we lost our record deal right when we were starting to take off so I mean that for all of us remains a huge disap - pointment because we had a ton of momentum and that will always be a what if. I mean I can’t say that I can express any disappointments in the way that my broad - cast career projectory has gone. I feel super fortunate and yeah I am crazy lucky. So I mean sure are there always things that I could have done differently, yes but I would say the record company thing was probably the biggest disappointment. Spotlight: We couldn’t end our conversa- tion without asking if there are any chances of another Joydrop reunion any time soon? Tara Slone: Well, up until a couple years ago we were doing one concert a year in Toronto, and we actually did get together this summer and started working on a new song, so I mean the chances are good. I think we would love to finish a few songs and put them out. We, three of the four of us, are still really close and are committed to keeping it alive to some extent.
Spotlight: What advice do you have for females or any readers for that matter when it comes to getting into the entertainment industry, whether it is in front of behind the microphone or camera? Tara Slone: I was lucky to learn on the job and I really think that was the best education but certainly there are so many fantastic school programs, but I think that times have changed to the point that if you are really interested in broadcasting I didn’t study is a huge part of it but I also think that we are in an era now where you can make your own content. I think that the world is maybe your oyster in a way that it didn’t used to be. Not everybody could pick up editing equipment twenty years ago but right now everyone has a smartphone so I would say if you were really looking to get into it start creating your own projects and content. Do a podcast, do social media stream, do something. Other advice I give is make sure you are passionate about it. I think that the key to connection and longevity in this business is curiosity and authenticity plus you have to be sometimes willing to go work in that place you know that isn’t necessarily a primary market. Lots of my colleagues have gone to places like Grand Prairie or Lethbridge and other small towns and markets all over Canada to get their opportunity in front of the camera. If you want to be in this industry, if you really think you want to be in broadcasting you have to really be dedicated to it and be passionate and curious about humanity. I would say this to anyone looking to get into any field, don’t be afraid to reach out to others, this is a very con - nected world and places like Linkedin and many of the other social media platforms allow you to connect with those in the industry. Don’t be afraid to ask somebody that you admire if they can chat with you. I am not encouraging everyone to do this, but I will be honest I get a bunch of unso - licited messages saying, “Hey I am a student in college I want to get into broadcasting, can we talk for 15 minutes” and most people I know will say yes. So, reach out, ask questions and don’t be afraid to ask for support in the media because it is nice to have different perspectives.
“I think I learned it all comes back to the same thing. It all comes back to authenticity.”
Spotlight: What is the biggest lesson you have learned along the way in your professional journey? What was your biggest surprise? What was your biggest disappointment? Tara Slone: I think I learned it all comes back to the same thing. It all comes back to authentici - ty. Sometimes we all get caught up in needing to fit a certain mold, some way that we think we are supposed to be especially in broadcasting because there seems to be a broadcast voice and a broadcast look. For me it is about breaking the mold, it is learning about me and how I can evolve and that my individuality is my superpow - er. Honestly, it is everybody’s superpower in that we are not meant to be robots and I don’t think that people out there watching us and listening to us want robots, they want to connect with the real you. So, I think that is the biggest lesson for me that I still need to be reminded of every once in a while. I think getting into broadcasting at all was my biggest surprise as it really wasn’t an aspiration of mine. But now I still have pinch me moments when I am on the road and you know introducing a Toronto Maple Leafs game, and think to myself, like what the hell is this, it is like what world has this come to fruition, so I think that is the biggest thing for me. I don’t know about disappointing. I mean if you really want to go into sort of initial my time with Joydrop did not go or end the way we wanted it to. We had the rug pulled out because our record company was absorbed into another, and
“ I still have pinch me moments when I am on the road and you know intro- ducing a Toronto Maple Leafs game, and think to myself, like what the hell is this, it is like what world has this come to fruition,”
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NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2021 • SPOTLIGHT ON BUSINESS MAGAZINE
SPOTLIGHT ON BUSINESS MAGAZINE • NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2021
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