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Photo Illustration: Erik Grice

Everyone’s Got A Friend In Cheeses

Six rising artists dish out their cheesiest music secrets — With our friends at Tre Stelle and Castello.

by RANGE

Everyone has those couple songs that they’d willingly belt out at karaoke but quickly scramble to turn down the volume or hide their phone screen when shuffle graces you with their presence. There’s nothing wrong with embracing a heavy helping of cheese when the situation calls for it, whether it means reminiscing on your younger days with some bubblegum pop or moody alt-rock, having fun with some tongue-in-cheek lyricism, or simply turning up the pounding four-on-the-floor beats for a one-person dance party.

What better way to enjoy cheesy tunes than with some actual cheese? We’ve partnered with our friends at Castello and Tre Stelle to ask some local artists about their favourite ways to pair cheese-fuelled infatuations and guilty pleasures that age well like a fine cheddar. Who knows – maybe the next time you turn on that one-hit wonder from your youth you’ll get some culinary inspiration like Junior Chef Showdown champ Victor Chow and his Tre Stelle Bocconcini Three Ways, or Canada’s only Maitre de Fromaggier Afrim Pristine and his Castello Danish Blue Cheese picnic. 

KAYLA DIAMOND

What is the first album you bought with your own money? 

Green Day’s American Idiot. It’s like the best album ever. I still know it front to back!

What is the cheesiest band, artist, or album that you’re not ashamed to admit listening to? 

I always sing “Truly Madly Deeply” by Savage Garden to my wife at the top of my lungs and she runs away and wonders why she married me 

What are three songs you love that veer into “guilty pleasure” territory? 

Definitely the above mentioned, combined with S Club 7’s “S Club Party” and “I Get Knocked Down” by Chumbawamba (am I even spelling that correctly?)

What is your go-to cheesy snack?

A gourmet avocado toast with balsamic, truffle, and that gorgeous Castello Danish Blue Cheese crumbled right on top.

PATRIK KABONGO

What is the first album you bought with your own money?

Eminem’s The Eminem Show

What is the cheesiest album that you’re not ashamed to admit listening to?

Phantoms by Acceptance; I still listen to it till this day.

What are three songs you love that veer into “guilty pleasure” territory? 

“Black Beauty” by ROYAL: I heard the song on the radio randomly, her voice sounded like the most reassuring thing ever. The lyrics and the way the song was sung, I just fell in love with the song. I actually wish I wrote this song.

“Tomorrow Comes Today” by Gorillaz: I actually prefer the live version of this record since you get to see Damon play his Hohner Melodica, but the whole feel of the song has so much replay value. There’s this slurring of words that makes the melodies hypnotic. The Gorillaz are just one of the greatest bands in my opinion. 

“Human Nature” by Michael Jackson: “If this town is just an apple, then let me take a bite.” Need I say more? The tonality changes and the writing on this song are perfect. I was a kid when I saw MJ perform this on his Video Greatest Hits. Every time he said a line, he would take a deep breath and perform a singular move, as if it were an adlib. This is actually my favourite song ever.

What is your go-to cheesy snack?

Avocado Pesto Bruschetta with Tre Stelle’s Feta crumbled on top. (Editor’s Note: Tre Stelle’s Mozzarella Ball shredded on top is also a great move. You can’t go wrong either way!)

MADISYN GIFFORD

What is the first album you bought with your own money?

One Direction’s Up All Night when I was in the 6th grade. I vividly remember staying up in bed to listen to it on loop the night it came out. I still haven’t grown out of my One Direction phase, lol. 

What is the cheesiest album that you’re not ashamed to admit listening to?

I unironically scream-sing songs from the Victorious soundtrack often

What are three songs you love that veer into “guilty pleasure” territory? 

“I Can’t Remember” – an unreleased 5SOS song that I also unironically love

“S.O.S.” by the Jonas Brothers

“La La Land” by Demi Lovato

What is your go-to cheesy snack?

Definitely a grilled cheese with a mature cheddar like Castello Tickler, which pairs perfectly with sourdough bread and tomato soup — My favourite comfort meal.

SUNGLACIERS 

Photo: Haley Gunn

What is the first album you bought with your own money? 

Nyssa Brown: Aqua – “Barbie Girl,” the single. I still have it and I won’t let it go.

What is the cheesiest band, artist, or album that you’re not ashamed to admit listening to?

Big Shiny Tunes 3 and the Charlie’s Angels soundtrack.

What are three songs you love that veer into “guilty pleasure” territory? 

Acapella performances of “Misty Mountains” from The Hobbit; there are countless versions on YouTube and I just love em’. BENEE’s “Supalonely” is such a BOP and Steve Earle’s “Copperhead Road.”

What is your go-to cheesy snack?

Tre Stelle’s Mascarpone is yummy with smoked salmon.

ALTAMEDA

What is the first album you bought with your own money?

Erik Grice: If my memory serves me correct it was likely something by the Beatles or some kind of NOW or Big Shiny Tunes comp — whichever one had “Sex and Candy.”

What is the cheesiest band you’re not ashamed to admit listening to?

Firstly, it’s worth noting that I love all cheese — literally, metaphorically, and musically — so I’m not afraid or ashamed to admit to any of this. Having said that, if I found myself in a situation where someone wanted to scroll through my Spotify or something and The Carpenters, Billy Joel, or the Little Shop of Horrors Soundtrack were in my recently searched for or played, I might find myself over-explaining how and why it got to be there.

What are three songs you love that veer into “guilty pleasure” territory?

“I Try” by Macy Gray, “Forever And For Always” by Shania Twain and “It’s All Coming Back To Me Now” by Celine Dion. 

What is your go-to cheesy snack?

Tre Stelle’s Bocconcini makes a nice caprese salad or skewer type deal with some fresh basil and garden tomatoes. But if we’re still in guilty pleasure territory, I’d also eat those cheeseballs straight up out of the brine…like olives.

SONREAL

What is the first album you bought with your own money?

Method Man – Judgement Day. I still love that album. So many slaps on it lol.

What is the cheesiest band, artist, or album that you’re not ashamed to admit listening to?

If we’re talking real cheesy, every time I do karaoke I do Backstreet Boys’ “I Want It That Way.” An absolute banger.

What are three songs you love that veer into “guilty pleasure” territory? 

“We Can’t Stop” by Miley Cyrus

“Can’t Stop The Feeling!” by Justin Timberlake

“Bartender” by T-Pain

What is your go-to cheesy snack?

My favourite cheese is Brie. One of my favourite dishes would probably just be a bomb charcuterie dish for real. (Editor’s Note: The Castello Double Crème is a combination of creamy blue and creamy brie, which also makes a bomb charcuterie — for real!)