I sat down with Tom Tunski, who is the creative director for EGO magazine, a Vic alumni, and my very own big brother. We focused on EGO (Edmonton Goes Off) in preparation for it’s launch on November 19th, 2020. Tom describes EGO as “a multimedia platform to demonstrate the artistic talents here in Edmonton through photos, interviews, and performances”. Continue reading to gain insight into Edmonton’s newest (and soon to be hottest) music magazine.

What inspired you to start EGO?

Vic alumni Tom Tunski posing while on set for EGO Magazine

It’s something I’ve wanted to do for a few years. The live aspect was something that I think was so important for the Edmonton arts community because it’s the most raw form that someone can experience an artist in, it’s the easiest way for [viewers] to connect if they’re just seeing the artist and the microphone. But what really started it was the lack of being able to throw live events. The bread and butter for a local musician to get people to start following them is live shows and because of COVID, we can’t have any of that.

How did you get into videography and music?

I was pretty into band when I was [in high school]. But music videos were kind of my way into art, because it's a collaboration between film and music. I listen to music all the time just for the sake of listening to it and videos provide that whole new lens to look at the song through. It was just something that people are always looking for, [and] there’s always going to be musicians so they’re always going to need music videos.

What makes Edmonton the right place for EGO?

It’s the right place for EGO because there’s a lot of talent here but there’s not a lot of investment in that talent. I think that there are a lot of artists that are really really good at what they do, but they don’t have the support to really focus it sometimes. I think EGO works because I have experience in focusing on ideas. The talent is there but there’s no way for them to get to where they want to be, and those people are hungry to do stuff. Edmonton has a lot of talent but the opportunities are hard to find, or people don’t know where to look for them in the first place. So by giving them that opportunity, I know they’re going to run with it.

What advice would you give your high school self about doing what you love?

With Vic specifically, appreciate the tools and resources you have, because there are so many kids that would be so lucky to go to Vic and have the opportunities and that support. I value artists that didn’t have that because they had to work for those opportunities, whereas at Vic, you just have them. So, yeah, I’d appreciate that more, I’d show up to class more and be more focused. Especially in my arts classes.

What is your favourite thing about the music scene in Edmonton, especially when working with young folks?

How hungry they are. A really important part of EGO is showing that young people are capable of so much of you just give them the opportunity and treat them like a professional. That was the whole motto with EGO: the project is first. Everyone is working towards this one goal. Young people are creative, and they’re hard working if they’re motivated. If you give them something to be motivated by, they’re going to take that and run with it.

Anything else you want students to know about your project?

EGO is an ongoing project, we’re looking for people constantly and we’re looking for people that work hard for themselves, right? We never want EGO to be someone’s final destination, we want it to be the start of something for them.