Indie Artist Dwi Riana Reflects On Big City Life With New Single “Toronto 22”

Indonesian-Canadian Dwi Riana has shared their reflective new single “Toronto 22”.

Turning their journal entries into music, the non-binary bedroom-singer-songwriter wanted to celebrate the past and present of his surroundings in the dreamy new single. Capturing the individualism that comes with living in a big city, “Toronto 22” is a personal look into the singer’s experience.

“Live in any city long enough and it’ll start to fill up with people you can’t forget”, Dwi begins. “That’s what Toronto is for me, a lot of times it feels like it’s just a dream I never want to wake up from. I came here from so far away, and yet it’s become such a big part of me. There’s a viscosity that I feel with the city, once you’re in it then you’re a part of it. Everyone here is from somewhere else, everyone here is going through something, as am I“.

Incorporating lyrics from his journal, and inspiration from looking out on Lake Ontario, “Toronto 22” brings something from his new home and his roots via its instrumentation.

“The rattling bamboo instrument, the angklung, comes from my Indonesian roots”, Dwi shares. “It represents my voice in all the noise. On bass I have the wonderful Mikey Tachuk, who really added some groove and brightness to the sound. All the way from my hometown, I had my old highschool bandmate Leo Dimas on clarinet, his sound added such nostalgia to the tune. Lastly, I had the pleasure of working with fellow artist, Sunray Minor, on mix and master. They really took the song to different levels and I’m excited to continue working with them“.

Listen to the single below: