We recently connected with Bitter&Broke and have shared our conversation below.
Alright, Bitter&Broke thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Are you happier as a creative? Do you sometimes think about what it would be like to just have a regular job? Can you talk to us about how you think through these emotions?
Collectively, choosing to pursue music full-time as Bitter&Broke came with a mix of excitement, uncertainty, and relentless self-questioning. In an inflated economy, a hyper-competitive city, and a cutthroat music scene, we’ve constantly had to balance pragmatism with the urge to take wild leaps of faith into the unknown. The idea of a “regular job” is something we’ve all wrestled with at different points—especially when the grind gets heavy, the gigs slow down, or the money isn’t flowing the way it should. But what keeps us here is knowing that every challenge is ours to navigate, and every win is one we built from the ground up. At times, life feels harder because the stakes keep growing, and the goals we set for ourselves only get bigger. But the trade-off is freedom, ownership, and purpose—the ability to create without limits, build something real, and wake up every day knowing our future is in our hands. We’ve scaled this band into a full-fledged business, maintained revenue, and grown beyond what we ever imagined when we were grinding 9-to-5s. That shared optimism—something we didn’t always have in our separate journeys—fuels us. If happiness is measured by ease, then no, this path isn’t the easiest. But if it’s measured by purpose, passion, and the ability to chase something greater on our own terms, then we wouldn’t trade it for anything.
Bitter&Broke, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?
We’re Bitter&Broke, a Toronto-based band blending R&B, citypop, funk, and neo-soul into a fresh, genre-fluid sound. Raised in Scarborough, we came up remixing classics, throwing live events, and backing emerging artists before evolving into a full-fledged band with original music. Life in the struggle inspires the spirit behind our music—we know what it means to hustle, and that grind fuels everything we create. Our goal is to clash styles and genres in a way that feels both unexpected and timeless, shaping a production style that’s always pushing boundaries. Our work spans live performances, beat tapes, DJ sets, and production, all built around curating immersive musical experiences. What sets us apart is our unpredictable live shows, deep musicality, and commitment to the culture—mentoring young artists, hosting cyphers, and creating space for creativity to thrive. Whether it’s a soulful ballad like “Okay”, a boom-bap beat tape like “Bheaties”, or a genre-bending track like “FLOAT”, we make music for dreamers grinding toward their passion.
Is there mission driving your creative journey?
Our mission is rooted in embracing the struggle, honoring the hustle, and speaking to the journey of dreamers worldwide. The name Bitter&Broke isn’t just a catchy phrase—it’s a reflection of the reality that chasing a dream isn’t always pretty. It’s about pushing forward even when the odds aren’t in your favor, even when resources are tight, even when the path is uncertain. That’s the spirit behind our music. Through our sound, we capture the highs, the lows, and everything in between—the late nights, the sacrifices, the moments of doubt, but also the small wins, the breakthroughs, and the undeniable love for the craft that keeps us going. Our goal is to make music that resonates with anyone grinding toward something bigger than themselves. Whether it’s through genre-bending production, raw storytelling, or clashing styles that shouldn’t work but somehow do, we want to embody that relentless pursuit of artistry. Bitter&Broke is more than just a band—it’s a resilient mindset.
Is there something you think non-creatives will struggle to understand about your journey as a creative? Maybe you can provide some insight – you never know who might benefit from the enlightenment.
The truth is, everyone is creative. Some people just haven’t met that side of themselves yet. Creativity isn’t limited to artists, musicians, or writers—it exists in problem-solving, reimagining possibilities, and seeing the world through a different lens. Building a relationship with your creative self can be difficult. It can feel discouraging, uncertain, and even adversarial at times. For many, creativity lays dormant. Life gets in the way, self-doubt creeps in, or past experiences convince people that creativity is something you either have or don’t. The reality is that it never disappears. It just waits to be reignited. Being an artist means constantly negotiating with that other side—the one that dreams big but also hesitates, that sees potential but also fears failure. Some days, creativity feels like a gift. Other days, it feels like a fight. That struggle is part of the journey. Anyone who doesn’t identify as creative isn’t lacking creativity; they’ve just yet to rekindle that connection. The spark is always there, waiting for the right moment to be set free. The only question is whether you’re willing to explore it.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.bitterxbroke.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bitterxbroke/?hl=en
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCILgHlksCE0fk7DNIPPdq3w
- Other: Spotify – https://open.spotify.com/artist/3LzDT00aneMxBMF0wX4aGT?si=EfwASjlmSpeWdnNQaVOLrg
Image Credits
Farrell Tremblay
Amanda Lee Coffey
Arrun Selva
Daniel D’Souza
Adi Dasgupta
Raj Fichadia