GEORGETOWN, Ontario — sadboy pizza, an alternative culture pizza and hobby store inspired by the 1990s and early 2000s, has released summer sampler vol. 1, its first physical CD compilation. The album features 13 Canadian artists from across the nation and aims to revive the human connection lost in algorithm-driven digital music discovery.
A Stand Against Digital Fatigue and AI
According to Michael Racioppo, owner of sadboy pizza, the project is a direct response to the overwhelming presence of algorithms and artificial intelligence in creative spaces. “Mixtapes and burned CDs were a love language once,” Racioppo said. “This project’s intention is to highlight incredibly talented Canadian artists through a physical medium that has largely dissolved over the years as a result of algorithmic-based digital landscapes that have taken out the human in connection.”
Racioppo emphasized the importance of resisting AI-generated content that devalues human artistry. “We can’t turn on a device anymore without it listening, watching, recommending, or generating content for us to consume. It’s taken out the humanity of discovery and art. AI is trying to devalue creatives and what we do. Culture is critical to our wellbeing, to what it means to be human. If we don’t continue to show up, and resist, we let algorithms win. Physical media is the best way to do it.”
Collaboration and Track Listing
For the CD packaging, sadboy collaborated with local artist and illustrator Blake Stevenson of Jetpacks and Rollerskates. The compilation also received support from Canadian record labels New Damage Records and Royal Mountain Records, along with independent artists. The 13-track album showcases the Canadian alternative music scene.
The track list for summer sampler vol. 1 includes:
- Mountain Head – Let It Out (Georgetown, ON)
- also-ran – Perfection (Far From It) (Winnipeg, MB)
- madfolk – Stick Around (Toronto, ON)
- Jenny Palacios – Who Couldn’t Love You? (Toronto, ON)
- Neon Ghosthouse – Ice Cream (Ottawa, ON)
- Chief State – DAMN! (Vancouver, BC)
- Calling All Captains – A New Type of Grey (Edmonton, AB)
- F!TH – Take An Honest Look At Perfection (Ottawa, ON)
- Cawston – Sara Tune In (Kelowna, BC)
- In All Fairness – Trace (Hamilton, ON)
- Customer Service – Never Meant To (Halifax, NS)
- poor sport – streetlights (Victoria, BC)
- John’s Cottage – No Glory (Toronto, ON)
Rediscovering Music Through Physical Media
Racioppo encourages listeners to engage with the album in a tangible way. “Discover or rediscover the lost novelty of music discovery through physical media. Share the CD with your friends, talk about your favourite tracks, roll down your windows during a summer night drive, and remember what humans have the capacity to create when we’ve put in the time and effort to struggle through the friction to make art.”
The album is available at sadboy pizza and various distribution and promotion partners across Canada, including Dine Alone Records (Toronto, ON), Vintage 905 (Whitby, ON), Vintage Instincts (Guelph, ON), Into the Music (Winnipeg, MB), Compact Music (Ottawa, ON), Blackbyrd Myoozik (Edmonton, AB), and more.
About sadboy pizza
sadboy pizza is an award-winning, top-rated pizzeria in Georgetown, Ontario. While the heart of the business is its 18-inch XL pizzas, the soul lies in its homage to 80s, 90s, and early 2000s alternative culture. The store features pinball machines, retro collectibles, curated local hot sauces and craft beer, and a VHS nook with a CRT TV and over 500 purchasable VHS tapes.
For more information, visit sadboy.ca.
