beautiful prose in between. In this episode of The Fold Podcast, Nabeel unfolds to share insight about his life and career to date, the inspiration that drives his work, being rooted in many communities, and the inherent values and intention he has to shape them with conscious compassion and fresh ideas.
LISTEN:
Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Google Podcasts
CONNECT WITH NABEEL PERVAIZ:
Website | Instagram
Frisson Radio on Instagram | Frisson Radio on Mixcloud
Tune in to Frisson Radio every Saturday from 6 to 8 p.m. ET on CIUT 89.5 FM (Toronto)
PLEASE NOTE: Nabeel and I recorded at Earscourt Park in Toronto, socially distanced at a bench, wearing masks. Please excuse any muffled sound due to PPE materials. I really appreciate Nabeel’s patience and your collective support. Thanks for listening.
ALL PHOTOS BY OLA MAZZUCA | SONIC FOLD | 2020